Basis of Presentation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

The Company’s fiscal quarters end on the Sunday closest to the last day of each calendar quarter. For convenience, the fiscal quarters of each year are referred to as ending on March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31. The first fiscal quarter of 2021 began on January 4, 2021 and ended on April 4, 2021; the second fiscal quarter of 2021 ended on July 4, 2021. The first fiscal quarter of 2020 began on December 30, 2019 and ended on March 29, 2020; the second fiscal quarter of 2020 ended on June 28, 2020.

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries that are consolidated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires the Company’s management to make assumptions and estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, if any, at the date of the consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates may include the calculation and assessment of the following: impairment of goodwill, other intangible assets and tangible assets; income taxes; allowance for credit losses on accounts and notes receivables; lease accounting estimates; contingencies; and stock-based compensation. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates based on historical experience, current conditions and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The Company adjusts such estimates and assumptions when facts and circumstances dictate. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Risks and Uncertainties

The Company was subject to risks and uncertainties as a result of the continuing outbreak of a novel strain of coronavirus, designated “COVID-19.” The extent of the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business is highly uncertain and difficult to predict, as measures taken in response to and the effect of the pandemic have varied and continue to vary by state and municipalities within states. Assessments of the success of measures taken and the timing of any further restrictions, or lifting of such restrictions, continues to evolve. The Company first began to experience impacts from COVID-19 in March 2020, as federal, state, local and international governments began to react to the public health crisis by encouraging “social distancing” and requiring, in varying degrees, restaurant dine-in limitations and other restrictions that largely limited the restaurants of the Company's franchisees and its company-operated restaurants to take-out and delivery sales. Subsequently, government-imposed dine-in restrictions have been relaxed in many of the locations in which the Company operates as incidents of infection decline within the respective governmental jurisdictions. As of June 30, 2021, 98% of domestic Applebee's and IHOP restaurants were operating at 100% capacity and 99% of domestic Applebee's and IHOP restaurants were open.

The Company took several actions to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on its operations and its franchisees, as follows: (i) drew down $220 million from its revolving credit facility in March 2020 and repaid the borrowing in March 2021; (ii) suspended repurchases of common stock and the declaration of dividends on common stock after the first quarter of 2020.; (iii) deferred franchisee payment of royalty, advertising and other fees, and lease obligations for up to two months on a case-by-case basis, with 98% of Applebee's and 87% of IHOP deferrals collected as of June 30, 2021; (iv) deferred franchisee remodel and development obligations for up to 15 months; and (v) negotiated deferrals and abatements for properties on which the Company was lessee.

The severity of the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company's business will depend on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, how long the pandemic will last, whether/when recurrences of the virus and variants of the virus may arise, the availability and acceptance of vaccines, what restrictions on in-restaurant dining may be imposed or re-imposed, the timing and extent of customer re-engagement with the Company's brands and, in general, what the short- and long-term impact on consumer discretionary spending the COVID-19 pandemic might have on the Company and the restaurant industry as a whole, all of which are uncertain and cannot be predicted. The Company's future results of operations and liquidity could adversely be impacted by the length of time dine-in restrictions remain in place and the success of any initiatives or programs that the Company may undertake to address financial and operational challenges faced by itself and its franchisees. As such, the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may continue to materially impact the Company's financial condition, liquidity, or results of operations is highly uncertain.