Note 1 - Description and Organization of Business

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

NOTE A - DESCRIPTION AND ORGANIZATION OF BUSINESS

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively the “Company” or “Nathan’s”) has historically operated or franchised a chain of retail fast food restaurants featuring the “Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dog”, crinkle-cut French-fried potatoes and a variety of other menu offerings.  Nathan’s has also established a Branded Product Program, which enables foodservice retailers to sell select Nathan’s proprietary products outside of the realm of a traditional franchise relationship.  Nathan’s also licenses the manufacture and sale of “Nathan’s Famous” packaged hot dogs, crinkle-cut French fries and a number of other products to a variety of third parties for sale to supermarkets, club stores and grocery stores. The Company is also the owner of the Arthur Treacher’s brand. Arthur Treacher's main product is its "Original Fish & Chips" product consisting of fish fillets coated with a special batter prepared under a proprietary formula, deep-fried golden brown, and served with English-style chips and corn meal "hush puppies."  The Company considers itself to be in the foodservice industry, and has pursued co-branding and co-hosting initiatives.

At March 31, 2013, the Company’s restaurant system included five Company-owned units in the New York City metropolitan area (including one seasonal location and two restaurants that are currently being redeveloped) and 303 franchised or licensed units, located in 28 states, the Cayman Islands and eight foreign countries.