Fair Value of Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

The Company’s financial instruments have been recorded at fair value using available market information and valuation techniques. The fair value hierarchy is based upon three levels of input, which are:

Level 1 — quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (observable)

Level 2 — inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable market data for essentially the full term of the asset or liability (observable)

Level 3 — unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, but are significant to determining the fair value of the asset or liability (unobservable)

The Company’s financial instruments primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, trade payables, debt instruments and deferred compensation assets and liabilities. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and trade payables as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019 were considered representative of their fair values. The estimated fair value of the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes was $10.8 million and $89.8 million, respectively, at March 31, 2020. The valuation techniques used to determine the fair value of 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The deferred compensation assets and liabilities primarily relate to the Company’s deferred compensation plan, which allows for pre-tax salary deferrals for certain key employees. Changes in the fair value of the deferred compensation liabilities are derived using quoted prices in active markets of the asset selections made by the participants. The deferred compensation liabilities are classified within Level 2, the fair value classification as defined under FASB ASC 820: "Fair Value Measurements", because their inputs are derived principally from observable market data by correlation to the hypothetical investments. The Company holds insurance investments to partially offset the Company’s liabilities under its deferred compensation plan, which are recorded at fair value each period using the cash surrender value of the insurance investments.

The amounts owed to employees participating in the deferred compensation plan at March 31, 2020 was $2.9 million compared to $3.2 million at December 31, 2019 and is included in other long-term liabilities on the balance sheets.

As it relates to the contingent consideration associated with the Restaurant Magic Acquisition we may use various valuation techniques depending on the terms and conditions of the contingent consideration, including a Monte-Carlo simulation. This simulation uses probability distribution for each significant input to produce hundreds or thousands of possible outcomes and the results are analyzed to determine probabilities of different outcomes occurring, as such it is classified as Level 3. Significant increases or decreases to these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower liability with a higher liability. Ultimately, the liability will be equivalent to the amount paid, and the difference between the fair value estimate and amount paid will be recorded in earnings. The amount paid that is less than or equal to the liability on the acquisition date is reflected as cash used in financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows. Any amount paid in excess of the liability on the acquisition date is reflected as cash used in operating activities. The Restaurant Magic Acquisition resulted in a liability for the contingent consideration being recorded in the amount of $3.3 million during 2019. The liability for the contingent consideration was established at the time of the acquisition and will be evaluated quarterly based on additional information as it becomes available. Any change in the fair value adjustment is recorded in the earnings of that period.

The following table presents a summary of changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and are recorded as a component of other long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet (in thousands):



(in thousands)	Level 3 Inputs
	Liabilities
Balance at December 31, 2019	$	3,340
New level 3 liability	—
Total gains (losses) reported in earnings	—
Settlement of Level 3 liabilities	—
Balance at March 31, 2020	$	3,340

- 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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