Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2016

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”) and under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The consolidated financial statements consist of the accounts of Panera Bread Company, its wholly owned direct and indirect subsidiaries and investees it controls. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the fiscal 2016 presentation.

Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fiscal Year

The Company's fiscal year ends on the last Tuesday in December. Each of the fiscal years ended December 27, 2016 (“fiscal 2016”), December 29, 2015 (“fiscal 2015”), and December 30, 2014 (“fiscal 2014”) had 52 weeks.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity at the time of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash balances with financial institutions that exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses related to these balances and believes credit risk to be minimal.

Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Trade Accounts Receivable, net and Other Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable, net consists primarily of amounts due to the Company from its franchisees for purchases of fresh dough and other products from the Company’s fresh dough facilities, royalties due to the Company from franchisee sales, information technology services provided to franchisees, and receivables from credit card and catering on-account sales.

As of December 27, 2016, other accounts receivable consisted primarily of $30.9 million due from wholesalers of the Company’s gift cards, $9.8 million due from income tax refunds, and tenant allowances due from landlords of $6.1 million. As of December 29, 2015, other accounts receivable consisted primarily of $29.8 million due from income tax refunds, $29.5 million due from wholesalers of the Company’s gift cards, and tenant allowances due from landlords of $11.8 million.

The Company does not require collateral and maintains reserves for potential uncollectible accounts based on historical losses and existing economic conditions, when relevant. The allowance for doubtful accounts at December 27, 2016 and December 29, 2015 was $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories

Inventories, which consist of food products, paper goods, and supplies, are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined under the first-in, first-out method.

Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Property and Equipment, net

Property, equipment, leasehold improvements, and land are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are depreciated using the straight-line method over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the related reasonably assured lease term. Costs incurred in connection with the development of internal-use software are capitalized in accordance with the accounting standard for internal-use software, and are amortized over the expected useful life of the software. The estimated useful lives used for financial statement purposes are:

Leasehold improvements	15	-	20	years
Machinery and equipment	3	-	15	years
Furniture and fixtures	2	-	7	years
Computer hardware and software	3	-	5	years

Interest, to the extent it is incurred in connection with the construction of new locations or facilities, is capitalized. The capitalized interest is recorded as part of the asset to which it relates and is amortized over the asset’s estimated useful life. Interest incurred for such purposes was $0.3 million, $0.2 million, and $0.1 million for fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015, and fiscal 2014, respectively.

Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed and their related accumulated depreciation are removed from the Company’s accounts. Any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to operations. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense when incurred, while certain improvements are capitalized. The total amounts expensed for maintenance and repairs was $72.7 million, $67.3 million, and $62.0 million, for fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015, and fiscal 2014, respectively.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill

The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during our fourth quarter, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment might exist. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment through the comparison of fair value of our reporting units to their carrying values. When evaluating goodwill for impairment, the Company may first perform an assessment of qualitative factors to determine if the fair value of the reporting unit is more-likely-than-not greater than its carrying amount. If, based on the review of the qualitative factors, the Company determines it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company bypasses the required two-step impairment test. If the Company does not perform a qualitative assessment or if the fair value of the reporting unit is not more-likely- than-not greater than its carrying value, the Company performs a quantitative assessment and calculates the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, there is an indication that impairment may exist. The amount of impairment is determined by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill to the carrying value of the goodwill in the same manner as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the recorded goodwill, the Company would record an impairment loss for the difference.

The fair value of a reporting unit is the price a willing buyer would pay for the reporting unit and is estimated using a discounted cash flow model. The discounted cash flow estimate is based upon, among other things, certain assumptions about expected future operating performance, such as revenue growth rates, operating margins, risk-adjusted discount rates, and future economic and market conditions.

No goodwill impairment charges were recorded during fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015. The Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $2.1 million during fiscal 2014.  This charge was recorded in other (income) expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Other Intangible Assets, net

Other intangible assets, net consist primarily of favorable lease agreements, re-acquired territory rights, and trademarks. The Company amortizes the fair value of favorable lease agreements over the remaining related lease terms at the time of the acquisition, which ranged from approximately four years to 19 years as of December 27, 2016. The fair value of re-acquired territory rights was based on the present value of the acquired bakery-cafe cash flows. The Company amortizes the fair value of re-acquired territory rights over the remaining contractual terms of the re-acquired territory rights at the time of the acquisition, which ranged from approximately seven years to 20 years as of December 27, 2016. The fair value of trade names and trademarks is amortized over their estimated useful life of eight years and 22 years, respectively.

The Company reviews intangible assets with finite lives for impairment when events or circumstances indicate these assets might be impaired. When warranted, the Company tests intangible assets with finite lives for impairment using historical cash flows and other relevant facts and circumstances as the primary basis for an estimate of future cash flows. The Company recognized a $0.3 million impairment loss in fiscal 2016 related to re-acquired territory rights in a market the Company exited. There were no other intangible asset impairment losses recorded during fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014. There can be no assurance that future intangible asset impairment tests will not result in a charge to earnings.

Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that indicate the remaining estimated useful life of long-lived assets may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company compares anticipated undiscounted cash flows from the related long-lived assets of a bakery-cafe or fresh dough facility with their respective carrying values to determine if the long-lived assets are recoverable. If the sum of the anticipated undiscounted cash flows for the long-lived assets is less than their carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference between the anticipated discounted cash flows, which approximates fair value, and the carrying value of the long-lived assets. In performing this analysis, management estimates cash flows based upon, among other things, certain assumptions about expected future operating performance, such as revenue growth rates, operating margins, risk-adjusted discount rates, and future economic and market conditions. Estimates of cash flow may differ from actual cash flow due to, among other things, economic conditions, changes to the Company's business model or changes in operating performance. The long-term financial forecasts that management utilizes represent the best estimate that management has at this time and management believes that the underlying assumptions are reasonable.

The Company recognized impairment losses of $4.0 million, $3.8 million, and $0.9 million during fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015, and fiscal 2014, respectively, related to distinct, under-performing Company-owned bakery-cafes. For fiscal 2016, $2.9 million of the impairment losses were recorded in other operating expenses and $1.1 million of the impairment losses were recorded in refranchising loss in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For fiscal 2015, the impairment losses were recorded in refranchising loss in the Consolidated Statements of Income. For fiscal 2014, the impairment losses were recorded in other operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Liability Reserve Estimate, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Self-Insurance Reserves

The Company is self-insured for a significant portion of its workers’ compensation, group health, and general, auto, and property liability insurance with varying deductibles of as much as $0.8 million for individual claims, depending on the type of claim. The Company also purchases aggregate stop-loss and/or layers of loss insurance in many categories of loss. The Company utilizes third party actuarial experts’ estimates of expected losses based on statistical analyses of the Company's actual historical data and historical industry data to determine required self-insurance reserves. The assumptions are closely reviewed, monitored, and adjusted when warranted by changing circumstances. The estimated accruals for these liabilities could be affected if actual experience related to the number of claims and cost per claim differs from these assumptions and historical trends. Based on information known at December 27, 2016, the Company believes it has provided adequate reserves for its self-insurance exposure. As of December 27, 2016 and December 29, 2015, self-insurance reserves were $41.7 million and $37.2 million, respectively, and were included in accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total amounts expensed for self-insurance were $49.2 million, $54.3 million, and $50.7 million for fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015, and fiscal 2014, respectively.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted income tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Any effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recognized if the Company determines it is more likely than not that all or some portion of the deferred tax asset will not be recognized. As of December 27, 2016 and December 29, 2015, the Company had recorded a valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets of the Company's Canadian operations of $11.3 million and $5.3 million, respectively.

In accordance with the authoritative guidance on income taxes, the Company establishes additional provisions for income taxes when, despite the belief that tax positions are fully supportable, there remain certain positions that do not meet the minimum probability threshold, which is a tax position that is more likely than not to be sustained upon ultimate settlement with tax authorities assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant facts. In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are examined by various federal, state, foreign, and other tax authorities. The Company regularly assesses the potential outcomes of these examinations and any future examinations for the current or prior years in determining the adequacy of its provision for income taxes. The Company routinely assesses the likelihood and amount of potential adjustments and adjusts the income tax provision, the current tax liability and deferred taxes in the period in which the facts that give rise to a revision become known. The Company classifies estimated interest and penalties related to the unrecognized tax benefits as a component of the provision for income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Real Estate Held for Development and Sale, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Capitalization of Certain Development Costs

The Company accounts for construction costs in accordance with the accounting standard for real estate in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company capitalizes direct costs clearly associated with the acquisition, development, design, and construction of bakery-cafe locations and fresh dough facilities as these costs have a future benefit to the Company. The types of specifically identifiable costs capitalized by the Company include primarily payroll and payroll related taxes and benefit costs incurred by those individuals directly involved in development activities, including the acquisition, development, design, and construction of bakery-cafes and fresh dough facilities. The Company does not consider for capitalization payroll or payroll-related costs incurred by individuals that do not directly support the acquisition, development, design, and construction of bakery-cafes and fresh dough facilities. The Company uses an activity-based methodology to determine the amount of costs incurred for Company-owned projects, which are capitalized, and those for franchise-operated projects and general and administrative activities, which both are expensed as incurred. If the Company subsequently makes a determination that sites for which development costs have been capitalized will not be acquired or developed, any previously capitalized development costs are expensed and included in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company capitalized $9.9 million, $9.8 million, and $10.4 million of direct costs related to the development of Company-owned bakery-cafes during fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015, and fiscal 2014, respectively. The Company amortizes capitalized development costs for each bakery-cafe and fresh dough facility using the straight-line method over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the related reasonably assured lease term and includes such amounts in depreciation and amortization in the Consolidated Statements of Income. In addition, the Company assesses the recoverability of capitalized costs through the performance of impairment analyses on an individual bakery-cafe and fresh dough facility basis pursuant to the accounting standard for property and equipment, net specifically related to the accounting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets.

Debt, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Deferred Financing Costs

Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expense based on the related debt agreement using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition

The Company records revenues from bakery-cafe sales upon delivery of the related food and other products to the customer. Revenues from fresh dough and other product sales to franchisees are recorded upon delivery to the franchisees. Sales of branded products outside of the Company's bakery-cafes are recognized upon delivery to customers.

Franchise royalties are generally paid weekly based on the percentage of franchisee sales specified in each Area Development Agreement (“ADA”) (generally five percent of net sales). Royalties are recognized as revenue in the period in which the sales are reported to have occurred based on contractual royalty rates applied to the net franchise sales. Franchise royalties also include certain information technology-related fees for access to and the usage of proprietary systems. Royalties were $153.1 million, $134.6 million, and $120.1 million for fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015, and fiscal 2014, respectively. Franchise fees are the result of the sale of area development rights and the sale of individual franchise locations to third parties. The initial franchise fee is generally $35,000 per bakery-cafe to be developed under the ADA. Of this fee, $5,000 is generally paid at the time of the signing of the ADA and is recognized as revenue when it is received as it is non-refundable and the Company has to perform no other service to earn this fee. The remainder of the fee is paid at the time an individual franchise agreement is signed and is recognized as revenue upon the opening of the bakery-cafe. Franchise fees were $2.2 million, $4.0 million, and $3.6 million for fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015, and fiscal 2014, respectively.

The Company sells gift cards that do not have an expiration date and from which the Company does not deduct non-usage fees from outstanding gift card balances. Gift cards are redeemable at both Company-owned and franchise-operated bakery-cafes. Gift cards sold by either Company-owned bakery-cafes or through wholesalers and redeemed at franchise-operated bakery-cafes reduce the Company's gift card liability but do not result in the recognition of revenue. When gift cards are redeemed at Company-owned bakery-cafes, the Company recognizes revenue and reduces the gift card liability. When the Company determines the likelihood of the gift card being redeemed by the customer is remote ("gift card breakage"), based upon Company-specific historical redemption patterns, and there is no legal obligation to remit the unredeemed gift card balance in the relevant jurisdiction, gift card breakage is recorded as a reduction of general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income; however, such gift cards will continue to be honored. During fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015, and fiscal 2014, the Company recognized gift card breakage as a reduction of general and administrative expenses of $11.2 million, $6.9 million, and $4.9 million, respectively. Incremental direct costs related to the sale of gift cards are deferred until the associated gift card is redeemed or breakage is deemed appropriate. These deferred incremental direct costs are reflected as a reduction of the unredeemed gift card liability, net which is a component of accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and, when recognized, as a component of other operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company maintains a customer loyalty program referred to as MyPanera in which customers earn rewards based on registration in the program and purchases within Panera Bread bakery-cafes. The Company records the full retail value of loyalty program rewards as a reduction of net bakery-cafe sales and a liability is established within accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as rewards are earned while considering historical redemption rates. Fully earned rewards generally expire if unredeemed after 60 days. Partially earned awards generally expire if inactive for a period of one year. The accrued liability related to the Company’s loyalty program was $3.2 million and $2.7 million as of December 27, 2016 and December 29, 2015, respectively. Costs associated with coupons are classified as a reduction of net bakery-cafe sales in the period in which the coupon is redeemed.

Advertising Cost, Policy, Expensed Advertising Cost [Policy Text Block]

Advertising Costs

National advertising fund and marketing administration contributions received from franchise-operated bakery-cafes are consolidated with those from the Company in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Liabilities for unexpended funds received from franchisees are included in accrued expenses in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s contributions to the national advertising and marketing administration funds are recorded as part of other operating expenses and general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income, while the Company’s own local bakery-cafe media costs are recorded as part of other operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company records advertising costs as expense in the period in which the costs are incurred. The Company’s advertising costs include national, regional, and local expenditures utilizing primarily radio, billboards, social networking, Internet, television, and print. The total amounts recorded as advertising expense were $71.6 million, $68.5 million, and $65.5 million for fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015, and fiscal 2014, respectively.

Start-up Activities, Cost Policy [Policy Text Block]

Pre-Opening Expenses

Pre-opening expenses directly associated with the opening of new bakery-cafe locations, which consists primarily of pre-opening rent expense, labor, and food costs incurred during in-store training and preparation for opening, but exclude manager training costs which are included in labor expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income, are expensed when incurred.

Lease, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Rent Expense

The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the reasonably assured lease term as defined in the accounting standard for leases. The reasonably assured lease term for most bakery-cafe leases is the initial non-cancelable lease term plus one renewal option period, which generally equates to an aggregate of 15 years. The reasonably assured lease term on most fresh dough facility leases is the initial non-cancelable lease term plus one to two renewal option periods, which generally equates to an aggregate of 20 years. In addition, certain of the Company’s lease agreements provide for scheduled rent increases during the lease terms or for rental payments commencing at a date other than the date of initial occupancy. The Company includes any rent escalations and construction period and other rent holidays in its determination of straight-line rent expense. Therefore, rent expense for new locations is charged to expense beginning on the date at which the Company has the right to control the use of the property. Many of the Company's lease agreements also contain provisions that require additional rental payments based upon net bakery-cafe sales volume, which the Company refers to as contingent rent. Contingent rent is accrued each period as the liability is incurred, in addition to the straight-line rent expense noted above. This results in variability in occupancy expense over the term of the lease in bakery-cafes where the Company pays contingent rent.

The Company records landlord allowances and incentives received as deferred rent in the Consolidated Balance Sheets based on their short-term or long-term nature. This deferred rent is amortized on a straight-line basis over the reasonably assured lease term as a reduction of rent expense. Additionally, payments made by the Company and reimbursed by the landlord for improvements deemed to be lessor assets have no impact on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The Company considers improvements to be a lessor asset if all of the following criteria are met:

• the lease specifically requires the lessee to make the improvement;

• the improvement is fairly generic;

• the improvement increases the fair value of the property to the lessor; and

• the useful life of the improvement is longer than the lease term.

The Company reports the period to period change in the landlord receivable within the operating activities section of its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the fiscal year. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding and dilutive securities outstanding during the year.

Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company has one Company-owned bakery-cafe, one Company-owned fresh dough facility, and 18 franchise-operated bakery-cafes in Canada which use the Canadian Dollar as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using the current exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date, while revenues and expenses are translated at the weighted-average exchange rate during the fiscal period. The resulting translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions have not historically been significant and are included in other (income) expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Derivative Instruments

The Company records all derivatives in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. The Company does not enter into derivative instruments for trading purposes. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the derivative's gain or loss is reported as component of other comprehensive income and recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The gain or loss is subsequently reclassified into earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings. To the extent that the change in the fair value of the contract corresponds to the change in the value of the anticipated transaction, the hedge is considered effective. The remaining change in fair value of the contract represents the ineffective portion, which is immediately recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Once established, cash flow hedges generally remain designated as such until the hedged item impacts earnings, or the anticipated transaction is no longer likely to occur.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and other accrued expenses approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these assets and liabilities. The fair value of the Company's interest rate swaps are determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected future cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves and credit spreads.

Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with the accounting standard for stock-based compensation, which requires the Company to measure and record compensation expense in the Company’s consolidated financial statements for all stock-based compensation awards using a fair value method. The Company maintains several stock-based incentive plans under which the Company may grant incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options and stock settled appreciation rights (collectively, “option awards”) and restricted stock and restricted stock units to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants. The Company also offers a stock purchase plan where employees may purchase the Company’s common stock each calendar quarter through payroll deductions at 85 percent of market value on the purchase date and the Company recognizes compensation expense on the 15 percent discount.

For option awards, fair value is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, while restricted stock is valued using the closing stock price on the date of grant. The Black-Scholes option pricing model requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating the expected term until the option awards are either exercised or canceled; the expected volatility of the Company’s stock price, for a period approximating the expected term; the risk-free interest rate with a maturity that approximates the option awards expected term; and the dividend yield based on the Company’s anticipated dividend payout over the expected term of the option awards. These assumptions are evaluated and revised, as necessary, to reflect market conditions and historical experience. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized only for those awards expected to vest, with forfeitures estimated at the date of grant based on historical experience. The fair value of the awards expected to vest is amortized over the vesting period. Options and restricted stock generally vest 25 percent after two years and thereafter 25 percent each year for the next three years and options generally have a six-year term. Stock-based compensation expense is included in general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Asset Retirement Obligations, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company recognizes the future cost to comply with lease obligations at the end of a lease as it relates to tangible long-lived assets in accordance with the accounting standard for the asset retirement and environmental obligations (“ARO”) in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Most lease agreements require the Company to restore the leased property to its original condition, including removal of certain long-lived assets the Company has installed, at the end of the lease. A liability for the fair value of an asset retirement obligation along with a corresponding increase to the carrying value of the related long-lived asset is recorded at the time a lease agreement is executed. The Company amortizes the amount added to property and equipment, net and recognizes accretion expense in connection with the discounted liability over the reasonably assured lease term. The estimated liability is based on the Company’s historical experience in closing bakery-cafes, fresh dough facilities, and support centers and the related external cost associated with these activities. Revisions to the liability could occur due to changes in estimated retirement costs or changes in lease terms. As of December 27, 2016 and December 29, 2015, the net ARO asset included in property and equipment, net was $8.9 million and $10.3 million, respectively, and the net ARO liability included in other long-term liabilities was $20.4 million and $19.5 million, respectively. ARO accretion expense was $0.8 million, $1.0 million, and $0.6 million for fiscal 2016, fiscal 2015, and fiscal 2014, respectively.

Consolidation, Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Variable Interest Entities

The Company applies relevant accounting standards for variable interest entities (“VIE”), which defines the process for how an enterprise determines which party consolidates a VIE. The enterprise that consolidates the VIE (the primary beneficiary) is defined as the enterprise with (1) the power to direct activities of the VIE that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE. The Company does not possess any ownership interests in franchise entities or other affiliates. The franchise agreements are designed to provide the franchisee with key decision-making ability to enable it to oversee its operations and to have a significant impact on the success of the franchise, while the Company’s decision-making rights are related to protecting its brand. Based upon its analysis of all the relevant facts and considerations of the franchise entities and other affiliates, the Company has concluded that these entities are not variable interest entities and they have not been consolidated as of December 27, 2016. The Company also evaluated all of the applicable criteria for an entity subject to consolidation and concluded its interest in Tatte Holdings, LLC (“Tatte”) is a VIE requiring consolidation. See Note 3, Business Combinations and Divestitures, for further information on the Tatte acquisition.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business”. This update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory”. This update requires the income tax impact of an intra-entity sale or transfer of an asset other than inventory to be recognized when the sale or transfer occurs, rather than when the asset has been sold to an outside party. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments”. This update addresses how certain cash inflows and outflows are classified in the statement of cash flows to eliminate existing diversity in practice. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the effect this standard will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting”. This update simplifies accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company is currently evaluating the overall impact that ASU 2016-09 will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”. This update will increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. Based on a preliminary assessment, the Company expects the standard to have a material impact on its assets and liabilities due to the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on its Consolidated Balance Sheets at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Company is continuing its assessment, which may identify additional impacts this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”. This update requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The Company early adopted ASU 2015-17 during fiscal 2016 on a retrospective basis. As a result of the retrospective adoption, the Company reclassified current deferred income tax assets of $34.5 million as of December 29, 2015 to long-term deferred income tax liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Adoption of this standard did not impact the Company's results of operations or cash flows in either the current or previous interim and annual reporting periods.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments”. This update eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Acquirers would now recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which they determine the amount of the adjustment. This update is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years, and should be applied prospectively to adjustments for provisional amounts that occur after the effective date with early adoption permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory”. This update provides guidance on the subsequent measurement of inventory, which changes the measurement from lower of cost or market to lower of cost and net realizable value. This update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40): Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern”. This update requires management of the Company to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The Company adopted ASU 2014-15 during the thirteen weeks ended December 27, 2016. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 did not impact the Company's consolidated financial statements or disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”. This update provides a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, delaying the effective date for adoption. The update is now effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The update permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method.

The FASB has also issued the several standards which provide additional clarification and implementation guidance on the previously issued ASU 2014-09 and have the same effective date as the original standard.

The Company is currently evaluating the overall impact that ASU 2014-09 will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements, as well as the expected timing and method of adoption. Based on a preliminary assessment, the Company has determined that the adoption will change the timing of recognition of gift card breakage income, which is currently recognized using the remote method. The new guidance will require application of the proportional method. The Company is continuing its assessment, which may identify additional impacts this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.