Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 28, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company’s reporting currency is the United States dollar.

Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounting Period — The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest September 30. The fiscal years ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012 included 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. The accounting estimates that require management’s most difficult and subjective judgments include allowances for potential bad debts on receivables, inventories, the useful lives and recoverability of its assets, such as property and intangibles, fair values of financial instruments and share-based compensation, the realizable value of its tax assets and other matters. Because of the uncertainty in such estimates, actual results may differ from these estimates.

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ark Restaurants Corp. and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, partnerships and other entities in which it has a controlling interest. Also included in the consolidated financial statements are certain variable interest entities (“VIEs”). All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Non Controlling Interests [Policy Text Block]

Non-Controlling Interests — Non-controlling interests represent capital contributions, income and loss attributable to the shareholders of less than wholly-owned and consolidated entities.

Seasonality [Policy Text Block]

Seasonality — The Company has substantial fixed costs that do not decline proportionally with sales. The first and second fiscal quarters, which include the winter months, usually reflect lower customer traffic than in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. In addition, sales in the third and fourth fiscal quarters can be adversely affected by inclement weather due to the significant amount of outdoor seating at the Company’s restaurants.

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

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, investments, receivables, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair values of notes receivable and payable are determined using current applicable rates for similar instruments as of the balance sheet date and approximates the carrying value of such debt.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits with banks and highly liquid investments generally with original maturities of three months or less. Outstanding checks in excess of account balances, typically vendor payments, payroll and other contractual obligations disbursed after the last day of a reporting period are reported as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Supplier Concentration [Policy Text Block]

Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company reduces credit risk by placing its cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions with high credit ratings. At times, such amounts may exceed Federally insured limits.

For the years ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, the Company made purchases from one vendor that accounted for approximately 12% and 13%, respectively, of total purchases in each year.

Receivables, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Accounts Receivable — Accounts receivable is primarily comprised of normal business receivables such as credit card receivables that are paid off in a short period of time and amounts due from the hotels operators where the Company has a location, and are recorded when the products or services have been delivered. The Company reviews the collectability of its receivables on an ongoing basis, and provides for an allowance when it considers the entity unable to meet its obligation.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market, and consist of food and beverages, merchandise for sale and other supplies.

Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Revenue Recognition — Company-owned restaurant sales are comprised almost entirely of food and beverage sales. The Company records revenue at the time of the purchase of products by customers. Included in Other Revenues are purchase service fees which represent commissions earned by a subsidiary of the Company for providing purchasing services to other restaurant groups.

The Company offers customers the opportunity to purchase gift certificates. At the time of purchase by the customer, the Company records a gift certificate liability for the face value of the certificate purchased. The Company recognizes the revenue and reduces the gift certificate liability when the certificate is redeemed. The Company does not reduce its recorded liability for potential non-use of purchased gift cards. The Company also issues gift cards to service providers and to others for 0 consideration. Costs associated with these issuances are recognized at the time of redemption.

Additionally, the Company presents sales tax on a net basis in its consolidated financial statements.

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

Fixed Assets — Leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation of furniture, fixtures and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets (three to seven years). Amortization of improvements to leased properties is computed using the straight-line method based upon the initial term of the applicable lease or the estimated useful life of the improvements, whichever is less, and ranges from 5 to 30 years. For leases with renewal periods at the Company’s option, if failure to exercise a renewal option imposes an economic penalty to the Company, management may determine at the inception of the lease that renewal is reasonably assured and include the renewal option period in the determination of appropriate estimated useful lives. Routine expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred. Major replacements and improvements are capitalized. Upon retirement or disposition of fixed assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company includes in construction in progress improvements to restaurants that are under construction. Once the projects have been completed, the Company begins depreciating and amortizing the assets. Start-up costs incurred during the construction period of restaurants, including rental of premises, training and payroll, are expensed as incurred.

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

Intangible Assets — Intangible assets consist principally of purchased leasehold rights, operating rights and covenants not to compete. Costs associated with acquiring leases and subleases, principally purchased leasehold rights, and operating rights have been capitalized and are being amortized on the straight-line method based upon the initial terms of the applicable lease agreements, which range from 9 to 20 years. Covenants not to compete arising from restaurant acquisitions are amortized over the contractual period, typically five years.

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

Long-lived Assets — Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In the evaluation of the fair value and future benefits of long-lived assets, the Company performs an analysis of the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of the related long-lived assets. If the carrying value of the related asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value is reduced to its fair value. Various factors including estimated future sales growth and estimated profit margins are included in this analysis. 0 impairment charges were necessary for the year ended September 28, 2013. See Note 6 for a discussion of impairment charges for long-lived assets recorded in fiscal 2012.

Goodwill And Trademarks [Policy Text Block]

Goodwill and Trademarks — Goodwill is recorded when the purchase price paid for an acquisition exceeds the estimated fair value of the net identified tangible and intangible assets acquired. Trademarks, which were acquired in connection with the Durgin Park acquisition, are considered to have an indefinite life. Goodwill and trademarks are not amortized, but are subject to impairment analysis at least once annually or more frequently upon the occurrence of an event or when circumstances indicate that a reporting unit’s carrying amount is greater than its fair value. At September 28, 2013, the Company performed both a qualitative and quantitative assessment of factors to determine whether further impairment testing is required. Based on the results of the work performed, the Company has concluded that 0 impairment loss was warranted at September 28, 2013. Qualitative factors considered in this assessment include industry and market considerations, overall financial performance and other relevant events, management expertise and stability at key positions. Additional impairment analyses at future dates may be performed to determine if indicators of impairment are present, and if so, such amount will be determined and the associated charge will be recorded to the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Lease, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Leases — The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, including option periods as described below. Within the provisions of certain leases there are escalations in payments over the base lease term, as well as renewal periods. The effects of the escalations have been reflected in rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, which includes option periods when it is deemed to be reasonably assured that the Company would incur an economic penalty for not exercising the option. Tenant allowances are included in the straight-line calculations and are being deferred over the lease term and reflected as a reduction in rent expense. Percentage rent expense is generally based upon sales levels and is expensed as incurred. Certain leases include both base rent and percentage rent. The Company records rent expense on these leases based upon reasonably assured sales levels. The consolidated financial statements reflect the same lease terms for amortizing leasehold improvements as were used in calculating straight-line rent expense for each restaurant. The judgments of the Company may produce materially different amounts of amortization and rent expense than would be reported if different lease terms were used.

Occupancy Expenses [Policy Text Block]

Occupancy Expenses — Occupancy expenses include rent, rent taxes, real estate taxes, insurance and utility costs.

Defined Contribution Plans [Policy Text Block]

Defined Contribution Plans — The Company offers a defined contribution savings plan (the “Plan”) to all of its full-time employees. Eligible employees may contribute pre-tax amounts to the Plan subject to the Internal Revenue Code limitations. Company contributions to the Plan are at the discretion of the Board of Directors. During the years ended September 28, 2013 and September 29, 2012, the Company did not make any contributions to the Plan.

Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Taxes — Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to the temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company has recorded a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in an income tax return. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. Uncertain tax positions are evaluated and adjusted as appropriate, while taking into account the progress of audits of various taxing jurisdictions.

Non-controlling interests relating to the income or loss of consolidated partnerships includes 0 provision for income taxes as any tax liability related thereto is the responsibility of the individual minority investors.

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Income Per Share of Common Stock — Basic net income per share is calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted net income per share reflects the additional dilutive effect of potentially dilutive shares (principally those arising from the assumed exercise of stock options).

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

Share-based Compensation — The Company measures share-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognizes it as expense over the applicable vesting period using the straight-line method. Upon exercise of options, excess income tax benefits related to share-based compensation expense that must be recognized directly in equity are considered financing rather than operating cash flow activities.

During fiscal 2012, options to purchase 251,500 shares of common stock were granted at an exercise price of $14.40 per share and are exercisable as to 50% of the shares commencing on the first anniversary of the date of grant and as to an additional 50% commencing on the second anniversary of the date of grant. Such options had an aggregate grant date fair value of approximately $646,000. The Company did not grant any options during the fiscal year 2013. The Company generally issues new shares upon the exercise of employee stock options.

The fair value of each of the Company’s stock options is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses assumptions that relate to the expected volatility of the Company’s common stock, the expected dividend yield of the Company’s stock, the expected life of the options and the risk free interest rate. The assumptions used for the 2012 grant include a risk free interest rate of 1.67%, volatility of 36.2%, a dividend yield of 6.13% and an expected life of 6.25 years.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards [Policy Text Block]

New Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2013 — In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued new accounting guidance on the presentation of other comprehensive income. The new guidance eliminated the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in equity. Instead, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The new accounting guidance became effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. Full retrospective application is required. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements, and the statements of comprehensive income were presented as a separate consecutive statement following the Consolidated Statements of Income.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted — In December 2011, the FASB issued amended standards to increase the prominence of offsetting assets and liabilities reported in financial statements. These amendments require an entity to disclose information about offsetting and the related arrangements to enable users of its financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements on its financial position. These revised standards are effective for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods are to be retrospectively applied. These amended standards may require additional footnote disclosures for these enhancements; however they will not affect our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance for the recognition, measurement, and disclosure of obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed at the reporting date, except for obligations addressed within existing guidance. This guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2014 and is required to be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented for those obligations that existed upon adoption. The Company does not expect the adoption this guidance to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

In July 2013, the FASB issued new accounting guidance which requires entities to present unrecognized tax benefits as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except to the extent the net operating loss carryforwards or tax credit carryforwards are not available to be used at the reporting date to settle additional income taxes, and the entity does not intend to use them for this purpose. The new accounting guidance is consistent with how the Company has historically accounted for unrecognized tax benefits, therefore the Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a significant impact on its consolidated financial statements.