Contingent Liabilities and Liquidity

9 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2022

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Contingent Liabilities and Liquidity

Note 11.  Contingent Liabilities and Liquidity

There may be various claims in process, matters in litigation, and other contingencies brought against the company by employees, vendors, customers, franchisees, or other parties. Evaluating these contingencies is a complex process that may involve substantial judgment on the potential outcome of such matters, and the ultimate outcome of such contingencies may differ from our current analysis. We regularly review the adequacy of accruals and disclosures related to such contingent liabilities in consultation with legal counsel. While it is not possible to predict the outcome of these claims with certainty, subject to our disclosure immediately below, it is management’s opinion that any reasonably possible losses associated with such contingencies would be immaterial to our financial statements.

The Company is the defendant in a lawsuit styled as White Winston Select Asset Funds, LLC and GT Acquisition Group, Inc. v. Good Times Restaurants, Inc., arising from the failed negotiations between plaintiffs and the Company for the sale of the Good Times Drive Thru subsidiary to plaintiffs. The lawsuit was initially filed on September 24, 2019 in Delaware Chancery Court, and Company removed the case to federal court in the US District Court for the District of Delaware on November 5, 2019. On July 30, 2021, the plaintiffs moved the Court for leave to amend their complaint and add new causes of action and a claim for $18 million in damages. On April 11, 2022, the Court heard the parties’ respective motions for summary judgment on the plaintiffs’ claims. The Court verbally ruled that it was dismissing all of the plaintiffs’ claims except for their claim for breach of an express and implied obligation to negotiate in good faith under the parties’ letter of intent. On May 5, 2022, the Court issued a written order confirming this ruling. On May 25, 2022, the Court issued an order that the plaintiffs are only entitled to reliance damages should they prevail on their claim for breaches of the express and implied obligations to negotiate in good faith. Trial is set on this lone remaining claim for August 22, 2022.

While the Court’s rulings have significantly limited plaintiff’s opportunity for recovery in the case, in light of the ruling and the Court’s order, the inherent uncertainties of trial and the Company’s posture in respect of settlement, among other things, the Company has determined that some loss in respect of the lawsuit is probable and accordingly recorded an accrual in the quarter ended March 28, 2022 in the amount of $332,000. This amount represents the Company’s best estimate of the likely amount of plaintiffs’ damage recovery assuming a finding of liability in their favor at trial and their ability to satisfy the legal standard for proving damages in such amount, based upon the Company’s retained expert and a report he made in response to the plaintiffs’ claims for damages. The accrual is an estimate and is based on current information, the judgment of management and advice of counsel. The Company will continue to evaluate this matter based on new information as it becomes available. The outcome of the case could result in losses less than or in excess of amounts accrued. Any additional liability in excess of the accrual could have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, liquidity or financial condition for the annual or interim period during which any such additional liability is accrued. The Company will continue to vigorously pursue a full defense of this matter on the merits.