Contingent Liabilities and Liquidity

3 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 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. The parties conducted a bench trial on the plaintiffs’ claims. The parties concluded post-trial briefing on October 24, 2022. On January 25, 2023, the Court rendered judgment dismissing the plaintiffs’ claims in their entirety and denying all of the requested relief. The plaintiffs’ deadlines for a motion for new trial or, in the alternative, an appeal are February 22 and February 25, 2023, respectively.

The Company previously recorded an accrual for contingent litigation expense in the quarter ended March 28, 2022 in the amount of $332,000. This amount represented the Company’s best estimate of the likely amount of plaintiffs’ damage recovery assuming a finding of liability in their favor at trial. While the Company was successful at trial, in light of plaintiff’s continuing right to seek a new trial or appeal at this time, the Company has determined to maintain the accrual and will continue to evaluate this matter based on new information as it becomes available. The ultimate resolution of the case (including any new trial or appeal if granted) 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, including any new trial or appeal if granted.