Note 9 - Notes Payable and Long-term Debt

3 Months Ended

Dec. 26, 2023

Notes to Financial Statements

Debt Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 9.         Notes Payable and Long-Term Debt

Cadence Credit Facility

The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries (the “Subsidiaries”) maintain an amended and restated credit agreement with Cadence Bank (“Cadence”) pursuant to which, Cadence agreed to loan the Company up to $8,000,000, which has a maturity date of April 20, 2028 (the “Cadence Credit Facility”). The Cadence Credit Facility amended and restated the Company’s prior credit facility with Cadence in its entirety. The Cadence Credit Facility accrues commitment fees on the daily unused balance of the facility at a rate of 0.25%. The loans may from time to time consist of a mixture of SOFR Rate Loans and Base Rate Loans with differing interest rates based upon varying additions to the Federal Funds Rate, the Cadence prime rate or Term SOFR. Each of the Subsidiaries are guarantors of the Cadence Credit Facility.

Proceeds from the Cadence Credit Facility, if and when drawn, may be used (i) to fund new restaurant development, (ii) to finance the buyout of non-controlling partners in certain restaurants, (iii) to finance the redemption, purchase or other acquisition of equity interests in the Company and (iv) for working capital and other general corporate purposes.

The Cadence Credit Facility includes customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. The Cadence Credit Facility also requires the Company to maintain various financial condition ratios, including minimum liquidity, an amended maximum leverage ratio and an amended minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. In addition, to the extent the aggregate outstanding balance under the revolver under the Cadence Credit Facility exceeds $4.0 million, the Company is required to meet a new specified leverage ratio, on a pro forma basis, before making further borrowings as well as certain restricted payments, investments and growth capital expenditures. As of the date of filing of this report, the Company was in compliance with each of these covenants under the Cadence Credit Facility.

During the fiscal quarter ended December 26, 2023 the weighted average interest rate applicable to borrowings under the Cadence Credit Facility was 8.45%.

As a result of entering into the Cadence Credit Facility and the various amendments, the Company paid loan origination costs including professional fees of approximately $299,000 and is amortizing these costs over the term of the credit agreement. As of December 26, 2023, the unamortized balance of these fees was $115,000.

In connection with the Cadence Credit Facility, the Company and the Subsidiaries entered into an Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement (the “Security Agreement”) with Cadence. Under the Security Agreement, the Cadence Credit Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in substantially all the assets of the Company and the Subsidiaries.

As of December 26, 2023, there were $1,250,000 of borrowings against the facility, all of which is due during the fiscal year ending September 26, 2028 and is classified as a long-term liability in the accompanying balance sheet. Availability of the Cadence Credit Facility for borrowings is reduced by the outstanding face value of any letters of credit issued under the facility. As of December 26, 2023, there were approximately $10,000 in outstanding letters of credit issued under the facility, and approximately $6,740,000 of committed funds available.

Total interest expense on notes payable was $26,000 and $0 for the quarters ended December 26, 2023 and December 27, 2022, respectively.