Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 26, 2021

Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Papa John’s International, Inc. and its subsidiaries.  All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Fiscal Year

Fiscal Year

Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in December of each year. All fiscal years presented consist of 52 weeks.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates

The preparation of Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Significant items that are subject to such estimates and assumptions include the allowance for credit losses on accounts and notes receivable, intangible assets, contract assets and contract liabilities including the customer loyalty program obligation, right-of-use assets and lease liabilities, gift card breakage, insurance reserves and tax reserves. Although management bases its estimates on historical experience and assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could significantly differ from these estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is measured based on consideration specified in contracts with customers and excludes waivers or incentives and amounts collected on behalf of third parties, primarily sales tax.  The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer.  Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that are collected by the Company from a customer, are excluded from revenue.  Delivery costs, including freight associated with our domestic commissary and other sales, are accounted for as fulfillment costs and are included in operating costs.

The following describes principal activities, separated by major product or service, from which the Company generates its revenues:

Domestic Company-owned Restaurant Sales

The domestic Company-owned restaurants principally generate revenue from retail sales of high-quality pizza, Papadias, which are flatbread-style sandwiches, and side items including breadsticks, cheesesticks, chicken poppers and wings, dessert items and canned or bottled beverages. Revenues from Company-owned restaurants are recognized when the products are delivered to or carried out by customers.

Our North American customer loyalty program, Papa Rewards, is a spend-based program that rewards customers with points for each purchase.  Papa Rewards points are accumulated and redeemed for dollar off discounts (“Papa Dough”) to be used on future purchases within a six-month expiration window. The accrued liability in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, and corresponding reduction of Company-owned restaurant sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, is for the estimated reward redemptions at domestic Company-owned restaurants based upon estimated redemption patterns. The liability related to Papa Rewards is calculated using the estimated redemption value for which the points and accumulated rewards are expected to be redeemed. Revenue is recognized when the customer redeems the Papa Dough reward and when the points or Papa Dough reward expires.

Franchise Royalties and Fees

Franchise royalties, which are based on a percentage of franchise restaurant sales, are recognized as sales occur.  Any royalty reductions, including waivers or those offered as part of a new store development incentive or as incentive for other behaviors, including acceleration of restaurant remodels or equipment upgrades, are recognized at the same time as the related royalty, as they are not separately distinguishable from the full royalty rate.  Our current standard franchise agreement requires the franchisee to pay a royalty fee of 5% of sales, and the majority of our existing franchised restaurants have a 5% contractual royalty rate in effect.  Incentives offered from time to time, including new store incentives, will reduce the contractual royalty rate paid.  Franchise royalties are billed on a monthly basis.

The majority of initial franchise license fees and area development exclusivity fees are from international locations. Initial franchise license fees are billed at the store opening date.  Area development exclusivity fees are billed upon execution of the development agreements which grant the right to develop franchised restaurants in future periods in specific geographic areas.  Area development exclusivity fees are included in Deferred revenue in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and allocated on a pro rata basis to all stores opened under that specific development agreement. The pre-opening services provided to franchisees do not contain separate and distinct performance obligations from the franchise right; thus, the fees collected will be amortized on a straight-line basis beginning at the store opening date through the term of the franchise agreement, which is typically 10 years. Franchise license renewal fees for both domestic and international locations, which generally occur every 10 years, are billed before the renewal date. Fees received for future license renewal periods are included in deferred revenue in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and amortized over the life of the renewal period.

The Company offers various incentive programs for franchisees including royalty incentives, new restaurant opening incentives (i.e. development incentives) and other support initiatives. Royalties and franchise fees sales are reduced to reflect any royalty incentives earned or granted under these programs that are in the form of discounts.

Commissary Revenues

Commissary revenues are comprised of food and supplies sold to franchised restaurants and are recognized as revenue upon shipment of the related products to the franchisees. Payments are generally due within 30 days.

As noted above, there are various incentive programs available to franchisees related to new restaurant openings including discounts on initial commissary orders and new store equipment incentives, at substantially no cost to franchisees.  Commissary revenues are reduced to reflect incentives in the form of direct discounts on initial commissary orders. The new store equipment incentive is also recorded as a reduction of commissary sales over the term of the incentive agreement, which is generally three to five years.

Other Revenues

Franchise Marketing Fund revenues represent a required established percentage of monthly restaurant sales collected by Papa John’s Marketing Fund, Inc. (“PJMF”), which is our national marketing fund, and various other international and domestic marketing funds (“Co-op” or “Co-operative” Funds) where we have determined for purposes of accounting that we have control over the significant activities of the funds.  PJMF funds its operations with ongoing financial support and contributions from domestic Papa John’s restaurants, of which approximately 80% are franchised restaurant members.  Contributions are based on a percentage of monthly restaurant sales and are billed monthly.  When we are determined to be the principal in these arrangements, advertising fund contributions and expenditures are reported on a gross basis in the

Consolidated Statements of Operations.  Our obligation related to these funds is to develop and conduct advertising activities in a specific country, region, or market, including the placement of electronic and print materials.

There are no expiration dates and we do not deduct non-usage fees from outstanding gift cards.  While the Company and the franchisees continue to honor all gift cards presented for payment, the likelihood of redemption may be determined to be remote for certain cards due to long periods of inactivity.  In these circumstances, the Company recognizes breakage revenue for amounts not subject to unclaimed property laws.  Based upon our analysis of historical gift card redemption patterns, we can reasonably estimate the amount of gift cards for which redemption is remote.  Breakage revenue is recognized over time in proportion to estimated redemption patterns as Other revenues.  Commissions on gift cards sold by third parties are recorded as a reduction to Deferred revenue and a reduction to Other revenues based upon estimated redemption patterns.

Fees for information services, including software maintenance fees, help desk fees, centralized call center fees, and online ordering fees are recognized as revenue as such services are provided and are included in Other revenues.

Revenues for printing, promotional items, and direct mail marketing services are recognized upon shipment of the related products to franchisees and other customers. Direct mail advertising discounts are also periodically offered by our Preferred Marketing Solutions subsidiary. Other revenues are reduced to reflect these advertising discounts.

Rental income, primarily derived from properties leased by the Company and subleased to franchisees in the United Kingdom, is recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective operating lease terms.  

Advertising and Related Costs

Advertising and Related Costs

Domestic Company-owned advertising and related costs of $61.7 million, $56.7 million and $54.3 million in 2021, 2020, and 2019, respectively, include the costs of domestic Company-owned local restaurant activities such as mail coupons, door hangers and promotional items and advertising activities administered through PJMF and various local market cooperative advertising funds. PJMF is responsible for developing and conducting marketing and advertising for the domestic Papa John’s system. The Co-op Funds are responsible for developing and conducting advertising activities in a specific market, including the placement of electronic and print materials developed by PJMF.  During 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded additional amounts of $15.0 million and $27.5 million, respectively, to PJMF, representing incremental discretionary marketing fund investments in excess of contractual Company-owned restaurant-level contributions as part of our temporary financial support package to our franchisees.  The marketing fund investments are included in General and administrative expenses within the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Leases

Leases

Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the lease term for operating leases, whereas lease expense follows an accelerated expense recognition for finance leases. A lease term often includes option periods, available at the inception of the lease.  Lease expense is comprised of operating and finance lease costs, short-term lease costs, and variable lease costs, which primarily include common area maintenance, real estate taxes, and insurance for the Company’s real estate leases.  Lease costs also include variable rent, which is primarily related to the Company’s supply chain tractor and trailer leases that are based on a rate per mile.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation

Compensation expense for equity grants is estimated on the grant date, net of projected forfeitures, and is recognized over the vesting period (graded vesting over three years). Restricted stock is valued based on the market price of the Company’s shares on the date of grant. Stock options are valued using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Our specific assumptions for estimating the fair value of options are included in Note 20.

Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with maturity of three months or less at date of purchase. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts Receivable

Substantially all accounts receivable is due from franchisees for purchases of food, paper products, point of sale equipment, printing and promotional items, information systems and related services, marketing and royalties. Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the franchisee’s financial condition and collateral is generally not required. An allowance for credit losses is an estimate, even if remote, based upon historical account write-off trends, facts about the current financial condition of the debtor, forecasts of future operating results based upon current trends of select operating metrics and macroeconomic factors.  Account balances are charged off against the allowance after recovery efforts have ceased.

Notes Receivable

Notes Receivable

The Company has provided financing to select domestic and international franchisees principally for use in the construction and development of their restaurants and for the purchase of restaurants from the Company or other franchisees. Most notes receivable bear interest at fixed or floating rates and are generally secured by the assets of each restaurant and the ownership interests in the franchise.  The Company has provided long-term financing to certain franchisees with royalty payment plans.  We establish an allowance for credit losses for franchisee notes receivables to reduce the outstanding notes receivable to their net realizable values based on a review of each franchisee’s economic performance and market conditions after consideration of the fair value of our underlying collateral rights (e.g., underlying franchisee business, property and equipment) and any guarantees. Note balances are charged off against the allowance after recovery efforts have ceased.  

Interest income recorded on franchisee loans was approximately $1.9 million in 2021, $2.1 million in 2020 and $0.8 million in 2019 and is reported in Investment income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories, which consist of food products, paper goods and supplies, smallwares, and printing and promotional items, are stated at the lower of cost, determined under the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, or net realizable value.

Property and Equipment

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets (generally five to ten years for restaurant, commissary and other equipment, twenty to forty years for buildings and improvements, and five years for technology and communication assets).  Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the respective leases, including the first renewal period (generally five to ten years).

Depreciation expense was $43.0 million in 2021, $46.6 million in 2020 and $45.9 million in 2019.

Deferred Costs

Deferred Costs

We capitalize certain information systems development and related costs that meet established criteria. Amounts capitalized, which are included in property and equipment, are amortized principally over periods not exceeding five years upon completion of the related information systems project. Total costs capitalized were approximately $4.1 million in 2021, $3.3 million in 2020 and $3.5 million in 2019. The unamortized information systems development costs approximated $10.5 million as of December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020.

Intangible Assets - Goodwill

Intangible Assets — Goodwill

We evaluate goodwill annually in the fourth quarter or whenever we identify certain triggering events or circumstances that would more-likely-than-not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such tests are completed separately with respect to the goodwill of each of our reporting units, which includes our domestic Company-owned restaurants, United Kingdom (“PJUK”), China, and Preferred Marketing Solutions operations.  We may perform a qualitative assessment or move directly to the quantitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period if we believe that it is more efficient or if impairment indicators exist.

We elected to perform a qualitative assessment for all reporting units in the fourth quarter of 2021. As a result of our qualitative analyses, we determined that it was more-likely-than-not that the fair values of our reporting units were greater than their carrying amounts.  Subsequent to completing our goodwill impairment tests, no indicators of impairment were identified.  See Note 11 for additional information.

Deferred Income Tax Accounts and Tax Reserves

Deferred Income Tax Accounts and Tax Reserves

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and several foreign jurisdictions.  Significant judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes and the related assets and liabilities. The provision for income taxes includes income taxes paid, currently payable or receivable and those deferred.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that are expected to be in effect when the differences reverse. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for the estimated future effects of tax attribute carryforwards (e.g., net operating losses, capital losses, and foreign tax credits). The effect on deferred taxes of changes in tax rates is recognized in the period in which the new tax rate is enacted. Valuation allowances are established when necessary on a jurisdictional basis to reduce deferred tax assets to the amounts we expect to realize.

Tax authorities periodically audit the Company. We record reserves and related interest and penalties for identified exposures as income tax expense. We evaluate these issues and adjust for events, such as statute of limitations expirations, court rulings or audit settlements, which may impact our ultimate payment for such exposures. See Note 17 for additional information.

Insurance Reserves

Insurance Reserves

Our insurance programs for workers’ compensation, owned and non-owned automobiles, general liability and property insurance coverage provided to our employees are funded by the Company up to certain retention limits which range up to $1.0 million.

Losses are accrued based upon undiscounted estimates of the liability for claims incurred and for events that have occurred but have not been reported using certain third-party actuarial projections and our claims loss experience. The determination of the recorded insurance reserves is highly judgmental and complex due to the significant uncertainty in the potential value of reported claims and the number and potential value of incurred but not reported claims, the application of significant judgment in making those estimates and the use of various actuarial valuation methods. The estimated insurance claims losses could be significantly affected should the frequency or ultimate cost of claims differ significantly from historical trends used to estimate the insurance reserves recorded by the Company. The Company records estimated losses above retention within its reserve with a corresponding receivable for expected amounts due from insurance carriers.  

As of December 26, 2021, our insurance reserve was $88.1 million as compared to $82.0 million as of December 27, 2020 primarily related to auto liability and workers’ compensation claims.  Our reserves include claim costs above our retention that have a corresponding receivable.  Our insurance receivable for claims above retention totaled $48.1 million and $32.2 million as of December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020, respectively.  Of these amounts, approximately $18.7 million and $12.7 million were recorded in Prepaid expenses and other current assets, and $29.4 million and $19.5 million were recorded in Other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020, respectively.

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

We recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. At inception and on an ongoing basis, we assess whether each derivative that qualifies for hedge accounting continues to be highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the hedged item. If the derivative meets the hedge criteria as defined by certain accounting standards, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are either offset against the change in fair value of assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income/(loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.  During 2021, our interest rate swaps were de-designated as cash flow hedges following the issuance of our 3.875% fixed senior notes. For these de-designated hedges, the portion of gains or losses on the derivative instruments previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss will be reclassified into earnings as adjustments to interest expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the originally hedged transactions.  

We recognized income (loss) of $6.8 million ($5.3 million after tax) in 2021, ($7.5) million (($5.8) million after tax) in 2020, and ($10.8) million (($8.3) million after tax) in 2019 in other comprehensive income (loss) for the net change in the fair value of our interest rate swaps. See Note 12 for additional information on our debt and credit arrangements.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests

At December 26, 2021, the Company had four joint ventures consisting of 188 restaurants, which have noncontrolling interests. Consolidated net income is required to be reported separately at amounts attributable to both the Company and the noncontrolling interests. Additionally, disclosures are required to clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the Company and the interests of the noncontrolling owners, including a disclosure on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Operations of income attributable to the noncontrolling interest holder.

The following summarizes the redemption feature, location and related accounting within the Consolidated Balance Sheets for these four joint venture arrangements:

Type of Joint Venture Arrangement	Location within the Consolidated Balance Sheets	Recorded Value
Joint ventures with no redemption feature	Permanent equity	Carrying value
Joint ventures with option to require the Company to purchase the noncontrolling interest - not currently redeemable or redemption not probable	Temporary equity	Carrying value

See Note 9 for additional information regarding noncontrolling interests.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

The local currency is the functional currency for each of our foreign subsidiaries. Revenues and expenses are translated into U.S. dollars using monthly average exchange rates, while assets and liabilities are translated using year-end exchange rates and historical rates. The resulting translation adjustments are included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of income taxes.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Reference Rate Reform – Hedging

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” The ASU provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting related to the expected market transition from LIBOR and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates if certain criteria are met. This guidance was effective beginning on March 12, 2020, and the Company may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022.  The hedge accounting expedients may be applied, on an individual hedging relationship basis, to eligible hedge accounting relationships that existed as of the beginning of the effective date of this guidance, and to new eligible hedging relationships entered into after the effective date of this guidance; however, those expedients generally cannot be applied to hedging relationships for periods after December 31, 2022.  The Company adopted certain optional hedge accounting expedients provided by ASU 2020-04 during fiscal 2020.  The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.