Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
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| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Significant Accounting Policies |
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Certain amounts in the prior periods presented have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported net income, income per share or stockholder's equity.
Fiscal Year
The Company utilizes a 52- or 53-week fiscal year that ends on the last Sunday of the calendar year. The fiscal years ended December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018 each consisted of 52 weeks. Fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 consisted of 53 weeks.
Accounting Estimates
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain 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 for the period. Actual results could differ from estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all cash and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less as cash equivalents. Amounts receivable from credit card processors are considered cash equivalents because they are both short in term and highly liquid in nature, and are typically converted to cash within three business days of the sales transactions.
Lease Incentives Receivable
Lease incentives receivable consist of receivables from landlords provided for under the lease agreements to reimburse the Company for leasehold improvements.
Inventories
Inventories consist of food, beverage, and merchandise and are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are recorded at cost, less accumulated depreciation. Equipment consists primarily of restaurant equipment, furniture, fixtures and smallwares. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset, which ranges from three to 15 years. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease term, including option periods that are reasonably assured of renewal, or the estimated useful life of the asset, which ranges from five to 20 years.
Leases and Leasehold Improvements
The Company leases land and or buildings for its corporate offices and all of its restaurants under various long-term operating lease agreements. The Company determines if a contract contains a lease at inception. The lease term begins on the date that the Company takes possession under the lease, including the pre-opening period during construction, when in many cases the Company is not making rent payments (“Rent Holiday”).
Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date for material leases with a term of greater than 12 months. Operating lease liabilities represent the present value of future minimum lease payments. Since our leases do not provide an implicit rate, our operating lease liabilities are calculated using the Company's secured incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement. We have no outstanding debt, and as a result, we estimate this rate based on prevailing financial market conditions, comparable companies, credit analysis and management judgment. Minimum lease payments include only fixed lease components of the agreement, as well as variable rate payments that depend on an index, initially measured using the index at the lease commencement date.
Operating lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset and are based upon the operating lease liabilities adjusted for prepaid or accrued lease payments, initial direct costs and lease incentives. Lease incentives are recognized when earned and reduce our operating lease asset related to the lease. They are amortized through the operating lease assets as reductions of rent expense over the lease term.
Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Certain of the Company’s operating leases contain clauses that provide for contingent rent based on a percentage of sales greater than certain specified target amounts. Variable lease payments that do not depend on a rate or index, escalation in the index subsequent to the initial measurement, payments associated with non-lease components such as common area maintenance, real estate taxes and insurance, and short-term lease payments (leases with less than a 12 month term) are expensed as incurred or when the achievement of the specified target that triggers the contingent rent is considered probable.
Other Assets and Intangible Assets
Other assets and intangible assets include liquor licenses, lease acquisition costs and loan origination costs which are all stated at cost, less any accumulated amortization, as well as deferred compensation plan assets which are stated at fair value.
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of assets of the businesses acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to impairment tests at least annually. The Company performs tests to assess potential impairments at the end of the fiscal year or during the year if an event or other circumstance indicates that goodwill may be impaired. The first step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied estimated fair value of the reporting unit to the carrying amount, including goodwill. The Company considers all of its stores in total as one reporting unit. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, then it is more likely than not that a goodwill impairment exits and a second step must be completed in order to determine the amount of the goodwill impairment. In the second step, the implied fair value of the goodwill is determined by allocating fair value to all of its assets and liabilities, other than goodwill, in a manner similar to a purchase price allocation. If the resulting implied fair value of the goodwill that results from the application of this second step is less than the carrying amount of the goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded for the difference. No goodwill impairment charges were recognized during 2019, 2018, or 2017.
Indefinite Life Intangibles
An intangible asset is determined to have an indefinite useful life when there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that may limit the period over which the asset is expected to contribute directly or indirectly to the future cash flows of the Company. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are determined to have an indefinite useful life and are not amortized.
The annual impairment evaluation for indefinite life intangible assets is performed at the end of the fiscal year and includes an assessment to determine whether the fair value of the indefinite life intangible assets is less than their carrying value. We calculate the estimated fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset and compare it to the carrying value. Fair value is estimated primarily using future discounted cash flow projections in conjunction with qualitative factors and future operating plans. When the carrying value exceeds fair value, an impairment charge is recorded for the amount of the difference. The Company also annually evaluates intangible assets that are not being amortized to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support an indefinite useful life. If an intangible asset that is not being amortized is determined to have a finite useful life, the asset will be amortized prospectively over the estimated remaining useful life and accounted for in the same manner as intangible assets subject to amortization. No indefinite life intangible impairment charges were recognized during 2019, 2018, or 2017.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, operating lease assets and intangibles, subject to amortization, for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. In determining the recoverability of the asset value, an analysis is performed at the individual restaurant level and primarily includes an assessment of historical undiscounted cash flows and other relevant factors and circumstances. The Company evaluates future cash flow projections in conjunction with qualitative factors and future operating plans and regularly reviews any restaurants with a deficient level of cash flows for the previous 24 months to determine if impairment testing is necessary. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying value of the restaurant to its estimated future undiscounted cash flows. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value, we determine if there is an impairment loss by comparing the carrying value of the restaurant to its estimated fair value. Based on this analysis, if the carrying value of the restaurant exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value.
We make assumptions to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values. The estimated fair value is generally determined using the depreciated replacement cost method, the market approach, or discounted cash flow projections. Estimated future cash flows are highly subjective assumptions based on Company’s projections and understanding of our business, historical operating results, and trends in sales and restaurant level operating costs.
The Company’s impairment assessment process requires the use of estimates and assumptions regarding future cash flows and operating outcomes, which are based upon a significant degree of management judgment. The estimates used in the impairment analysis represent a Level 3 fair value measurement. The Company continues to assess the performance of restaurants and monitors the need for future impairment. Changes in the economic environment, real estate markets, capital spending, overall operating performance and underlying assumptions could impact these estimates and result in future impairment charges.
As a result of the above mentioned process, the Company recorded a non-cash loss on asset impairment of $12.7 million related to seven of our restaurants during the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019 and $12.3 million related to six of our restaurants during the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018. The Company did not recognize any impairment charge in 2017.
Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Company uses a three-tier value hierarchy, which classifies the inputs used in measuring fair values, in determining the fair value of the Company's non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. There were no changes in the methods or assumptions used in measuring fair value during the period.
The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable at December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018 approximate their fair value due to the short-term maturities of these financial instruments.
Effective July 2018, the Company provides a certain group of eligible employees the ability to participate in the Company's nonqualified deferred compensation plan. This plan allows participants to defer up to 80% of their salary and up to 100% of their bonus, on pre-tax basis, and contribute such amounts to one or more investment funds held in a rabbi trust. We report the accounts of the rabbi trust in other assets and intangible assets, net, and the corresponding liability in other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. The investments are considered trading securities and are reported at fair value based on quoted market prices. The deferred compensation plan assets and liabilities are measured and recorded at their fair value on recurring basis. The inputs are recognized as Level 1 inputs. The realized and unrealized gains and losses on these investments, as well as the offsetting compensation expense, are recorded in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of income. At December 29, 2019, the Company had approximately $0.4 million of deferred compensation plan assets and liabilities. At December 30, 2018, the Company had approximately $0.1 million of deferred compensation plan assets and liabilities.
In regards to the Company's impairment analysis, we generally estimate long-lived asset fair values, including property and equipment and leasehold improvements as well as operating lease assets and liabilities, using either depreciated replacement cost method, the market approach or discounted cash flow projections. The inputs used to determine fair value relate primarily to the assumptions regarding the long-lived assets exit cost at their highest and best use and future assumptions regarding restaurant sales and profitability. These inputs are categorized as Level 3 inputs. The inputs used represent assumptions about what information market participants would use in pricing the assets and are based upon the best information available at the time of the analysis.
Loan Origination Costs
Loan origination costs are capitalized and amortized over the term of the related debt and is included in Interest expense, net on the consolidated statements of income.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from restaurant operations (food, beverage and alcohol sales) and merchandise sales are recognized upon payment by the customer at the time of sale. Revenues are reflected net of sales tax and certain discounts and allowances.
We offer our customers delivery at certain of our restaurants through third party delivery service's website or apps. We recognize this revenue when the control of the food is transferred to the delivery service, excluding any delivery fees charged to the customer. We receive payment subsequent to the transfer of food.
Proceeds from the sale of gift cards are recorded as deferred revenue at the time of sale and recognized as revenue upon redemption by the customer. Breakage is recognized on unredeemed gift cards as revenue proportionate to the pattern of gift card redemptions less any legal obligation to remit the unredeemed gift cards to the relevant jurisdictions. We recorded $0.1 million, $0.2 million and $0.3 million of gift card breakage in fiscal years 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Marketing
The Company expenses the printing of menus and other promotional materials as incurred. The costs of community service and sponsorship activities are expensed on the expected timing of those events. Marketing expense was $5.6 million, $3.9 million, and $2.8 million for the years ended December 29, 2019, December 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
Restaurant Pre-opening Costs
Restaurant pre-opening costs consist primarily of manager salaries, relocation costs, supplies, recruiting expenses, travel and lodging, pre-opening activities, employee payroll and related training costs for employees at the new location. The Company expenses such pre-opening costs as incurred. Pre-opening costs also include rent recorded during the period between date of possession and the restaurant opening date.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company maintains an equity incentive plan under which the Company's board of directors can grant stock options, restricted stock units, and other equity-based awards to directors, officers, and key employees of the Company. The plans provide for granting of options to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price not less than the fair value of the stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes stock-based compensation in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 718 ("Topic 718"). Stock-based compensation cost includes compensation cost for all share-based payments granted based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of Topic 718. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of each award. The forfeitures are recognized when they occur.
Income Tax Matters
Income tax provisions are comprised of federal and state taxes currently due, plus deferred taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to the temporary difference between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are recognized when management considers the realization of those assets in future periods to be more likely than not. Future taxable income, adjustments in temporary differences, available carryforward periods and changes in tax laws could affect these estimates.
Segment Reporting
ASC Topic No. 280, "Segment Reporting," establishes standards for disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. The Company currently operates one reporting segment; full-service, casual dining, Mexican food restaurants. Additionally, we operate in one geographic area: the United States of America.
Revenue from customers is derived principally from food and beverage sales and the Company does not rely on any major customers as a source of revenue.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
The Company's management reviewed all significant newly-issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that, with the exception of the pronouncements below, they either are not applicable to the Company's operations or that no material effect is expected on the Company's consolidated financial statements as a result of future adoption.
Leases
The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842) on December 31, 2018, the first day of fiscal year 2019. This update requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases with a lease term of more than twelve months. This update also requires additional disclosures about the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.
We elected the optional transition method option to apply the standard as of the effective date and therefore, we will not apply the standard to the comparative periods presented in our consolidated financial statements. The adoption of this standard had a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as we recognized the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for our operating leases. The adoption had an immaterial impact on the consolidated statement of income, cash flows and overall liquidity.
We elected to utilize the three practical expedients permitted within the standard, which eliminates the requirement to reassess the conclusions about historical lease identifications, lease classifications, and initial direct costs. We did not elect the hindsight practical expedient, which permits the use of hindsight when determining lease terms and impairments of right-of-use assets. Additionally, we elected to utilize the short-term lease exception policy, which allows us to not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to leases with a term of 12 months or less.
The effect of the changes made to the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 for the adoption of ASU 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842) are as follows:
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