Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Impairment and closure costs (Notes)

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Impairment and closure costs (Notes)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 29, 2019
Impairment and closure costs [Abstract]  
Restructuring, Settlement and Impairment Provisions
Impairment and closure costs
The Company reviews long-lived assets, such as property and equipment 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 approximately $7.1 million relating to five restaurants and $12.3 million relating to six restaurants during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2019 and September 30, 2018, respectively.
We also recorded closure costs of approximately $0.2 million and $0.8 million for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2019, respectively, associated with two restaurants closed during the first quarter of 2019, one in Atlanta, Georgia, and one in Miami, Florida.