Fair Value Measurement

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

(10) Fair Value Measurements

ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 establishes a three-level hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs in measuring fair value. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability on the measurement date.

Level 1Inputs based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.

Level 2Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the assets, either directly or indirectly.

Level 3Inputs that are unobservable for the asset.

There were no transfers among levels within the fair value hierarchy during the 13 weeks ended March 31, 2015.

The following table presents the fair values for our financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis:

	Fair Value Measurements
	Level	March 31, 2015			December 30, 2014

Interest rate swaps	2	$	(1,047	)	$	(1,375	)
Deferred compensation plan - assets	1	16,038			14,963
Deferred compensation plan - liabilities	1	(16,049		)	(14,974		)

The fair values of our interest rate swaps were determined based on industry-standard valuation models. Such models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to present value using market-based observable inputs, including interest rate curves. See note 5 for discussion of our interest rate swaps.

The Second Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan of Texas Roadhouse Management Corp., as amended, (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) is a nonqualified deferred compensation plan which allows highly compensated employees to defer receipt of a portion of their compensation and contribute such amounts to one or more investment funds held in a rabbi trust. We report the accounts of the rabbi trust in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. These investments are considered trading securities and are measured at fair value using quoted market prices. The realized and unrealized holding gains and losses related to these investments, as well as the offsetting compensation expense, are recorded in general and administrative expense in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

At March 31, 2015 and December 30, 2014, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximated their carrying values based on the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of our revolving credit facility at March 31, 2015 and December 30, 2014 approximated its carrying value since it is a variable rate credit facility (Level 2). The fair value of our installment loans is estimated based on the current rates offered to us for instruments of similar terms and maturities. The carrying amounts and related estimated fair values for our installment loans are as follows:

	March 31, 2015				December 30, 2014
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value

Installment loans - Level 2	$	792	$	913	$	822	$	955

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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