Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2016

(13) Fair Value Measurement

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 1	Inputs based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
Level 2	Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the assets, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3	Inputs that are unobservable for the asset.

There were no transfers among levels within the fair value hierarchy during the year ended December 27, 2016.

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


	Fair Value Measurements
	Level	December 27, 2016		December 29, 2015
Interest rate swap	2	$	—	$	(45)
Deferred compensation plan—assets	1		21,951		17,401
Deferred compensation plan—liabilities	1		(22,128)		(17,416)

As of December 29, 2015, the fair value of our interest rate swap was 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 15 for discussion of our interest rate swap, which expired on January 7, 2016.

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 other assets and the corresponding liability in other liabilities in our consolidated financial statements. These investments are considered trading securities and are reported at fair value based on 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 consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

At December 27, 2016 and December 29, 2015, 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 amended revolving credit facility at December 27, 2016 and December 29, 2015 approximated its carrying value since it is a variable rate credit facility (Level 2). The fair value of our installment loan 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 loan are as follows:


	December 27, 2016				December 29, 2015
	Carrying		Fair		Carrying		Fair
	Amount		Value		Amount		Value
Installment loan—Level 2	$	550	$	599	$	694	$	779

- 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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