VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES |
9 Months Ended |
|---|---|
Oct. 02, 2016 | |
| Variable interest entity not primary beneficiary abstract | |
| Variable interest entity disclosure [Text Block] | (14) Variable Interest Entities Once an entity is determined to be a variable interest entity (VIE), the party with the controlling financial interest, the primary beneficiary, is required to consolidate it. The Company has an installment agreement with a franchisee as the result of refranchising its Lincoln, Nebraska restaurant. While the franchise meets the definition of a VIE, the owners of the franchise operations are the primary beneficiaries of the entities, not the Company. Therefore, the franchise operations are not required to be consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. On August 11, 2015, the Company consummated the sale of its Greenwood, Indiana and Florence, Kentucky restaurants. In conjunction with that agreement, the Company entered into lease assignment agreements with the respective purchasers and landlords, releasing the Company of its obligations except in the event of default by the purchasers. As of October 2, 2016 and January 3, 2016, the amount of the future lease payments for which the Company would be liable in the event of a default are approximately $414,000. An accrual related to any future obligation was not considered necessary at October 2, 2016 as the Company has determined the fair value of this guarantee was zero as there was no indication that the purchasers would not be able to pay the required lease payments. While this franchise meets the definition of a VIE, the owners of the franchise operations are the primary beneficiaries of the entities, not the Company. Therefore, the franchise operations are not required to be consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. On March 1, 2016, the Company consummated the sale of Chicago, Illinois restaurants. In conjunction with that agreement, the Company entered into lease assignment agreements with the respective purchasers and three of the landlords, releasing the Company of its obligations except in the event of default by the purchasers. As of October 2, 2016, the amount of the future lease payments for which the company would be liable in the event of a default are approximately $2.0 million. An accrual related to any future obligation was not considered necessary at October 2, 2016 as the Company has determined the fair value of this guarantee was zero as there was no indication that the purchasers would not be able to pay the required lease payments. While this franchise meets the definition of a VIE, the owners of the franchise operations are the primary beneficiaries of the entities, not the Company. Therefore, the franchise operations are not required to be consolidated in the Company’s consolidated financial statements. |