VARIABLE INTEREST ENTITIES |
3 Months Ended |
|---|---|
Apr. 02, 2017 | |
| Variable interest entity not primary beneficiary abstract | |
| Variable interest entity disclosure [Text Block] | (14) Variable Interest Entities A variable interest holder is considered to be the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity (VIE) if it has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses of, or the right to receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Once an entity is determined to be a variable interest entity (VIE), the primary beneficiary is required to consolidate the entity. The Company has an installment agreement with one of its franchisees as the result of refranchising its Lincoln, Nebraska restaurant. This franchisee is a VIE; however, 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 April 2, 2017, the amount of the future lease payments for which the Company would be liable in the event of a default are approximately $291,000. An accrual related to any future obligation was not considered necessary as of April 2, 2017 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 its Chicago, Illinois-area 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 April 2, 2017, the amount of the future lease payments for which the company would be liable in the event of a default is approximately $1.8 million. As of April 2, 2017, the Company had accrued $1.4 million related to the future obligations of these restaurants. 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. |