PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

September 27, 2017 December 28, 2016
Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents $ 7,062
$ 2,168
Restricted cash —
125
Accounts and other receivables, net 7,994
6,919
Inventories 2,233
2,112
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 3,016
3,104
Total current assets 20,305
14,428
Property and equipment owned, net 114,903
118,470
Property held under capital leases, net 46
64
Goodwill 248,674
248,674
Trademarks 61,888
61,888
Other intangible assets, net 403
484
Deferred tax assets 6,317
25,905
Other assets 1,136
1,392
Total assets $ 453,672
$ 471,305
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities:

Current portion of obligations under capital leases $ 129
$ 144
Accounts payable 10,358
11,637
Accrued salaries and vacation 9,315
5,754
Accrued insurance 5,548
5,444
Accrued income taxes payable 3
120
Accrued interest 151
198
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities 32,732
22,021
Total current liabilities 58,236
45,318
Revolver loan 85,000
104,000
Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion 219
317
Deferred taxes 3,966
18,488
Other intangible liabilities, net 843
1,012
Other noncurrent liabilities 30,739
36,988
Total liabilities 179,003
206,123
Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' Equity

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; none  issued or
   outstanding

Common stock, $0.01 par value—200,000,000 shares authorized; 38,652,918
   and 38,473,772 shares issued and outstanding
387
385
Additional paid-in-capital 372,671
371,843
Accumulated deficit (98,389 ) (107,046 )
Total stockholders' equity 274,669
265,182
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity $ 453,672
$ 471,305


	September 28,		December 29,
	2022		2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	19,275	$	30,046
Accounts and other receivables, net		14,946		13,407
Inventories		2,209		2,318
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		2,977		3,732
Income tax receivable		570		—
Total current assets		39,977		49,503
Property and equipment, net		78,107		75,668
Property and equipment held under finance lease, net		1,565		1,635
Property and equipment held under operating leases, net ("ROU asset")		167,985		171,981
Goodwill		248,674		248,674
Trademarks		61,888		61,888
Deferred tax assets		1,253		2,245
Other assets		2,920		2,192
Total assets	$	602,369	$	613,786
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of obligations under finance leases	$	109	$	143
Current portion of obligations under operating leases		20,063		19,959
Accounts payable		12,486		10,626
Accrued salaries and vacation		6,975		11,539
Accrued insurance		11,286		11,193
Accrued income taxes payable		—		889
Current portion of income tax receivable agreement payable		417		437
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities		18,930		19,796
Total current liabilities		70,266		74,582
Revolver loan		20,000		40,000
Obligations under finance leases, net of current portion		1,653		1,712
Obligations under operating leases, net of current portion		167,562		171,651
Deferred taxes		6,739		5,464
Income tax receivable agreement payable, net of current portion		776		1,101
Other noncurrent liabilities		5,862		8,653
Total liabilities		272,858		303,163
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
Stockholders’ equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding		—		—
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 37,053,405 and 36,601,648 shares issued and outstanding as September 28, 2022 and December 29, 2021, respectively		370		365
Additional paid-in-capital		347,079		342,941
Accumulated deficit		(18,128)		(32,393)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		190		(290)
Total stockholders’ equity		329,511		310,623
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	602,369	$	613,786

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ~~OPERATIONS~~INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016 September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016
Revenue
Company-operated restaurant revenue $ 94,982
$ 89,738
$ 287,316
$ 268,984
Franchise revenue 6,173
6,078
19,183
18,660
Total revenue 101,155
95,816
306,499
287,644
Cost of operations

Food and paper cost 27,851
26,960
84,069
80,760
Labor and related expenses 27,514
24,455
80,939
73,323
Occupancy and other operating expenses 22,242
20,071
64,358
58,401
Gain on recovery of insurance proceeds, lost profit —
(502 ) —
(502 )
Company restaurant expenses 77,607
70,984
229,366
211,982
General and administrative expenses 8,285
8,252
27,594
25,776
Franchise expenses 709
797
2,532
2,960
Depreciation and amortization 4,697
4,074
13,646
11,796
Loss on disposal of assets 65
58
724
524
Expenses related to fire loss —
—
—
48
Loss (gain) on recovery of insurance proceeds, property, equipment and expenses —
148
—
(741 )
Recovery of securities lawsuits related legal expenses (634 ) —
(1,145 ) —
Asset impairment and closed-store reserves 16,038
2,490
17,293
2,624
Total expenses 106,767
86,803
290,010
254,969
(Loss) gain on disposition of restaurants —
(5 ) —
28
(Loss) income from operations (5,612 ) 9,008
16,489
32,703
Interest expense, net of interest income of $6 and $7 for the quarters ended September 27, 2017 and September 28, 2016, respectively and $17 and $22 for year-to-date ended September 27, 2017 and September 28, 2016, respectively. 903
785
2,471
2,441
Income tax receivable agreement (income) expense (19 ) 182
107
411
(Loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes (6,496 ) 8,041
13,911
29,851
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (2,457 ) 2,830
5,254
11,930
Net (loss) income $ (4,039 ) $ 5,211
$ 8,657
$ 17,921
Net (loss) income per share

Basic $ (0.11 ) $ 0.14
$ 0.23
$ 0.47
Diluted $ (0.11 ) $ 0.13
$ 0.22
$ 0.46
Weighted-average shares used in computing net (loss) income per share

Basic 38,462,100
38,415,189
38,449,453
38,331,400
Diluted 38,462,100
39,083,577
39,101,214
39,020,127



	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021		September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021
Revenue
Company-operated restaurant revenue	$	103,174	$	99,986	$	303,585	$	301,117
Franchise revenue		9,543		8,918		28,862		24,919
Franchise advertising fee revenue		7,161		6,796		21,590		19,370
Total revenue		119,878		115,700		354,037		345,406
Cost of operations
Food and paper cost		30,163		26,698		89,586		78,971
Labor and related expenses		33,279		27,802		98,966		90,060
Occupancy and other operating expenses		26,920		25,108		76,597		74,288
Company restaurant expenses		90,362		79,608		265,149		243,319
General and administrative expenses		9,855		9,357		29,488		30,354
Franchise expenses		9,027		8,545		27,315		24,457
Depreciation and amortization		3,530		3,685		10,745		11,540
Loss on disposal of assets		21		83		129		194
Loss on disposition of restaurants		—		10		—		1,534
Impairment and closed-store reserves		219		167		598		1,091
Total expenses		113,014		101,455		333,424		312,489
Income from operations		6,864		14,245		20,613		32,917
Interest expense, net		108		449		957		1,399
Income tax receivable agreement income		(29)		(19)		(345)		(69)
Income before provision for income taxes		6,785		13,815		20,001		31,587
Provision for income taxes		1,776		3,654		5,736		8,644
Net income	$	5,009	$	10,161	$	14,265	$	22,943
Net income per share
Basic	$	0.14	$	0.28	$	0.39	$	0.64
Diluted	$	0.14	$	0.28	$	0.39	$	0.63
Weighted-average shares used in computing net income per share
Basic		36,402,899		36,067,754		36,329,938		35,930,246
Diluted		36,507,050		36,525,424		36,491,624		36,457,110

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in thousands)



	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021		September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021
Net income	$	5,009	$	10,161	$	14,265	$	22,943
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Changes in derivative instruments
Unrealized net gains (losses) arising during the period from interest rate swap		43		(32)		974		44
Reclassifications of (gains) losses into net income		(369)		133		(197)		367
Income tax expense		—		(27)		(297)		(111)
Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of taxes		(326)		74		480		300
Comprehensive income	$	4,683	$	10,235	$	14,745	$	23,243

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)


	Thirteen Weeks Ended September 28, 2022
								Accumulated
				Additional				Other		Total
	Common Stock			Paid-in		Accumulated		Comprehensive		Stockholders’
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Deficit		Income		Equity
Balance, June 29, 2022	37,002,513	$	369	$	346,095	$	(23,137)	$	516	$	323,843
Stock-based compensation	—		—		1,009		—		—		1,009
Issuance of common stock related to restricted shares	53,476		1		(1)		—		—		—
Shares repurchased for employee tax withholdings	(2,584)		—		(24)		—		—		(24)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—		—		—		—		(326)		(326)
Net income	—		—		—		5,009		—		5,009
Balance, September 28, 2022	37,053,405	$	370	$	347,079	$	(18,128)	$	190	$	329,511

	Thirteen Weeks Ended September 29, 2021
								Accumulated
				Additional				Other		Total
	Common Stock			Paid-in		Accumulated		Comprehensive		Stockholders’
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Deficit		Loss		Equity
Balance, June 30, 2021	36,637,761	$	367	$	341,358	$	(48,732)	$	(607)		292,386
Stock-based compensation	—		—		1,042		—		—		1,042
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, net	41,216		—		300		—		—		300
Shares repurchased for employee tax withholdings	(2,446)		—		(45)		—		—		(45)
Forfeiture of common stock related to restricted shares	(5,084)		(1)		1		—	��	—		—
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—		—		—		—		74		74
Net income	—		—		—		10,161		—		10,161
Balance, September 29, 2021	36,671,447	$	366	$	342,656	$	(38,571)	$	(533)	$	303,918

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	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 28, 2022
								Accumulated
				Additional				Other		Total
	Common Stock			Paid-in		Accumulated		Comprehensive		Stockholders’
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Deficit		(Loss) Income		Equity
Balance, December 29, 2021	36,601,648	$	365	$	342,941	$	(32,393)	$	(290)	$	310,623
Stock-based compensation	—		—		2,806		—		—		2,806
Issuance of common stock related to restricted shares	352,114		4		(4)		—		—		—
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, net	150,475		1		1,579		—		—		1,580
Shares repurchased for employee tax withholdings	(22,901)		—		(243)		—		—		(243)
Forfeiture of common stock related to restricted shares	(27,931)		—		—		—		—		—
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—		—		—		—		480		480
Net income	—		—		—		14,265		—		14,265
Balance, September 28, 2022	37,053,405	$	370	$	347,079	$	(18,128)	$	190	$	329,511

	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2021
								Accumulated
				Additional				Other		Total
	Common Stock			Paid-in		Accumulated		Comprehensive		Stockholders’
	Shares	Amount		Capital		Deficit		(Loss) Income		Equity
Balance, December 30, 2020	36,423,505	$	364	$	339,561	$	(61,514)	$	(833)	$	277,578
Stock-based compensation	—		—		2,936		—		—		2,936
Issuance of common stock related to restricted shares	206,098		2		(2)		—		—		—
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, net	132,760		1		865		—		—		866
Shares repurchased for employee tax withholdings	(40,384)		—		(705)		—		—		(705)
Forfeiture of common stock related to restricted shares	(50,532)		(1)		1		—		—		—
Other comprehensive income, net of tax	—		—		—		—		300		300
Net income	—		—		—		22,943		—		22,943
Balance, September 29, 2021	36,671,447	$	366	$	342,656	$	(38,571)	$	(533)	$	303,918

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(Amounts in thousands)

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:

Net income $ 8,657
$ 17,921
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating
activities:

Depreciation and amortization 13,646
11,796
Stock-based compensation expense 738
244
Fire insurance proceeds for expenses paid and lost profit —
257
Income tax receivable agreement expense 107
411
Gain on disposition of restaurants —
(28 )
Loss on disposal of assets 724
524
Gain on recovery of insurance proceeds, property, equipment and expenses —
(741 )
Gain on recovery of insurance proceeds, lost profits —
(502 )
Impairment of property and equipment 15,480
2,508
Closed-store reserve 1,813
116
Amortization of deferred financing costs 228
229
Amortization of favorable and unfavorable leases, net (88 ) (51 )
Excess income tax benefit related to share-based compensation plans —
(169 )
Deferred income taxes, net 5,066
11,624
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts and other receivables, net (1,075 ) (2,066 )
Inventories (121 ) 57
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 88
(770 )
Income taxes (receivable) payable (117 ) 134
Other assets 28
94
Accounts payable 747
(6,269 )
Accrued salaries and vacation 3,561
2,538
Accrued insurance 104
140
Other accrued expenses and liabilities 2,499
1,673
Restricted cash 125
—
Net cash flows provided by operating activities 52,210
39,670
Cash flows from investing activities:

Proceeds from sale of restaurant —
1,465
Fire insurance proceeds for property and equipment —
743
Purchase of property and equipment (28,295 ) (26,465 )
Net cash flows used in investing activities (28,295 ) (24,257 )
Cash flows from financing activities:

Payments on revolver loan (19,000 ) (16,000 )
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, net of expenses 93
978
Payment of obligations under capital leases (114 ) (132 )
Excess income tax benefit related to share-based compensation plans —
169
Net cash flows used in financing activities (19,021 ) (14,985 )
Increase in cash and cash equivalents 4,894
428
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
2,168
6,101
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
$ 7,062
$ 6,529

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
Supplemental cash flow information September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016
Cash paid during the period for interest $ 2,475
$ 2,355
Cash paid during the period for income taxes $ 320
$ 173
Unpaid purchases of property and equipment $ 3,131
$ 4,599



	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	14,265	$	22,943
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		10,745		11,540
Stock-based compensation expense		2,806		2,936
Income tax receivable agreement income		(345)		(69)
Loss on disposition of restaurants		—		1,534
Loss on disposal of assets		129		194
Impairment of property and equipment		392		701
Amortization of deferred financing costs		292		188
Deferred income taxes, net		2,351		2,026
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables		(1,539)		(1,547)
Inventories		108		(27)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		755		825
Income taxes receivable		(1,459)		3,616
Other assets		(150)		289
Accounts payable		1,285		(507)
Accrued salaries and vacation		(4,564)		(2,116)
Accrued insurance		93		615
Other accrued expenses and liabilities		(3,257)		(809)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities		21,907		42,332
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from disposition of restaurants		—		4,556
Purchase of property and equipment		(13,022)		(12,699)
Net cash flows used in investing activities		(13,022)		(8,143)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payments on revolver and swingline loan		(20,000)		(22,800)
Minimum tax withholdings related to net share settlements		(243)		(705)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, net of expenses		1,580		866
Payment of obligations under finance leases		(124)		(100)
Deferred financing costs for revolver loan		(869)		—
Net cash flows used in financing activities		(19,656)		(22,739)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(10,771)		11,450
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		30,046		13,219
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	19,275	$	24,669



	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for interest	$	819	$	828
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	$	5,100	$	4,088
Unpaid purchases of property and equipment	$	3,030	$	2,259

See notes to ~~the~~ condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

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EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Overview

El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings”) is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Costa Mesa, California. Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are collectively ~~known~~referred to herein as ~~“we,” “us” or~~ the “Company.” The ~~Company's~~Company’s activities are conducted principally through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, El Pollo Loco, Inc. (“EPL”), which develops, franchises, licenses, and operates quick-service restaurants under the name El Pollo Loco® and operates under one operating segment. At September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022, the Company operated ~~208~~190 and franchised ~~265~~297 El Pollo Loco restaurants.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial statements and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair ~~presentation~~statement of the ~~Company's~~Company’s condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full year. The condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes do not include all information and footnotes required by GAAP for annual reports. This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December ~~28, 2016.~~

29, 2021.

The Company uses a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Wednesday of the calendar year. In a 52-week fiscal year, each quarter includes 13 weeks of operations; in a 53-week fiscal year, the first, second and third quarters each include 13 weeks of operations, and the fourth quarter includes 14 weeks of operations. Every six or seven years, a 53-week fiscal year occurs. Fiscal ~~2016~~2022 and ~~2017~~2021 are both 52-week years, ending on December 28, ~~2016~~2022 and December ~~27, 2017,~~29, 2021, respectively. Revenues, expenses, and other financial and operational figures may be elevated in a 53-week year.

Holdings has no material assets or operations. Holdings and Holdings’ direct subsidiary, EPL Intermediate, Inc. (“Intermediate”), guarantee EPL’s ~~2014~~2022 Revolver ~~(see Note 4)~~(as defined below) on a full and unconditional basis (see Note 4, “Long-Term Debt”), and Intermediate has no subsidiaries other than EPL. EPL is a separate and distinct legal entity and has no obligation to make funds available to Intermediate. EPL and Intermediate may pay dividends to Intermediate and to Holdings, ~~respectively.~~

~~Under~~respectively, subject to the 2014 Revolver, Holdings may not make certain payments such as cash dividends, except that it may, inter alia, (i) pay up to $1.0 million per year to repurchase or redeem qualified equity interests of Holdings held by past or present officers, directors, or employees (or their estates)terms of the Company upon death, disability, or termination of employment, (ii) pay under its income tax receivable agreement (the “TRA”), and, (iii) so long as no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, (a) make non-cash repurchases of equity interests in connection with the exercise of stock options by directors and officers, provided that those equity interests represent a portion of the consideration of the exercise price of those stock options, (b) pay up to $2.5 million per year pursuant to stock option plans, employment agreements, or incentive plans, (c) make up to $5.0 million in other restricted payments per year, and (d) make other restricted payments, provided that such payments would not cause, in each case, on a pro forma basis, (x) its lease-adjusted consolidated leverage ratio to equal or exceed 4.25 times and (y) its consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio to be less than 1.75 times.

2022 Revolver.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Holdings and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and revenue and expenses during the ~~period~~periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. The Company’s significant estimates include estimates for

impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and property and equipment, insurance reserves, lease ~~termination liabilities, closed-store reserves,~~accounting matters, stock-based compensation, income tax receivable agreement liability, contingent liabilities and income tax valuation allowances.

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COVID-19

The Company may face future business disruption and related risks resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or from another pandemic, epidemic or infectious disease outbreak, or from broader macroeconomic trends, any of which could have a significant impact on our business. During both thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2022 and September 29, 2021, respectively, the Company incurred $0.5 million in COVID-19 related expenses, primarily due to leaves of absence. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022 and September 29, 2021, respectively, the Company incurred $3.1 million and $3.5 million, in COVID-19 related expenses, primarily due to leaves of absence and overtime pay. While all of the Company’s restaurants had dining rooms open as of September 28, 2022, the Company continues to experience staffing challenges, including higher wage inflation, overtime costs and other labor related costs. Further, the Company continues to experience inflationary pressures, which resulted in increased commodity prices and impacted the Company’s business and results of operations during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022. The Company expects these pressures to continue during the remainder of fiscal 2022.

Due to the rapid development and fluidity of this situation, the Company cannot determine the ultimate direct and indirect impact that the COVID-19 pandemic and related economic effects will have on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial condition, liquidity, and future results of operations, and therefore any prediction as to the ultimate materiality of the adverse impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial condition, liquidity, and future results of operations is uncertain.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all ~~highly-liquid~~liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

~~Restricted Cash~~

The Company’s restricted cash represented cash collateral to one commercial bank for Company credit cards. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, the cash collateral was returned by the bank, and the Company reclassified such amounts to cash and cash equivalents.

Liquidity

The Company’s principal liquidity and capital requirements are ~~to service~~new restaurants, existing restaurant capital investments (remodels and maintenance), interest payments on its debt, lease obligations and ~~to meet~~working capital ~~expenditure~~and general corporate needs. At September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022, the Company’s total debt ~~(including capital lease liabilities)~~ was ~~$85.3~~$20.0 million. The Company’s ability to make payments on its indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures depends on available cash and on its ability to generate adequate cash flows in the future, which, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, and other factors that are beyond the Company’s control. Based on current operations, the Company believes that its cash flow from operations and available cash of ~~$7.1~~$19.3 million at September ~~27, 2017, and available borrowings under the 2014 Revolver (which availability was approximately $106.9 million at September 27, 2017)~~28, 2022 will be adequate to meet the Company’s liquidity needs for the next ~~12 months.~~

~~(Loss) Gain~~twelve months from the date of filing of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

None.

Subsequent Events

On October 11, 2022, the Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $1.50 per share on ~~Recovery~~the common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of ~~Insurance Proceeds~~

the Company (the “Common Stock”). The special dividend is payable on November 9, 2022, to stockholders of record, including holders of restricted stock and restricted stock units, at the close of business on October 24, 2022.

In ~~November 2015, one~~addition, on October 11, 2022, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $20.0 million of shares of the Company’s ~~restaurants incurred damage resulting from a fire. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September~~Common Stock. The repurchase program will terminate on March 28, ~~2016,~~2024, may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time, and does not obligate the Company ~~incurred costs directly related~~ to acquire any particular number of shares.

Lastly, on November 3, 2022, the fire of less than $0.1 million, disposed of an additional $0.1 million in assets, and recognized gains of $0.7 million, related to the reimbursement of property and equipment, and $0.5 million, related to the reimbursement of lost profits. The reimbursement of lost profits is included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements of operations, for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2016, as a reduction of company restaurant expenses. The Company ~~received from the insurance company cash of $1.0 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2016, and $0.4~~borrowed $46.0 million on ~~October 5, 2016, net~~its 2022 Revolver and outstanding borrowings as of November 3, 2022 were $66.0 million. After payment of the insurance deductible. The $0.4 million is included in accounts and other receivables in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 2016. The restaurant was reopened for business on March 14, 2016.

~~Recovery of Securities Class Action Legal Expense~~

~~During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017,~~special dividend, the Company received insurance proceeds of $0.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to the reimbursement of certain legal expenses paid in prior years for the defense of securities lawsuits. The Company subsequently received an additional $0.5 million of insurance reimbursements on October 12, 2017. See Note 7, Commitments and Contingencies, Legal Matters.

~~Recent Accounting Pronouncements~~

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, which provides clarity, reduces diversity in practice, and reduces cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718 Compensation—Stock Compensation, regarding a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. Specifically, an entity is to account for the effects of a modification, unless all of the following are satisfied: (1) the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the modified award is the same as the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (2) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and (3) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or as a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. ASU 2017-09 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 is not expected to have ~~a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.~~

~~In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, simplifying the manner~~approximately $10.0 million in which an entity is required to test for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. ASU 2017-04 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, clarifying the definition of a business. ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of ASU 2017-01 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

~~In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Restricted Cash." ASU 2016-18 addresses the diversity in practice that exists regarding the classification and the presentation of changes in restricted~~ cash on ~~the statements~~hand.

Table of cash flows under Topic 230, Statements of Cash Flow, and other Topics. The amendments in ASU No. 2016-18 require that amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and the end-of-period total amounts set forth on the statements of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.Contents

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments." ASU 2016-15 addresses how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statements of cash flows under Topic 230, Statements of Cash Flow, and other Topics. ASU 2016-15 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases.” The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Although early adoption is permitted, the Company will adopt these provisions in the first quarter of 2019. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The Company has $307.5 million of operating lease obligations as of September 27, 2017 and upon adoption of this standard will record a ROU asset and lease liability equal to the present value of these leases, which will have a material impact on the consolidated balance sheet. However, the recognition of lease expense in the consolidated statement of operations is not expected to change from the current methodology.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." The pronouncement requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. These changes become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09)”, which supersedes nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under existing GAAP.

The revised revenue standard is effective for public entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein, using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients, or (ii) a retrospective approach

~~with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures).~~

In addition, the FASB has issued the following Technical Corrections, Practical Expedients and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: ASU 2017-13 in September 2017, ASU No. 2016-20, in December 2016, ASU No. 2016-12, in May 2016, and ASU No. 2016-10, in April 2016. All amendments are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods, and early application is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016.

The Company generates a substantial amount of its revenues from company-operated restaurants. This revenue stream is not expected to be impacted by the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, or any of the subsequent related ASU’s. The Company has completed its initial analysis of the impact of the standard on franchise revenue. The revenue recognition for franchise fees that are based on future sales is not impacted. However, revenue recognition for franchise and development fees that are not related to subsequent sales will be impacted. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have a material impact to future results of operations. In addition, the Company has determined to take a modified retrospective approach of transition and will recognize an adjustment to retained earnings, related to the cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2014-09 at the date of adoption. The Company is in the process of analyzing the disclosure requirements and the impact on advertising fees, and plans to complete its analysis by the end of fiscal 2017.

~~Subsequent Events~~

Subsequent to September 27, 2017, the Company received an additional $0.5 million of insurance proceeds related to the reimbursement of certain legal expenses paid in prior years for the defense of securities lawsuits. In addition one of our franchisees closed one restaurant in California.

The Company evaluated subsequent events that have occurred after September 27, 2017, and determined that there were no other events or transactions occurring during this reporting period that require recognition or disclosure in the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Concentration of Risk

Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, these balances may exceed federally-insured limits. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances.

The Company had one supplier ~~for which~~to whom amounts due totaled ~~17.4%~~25.2% and 26.1% of the ~~Company's~~Company’s accounts payable at September ~~27, 2017. As of~~28, 2022 and December ~~28, 2016, the Company had one supplier for which amounts due totaled 16% of the Company’s accounts payable.~~29, 2021, respectively. Purchases from the Company’s largest supplier totaled ~~27%~~28.4% and 28.5% of total expenses for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022 and ~~33%~~27.0% and 28.1% of total expenses for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2016. Purchases from the Company’s largest supplier totaled 30% of total expenses for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, and 33% of total expenses for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2016, of the Company’s purchases. 29, 2021.

Company-operated and franchised restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area generated, in the aggregate, approximately ~~73%~~71.9% and ~~75%~~71.2% of total revenue for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017~~28, 2022 and 71.6% and 70.8% for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~28, 2016,~~29, 2021, respectively.

Goodwill and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets

The Company’s ~~indefinite lived~~indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of trademarks. Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net identified assets acquired in business combinations accounted for under the purchase method. The Company does not amortize its goodwill and ~~indefinite lived~~indefinite-lived intangible assets. Goodwill resulted from ~~historical acquisitions.~~

the acquisition of certain franchise locations.

Upon athe sale or closure of a restaurant, the Company evaluates whether there is a decrement of goodwill. The amount of goodwill included in the cost basis of the asset sold is determined based on the relative fair value of the portion of the reporting unit disposed of compared to the fair value of the reporting unit retained.

The Company performs an annual impairment ~~tests~~test for goodwill during the fourth fiscal quarter of each ~~fiscal~~ year, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise.

The Company reviews goodwill for impairment utilizing either a qualitative assessment or a ~~two-step process.~~fair value test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. If the Company decides that it is appropriate to perform a qualitative assessment and concludes that the fair value of a reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. If the Company performs the ~~two-step process,~~fair value test, the ~~first~~

~~step of the goodwill impairment test is used to identify potential impairment by comparing~~Company will compare the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not ~~impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary.~~impaired. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the ~~second step is performed to measure~~Company will recognize an impairment charge for the amount ~~of impairment~~ by ~~comparing~~which the carrying amount ofexceeds the ~~goodwill to a determination of~~reporting unit’s fair value; however, the ~~implied value of~~loss recognized cannot exceed the ~~goodwill. If the carrying~~total amount of goodwill ~~is greater than the implied value, an impairment charge is recognized for the difference.~~

allocated to that reporting unit.

The Company performs an annual impairment ~~tests~~test for ~~indefinite lived~~indefinite-lived intangible assets during the fourth fiscal quarter of each ~~fiscal~~ year, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. An impairment test consists of either a qualitative assessment or a comparison of the fair value of an intangible asset with its carrying amount. The excess of the carrying amount of an intangible asset over its fair value is ~~its~~recognized as an impairment loss.

The assumptions used in the estimate of fair value are generally consistent with the past performance of the Company’s reporting segment and are also consistent with the projections and assumptions that are used in current operating plans. These assumptions are subject to change as a result of changing economic and competitive conditions.

The Company ~~did not identify any~~determined that there were no indicators of potential impairment of its goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022. Accordingly, the Company did not record any impairment to its goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible assets during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017 or September~~ 28, ~~2016, and therefore did not record any impairment during the respective periods.~~2022.

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Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

●

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

●

Level 2: Observable prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs or significant value drivers are observable.

●

Level 3: Unobservable inputs used when little or no market data is available.

~~Level 1: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.~~

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs or significant value drivers are observable.

~~Level 3: Unobservable inputs used when little or no market data is available.~~

~~As of September 27, 2017 and December 28, 2016,~~

During fiscal 2019, the Company ~~had no assets or liabilities~~entered into an interest rate swap, which is required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

The fair value was determined based on Level 2 inputs, which include valuation models, as reported by the Company’s counterparty. These valuation models use a discounted cash flow analysis on the cash flows of the derivative based on the terms of the contract and the forward yield curves adjusted for the Company’s credit risk. The key inputs for the valuation models are observable market prices, discount rates, and forward yield curves. In connection with the Company’s entry into the 2022 Credit Agreement (as defined below), it terminated the interest rate swap in July 2022 previously used to hedge interest rate risk. In settlement of this swap, the Company received approximately $0.6 million. See Note 4, “Long-Term Debt” for further discussion regarding the Company’s interest rate swap and its termination.

The following table presents fair value for the interest rate swap at December 29, 2021 (in thousands):


			Fair Value Measurements Using
	Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Other non-current liabilities - Interest rate swap	$	396	$	—	$	396	$	—

Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. In other words, the instruments are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis, but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances ~~(for example,~~(e.g., when there is evidence of impairment).

The following non-financial instruments were measured at fair value, on a nonrecurring basis, as of and for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017 and September~~ 28, ~~2016 (in thousands),~~2022, reflecting certain property and equipment assets and right-of-use (“ROU”) assets for which an impairment loss was recognized during the corresponding ~~period,~~periods, as discussed under Note 2, “Property and Equipment” and immediately below under “Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and ROU Assets” (in thousands):


									Thirteen Weeks		Thirty-Nine Weeks
			Fair Value Measurements at September 28, 2022 Using						Ended September 28, 2022		Ended September 28, 2022
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Impairment Losses		Impairment Losses
Certain property and equipment, net	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	100	$	353
Certain ROU assets, net	$	332	$	—	$	—	$	332	$	39	$	39

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The following non-financial instruments were measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of and for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, reflecting certain property and equipment assets and ROU assets for which an impairment loss was recognized during the corresponding periods, as discussed immediately below under ~~"Impairment~~“Impairment of Long-Lived ~~Assets"~~Assets and ROU Assets” (in thousands):

Fair Value Measurements at September 27, 2017 Using Impairment Loss
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Thirteen Weeks Ended September 27, 2017 Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 27, 2017
Property and equipment owned, net $ 280
$ —
$ —
$ 280
$ 15,035
15,480

Fair Value Measurements at September 28, 2016 Using Impairment Loss
Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Thirteen Weeks Ended September 28, 2016 Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 28, 2016
Property and equipment owned, net $ —
$ —
$ —
$ —
$ 2,508
2,508


									Thirteen Weeks		Thirty-Nine Weeks
			Fair Value Measurements at September 29, 2021 Using						Ended September 29, 2021		Ended September 29, 2021
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Impairment Losses		Impairment Losses
Certain property and equipment, net	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	34	$	293
Certain ROU assets, net	$	424	$	—	$	—	$	424	$	—	$	407

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

and ROU Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived and ROU assets for impairment on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of certain long-lived and ROU assets may not be recoverable. The Company considers a triggering event related to long-lived assets or ROU assets in a net asset position to have occurred related to a specific restaurant if the restaurant’s ~~cash flows~~average unit volume for the last twelve months ~~are~~is less than a minimum threshold or if consistent levels of undiscounted cash flows for the remaining lease period are less than the carrying value of the restaurant’s assets. Additionally, the Company considers a triggering event related to ROU assets to have occurred related to a specific lease if the location has closed or been subleased and future estimated sublease income is less than lease payments under the head lease. If the Company concludes that the carrying value of certain long-lived and ROU assets will not be recovered based on expected undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment ~~write-down~~loss is recorded to reduce the long-lived or ROU assets to their estimated fair value. The fair value is measured on a nonrecurring basis using unobservable (Level 3) inputs. There is uncertainty in the projected undiscounted future cash flows used in the ~~Company's~~Company’s impairment review ~~analysis.~~analysis, which requires the use of estimates and assumptions. If actual performance does not achieve the projections, or if the assumptions used change in the future, the Company may be required to recognize impairment charges in future periods, and such charges could be material. ~~Based on the results of the analysis,~~The Company determined that triggering events occurred for certain restaurants during the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2017, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $15.0 million, primarily related to the non-recoverable assets of 10 stores in Texas and California. In addition, for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017 the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $15.5 million, primarily related to the non-recoverable assets of 11 stores, in Texas and California. For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, ~~2016,~~2022 that required an impairment review of certain of the Company’s long-lived and ROU assets. Based on the results of the analysis, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of $0.1 million and $0.4 million for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022, respectively, primarily related to the long-lived assets of one restaurant in California.

The Company recorded a ~~$2.5 million~~ non-cash impairment charge of $0.1 million and $0.7 million for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, respectively, primarily related to ~~non-recoverable~~the carrying value of the ROU assets of ~~two~~one restaurant in Texas closed in 2019, the carrying value of the ROU assets of one restaurant in California and the long-lived assets of three restaurants in ~~Arizona and Texas. The~~California. Given the inherent uncertainty in projecting results for newer restaurants in newer markets, as well as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company ~~continues to monitor~~is monitoring the recoverability of the carrying value of the assets of several restaurants on an ongoing basis. In particular, most of the Company’s (and its franchisees’) restaurants in Texas have been open since the beginning of 2015, and many since the beginning of 2016. Accordingly, given the difficulty in projecting results for newer restaurants in newer markets, the Company intends to continue to closely monitor the performance of its Texas portfolio. Based on the most recent results in the Texas market, if management's plans to grow sales and improve profitability are not successful, future significant impairment to the Company’s assets may occur as a result of the performance ofFor these restaurants, ~~and the related future cash flow assumptions over the remaining lease term.~~

~~Closed-Store Reserves~~

When the Company makes the determination to close a restaurant, it reviews the future minimum lease payments and related ancillary costs from the date of the restaurant closure to the end of the remaining lease term and records a lease charge for the lease liabilities to be incurred, net of any estimated sublease recoveries. Thereif expected performance is ~~uncertainty in the estimates of future lease costs and sublease recoveries. In addition~~not realized, an impairment charge may be recognized in future periods, and such charge could be material.

Closed-Store Reserves

When a restaurant is ~~recognized~~closed, the Company will evaluate the ROU asset for ~~any~~impairment, based on anticipated sublease recoveries. The remaining ~~carrying~~ value of ~~certain restaurant assets.~~the ROU asset is amortized on a straight-line basis, with the expense recognized in closed-store reserve expense. Additionally, any property tax and common area maintenance (“CAM”) payments relating to closed restaurants are included within closed-store expense. During the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2017, the Company closed three restaurants in Texas, recognizing a closed-store reserve of $1.0 million. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, the Company closed four restaurants in Texas and ~~one in Arizona, recognizing a closed-store reserve of $1.8 million. For the~~ thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, ~~2016,~~2022, the Company recognized less than $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of closed-store reserve expense related to ~~adjustments~~the amortization of ROU assets, property taxes and CAM payments for its closed locations. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, the Company recognized less than $0.1 million and $0.4 million of closed-store reserve expense, respectively, primarily related to ~~closed-store reserves~~the amortization of ROU assets, property taxes and CAM payments for its closed locations.

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Derivative Financial Instruments

The Company used an interest rate swap, a derivative instrument, to hedge interest rate risk and not for trading purposes. The derivative contract was entered into with a financial institution. In connection with the Company’s entry into the 2022 Credit Agreement (as defined below), it terminated the interest rate swap on July 28, 2022.

The Company recorded the derivative instrument on its condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. The derivative instrument qualified as a hedging instrument in a qualifying cash flow hedge relationship, and the gain or loss on the derivative instrument was reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income (“AOCI”) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. For any derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, the gain or loss will be recognized in ~~prior periods.~~

earnings immediately. If a derivative previously designated as a hedge is terminated, or no longer meets the qualifications for hedge accounting, any balances in AOCI will be reclassified to earnings immediately.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes, income taxes payable and deferred income taxes is determined using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on temporary differences between the financial carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the temporary differences are expected to reverse. On a periodic basis, the Company assesses the probability that its net deferred tax assets, if any, will be recovered. If, after evaluating all of the positive and negative evidence, a conclusion is made that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be recovered, a valuation allowance is provided by charging to tax expense toa reserve for the portion of deferred tax assets which are not expected to be realized. In the first quarter of fiscal 2017 the Company implemented ASU 2015-17, "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes," resulting in the classification of all deferred tax assets as non-current. As the Company implemented this ASU retrospectively, $21.5 million of deferred tax assets previously classified as current in fiscal year 2016 are now classified as noncurrent liabilities within the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

The Company reviews its filing positions for all open tax years in all U.S. federal and state jurisdictions where the Company is required to file.

When there are uncertainties related to potential income tax benefits, in order to qualify for recognition, the position the Company takes has to have at least a “more likely than not” chance of being sustained (based on the position’s technical merits) upon challenge by the respective authorities. The term “more likely than not” means a likelihood of more than 50 percent. Otherwise, the Company may not recognize any of the potential tax benefit associated with the position. The Company recognizes a benefit for a tax position that meets the “more likely than not” criterion at the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon its effective resolution. Unrecognized tax benefits involve management’s judgment regarding the likelihood of the benefit being sustained. The final resolution of uncertain tax positions could result in adjustments to recorded amounts and may affect the ~~Company's~~Company’s condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.

The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The Company had no accrual for interest or penalties at September ~~27, 2017~~28, 2022 or at December ~~28, 2016, and~~29, 2021. The Company did not recognize interest or penalties during the thirteen orand thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017 or~~28, 2022 and September ~~28, 2016,~~29, 2021, respectively, since there were no material unrecognized tax benefits. Management believes no ~~material~~significant changes to the amount of unrecognized tax benefits will occur within the next twelve months.

On July 30, 2014, the Company entered into the ~~TRA. The TRA~~income tax receivable agreement (the “TRA”), which calls for the Company to pay to its ~~pre-IPO~~pre-initial public offering (“IPO”) stockholders 85% of the savings in cash that the Company realizes in its income taxes as a result of utilizing its net operating losses (“NOLs”) and other tax attributes attributable to preceding periods. For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017 we~~28, 2022, the Company recorded income tax receivable agreement income of less than $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~28, 2016 we~~29, 2021, the Company recorded income tax receivable agreement ~~expense~~income of ~~$0.2 million, and for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017 and September 28, 2016, we recorded income tax receivable agreement expense of~~less than $0.1 million, ~~and $0.4 million, respectively,~~in each case, related to the amortization of interest expense related to ~~our~~the total expected TRA payments and changes in estimates for actual tax returns ~~filed.~~filed and future forecasted taxable income.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act provides for the deferral of employer Social Security taxes that are otherwise owed for wage payment and the creation of refundable employee retention credits. The total amount deferred as of December 30, 2020 was $4.9 million, of which 50% was paid at the end of 2021 and the remaining 50% is due by December 31, 2022.

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2. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The costs and related accumulated depreciation and amortization of major classes of property and equipment are as follows (in thousands):

September 27, 2017 December 28, 2016
Land $ 12,323
$ 12,323
Buildings and improvements 132,297
125,159
Other property and equipment 68,157
65,831
Construction in progress 8,470
11,539
221,247
214,852
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization (106,344 ) (96,382 )
$ 114,903
$ 118,470

The gross value of assets under capital leases for buildings and improvements was $1.6 million at September 27, 2017 and December 28, 2016. Accumulated depreciation for assets under capital leases was $1.5 million as of September 27, 2017 and December 28, 2016.


	September 28, 2022		December 29, 2021
Land	$	12,323	$	12,323
Buildings and improvements		152,089		144,631
Other property and equipment		82,095		78,383
Construction in progress		5,133		5,333
		251,640		240,670
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization		(173,533)		(165,002)
	$	78,107	$	75,668

Depreciation expense was ~~$4.7~~$3.5 million and ~~$4.1~~$3.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended September ~~27, 2017~~28, 2022 and September ~~28, 2016,~~29, 2021, respectively, and ~~$13.6~~$10.7 million and ~~$11.8~~$11.5 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017~~28, 2022 and September 28, 2016, respectively. For the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2017, capital expenditures totaled $9.3 million, including $0.1 million for restaurant remodeling and $7.1 million for new restaurant expenditures. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, capital expenditures totaled $28.3 million, including $2.9 million for restaurant remodeling and $21.0 million for new restaurant expenditures. For the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2016, capital expenditures totaled $12.1 million, including $0.1 million for restaurant remodeling and $10.8 million for new restaurant expenditures. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2016, capital expenditures totaled $26.5 million, including $1.6 million for restaurant remodeling and $20.8 million for new restaurant expenditures. Capital expenditures for these periods exclude unpaid purchases of property and equipment.

29, 2021, respectively.

Based on the Company’s review of its long-lived assets for impairment, the Company recorded non-cash impairment charges of ~~$15.0~~$0.1 million and ~~$15.5~~$0.4 million for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017, respectively. For~~28, 2022, respectively, primarily related to the carrying value of the long-lived assets of one restaurant in California.

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~28, 2016,~~29, 2021, the Company recorded ~~a $2.5 million~~ non-cash impairment ~~charge,~~charges of less than $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, primarily related to ~~non-recoverable~~the carrying value of the assets of ~~two~~three restaurants in ~~Arizona~~California. See Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and ~~Texas.~~

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and ROU Assets” for additional information.

3. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

At September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022, options to purchase ~~2,302,319~~1,181,944 shares of common stock were outstanding, including ~~1,892,062~~659,861 vested and ~~410,257~~522,083 unvested. Unvested options vest over ~~time. However,~~time; however, upon a change in control, the ~~board~~Board of Directors may accelerate vesting. At September ~~27, 2017, 1,563,549~~28, 2022, 203,569 premium options, which are options granted above the stock price at date of grant, remained outstanding. ~~There were no~~A summary of stock option ~~exercises during the thirteen weeks ended~~activity as of September ~~27, 2017~~28, 2022 and ~~17,661 stock option exercises~~changes during the thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017. For~~28, 2022 is as follows:


				Weighted-Average		Aggregate
		Weighted-Average		Contractual Life		Intrinsic Value
	Shares	Exercise Price		Life (Years)		(in thousands)
Outstanding - December 29, 2021	978,078	$	11.45
Grants	372,958		10.54
Exercised	(150,475)		10.50
Forfeited, cancelled or expired	(18,617)	$	15.86
Outstanding - September 28, 2022	1,181,944	$	11.21		6.06	$	742
Vested and expected to vest at September 28, 2022	1,172,082	$	11.21		6.03	$	742
Exercisable at September 28, 2022	659,861	$	10.50		3.58	$	742

The fair value of each stock option was estimated on the ~~thirteen~~grant date using an exercise price of the closing stock price on the day prior to date of grant and ~~thirty-nine weeks ended~~the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:


	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021
Expected volatility	43.0	%	46.9	%
Risk-free interest rate	2.9	%	1.1	%
Expected term (years)	6.25		6.25
Expected dividends	—		—

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At September 28, 2016, there were stock option exercises of 32,386 and 147,726 shares, respectively. For the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2017, there were no stock options granted, and for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, 128,252 stock options were granted at the fair market value on the date of grant. For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2016, there were stock option grants of 9,875 and 329,673, respectively, granted at the fair market value on the date of grant. At September 27, 2017,2022, the Company had total unrecognized compensation expense of ~~$1.4~~$2.5 million related to unvested stock options, which it expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of ~~2.9~~3.20 years.

~~For the thirteen~~

A summary of restricted share activity as of September 28, 2022 and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, 1,248 and 170,924 restricted shares were granted, respectively, at the fair market value on the date of grant. There were 21,453 and 29,259 restricted shares granted at the fair market value on the date of grantchanges during the ~~thirteen and~~ thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, ~~2016, respectively. The restricted shares will vest ratably over four years for employees and three years for directors, from their grant date.~~ 2022 is as follows:


		Weighted-Average
	Shares	Fair Value
Unvested shares at December 29, 2021	495,780	$	13.92
Granted	352,114	$	10.36
Released	(180,696)	$	13.10
Forfeited, cancelled, or expired	(27,931)	$	14.01
Unvested shares at September 28, 2022	639,267	$	12.19

At September ~~27, 2017, there were 187,710 unvested restricted shares outstanding. At September 27, 2017,~~28, 2022, the Company had ~~total~~ unrecognized compensation expense of ~~$2.4~~$6.4 million related to unvested restricted shares, which it expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of ~~3.4~~2.76 years.

Total stock-based compensation expense was ~~$0.3~~$1.0 million and ~~$0.7 million for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.2~~$2.8 million for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, ~~2016, respectively. In connection with~~2022, respectively, and $1.0 million and $2.9 million for the ~~separation of its former audit committee chair, during the~~thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021.

4. LONG-TERM DEBT

On July 27, 2017, the Company modified previously granted equity awards to allow for additional time to exercise previously vested awards following his separation date. As a result, the Company incurred incremental stock-based compensation expense of less than $0.1 million for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017.

~~4. CREDIT AGREEMENTS~~

~~On December 11, 2014,~~2022, the Company refinanced and terminated its ~~debt, with~~credit agreement (the “2018 Credit Agreement”) among EPL, as borrower, the Company and Intermediate, as guarantors, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swingline lender, and ~~Holdings entering into~~letter of credit issuer, the lenders party thereto, and the other parties thereto, which provided for a $150.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2018 Revolver”). The 2018 Revolver was refinanced pursuant to a credit agreement ~~with~~(the “2022 Credit Agreement”) among EPL, as borrower, the Company and Intermediate, as guarantors, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swingline lender, and letter of credit issuer, the lenders party thereto, and the other parties thereto, which provides for a ~~$200.0~~$150.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the ~~“2014~~“2022 Revolver”). In connection with the refinancing, the 2018 Credit Agreement was terminated.

The ~~2014~~2022 Revolver includes a sub limit of $15.0 million for letters of credit and a sub limit of $15.0 million for swingline loans. ~~At September 27, 2017, $8.1 million of letters of credit,~~The 2022 Revolver and ~~$85.0 million of the revolving line of credit were outstanding. The amount available under the revolving line of credit was $106.9 million at September 27, 2017. The 2014 Revolver~~2022 Credit Agreement will mature on July 27, 2027. The obligations under the 2022 Credit Agreement and related loan documents are guaranteed by Holdings and Intermediate. The obligations of Holdings, EPL and Intermediate under the 2022 Credit Agreement and related loan documents are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of their respective assets.

The special dividend announced by the Company’s Board of Directors on October 11, 2022 is permitted under the terms of 2022 Revolver pursuant to both subclause (iii)(d) and (iii)(e) of the preceding sentence. Under the 2022 Revolver, Holdings is restricted from making certain payments such as cash dividends, except that it may, inter alia, (i) pay up to $1.0 million per year to repurchase or ~~about December 11, 2019.~~

redeem qualified equity interests of Holdings held by past or present officers, directors, or employees (or their estates) of the Company upon death, disability, or termination of employment, (ii) pay under its TRA, and (iii) so long as no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, (a) make non-cash repurchases of equity interests in connection with the exercise of stock options by directors, officers and management, provided that those equity interests represent a portion of the consideration of the exercise price of those stock options, (b) pay up to $0.5 million in any 12 month consecutive period to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire equity interests of any subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned subsidiary from any holder of equity interest in such subsidiary, (c) pay up to $2.5 million per year pursuant to stock option plans, employment agreements, or incentive plans, (d) make up to $5.0 million in other restricted payments per year, and (e) make other restricted payments, subject to its compliance, on a pro forma basis, with (x) a lease-adjusted consolidated leverage ratio not to exceed 4.25 times and (y) the financial covenants applicable to the 2022 Revolver.

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calculated as the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) the ~~prime rate of~~published Bank of America prime rate, or (c) ~~LIBOR~~Term SOFR with a term of one-month SOFR plus 1.00%. For ~~LIBOR~~Term SOFR loans, the margin is in the range of ~~1.75%~~1.25% to ~~2.50%~~2.25%, and for base rate loans the margin is in ~~the~~a range of ~~0.75%~~0.25% to ~~1.50%~~1.25%. Borrowings under the 2022 Revolver may be repaid and reborrowed. The interest rate range was ~~2.96%~~2.87% to ~~2.99%~~6.00% and ~~2.44%~~1.35% to ~~2.99% for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, respectively, and 2.20% to 2.27% and 2.02% to 2.27%~~6.00% for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, ~~2016, respectively.~~

~~The 2014 Revolver includes a number of negative~~2022, respectively, and ~~financial covenants, including, among others, the following (all subject~~1.34% to ~~certain exceptions): a maximum lease-adjusted consolidated leverage ratio covenant, a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio,~~1.35% and limitations on indebtedness, liens, investments, asset sales, mergers, consolidations, liquidations, dissolutions, restricted payments, and negative pledges. The 2014 Revolver also includes certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants at September 27, 2017. See Note 11.34% to 1.65% for ~~restrictions on the payment of dividends under the 2014 Revolver.~~

~~Maturities~~

~~There are no required principal payments prior to maturity for the 2014 Revolver. During~~ the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021.

The 2022 Credit Agreement contains certain financial covenants. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants as of September 28, 2022.

At September 28, 2022, $10.0 million of letters of credit and $20.0 million in borrowings under the 2022 Revolver were outstanding. The Company had $120.0 million in borrowing availability under the 2022 Revolver at September 28, 2022.

Maturities

On July 27, ~~2017,~~2022, the Company ~~elected~~refinanced and terminated the 2018 Revolver pursuant to ~~pay down $9.5 million and $19.0 million, respectively, of outstanding borrowings on~~ the ~~Company's 2014 Revolver, primarily from its cash flow from operations.~~2022 Credit Agreement. During both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, ~~2016,~~2022 the Company ~~elected~~paid down $20.0 million on the 2022 Revolver. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, the Company paid down $22.8 million on the 2018 Revolver none of which was paid during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2021.

Interest Rate Swap

During the year ended December 25, 2019, the Company entered into a variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreement with a notional amount of $40.0 million that matures in June 2023. The objective of the interest rate swap was to ~~pay down $9.5~~reduce the Company’s exposure to interest rate risk for a portion of its variable-rate interest payments on its borrowings under the 2018 Revolver. The interest rate swap was designated as a cash flow hedge, as the changes in the future cash flows of the swap were expected to offset changes in expected future interest payments on the related variable-rate debt, in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 815 “Derivatives and Hedging.”

In connection with the Company’s entry into the 2022 Credit Agreement, it terminated the interest rate swap on July 28, 2022 which was previously used to hedge interest rate risk. Prior to the interest rate swap termination, the swap was a highly effective cash flow hedge. In settlement of this swap, the Company received approximately $0.6 million and ~~$16.0~~derecognized the corresponding interest rate swap asset. The remaining amount in AOCI related to the hedging relationship will be reclassified into earnings when the hedged forecasted transaction is reported in earnings.

As of September 28, 2022, the estimated net gains included in AOCI related to the Company’s cash flow hedge that will be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months is $0.3 million, ~~respectively,~~based on current Term SOFR interest rates.

The following table shows the financial statement line item and amount of ~~outstanding borrowings~~the Company’s cash flow hedge accounting on the ~~Company's 2014 Revolver.~~condensed consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):


	September 28, 2022				December 29, 2021
	Notional		Fair value		Notional		Fair value
Other liabilities - Interest rate swap	$	—	$	—	$	40,000	$	396

The following table summarizes the effect of the Company’s cash flow hedge accounting on the condensed consolidated statements of income (in thousands):


	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021		September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021
Interest expense on hedged portion of debt	$	92	$	97	$	439		433
Interest (income) expense on interest rate swap		(369)		133		(197)		367
Interest (income) expense on debt and derivatives, net	$	(277)	$	230	$	242	$	800

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The following table summarizes the effect of the Company’s cash flow hedge accounting on AOCI for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022 and September 29, 2021 (in thousands):


	Thirteen Weeks Ended								Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
					Loss Reclassified from								Loss Reclassified from
	Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI				AOCI into Interest (Income) Expense				Net Gain Recognized in OCI				AOCI into Interest (Income) Expense
	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021		September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021		September 28, 2022			September 29, 2021	September 28, 2022			September 29, 2021
Interest rate swap	$	43	$	(32)	$	(369)	$	133	$	974	$	44	$	(197)	$	367

See Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” for information about the fair value of the Company’s derivative asset.

5. OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES AND CURRENT LIABILITIES

Other accrued expenses and current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

September 27, 2017 December 28, 2016
Accrued sales and property taxes $ 5,255
$ 4,223
Income tax receivable agreement payable 20,506
12,349
Gift card liability 1,786
1,870
Other 5,185
3,579
Total other accrued expenses and current liabilities $ 32,732
$ 22,021


	September 28, 2022		December 29, 2021
Accrued sales and property taxes	$	5,652	$	4,726
Gift card liability		3,957		4,622
Loyalty rewards program liability		537		687
Accrued advertising		—		3,635
Accrued legal settlements and professional fees		1,161		771
Deferred franchise and development fees		627		637
Employer social security tax deferral		2,543		—
Other		4,453		4,718
Total other accrued expenses and current liabilities	$	18,930	$	19,796

6. OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES

Other noncurrent liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

September 27, 2017 December 28, 2016
Deferred rent $ 8,835
$ 8,328
Income tax receivable agreement payable 18,256
26,306
Other 3,648
2,354
Total other noncurrent liabilities $ 30,739
$ 36,988


	September 28, 2022		December 29, 2021
Deferred franchise and development fees	$	5,761	$	5,691
Derivative liability		—		396
Employer social security tax deferral		—		2,426
Other		101		140
Total other noncurrent liabilities	$	5,862	$	8,653

7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Matters

~~On or about February 24, 2014, a former employee filed a class action in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Orange, under the caption~~ ~~Elliott Olvera, et al v. El Pollo Loco, Inc., et al~~ (Case No. 30-2014-00707367-CU-OE-CXC) on behalf of all putative class members (all hourly employees from 2010 to the present) alleging certain violations of California labor laws, including failure to pay overtime compensation, failure to provide meal periods and rest breaks, and failure to provide itemized wage statements. The putative lead plaintiff’s requested remedies include compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive relief, disgorgement of profits, and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. No specific amount of damages sought was specified in the complaint. The parties executed a Stipulation of Class Settlement and Release which the court refused to approve on the grounds that it did not provide sufficient compensation for the putative class members. Further settlement discussions were not successful, and the litigation is moving forward with the filing deadline for plaintiff’s class certification motion postponed until February 1, 2018. Purported class actions alleging wage and hour violations are commonly filed against California employers. The Company has similar cases pending and fully expects to have to defend against similar lawsuits in the future.

were having on store sales growth, resulting in Holdings stock continuing to be traded at artificially inflated prices. As a result, Plaintiffs and other members of the putative class allegedly suffered damages in connection with their purchase of Holdings’ stock during the Class Period. In addition, Plaintiffs allege that the Individual Defendants and Controlling Shareholder Defendants had direct involvement in, and responsibility over, the operations of Holdings, and are presumed to have had, among other things, the power to control or influence the transactions giving rise to the alleged securities law violations. In both cases, Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, as well as costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees).

On July 25, 2016, the Court issued an order granting, without prejudice, Defendants’ Motion to Dismiss plaintiff’s complaint for failure to state a claim. Plaintiffs were granted leave to amend their complaint, and filed an amended complaint on August 22, 2016. Defendants moved to dismiss the amended complaint, and on March 20, 2017, the Court dismissed the amended complaint and granted Plaintiffs leave to file another amended complaint. Plaintiffs filed another amended complaint on April 17, 2017. Defendants filed a motion to dismiss the amended complaint on or about May 17, 2017. The Court denied Defendants' motion to dismiss the third amended complaint on August 4, 2017. Defendants intend to continue to defend against the claims asserted.

In addition, on September 16, 2015, Holdings and certain of its officers and directors received an informal, non-public inquiry from the SEC requesting voluntary production of documents and information. All parties cooperated fully with the SEC's request. On July 15, 2016, Holdings was informed that the SEC was closing its inquiry as to all parties.

On or about November 5, 2015, a purported Holdings shareholder filed a derivative complaint on behalf of Holdings in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against certain Holdings officers, directors and Trimaran Pollo Partners, L.L.C., under the caption Armen Galustyan v. Sather, et al. (Case No. 11676-VCL). The derivative complaint alleges that these defendants breached their fiduciary duties to Holdings and were unjustly enriched when they sold shares of Holdings at artificially inflated prices due to alleged misrepresentations and omissions regarding EPL’s comparable store sales in the second quarter of 2015. The Holdings shareholder’s requested remedies include an award of compensatory damages to Holdings, as well as a court order to improve corporate governance by putting forward for stockholder vote certain resolutions for amendments to Holdings’ Bylaws or Certificate of Incorporation. The ~~parties have stipulated to, which~~Holdings shareholder voluntarily dismissed the ~~court has ordered, a stay of these proceedings pending the outcome of~~ ~~Turocy v. El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., discussed above.~~action on October 7, 2020. A second purported Holdings shareholder filed a derivative complaint on or about September 23, 2016, under the caption Diep v. Sather,, CA 12760-VCL in the Delaware Court of

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Chancery. The Diep action is also purportedly brought on behalf of Holdings, names the same defendants and asserts substantially the same claims on substantially the same alleged facts as does ~~Galustyan~~.Galustyan. Defendants moved to stay or dismiss the Diep action.

On March 17, 2017, the Delaware court granted in part, and denied in part, the motion to stay the Diep action. The court denied ~~defendants'~~defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim. ~~No trial date~~On January 17, 2018, the court entered an order granting the parties’ stipulation staying all proceedings in the Diep action for five months or until the completion of an investigation of the allegations in the action by a special litigation committee of the Holdings board of directors (the “SLC”). On September 25, 2020, after concluding its investigation, the SLC filed a motion to dismiss the Diep action and filed its investigative report under seal as an exhibit to the motion to dismiss.

On May 21, 2021, while the SLC’s motion to dismiss the Diep action was pending, the Company filed a notice of proposed partial settlement of the Diep action with respect to defendants Kay Bogeajis, Laurance Roberts, Stephen J. Sather, Edward J. Valle, Douglas K. Ammerman, and Samuel N. Borgese (collectively, the “Settling Defendants”). Defendant Trimaran Pollo Partners, LLC (“Trimaran”) was not a party to the settlement. The court approved the settlement of $625,000, less Plaintiffs’ fees of $156,250, on September 10, 2021, and dismissed all claims brought, or that could have been brought, against Settling Defendants. In connection with this settlement, the Company received $469,000 in insurance proceeds, which was recorded within general and administrative expenses in the Company’s statement of income for the ~~Diep~~ ~~action has been set.~~

thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021.

On July 30, 2021, the court granted the SLC’s motion to dismiss with respect to the claims asserted against remaining defendant Trimaran. On October 4, 2021, Plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal of the court’s granting of the motion to dismiss against defendant Trimaran. Plaintiff filed its opening brief on December 6, 2021. SLC filed its answering brief on December 20, 2021 and the public version of the brief was filed on January 7, 2022. Plaintiffs filed the reply brief on January 4, 2022. The hearing on the appeal took place on March 30, 2022. On June 28, 2022, the court’s granting of the motion to dismiss against Trimaran was affirmed.

The Company is also involved in various other claims such as wage and hour and other legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. The outcomes of these actions are not predictable but the Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these other actions will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources. A significant increase in the number of claims, or an increase in amounts owing under successful claims, could materially and adversely affect its business, condensed consolidated financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Purchasing Commitments

The Company has long-term beverage supply agreements with certain major beverage vendors. Pursuant to the terms of these arrangements, marketing rebates are provided to the Company and its franchisees from the beverage vendors based upon the dollar volume of purchases for system-wide restaurants which will vary according to their demand for beverage syrup and fluctuations in the market rates for beverage syrup. These contracts have terms extending through the end of 2024.

At September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022, the Company’s total estimated commitment to purchase chicken was ~~$11.3~~$9.3 million.

Contingent Lease Obligations

As a result of assigning the Company’s interest in obligations under real estate leases in connection with the sale of company-operated restaurants to some of the Company’s franchisees, the Company is contingently liable on ~~five~~three lease agreements. These leases have various terms, the latest of which expires in 2036. As of September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022, the potential amount of undiscounted payments the Company could be required to make in the event of non-payment by the primary lessee was ~~$2.9~~$2.4 million. The present value of these potential payments discounted at the Company’s estimated pre-tax cost of debt at September ~~27, 2017~~28, 2022 was ~~$2.5~~$1.9 million. The Company’s franchisees are primarily liable on the leases. The Company has cross-default provisions with

these franchisees that would put them in default of their franchise agreements in the event of non-payment under the leases. The Company believes that these cross-default provisions reduce the risk that payments will be required to be made under these leases. ~~Accordingly, no liability has been recorded in~~

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Employment Agreements

As of September 28, 2022, the ~~Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements related to these contingent liabilities.~~

~~Employment Agreements~~

~~The~~ Company ~~has~~had employment agreements with ~~four~~three of the officers of the ~~Company on an at will basis.~~Company. These agreements provide for minimum salary levels, possible annual adjustments for cost-of-living changes, and incentive bonuses that are payable under certain business conditions.

Indemnification Agreements

The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its current directors and officers. These agreements require the Company to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to the Company and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. The Company also intends to enter into indemnification agreements with future directors and officers.

8. ~~NET (LOSS) INCOME~~EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic ~~net (loss) income~~earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017~~28, 2022 and September ~~28, 2016.~~29, 2021. Diluted ~~net (loss) income per share~~EPS is calculated using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding and potentially dilutive during the period, using the treasury stock method.

Below are basic and diluted ~~net (loss) income per share~~EPS data for the periods indicated ~~which are in~~(in thousands except for share and per share ~~data.~~

Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016 September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016
Numerator:

Net (loss) income $ (4,039 ) $ 5,211
$ 8,657
$ 17,921
Denominator:

Weighted-average shares
   outstanding—basic
38,462,100
38,415,189
38,449,453
38,331,400
Weighted-average shares
   outstanding—diluted
38,462,100
(a) 39,083,577
39,101,214
39,020,127
Net (loss) income per share—basic $ (0.11 ) $ 0.14
$ 0.23
$ 0.47
Net (loss) income per share—diluted $ (0.11 ) $ 0.13
$ 0.22
$ 0.46
Anti-dilutive securities not considered in
   diluted EPS calculation
2,490,029
451,325
749,421
451,325

~~(a) Due to a loss for the period, zero incremental shares are included because the effect would be antidilutive.~~

data):



	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021		September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021
Numerator:
Net income	$	5,009	$	10,161	$	14,265	$	22,943
Denominator:
Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic		36,402,899		36,067,754		36,329,938		35,930,246
Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted		36,507,050		36,525,424		36,491,624		36,457,110
Net income per share—basic	$	0.14	$	0.28	$	0.39	$	0.64
Net income per share—diluted	$	0.14	$	0.28	$	0.39	$	0.63
Anti-dilutive securities not considered in diluted EPS calculation		1,434,825		225,308		944,183		118,968

Below is a reconciliation of basic and diluted share ~~counts.~~

Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016 September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016
Weighted-average shares outstanding—
   basic
38,462,100
38,415,189
38,449,453
38,331,400
Dilutive effect of stock options and
   restricted shares
—
(a) 668,388
651,761
688,727
Weighted-average shares outstanding—
   diluted
38,462,100
39,083,577
39,101,214
39,020,127

~~(a) Due to a loss for the period, zero incremental shares are included because the effect would be antidilutive.~~

counts:



	Thirteen Weeks Ended		Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022	September 29, 2021	September 28, 2022	September 29, 2021
Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic	36,402,899	36,067,754	36,329,938	35,930,246
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares	104,151	457,670	161,686	526,864
Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted	36,507,050	36,525,424	36,491,624	36,457,110

9. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

As of September 28, 2022, Trimaran Pollo Partners, L.L.C. (“LLC”), ~~owns~~FS Equity Partners V, L.P. and FS Affiliates V, L.P. own approximately ~~43.3%~~30.2%, 14.7% and 0.2%, respectively, of our outstanding common stock. FS Equity V and FS Affiliates V, which previously indirectly held shares of our common stock through LLC, received shares directly on August 31, 2022, upon LLC’s pro rata distribution in kind of shares of our common stock to FS Equity V and FS Affiliates V.

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10. REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

Revenue Recognition

Nature of products and services

The Company has two revenue streams, company-operated restaurant revenue and franchise related revenue.

Company-operated restaurant revenue

Revenues from the operation of company-operated restaurants are recognized as food and beverage products are delivered to customers and payment is tendered at the time of sale. The Company presents sales, net of sales-related taxes and promotional allowances.

The Company offers a loyalty rewards program, which awards a customer points for dollars spent. Customers earn points for each dollar spent and 50 points can be redeemed for a $5 reward to be used for a future purchase. If a customer does not earn or use points within a one-year period, their account is deactivated and all points expire. Additionally, if a reward is not used within six months, it expires. When a customer is part of the rewards program, the obligation to provide future discounts related to points earned is considered a separate performance obligation, to which a portion of the transaction price is allocated. The performance obligation related to loyalty points is deemed to have been satisfied, and the amount deferred in the balance sheet is recognized as revenue, when the points are transferred to a reward and redeemed, the reward or points have expired, or the likelihood of redemption is remote. A portion of the transaction price is allocated to loyalty points, if necessary, on a pro-rata basis, based on stand-alone selling price, as determined by menu pricing and loyalty points terms. As of September 28, 2022 and December 29, 2021, the revenue allocated to loyalty points that have not been redeemed was $0.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively, which is reflected in the Company’s ~~outstanding common stock. This large position means that LLC~~accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets within other accrued expenses and current liabilities. The Company expects the loyalty points to be redeemed and recognized over a one-year period.

The Company sells gift cards to its ~~majority owners—predecessors~~customers in the restaurants and ~~affiliates~~through selected third parties. The gift cards sold to customers have no stated expiration dates and are subject to actual and/or potential escheatment rights in several of and certain funds managed by, Trimaran Capital Partners and Freeman Spogli & Co. (collectively, “Trimaran” and “Freeman Spogli,” respectively)—possess significant influence when stockholders vote on matters such as election of directors, mergers, consolidations and acquisitions,the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Furthermore, due to these escheatment rights, the Company does not recognize breakage related to the sale of ~~all or substantially all~~gift cards due to the immateriality of the ~~Company’s assets, decisions affecting~~amount remaining after escheatment. The Company recognizes income from gift cards when redeemed by the customer. Unredeemed gift card balances are deferred and recorded as other accrued expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Franchise and franchise advertising revenue

Franchise revenue consists of franchise royalties, initial franchise fees, license fees due from franchisees, IT support services, and rental income for subleases to franchisees. Franchise advertising revenue consists of advertising contributions received from franchisees. These revenue streams are made up of the following performance obligations:

●

Franchise license - inclusive of advertising services, development agreements, training, access to plans and help desk services.

●

Discounted renewal option.

●

Hardware services.

The Company satisfies the performance obligation related to the franchise license over the term of the franchise agreement, which is typically 20 years. Payment for the franchise license consists of three components, a fixed-fee related to the franchise/development agreement, a sales-based royalty fee and a sales-based advertising fee. The fixed fee, as determined by the signed development and/or franchise agreement, is due at the time the development agreement is entered into, and/or when the franchise agreement is signed, and does not include a finance component.

The sales-based royalty fee and sales-based advertising fee are considered variable consideration and will continue to be recognized as revenue as such sales are earned by the franchisees. Both sales-based fees qualify under the royalty constraint exception, and do not require an estimate of future transaction price. Additionally, the Company is utilizing the practical expedient available under ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“Topic 606”)

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regarding disclosure of the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied for sales-based royalties.

In certain franchise agreements, the Company offers a discounted renewal to incentivize future renewals after the end of the initial franchise term. As this is considered a separate performance obligation, the Company allocates a portion of the initial franchise fee to this discounted renewal, on a pro-rata basis, assuming a 20-year renewal. This performance obligation is satisfied over the renewal term, typically 10 or 20 years, while payment is fixed and due at the time the renewal is signed.

The Company purchases hardware, such as scanners, printers, cash registers and tablets, from third party vendors, which it then sells to franchisees. As the Company is considered the principal in this relationship, payment for the hardware is considered revenue, and is received upon transfer of the goods from the Company to the franchisee. As of September 28, 2022, there were no performance obligations related to hardware services that were unsatisfied or partially satisfied.

Disaggregated revenue

The following table presents the Company’s ~~capital structure, amendments~~revenues disaggregated by revenue source and market (in thousands):


	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 28,		September 29,			September 28,		September 29,
	2022		2021			2022		2021
Core Market⁽¹⁾:
Company-operated restaurant revenue	$	98,732	$	95,292	$	289,798	$	281,945
Franchise revenue		4,501		4,184		13,559		11,956
Franchise advertising fee revenue		3,336		3,129		10,008		8,989
Total core market	$	106,569	$	102,605	$	313,365	$	302,890
Non-Core Market⁽²⁾:
Company-operated restaurant revenue	$	4,442	$	4,694	$	13,787	$	19,172
Franchise revenue		5,042		4,733		15,303		12,963
Franchise advertising fee revenue		3,825		3,668		11,582		10,381
Total non-core market	$	13,309	$	13,095	$	40,672	$	42,516
Total revenue	$	119,878	$	115,700	$	354,037	$	345,406

(1)	Core Market includes markets with existing company-operated restaurants at the time of the Company’s IPO on July 28, 2014.

(2)	Non-Core Market includes markets entered into by the Company subsequent to the IPO date.

The following table presents the Company’s ~~certificate~~revenues disaggregated by geographic market:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021		September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021
Greater Los Angeles area market	71.9	%	71.6	%	71.2	%	70.8	%
Other markets	28.1	%	28.4	%	28.8	%	29.2	%
Total	100	%	100	%	100	%	100	%

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Contract balances

The following table provides information about the change in the franchise contract liability balances during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022 and September 29, 2021 (in thousands):


December 29, 2021	$	6,328
Revenue recognized - beginning balance		(558)
Additional contract liability		618
September 28, 2022	$	6,388

December 30, 2020	$	5,628
Revenue recognized - beginning balance		(514)
Additional contract liability		1,330
September 29, 2021	$	6,444

The Company’s franchise contract liability includes development fees, initial franchise and license fees, franchise renewal fees, lease subsidies and royalty discounts and is included within other accrued expenses and current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities within the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company receives area development fees from franchisees when they execute multi-unit area development agreements. Initial franchise and license fees, or ~~by-laws, and~~franchise renewal fees, are received from franchisees upon the ~~Company’s winding up and dissolution. So long~~execution of, or renewal of, a franchise agreement. Revenue is recognized from these agreements as ~~LLC maintains at least 40% ownership, (i) any member~~the underlying performance obligation is satisfied, which is over the term of the ~~board~~agreement.

The following table illustrates the estimated revenue to be recognized in future periods related to performance obligations under the applicable contracts that are unsatisfied as of ~~directors may~~September 28, 2022 (in thousands):


Franchise revenues:
2022	$	167
2023		608
2024		515
2025		468
2026		445
Thereafter		4,185
Total	$	6,388

Changes in the loyalty rewards program liability included in deferred revenue within other accrued expenses and current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets were as follows (in thousands):


	September 28,		December 29,
	2022		2021
Loyalty rewards liability, beginning balance	$	687	$	900
Revenue deferred		2,039		2,677
Revenue recognized		(2,189)		(2,890)
Loyalty rewards liability, ending balance	$	537	$	687

The Company expects all loyalty points revenue related to performance obligations unsatisfied as of September 28, 2022 to be ~~removed~~recognized within one year.

Gift Cards

The gift card liability included in other accrued expenses and current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets was as follows (in thousands):

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	September 28,		December 29,
	2022		2021
Gift card liability	$	3,957	$	4,622

Revenue recognized from the redemption of gift cards that was included in other accrued expenses and current liabilities at ~~any time without cause by affirmative vote~~the beginning of the year was as follows (in thousands):


	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021		September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021

Revenue recognized from gift card liability balance at the beginning of the year	$	237	$	220	$	967	$	903

Contract Costs

The Company does not currently incur costs to obtain or fulfill a contract that would be considered contract assets under Topic 606.

11. LEASES

Nature of leases

The Company’s operations utilize property, facilities, equipment and vehicles leased from others. Additionally, the Company has various contracts with vendors that have been determined to contain an embedded lease in accordance with Topic 842.

As of September 28, 2022, the Company had one lease that it had entered into, but had not yet commenced. The Company does not have control of the property until lease commencement.

Building and facility leases

The majority of the Company’s ~~common stock,~~building and ~~(ii) stockholders representing 40%~~facilities leases are classified as operating leases; however, the Company currently has one facility and ten equipment leases that are classified as finance leases.

Restaurants are operated under lease arrangements that generally provide for a fixed base rent and, in some instances, contingent rent based on a percentage of gross operating profit or ~~greater ownership may cause special stockholder meetings~~net revenues in excess of a defined amount. Additionally, a number of the Company’s leases have payments that increase at pre-determined dates based on the change in the consumer price index. For all leases, the Company also reimburses the landlord for non-lease components, or items that are not considered components of a contract, such as CAM, property tax and insurance costs. While the Company determined not to separate lease and non-lease components, these payments are based on actual costs, making them variable consideration and excluding them from the calculations of the ROU asset and lease liability.

The initial terms of land and restaurant building leases are generally 20 years, exclusive of options to renew. These leases typically have four 5-year renewal options, which have generally been excluded in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability, as they are not considered reasonably certain to be ~~called.~~exercised, unless (1) the renewal had already occurred as of the time of adoption of Topic 842, or (2) there have been significant leasehold improvements that have a useful life that extend past the original lease term. Furthermore, there are no residual value guarantees and no restrictions imposed by the lease.

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022, the Company reassessed the lease terms on five and 18 restaurants, respectively, due to certain triggering events, such as the addition of significant leasehold improvements with useful lives that extend past the current lease expiration, the decision to terminate a lease, or the decision to renew. As a result of the reassessment, an additional $2.0 million and $10.5 million of ROU asset and lease liabilities for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022, respectively, were recognized and will be amortized over the new lease term. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, the Company reassessed the lease terms on four and 16 restaurants, respectively, due to certain triggering events, such as the addition

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of significant leasehold improvements with useful lives that extend past the current lease expiration, the decision to terminate a lease, or the decision to renew. This reassessment resulted in an additional $2.6 million and $13.8 million of ROU asset and lease liabilities for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, respectively, which were recognized and will be amortized over the new lease term. The reassessments had an impact on the original lease classification of one property during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022 which represented $0.7 million of the $10.5 million total additional ROU asset and lease liabilities for the period. There were no reassessments that impacted the original lease classification during the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2022. Additionally, as the Company adopted all practical expedients available under Topic 842, no reallocation between lease and non-lease components was necessary.

The Company also subleases facilities to certain franchisees and other non-related parties which are also considered operating leases. Sublease income also includes contingent rental income based on net revenues. The vast majority of these leases have rights to extend terms via fixed rental increases. However, none of these leases have early termination rights, the right to purchase the premises or any residual value guarantees. The Company does not have any related party leases.

During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022, the Company recorded a less than $0.1 million non-cash impairment charge related to one restaurant in California. The Company recorded a $0.4 million non-cash impairment charge for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021 related to one restaurant closed in Texas in 2019 and one restaurant in California. See Note 1, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and ROU Assets” for additional information.

Equipment

Leases of equipment primarily consist of restaurant equipment, copiers and vehicles. These leases are fixed payments with no variable component. Additionally, no optional renewal periods have been included in the calculation of the ROU asset, there are no residual value guarantees and no restrictions imposed.

Significant Assumptions and Judgments

In applying the requirements of Topic 842, the Company made significant assumptions and judgments related to determination of whether a contract contains a lease and the discount rate used for the lease.

In determining if any of the Company’s contracts contain a lease, the Company made assumptions and judgments related to its ability to direct the use of any assets stated in the contract and the likelihood of renewing any short-term contracts for a period extending past twelve months.

The Company also made significant assumptions and judgments in determining an appropriate discount rate for property leases. These included using a consistent discount rate for a portfolio of leases entered into at varying dates, using the full 20-year term of the lease, excluding any options, and using the total minimum lease payments. The Company utilizes a third-party valuation firm in determining the discount rate, based on the above assumptions. For all other leases, the Company uses the discount rate implicit in the lease, or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.

As the Company has adopted the practical expedient not to separate lease and non-lease components, no significant assumptions or judgments were necessary in allocating consideration between these components, for all classes of underlying assets.

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The following table presents the Company’s total lease cost, disaggregated by underlying asset (in thousands):


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022						September 29, 2021
	Property		Equipment				Property		Equipment
	Leases		Leases		Total		Leases		Leases		Total
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$	18	$	1	$	19	$	18	$	1	$	19
Interest on lease liabilities		10		1		11		14		1		15
Operating lease cost		6,646		256		6,902		6,552		267		6,819
Short-term lease cost		—		4		4		—		7		7
Variable lease cost		151		196		347		138		70		208
Sublease income		(1,130)		—		(1,130)		(1,128)		—		(1,128)
Total lease cost	$	5,695	$	458	$	6,153	$	5,594	$	346	$	5,940


	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022						September 29, 2021
	Property		Equipment				Property		Equipment
	Leases		Leases		Total		Leases		Leases		Total
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	$	55	$	2	$	57	$	60	$	2	$	62
Interest on lease liabilities		32		2		34		44		2		46
Operating lease cost		19,795		776		20,571		19,935		861		20,796
Short-term lease cost		—		11		11		—		17		17
Variable lease cost		458		463		921		413		260		673
Sublease income		(3,387)		—		(3,387)		(2,722)		—		(2,722)
Total lease cost	$	16,953	$	1,254	$	18,207	$	17,730	$	1,142	$	18,872

The following table presents the Company’s total lease cost on the condensed consolidated statements of income (in thousands):


	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021		September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021
Lease cost – Occupancy and other operating expenses	$	5,969	$	5,811	$	17,709	$	18,191
Lease cost – General & administrative		133		97		343		316
Lease cost – Depreciation and amortization		18		18		55		60
Lease cost – Interest expense		11		14		35		44
Lease cost – Closed-store reserve		22		—		65		261
Total lease cost	$	6,153	$	5,940	$	18,207	$	18,872

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During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022 and September 29, 2021, the Company had the following cash and non-cash activities associated with its leases (dollars in thousands):


	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 28, 2022								Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 29, 2021
	Property			Equipment					Property			Equipment
	Leases			Leases			Total		Leases			Leases			Total
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities
Operating cash flows used for operating leases	$	20,364		$	737		$	21,101	$	19,371		$	831		$	20,202
Financing cash flows used for finance leases	$	82		$	42		$	124	$	67		$	33		$	100

Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Operating lease ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating lease ROU assets	$	10,486		$	86		$	10,572	$	13,848		$	—		$	13,848
Finance lease ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Finance lease ROU assets	$	—		$	28		$	28	$	—		$	196		$	196
Derecognition of ROU assets due to terminations, impairment or modifications	$	(39)		$	(24)		$	(63)	$	(4,513)		$	(99)		$	(4,612)

Other Information
Weighted-average remaining years in lease term—finance leases		18.12			3.44					18.56			4.27
Weighted-average remaining years in lease term—operating leases		10.91			1.57					11.37			1.66
Weighted-average discount rate—finance leases		2.57	%		1.53	%				2.84	%		1.54	%
Weighted-average discount rate—operating leases		4.49	%		3.82	%				4.43	%		3.91	%

Information regarding the Company’s minimum future lease obligations as of September 28, 2022 is as follows (in thousands):


	Finance		Operating Leases
	Minimum		Minimum		Minimum
	Lease		Lease		Sublease
For the Years Ending	Payments		Payments		Income
December 28, 2022	$	38	$	7,073	$	937
December 27, 2023		151		27,673		3,698
December 25, 2024		151		25,348		3,510
December 31, 2025		147		23,186		3,115
December 30, 2026		114		21,048		2,789
Thereafter		1,583		135,928		23,165
Total	$	2,184	$	240,256	$	37,214
Less: imputed interest (1.53% - 4.49%)		(422)		(52,631)
Present value of lease obligations		1,762		187,625
Less: current maturities		(109)		(20,063)
Noncurrent portion	$	1,653	$	167,562

Short-Term Leases

The Company has multiple short-term leases, which have terms of less than 12 months, and thus were excluded from the recognition requirements of Topic 842. The Company has recognized these lease payments in its condensed consolidated statements of income on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable lease payments in the period in which the obligation for those payments was incurred.

Lessor

The Company is a lessor for certain property, facilities and equipment owned by the Company and leased to others, principally franchisees, under non-cancelable leases with initial terms ranging from three to 20 years. These lease

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agreements generally provide for a fixed base rent and, in some instances, contingent rent based on a percentage of gross operating profit or net revenues. All leases are considered operating leases.

For the leases in which the Company is the lessor, there are options to extend the lease. However, there are no terms and conditions to terminate the lease, no right to purchase premises and no residual value guarantees. Additionally, there are no related party leases.

The Company received $0.1 million of lease income from company-owned locations for each of the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2022 and September 29, 2021. The Company received $0.3 million of lease income from company-owned locations for each of the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022 and September 29, 2021.

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This ~~discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with Item 1 above and with the consolidated financial statements contained in our annual~~ report ~~on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2016. This discussion and analysis~~ contains forward-looking statements that ~~involve~~are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this report are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements discuss our current expectations and projections relating to our financial condition, results of operations, plans, objectives, future performance and business. You can identify forward-looking statements because they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These statements may include words such as “aim,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “outlook,” “potential,” “project,” “projection,” “plan,” “intend,” “seek,” “may,” “could,” “would,” “will,” “should,” “can,” “can have,” “likely,” the negatives thereof and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with any discussion of the timing or nature of future operating or financial performance or other events. They appear in a number of places throughout this report and include statements regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies and the industry in which we operate. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those that we expected.

While we believe that our assumptions are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and ~~assumptions. Outcomes may~~it is impossible for us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. You should evaluate all forward-looking statements made in this report in the context of the factors that could cause outcomes to differ materially from our expectations. ~~For more~~These factors include, but are not limited to:

●

the impacts of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or another pandemic, epidemic or infectious disease outbreak on our company, our employees, our customers, our partners, our industry and the economy as a whole, as well as our franchisees’ ability to maintain operations in their individual restaurants;

●

global economic or other business conditions that may affect the desire or ability of our customers to purchase our products such as inflationary pressures, high unemployment levels, increases in gas prices, and declines in median income growth, consumer confidence and consumer discretionary spending;

●

our ability to open new restaurants in new and existing markets, including difficulty in finding sites and in negotiating acceptable leases;

●

our ability to compete successfully with other quick-service and fast casual restaurants;

●

vulnerability to changes in consumer preferences and political and economic conditions;

●

our ability to attract, develop and retain employees;

●

vulnerability to conditions in the greater Los Angeles area and to natural disasters given the geographic concentration and real estate intensive nature of our business;

●

the possibility that we may continue to incur significant impairment of certain of our assets, in particular in our new markets;

●

changes in food and supply costs, especially for chicken;

●

social media and negative publicity, whether or not valid, and our ability to respond to and effectively manage the accelerated impact of social media;

●

our ability to continue to expand our digital business, delivery orders and catering;

●

concerns about food safety and quality and about food-borne illness, particularly avian flu;

●

dependence on frequent and timely deliveries of food and supplies and our dependence on a single supplier to distribute substantially all of our products to our restaurants;

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●

our ability to service our level of indebtedness;

●

uncertainty related to the success of our marketing programs, new menu items, advertising campaigns and restaurant designs and remodels;

●

our reliance on our franchisees, who may incur financial hardships, lose access to credit, close restaurants, or declare bankruptcy, and our limited control over our franchisees and potential liability for their acts;

●

potential exposure to unexpected costs and losses from our self-insurance programs;

●

potential obligations under long-term and non-cancelable leases, and our ability to renew leases at the end of their terms;

●

the impact of any failure of our information technology system or any breach of our network security;

●

the impact of any security breaches of confidential customer data or personal information in connection with our electronic process of credit and debit card transactions;

●

our ability to enforce and maintain our trademarks and protect our other proprietary intellectual property;

●

risks related to government regulation and litigation, including employment and labor laws; and

●

other risks set forth in our filings with the SEC from time to time, including under Item 1A, Risk Factors in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 29, 2021, which filings are available online at www.sec.gov.

We caution you that the important factors referenced above may not contain all of the factors that are important to you. In addition, we ~~direct~~cannot assure you tothat we will realize the ~~sections “Risk Factors” (as updated by “PART II-OTHER INFORMATION-Item 1A. Risk Factors.” below) and “Forward-Looking Statements”~~results or developments we expect or anticipate or, even if substantially realized, that they will result in the consequences we anticipate or affect us or our ~~annual report. We make no guarantees regarding outcomes, and assume no obligations to update~~operations in the ways that we expect. The forward-looking statements ~~herein,~~included in this report are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except ~~pursuant~~as required by law. If we do update one or more forward-looking statements, no inference should be made that we will make additional updates with respect to ~~law.~~

those or other forward-looking statements. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

Overview

El Pollo Loco is a differentiated and growing restaurant concept that specializes in fire-grilling citrus-marinated chicken and operates in the limited service restaurant (“LSR”) segment. We ~~believe~~strive to offer food that ~~we offer~~integrates the ~~quality~~culinary traditions of ~~food and dining experience typical~~Mexico with the healthier lifestyle of ~~fast casual restaurants while providing the speed, convenience, and value typical of traditional quick-service restaurants (“QSRs”),~~Los Angeles, a combination that we call ~~“QSR+~~“LA-Mex.” ~~and that we believe provides a value-oriented fast casual dining experience.~~ Our distinctive menu features our signature ~~product—citrus-marinated~~product--citrus-marinated fire-grilled ~~chicken—and~~chicken--and a variety of ~~Mexican-inspired~~Mexican and LA-inspired entrees that we create from our chicken. ~~We offer our customers healthier alternatives to traditional food on the go, served by our team members in a colorful, bright, and contemporary restaurant environment.~~ We serve individual and family-sized chicken meals, a variety of ~~Mexican-inspired~~Mexican and LA-inspired entrees, and sides, and, throughout the year, on a limited-time basis, additional proteins like ~~shrimp, carnitas, and beef.~~shrimp. Our entrees include favorites such as our Chicken Avocado Burrito, ~~Under 500 Calorie~~Pollo Fit entrees, ~~Ultimate~~chicken tostada salads, and Pollo ~~Bowl~~Bowls. Our famous Creamy Cilantro dressings and ~~Stuffed Chicken Avocado Quesadilla. Our~~ salsas ~~and dressings~~ are prepared fresh daily, allowing our customers to create their favorite flavor profiles to enhance their culinary experience. ~~Our~~We believe that our distinctive menu with ~~healthier~~better for you and more affordable alternatives appeals to consumers across a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds and drives our balanced composition of sales throughout the day (our “day-part mix”), including at lunch and dinner.

Market Trends and Uncertainties

We may face future business disruption and related risks resulting from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or from another pandemic, epidemic or infectious disease outbreak, or from broader macroeconomic trends, any of which could have a significant impact on our business. During both thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2022 and September 29, 2021, respectively, we incurred $0.5 million in COVID-19 related expenses, primarily due to leaves of absence. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022 and September 29, 2021, respectively, we incurred $3.1 million and $3.5 million, in COVID-19 related expenses, primarily due to leaves of absence and overtime pay. In addition, while all of our restaurants had dining rooms open as of September 28, 2022, we continue to experience staffing challenges, including higher wage inflation, overtime costs and other labor related costs. Labor costs could also be adversely impacted as a result of California Assembly Bill No. 257, the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act (“FAST Act”), which was signed into law in September 2022 and authorizes the creation of a council to set minimum standards for industry workers in California, including minimum wages. The FAST Act, currently subject to a referendum campaign, could result in increased labor cost at our California restaurants thereby potentially impacting the profitability of our California restaurants. Further, this bill could prompt similar legislation in other states. Further, we continue to experience inflationary pressures, which resulted in increased commodity prices and impacted our business

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and results of operations during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022. We expect these pressures to continue during the rest of fiscal 2022.

Due to the fluidity of the COVID-19 pandemic and current macroeconomic environment, we cannot determine the ultimate impact on our condensed consolidated financial condition, liquidity, and future results of operations, and therefore any prediction as to the ultimate materiality of the adverse impact on our condensed consolidated financial condition, liquidity, and future results of operations is uncertain.

Growth Strategies and Outlook

As of September 28, 2022, we had 487 locations in six states. In fiscal 2021, we opened two new company-operated restaurants, one in Nevada and one in California, and our franchisees opened two new restaurants, one in Texas and one in Louisiana. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022, one new company-operated restaurant was opened in Nevada and two new company-operated restaurants were opened in California. For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022, seven new franchised restaurants were opened in California. We plan to continue to expand our business, drive restaurant sales growth, and enhance our competitive positioning, by executing on the following strategies:

●

develop a people-first culture;

●

differentiate the brand;

●

simplify operations; and

●

accelerate new restaurant development.

~~expand our restaurant base;~~

~~increase our comparable restaurant sales; and~~

~~enhance operations and leverage our infrastructure.~~

As of September 27, 2017, we had 473 locations in five states. In fiscal 2016, we opened 18 new company-operated and 13 new franchised restaurants across Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah and Texas. For the quarter ended September 27, 2017, we opened 3 new company-operated restaurants and 1 franchised restaurant in California, Texas and Arizona. For the year-to-date period ended September 27, 2017, we opened 12 new company-operated restaurants and 6 franchised restaurants in California, Texas and Arizona. In 2017, we intend to open 15 to 16 new company-operated and 7 to 9 new franchised restaurants.

To increase comparable restaurant sales, we plan to increase customer frequency, attract new customers, and improve per-person spend. ~~These~~ The success of these growth ~~rates are~~plans is not guaranteed.

Highlights and Trends

Comparable Restaurant Sales

~~System-wide, for~~

For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022, system-wide comparable restaurant sales increased ~~1.7%~~by 3.8% and ~~1.5% year over year, respectively.~~6.3%, respectively, from the comparable period in the prior year. For company-operated restaurants, comparable restaurant sales for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022 increased by ~~0.9%~~3.4% and ~~1.0%~~2.9%, respectively. For company-operated restaurants, the quarter’s change in comparable restaurant sales consisted of ~~a 1.7%~~an approximately 7.5% increase in average check size ~~partially offset by~~and a ~~0.8% decline~~decrease in transactions ~~while year to date~~of 4.1% and the year-to-date change in comparable restaurant sales consisted of a ~~1.9%~~4.1% decrease in transactions and a 7.0% increase in average check size ~~partially offset by a 0.8% decline in transactions.~~. For franchised restaurants, comparable restaurant sales increased ~~2.4%~~4.1% and ~~1.8%~~8.6% for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022, respectively. Refer to Comparable Restaurant Sales definition in “Key Performance Indicators” section below.

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Restaurant Development

Our restaurant counts at the beginning and end of each of the last three fiscal years and the thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022, were as ~~follows.~~

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended Fiscal Year Ended
September 27, 2017 2016 2015 2014
Company-operated restaurant activity:

Beginning of period 201
186
172
168
Openings 12
18
14
11
Restaurant sale to franchisee —
(1 ) —
(6 )
Closures (5 ) (2 ) —
(1 )
Restaurants at end of period 208
201
186
172
Franchised restaurant activity:

Beginning of period 259
247
243
233
Openings 6
13
5
5
Restaurant sale to franchisee —
1
—
6
Closures —
(2 ) (1 ) (1 )
Restaurants at end of period 265
259
247
243
System-wide restaurant activity:

Beginning of period 460
433
415
401
Openings 18
31
19
16
Closures (5 ) (4 ) (1 ) (2 )
Restaurants at end of period 473
460
433
415

follows:


	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended	Fiscal Year Ended
	September 28, 2022	2021	2020	2019
Company-operated restaurant activity:
Beginning of period	189	196	195	213
Openings	3	2	1	2
Restaurant sale to franchisee	—	(8)	—	(16)
Closures	(2)	(1)	—	(4)
Restaurants at end of period	190	189	196	195
Franchised restaurant activity:
Beginning of period	291	283	287	271
Openings	7	2	3	2
Restaurant sale to franchisee	—	8	—	16
Closures	(1)	(2)	(7)	(2)
Restaurants at end of period	297	291	283	287
System-wide restaurant activity:
Beginning of period	480	479	482	484
Openings	10	4	4	4
Closures	(3)	(3)	(7)	(6)
Restaurants at end of period	487	480	479	482

Restaurant Remodeling

~~We and our franchisees commenced our remodeling program in 2011 and, as of September 27, 2017, together~~

In 2020, we had remodeled 113 company-operated and 196 franchised restaurants, or 309 system-wide, over 75% of our restaurant system due to be remodeled. This includes 8 company-operated and 3 franchised restaurants that have been remodeled using our newestfinalized a new restaurant design ~~called Vision. The Vision design elevates~~that we believe will clearly differentiate and communicate our brand, both on the ~~brand image with~~ exterior and ~~interior features~~interior. We believe that ~~embrace the brand’s authentic roots with warm textures, rustic elements~~our remodels using this new design will result in higher restaurant revenue and a ~~focus on~~strengthened brand. During the ~~signature open kitchen layout established in previous designs. As~~year ended September 28, 2022, we have completed four company-operated restaurant remodels and eight franchise remodels using the new asset design. In fiscal 2022, we plan to continue our standard practices for remodels, which includes completing a total of ~~September 27, 2017, including~~six company and 20-30 franchise remodels using the new builds and remodels, we had 33 restaurants open with the Vision design in our system. Remodeling is a use of cash and has implications for our net property and equipment owned and depreciation and amortization line items on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations, among others. design. The cost of our restaurant remodels varies depending on the scope of the work required, but on average the investment is $0.3 million to $0.4 million per restaurant. ~~We believe that our remodeling~~

Loco Rewards

Our Loco Rewards loyalty program ~~will result in higher restaurant revenue and a strengthened brand.~~

~~Loco Rewards~~

~~During the second quarter of 2017, we introduced a new loyalty rewards points program in an effort to increase sales and loyalty among our customers, by offering~~offers rewards that incentivize customers to visit our restaurants more often each month. Customers earn ~~1 point~~points for each $1dollar spent and ~~100~~50 points can be redeemed for a ~~$10~~$5 reward to be used for a future purchase. If a customer does not earn or use points within a one-year period, their account is deactivated and all points expire. Additionally, if a reward is not used within six months, it expires. When a customer is part of the rewards program, the obligation to provide future discounts related to points earned is considered a separate performance obligation, to which a portion of the transaction price is allocated. The performance obligation related to loyalty points is deemed to have been satisfied, and the amount deferred in the balance sheet is recognized as revenue, when the points are transferred to a reward and redeemed, the reward or points have expired, or the likelihood of redemption is remote. A portion of the transaction price is allocated to loyalty points on a pro-rata basis, based on stand-alone selling price, as determined by menu pricing and loyalty point’s terms.

In addition, customers can earn additional points and free entrées for a variety of engagement activities. As points are available for redemption past the quarter earned, a portion of the revenue associated with the earned points will be deferred until ~~redemption.~~redemption or expiration. As of September ~~27, 2017~~28, 2022 and December 29, 2021, the ~~amount~~revenue allocated to loyalty points that had not been redeemed was $0.5 million and $0.7 million, respectively, which is reflected in our accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets within other accrued expenses and current liabilities. We had over 3.1 million loyalty program members as of ~~revenue deferred related to the earned points, net~~September 28, 2022.

Table of ~~redemptions, is $0.3 million.~~Contents

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with ~~GAAP~~U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under current circumstances in making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that

are not readily available from other sources. We evaluate our estimates on an on-going basis. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Accounting policies are an integral part of our condensed consolidated financial statements. A thorough understanding of these accounting policies is essential when reviewing our reported results of operations and our financial position. Management believes that ~~the~~our critical accounting policies and estimates ~~discussed below~~ involve the most difficult management judgments, due to the sensitivity of the methods and assumptions used. For a summary of our critical accounting policies and a discussion of our use of estimates, see “Critical Accounting Policies and ~~Use of~~ Estimates” in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 28, 2016, and Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” in our annual report. For a summary of our significant accounting policies and a discussion of our use of estimates, see also Note 1 to Item 1 above.

29, 2021.

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies or uses of estimates since our annual report on Form ~~10-K. However, as discussed in (i) our annual report, in~~10-K for the ~~aforementioned critical~~year ended December 29, 2021.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent accounting policies section, “Long-Lived Assets” subsection, and (ii) “Impairment of Long-Lived Assets,” in Note 1 to Item 1 above, we evaluate our assets based on factors including economic conditions and operating performance, and our assumptionspronouncements are ~~subject to change. As~~ described in Note 1, ~~to Item 1 above, we intend to monitor the performance~~“Basis of Presentation and ~~related future cash flow assumptions~~Summary of ~~our Texas portfolio, which could result~~Significant Accounting Policies” in the significant impairment of our assets. In particular, most of our (and our franchisees’) restaurants in Texas have been open since the beginning of 2015, and many since the beginning of 2016. Accordingly, given the difficulty in projecting results for newer restaurants in newer markets, we intendNotes to continue to closely monitor the performance of our Texas portfolio. Based on the most recent results in the Texas market, if our plans to grow sales and improve profitability are not successful, future significant impairment to our assets may occur as a result of the performance of these restaurants and the related future cash flow assumptions over the remaining lease term. The combined carrying values of the restaurants in Texas is $15.6 million as of September 27, 2017. This number only applies to our current company-operated Texas portfolio. Asset impairments outside of Texas, or impairments to new units or future capital expenditures could present additional exposure. Closures could also require additional expenditures. Furthermore, franchised unit closings could result in the loss of franchise revenue and have other adverse effects on us.

~~Recent Accounting Pronouncements~~

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, which provides clarity, reduces diversity in practice, and reduces cost and complexity when applying the guidance in Topic 718 Compensation—Stock Compensation, regarding a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. Specifically, an entity is to account for the effects of a modification, unless all of the following are satisfied: (1) the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the modified award is the same as the fair value (or calculated value or intrinsic value, if such an alternative measurement method is used) of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; (2) the vesting conditions of the modified award are the same as the vesting conditions of the original award immediately before the original award is modified; and (3) the classification of the modified award as an equity instrument or as a liability instrument is the same as the classification of the original award immediately before the original award is modified. ASU 2017-09 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of ASU 2017-09 is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, simplifying the manner in which an entity is required to test for goodwill impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. ASU 2017-04 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, clarifying the definition of a business. ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of ASU 2017-01 is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Restricted Cash." ASU 2016-18 addresses the diversity in practice that exists regarding the classification and the presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statements of cash flows under Topic 230,Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of Cash Flow, and other Topics. The amendments in ASU No. 2016-18 require that amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and the end-of-period total amounts set forth on the statements of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective

for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of ASU 2016-18 is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments." ASU 2016-15 addresses how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statements of cash flows under Topic 230, Statements of Cash Flow, and other Topics. ASU 2016-15 is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases.” The new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Although early adoption is permitted, we will adopt these provisions in the first quarter of 2019. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. We have $307.5 million of operating lease obligations as of September 27, 2017 and upon adoption of this standard will record a ROU asset and lease liability equal to the present value of these leases, which will have a material impact on the consolidated balance sheet. However, the recognition of lease expense in the consolidated statement of operations is not expected to change from the current methodology.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, "Financial Instruments – Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities." The pronouncement requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. These changes become effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

We generate a substantial amount of our revenues from company-operated restaurants. This revenue stream is not expected to be impacted by the adoption of ASU No. 2014-09, or any of the subsequent related ASU’s. We have completed our initial analysis of the impact of the standard on franchise revenue. The revenue recognition for franchise fees that are based on future sales is not impacted. However, revenue recognition for franchise and development fees that are not related to subsequent sales will be impacted. We do not believe the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have a material impact to future results of operations. In addition, we have determined to take a modified retrospective approach of transition and will recognize an adjustment to retained earnings, related to the cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2014-09 at the date of adoption. We are in the process of

~~analyzing the disclosure requirements and the impact on advertising fees, and plan to complete our analysis by the end of fiscal 2017.~~

~~JOBS Act~~

We presently qualify as an “emerging growth company” (“EGC”) under section 2(a) of the Securities Act, pursuant to the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”). An EGC has reduced public company reporting, accounting, and corporate governance requirements. We may take advantage of some of these benefits. In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an EGC can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, delaying the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies. We have irrevocably elected not to avail ourselves of this exemption and, therefore, we will be subject to the same new or revised accounting standards as other public companies that are not EGCs.

We will cease to be an EGC following the earliest of (i) five years after our IPO, (ii) $1.07 billion in annual revenue, (iii) $700.0 million in common stock market capitalization held by non-affiliates, or (iv) $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt security issuance on a three-year rolling basis. Please refer to our annual report on Form 10-K for more information.

above.

Key Financial Definitions

Revenue

Our revenue is derived from ~~two~~three primary sources: company-operated restaurant revenue, ~~and~~ franchise revenue, ~~the latter of~~ which is comprised primarily of franchise royalties and, to a lesser extent, franchise fees and sublease rental ~~income.~~

income, and franchise advertising fee revenue. See Note 10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” in the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements above for further details regarding our revenue recognition policy.

Food and Paper Costs

Food and paper costs include the direct costs associated with food, beverage and packaging of our menu items. The components of food and paper costs are variable in nature, change with sales volume, are impacted by menu mix, and are subject to increases or decreases in commodity costs.

We expect food and paper costs, particularly those items not subject to purchasing commitments, to increase in the short-term due to current inflationary pressures.

Labor and Related Expenses

Labor and related expenses include wages, payroll taxes, workers’ compensation expense, benefits, and bonuses paid to our restaurant management teams. Like other expense items, we expect labor costs to grow proportionately as our restaurant revenue grows. Factors that influence labor costs include minimum wage and payroll tax legislation, state labor laws (which, in California, may include the FAST Act), overtime, wage inflation, the frequency and severity of workers’ compensation claims, health care costs, and the performance of our restaurants.

Occupancy Costs and Other Operating Expenses

Occupancy costs include rent, common area maintenance (“CAM”), and real estate taxes. Other restaurant operating expenses include the costs of utilities, advertising, credit card processing fees, restaurant supplies, repairs and maintenance, and other restaurant operating costs.

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General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses are comprised of expenses associated with corporate and administrative functions that support the development and operations of our restaurants, including compensation and benefits, travel expenses, stock compensation costs, legal and professional fees, and other related corporate costs. Also included are pre-opening costs, and expenses above the restaurant level, including salaries for field management, such as area and regional managers, and franchise field operational support.

Franchise Expenses

Franchise expenses are primarily comprised of rent expenses incurred on properties leased by us and then sublet to franchisees, ~~and~~ expenses incurred in support of franchisee information technology ~~systems.~~

systems, and the franchisee’s portion of advertising expenses.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization primarily ~~consist~~consists of the depreciation of property and equipment, including leasehold improvements and equipment.

Loss on Disposal of Assets

Loss on disposal of assets includes the loss on disposal of assets related to retirements and replacement or write-off of leasehold improvements or equipment.

~~Asset~~

Impairment and Closed-Store Reserves

We review long-lived assets such as property, equipment, and intangibles on a unit-by-unit basis for impairment when events or circumstances indicate athe carrying value of the assets ~~that~~ may not be recoverable. We determine if there is impairment at the restaurant level by comparing undiscounted future cash flows from the related long-lived assets to their respective carrying values and record an impairment charge when appropriate. In determining future cash flows, significant estimates are made by us with respect to future operating results of each restaurant over its remaining lease term, including sales trends, labor rates, commodity costs and other operating cost assumptions. If assets are determined to be impaired, the impairment charge is measured by calculating the amount by which the ~~asset~~asset’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value. This process of assessing fair values requires the use of estimates and assumptions, including our ability to sell or reuse the related assets and market conditions, which are subject to a high degree of judgment. If these assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets and these charges could be material. ~~Closure costs include non-cash~~

When we close a restaurant, ~~charges such as up-front expensing~~we will evaluate the ~~net present~~right of use (“ROU”) asset for impairment, based on anticipated sublease recoveries. The remaining value of ~~unpaid rent remaining~~the ROU asset is amortized on a straight-line basis, with the ~~life of a lease offset by assumed sublease income.~~

expense recognized in closed-store reserve expense, in addition to property tax and CAM charges for closed restaurants.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net, consists primarily of interest on our outstanding debt. Debt issuance costs are amortized at cost over the life of the related debt.

Provision for Income Taxes

Provision for income taxes consists of federal and state taxes on our income.

Comparison of Results of Operations

Our operating results for the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2022 and September 29, 2021 and expressed as percentages of total revenue, with the exception of cost of operations and company restaurant expenses, which are expressed as percentages of company-operated restaurant revenue, are compared in the tables below.

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	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022			September 29, 2021			Increase / (Decrease)
	($,000)		(%)	($,000)		(%)	($,000)		(%)
Statements of Income Data
Company-operated restaurant revenue	$	103,174	86.0	$	99,986	86.4	$	3,188	3.2
Franchise revenue		9,543	8.0		8,918	7.7		625	7.0
Franchise advertising fee revenue		7,161	6.0		6,796	5.9		365	5.4
Total revenue		119,878	100.0		115,700	100.0		4,178	3.6
Cost of operations
Food and paper costs (1)		30,163	29.2		26,698	26.7		3,465	13.0
Labor and related expenses (1)		33,279	32.3		27,802	27.8		5,477	19.7
Occupancy and other operating expenses (1)		26,920	26.1		25,108	25.1		1,812	7.2
Company restaurant expenses (1)		90,362	87.6		79,608	79.6		10,754	13.5
General and administrative expenses		9,855	8.2		9,357	8.1		498	5.3
Franchise expenses		9,027	7.5		8,545	7.4		482	5.6
Depreciation and amortization		3,530	2.9		3,685	3.2		(155)	(4.2)
Loss on disposal of assets		21	0.0		83	0.1		(62)	(74.7)
Loss on disposition of restaurants		—	—		10	0.0		(10)	N/A
Impairment and closed-store reserves		219	0.2		167	0.1		52	31.1
Total expenses		113,014	94.3		101,455	87.7		11,559	11.4
Income from operations		6,864	5.7		14,245	12.3		(7,381)	(51.8)
Interest expense, net of interest income		108	0.1		449	0.4		(341)	(75.9)
Income tax receivable agreement income		(29)	(0.1)		(19)	(0.0)		(10)	52.6
Income before provision for income taxes		6,785	5.7		13,815	11.9		(7,030)	(50.9)
Provision for income taxes		1,776	1.5		3,654	3.2		(1,878)	(51.4)
Net income	$	5,009	4.2	$	10,161	8.7	$	(5,152)	(50.7)

(1)	Percentages for line items relating to cost of operations and company restaurant expenses are calculated with company-operated restaurant revenue as the denominator. All other percentages use total revenue.

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Our operating results for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022 and September 29, 2021 and expressed as percentages of total revenue, with the exception of cost of operations and company restaurant expenses, which are expressed as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue, are compared below.


	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 28, 2022			September 29, 2021			Increase / (Decrease)
	($,000)		(%)	($,000)		(%)	($,000)		(%)
Statements of Income Data
Company-operated restaurant revenue	$	303,585	85.7	$	301,117	87.2	$	2,468	0.8
Franchise revenue		28,862	8.2		24,919	7.2		3,943	15.8
Franchise advertising fee revenue		21,590	6.1		19,370	5.6		2,220	11.5
Total revenue		354,037	100.0		345,406	100.0		8,631	2.5
Cost of operations
Food and paper costs (1)		89,586	29.5		78,971	26.2		10,615	13.4
Labor and related expenses (1)		98,966	32.6		90,060	29.9		8,906	9.9
Occupancy and other operating expenses (1)		76,597	25.2		74,288	24.7		2,309	3.1
Company restaurant expenses (1)		265,149	87.3		243,319	80.8		21,830	9.0
General and administrative expenses		29,488	8.3		30,354	8.8		(866)	(2.9)
Franchise expenses		27,315	7.7		24,457	7.1		2,858	11.7
Depreciation and amortization		10,745	3.0		11,540	3.3		(795)	(6.9)
Loss on disposal of assets		129	0.0		194	0.1		(65)	(33.5)
Loss on disposition of restaurants		—	—		1,534	0.4		(1,534)	N/A
Impairment and closed-store reserves		598	0.2		1,091	0.3		(493)	(45.2)
Total expenses		333,424	94.2		312,489	90.5		20,935	6.7
Income from operations		20,613	5.8		32,917	9.5		(12,304)	(37.4)
Interest expense, net of interest income		957	0.3		1,399	0.4		(442)	(31.6)
Income tax receivable agreement income		(345)	(0.1)		(69)	(0.0)		(276)	400.0
Income before provision for income taxes		20,001	5.6		31,587	9.1		(11,586)	(36.7)
Provision for income taxes		5,736	1.6		8,644	2.5		(2,908)	(33.6)
Net income	$	14,265	4.0	$	22,943	6.6	$	(8,678)	(37.8)

(1)	Percentages for line items relating to cost of operations and company restaurant expenses are calculated with company-operated restaurant revenue as the denominator. All other percentages use total revenue.

Company-Operated Restaurant Revenue

For the quarter, company-operated restaurant revenue increased $3.2 million, or 3.2%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The increase in company-operated restaurant sales was primarily due to an increase in company-operated comparable restaurant revenue of $3.3 million, or 3.4%. The company-operated comparable restaurant sales increase consisted of an approximately 7.5% increase in average check size due to increases in menu prices, partially offset by a 4.1% decrease in transactions. In addition, company-operated restaurant revenue was favorably impacted by $0.9 million of additional sales from restaurants opened during or after the third quarter of 2021 and a $0.1 million increase in revenue recognized for our loyalty points program. This company-operated restaurant sales increase was partially offset by a $1.1 million decrease in revenue from the closure of three restaurants during or subsequent to the third quarter of 2021.

Year-to-date, company-operated restaurant revenue increased $2.5 million, or 0.8%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The increase in company-operated restaurant sales was primarily due an increase in company-operated comparable restaurant revenue of $8.3 million, or 2.9%. The company-operated comparable restaurant sales increase consisted of an approximately 7.0% increase in average check size due to increases in menu prices, partially offset by a 4.1% decrease in transactions. In addition, company-operated restaurant revenue was favorably impacted by $1.9 million of additional sales from restaurants opened during or after the third quarter of 2021 and a $0.2 million increase in revenue from restaurants that were temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic during or subsequent to the third quarter of 2021. This company-operated restaurant sales increase was partially offset by a $5.3 million decrease in revenue from the eight company-operated restaurants sold by the Company to an existing franchisee and a $2.6 million decrease in revenue from the closure of three restaurants, in each case, during or subsequent to the first quarter of 2021.

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Franchise Revenue

For the quarter, franchise revenue increased $0.6 million, or 7.0%, from the comparable period in the prior year. This increase was primarily due to a franchise comparable restaurant sales increase of 4.1%, the opening of nine restaurants and eight company-operated restaurants sold by the Company to an existing franchisee, in each case, during or subsequent to the third quarter of 2021. This franchise revenue increase was partially offset by the closure of two franchise locations during or subsequent to the third quarter of 2021.

Year-to-date, franchise revenue increased $3.9 million, or 15.8%, from the comparable period in the prior year. This increase was primarily due to a franchise comparable restaurant sales increase of 8.6% and the opening of nine restaurants during or subsequent to the third quarter of 2021. The remainder of the franchise revenue increase is attributed to the pass through income related to a corresponding increase in franchise expenses. This franchise revenue increase was partially offset by the closure of three franchise locations during or subsequent to the first quarter of 2021.

Franchise Advertising Fee Revenue

For the quarter, franchise advertising fee revenue increased $0.4 million, or 5.4%, from the comparable period in the prior year. Year-to-date, franchise advertising fee revenue increased $2.2 million, or 11.5%, from the comparable period in the prior year. As advertising fee revenue is a percentage of franchisees’ revenue, the quarter-to-date and year-to-date fluctuations were due to the increases and decreases noted in franchise revenue above.

Food and Paper Costs

For the quarter, food and paper costs increased $3.5 million, or 13.0%, from the comparable period in the prior year, primarily due to a $3.2 million increase in food costs and a $0.3 million increase in paper costs. Year-to-date, food and paper costs increased $10.6 million, or 13.4%, from the comparable period in the prior year, due to a $1.4 million increase in paper costs and a $9.2 million increase in food costs. The increase in food and paper costs for the quarter and year-to-date periods resulted primarily from commodity inflation, partially offset by lower transactions. For the quarter, food and paper costs as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue were 29.2%, up from 26.7% in the comparable period of the prior year.

Year-to-date, food and paper costs as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue were 29.5%, up from 26.2% in the comparable period of the prior year. The percentage increase for the quarter and year-to-date periods was primarily due to an investment in new elevated packaging, partially offset by an increase in pricing.

Labor and Related Expenses

For the quarter, labor and related expenses increased $5.5 million, or 19.7%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The increase for the quarter was primarily due to recognizing a $3.2 million Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”) which was recorded as an offset to the corresponding payroll tax expense and was classified as part of the labor and other operating expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of income during the thirteen weeks ended September 29, 2021. Further, the increase for the quarter was impacted by a $2.1 million increase primarily related to minimum wage increases in California during fiscal 2022 and other labor wage increases as a result of competitive pressures, a $1.0 million increase in other labor related expenses primarily related to overtime and payroll taxes and a $0.4 million increase from restaurants opened during or after the third quarter of the prior year and. The increase in labor and related expenses for the quarter was partially offset by a $0.8 million decrease related to the 4.1% decrease in year-over-year transactions and a $0.4 million decrease in worker’s compensation expense.

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Year-to-date, labor and related expenses increased $8.9 million, or 9.9%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The increase for the year-to-date period was due to a $6.2 million increase related to higher minimum wage increases in California during fiscal 2022 and other labor wage increases as a result of competitive pressures, a $1.3 million increase in overtime, $0.8 million in higher payroll taxes, a $0.7 million increase from restaurants opened during or after the third quarter of the prior year and a $1.1 million increase in other labor related expenses primarily related to training. Further, the increase for the year-to-date period was primarily due to recognizing a $3.2 million ERC which was recorded as an offset to the corresponding payroll tax expense and was classified as part of the labor and other operating expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of income during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021. The increase in labor and related expenses for the year-to-date period was partially offset by a $2.0 million reduction in labor related to the eight locations sold to an existing franchisee during the prior year, a $1.8 million decrease related to the 4.1% decrease in year-over-year transactions and a $0.6 million decrease in worker’s compensation expense.

For the quarter, labor and related expenses as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue were 32.3%, up from 27.8% in the comparable period in the prior year due to the cost increases highlighted above, partially offset by the higher menu prices. Year-to-date labor and related expenses as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue were 32.6%, up from 29.9% in the comparable period in the prior year. The year-to-date percentage was impacted by the cost increases highlighted above, partially offset by an increase in menu pricing.

Occupancy and Other Operating Expenses

For the quarter, occupancy and other operating expenses increased $1.8 million, or 7.2%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a $0.7 million increase in utilities, a $0.2 million increase in repairs and maintenance, a $0.2 million increase in market place delivery fees, a $0.2 million increase in occupancy costs and a $0.5 million increase in other operating supplies.

Year-to-date, occupancy and other operating expenses increased $2.3 million, or 3.1%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The increase was primarily due to a $1.6 million increase in utilities, a $0.5 million increase in market place delivery fees, a $0.3 million increase in repairs and maintenance and a $0.4 million increase in other operating expenses. The increase in occupancy and other operating expenses was partially offset by a $0.3 million decrease in occupancy costs and a $0.2 million decrease in operating services and supplies.

For the quarter, occupancy and other operating expenses as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue were 26.1%, up from 25.1% in the comparable period. Year-to-date, occupancy and other operating expenses as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue were 25.2%, up from 24.7% in the comparable period of the prior year. Both the quarter and year-to-date increases resulted from cost increases highlighted above.

General and Administrative Expenses

For the quarter, general and administrative expenses increased $0.5 million, or 5.3%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The increase for the quarter was primarily due to a $0.4 million increase in recruiting and training costs.

Year-to-date, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.9 million, or 2.9%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The decrease for the year-to-date period was due primarily to a $0.5 million decrease in labor related costs, primarily related to a decrease in estimated management bonus expense and a $0.5 million decrease in legal and outside professional services. This decrease was partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in professional services.

For the quarter, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue were 8.2%, up from 8.1% in the comparable period of the prior year. Year-to-date, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue were 8.3%, down from 8.8% in the comparable period of the prior year. The percentage increase for the quarterly period is primarily due to the cost increases discussed above. The percentage decrease for the year-to-date period is primarily due to the cost decreases noted above.

Loss on Disposition of Restaurants

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, we completed the sale of our eight restaurants within the Sacramento area to an existing franchisee. This sale resulted in cash proceeds of $4.6 million and a net loss on

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sale of restaurants of less than $0.1 million and $1.5 million for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, respectively.

Impairment and Closed-Store Reserves

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, primarily related to the long-lived assets of one restaurant in California. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, primarily related to the carrying value of the ROU assets of one restaurant in Texas closed in 2019, the ROU assets of one restaurant in California, and the long-lived assets of three restaurants in California. Given the inherent uncertainty in projecting results for newer restaurants in newer markets we are monitoring the recoverability of the carrying value of the assets of several restaurants on an ongoing basis. For these restaurants, if expected performance is not realized, an impairment charge may be recognized in future periods, and such charge could be material.

When a restaurant is closed, we will evaluate the ROU asset for impairment, based on anticipated sublease recoveries. The remaining value of the ROU asset is amortized on a straight-line basis, with the expense recognized in closed-store reserve expense. Additionally, any property tax and CAM payments relating to closed restaurants are included within closed-store expense. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022, we recognized $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of closed-store reserve expense related to the amortization of ROU assets, property taxes and CAM payments for our closed locations. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, we recognized $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of closed-store reserve expense, primarily related to the amortization of ROU assets, property taxes and CAM payments for our closed locations.

Interest Expense, Net

For the quarter, interest expense, net, decreased $0.3 million from the comparable period in the prior year. For the year-to-date period, interest expense, net, decreased $0.4 million from the comparable period in the prior year. Both the quarter and year-to-date decreases in interest expense were primarily related to the unwinding of our interest rate swap and the corresponding payout that was recognized as part of interest income during the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022 and lower outstanding balances on our 2022 Revolver (as defined below).

Income Tax Receivable Agreement

On July 30, 2014, we entered into the income tax receivable agreement (the “TRA”). The TRA calls for us to pay to our pre-IPO stockholders 85% of the savings in cash that we realize in our taxes as a result of utilizing our net operating losses (“NOLs”) and other tax attributes attributable to preceding periods. For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022, we recorded income tax receivable agreement income of less than $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, and for both the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021 we recorded income tax receivable agreement income of less than $0.1 million.

Provision for Income Taxes

For the quarter ended September 28, 2022, we recorded an income tax provision of $1.8 million, reflecting an estimated effective tax rate of 26.2%. For the quarter ended September 29, 2021, we recorded an income tax provision of $3.7 million, reflecting an estimated effective tax rate of approximately 26.4%. For the year-to-date period ended September 28, 2022, we recorded an income tax provision of $5.7 million, reflecting an estimated effective tax rate of approximately 28.7%. For the year-to-date ended September 29, 2021, we recorded an income tax provision of $8.7 million, reflecting an estimated effective tax rate of approximately 27.4%.

The difference between the 21.0% statutory rate and our effective tax rate of 28.7% for the year-to-date ended September 28, 2022 is primarily a result of state taxes, the change in valuation allowance against certain state credits, a tax shortfall related to non-deductible executive compensation, partially offset by a Work Opportunity Tax Credit benefit.

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Key Performance Indicators

To evaluate the performance of our business, we utilize a variety of financial and performance measures. These key measures include company-operated restaurant revenue, system-wide sales, comparable restaurant sales, ~~company-operated average unit volumes,~~ restaurant contribution, restaurant contribution margin, new restaurant openings, EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA.

System-Wide Sales

System-wide sales are neither required by, nor presented in accordance with GAAP. System-wide sales are the sum of company-operated restaurant revenue and sales from franchised restaurants. Our total revenue in our condensed consolidated statements of income is limited to company-operated restaurant revenue and franchise revenue from our franchisees. Accordingly, system-wide sales should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for our results as reported under GAAP. Management believes that system-wide sales are an important figure for investors, because they are widely used in the restaurant industry, including by our management, to evaluate brand scale and market penetration.

The following table reconciles system-wide sales to company-operated restaurant revenue and total revenue:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
(Dollar amounts in thousands)	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021		September 28, 2022			September 29, 2021
Company-operated restaurant revenue	$	103,174	$	99,986	$	303,585	$	301,117
Franchise revenue		9,543		8,918		28,862		24,919
Franchise advertising fee revenue		7,161		6,796		21,590		19,370
Total Revenue		119,878		115,700		354,037		345,406
Franchise revenue		(9,543)		(8,918)		(28,862)		(24,919)
Franchise advertising fee revenue		(7,161)		(6,796)		(21,590)		(19,370)
Sales from franchised restaurants		159,742		151,657		481,351		432,752
System-wide sales	$	262,916	$	251,643	$	784,936	$	733,869

Company-Operated Restaurant Revenue

Company-operated restaurant revenue consists of sales of food and beverages in company-operated restaurants net of promotional allowances, employee meals, and other discounts. Company-operated restaurant revenue in any period is directly influenced by the number of operating weeks in such period, the number of open restaurants, and comparable restaurant sales.

Seasonal factors and the timing of holidays cause our revenue to fluctuate from quarter to quarter. Our revenue per restaurant is typically lower in the first and fourth quarters due to reduced January and December traffic and higher in the second and third quarters. As a result of seasonality, our quarterly and annual results of operations and key performance indicators such as company-operated restaurant revenue and comparable restaurant sales may fluctuate.

Comparable Restaurant Sales

Comparable restaurant sales reflect year-over-year sales changes for comparable company-operated, franchised, and system-wide restaurants. A restaurant enters our comparable restaurant base the first full week after it has operated for fifteen months. Comparable restaurant sales exclude restaurants closed during the applicable period. At September ~~27, 2017~~28, 2022 and September ~~28, 2016,~~29, 2021, there were ~~423~~466 and ~~410~~462 comparable restaurants, ~~179~~184 and ~~170~~189 company-operated restaurants and ~~244~~282 and ~~240~~273 franchised restaurants, respectively. Comparable restaurant sales indicate the performance of existing restaurants, since new restaurants are excluded.

Comparable restaurant sales growth can be generated by an increase in the number of meals sold and/or by increases in the average check amount, resulting from a shift in menu mix and/or higher prices resulting from new products or price increases.

~~Company-Operated Average Unit Volumes~~

We measure company-operated average unit volumes (“AUVs”) on both a weekly and an annual basis. Weekly AUVs consist of comparable restaurant sales over a seven-day period from Thursday to Wednesday. Annual AUVs are calculated using the following methodology: First, we divide our total net sales for all company-operated restaurants for the fiscal year by the total number of restaurant operating weeks during the same period. Second, we annualize that average weekly per-restaurant sales figure by multiplying it by 52. An operating week is defined as a restaurant open for business over a seven-day period from Thursday to Wednesday. This measurement allows management to assess changes in consumer spending patterns at our restaurants and the overall performance of our restaurant base.

Restaurant Contribution and Restaurant Contribution Margin

Restaurant contribution and restaurant contribution margin are neither required by, nor presented in accordance with, GAAP. Restaurant contribution is defined as company-operated restaurant revenue less company restaurant expenses

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which includes food and paper cost, labor and related expenses and occupancy and other operating expenses, where applicable. Restaurant contribution excludes certain costs, such as general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, impairment and closed-store reserve and other costs that are considered normal operating costs and, accordingly, restaurant contribution is not indicative of overall Company results and does not accrue directly to the benefit of stockholders because of the exclusion of certain corporate-level expenses. Restaurant contribution margin is defined as restaurant contribution as a percentage of net company-operated restaurant revenue.

Restaurant contribution and restaurant contribution margin are supplemental measures of operating performance of our restaurants, and our calculations thereof may not be comparable to those reported by other companies. Restaurant contribution and restaurant contribution margin have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or superior to, or as substitutes for the analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Management believes that restaurant contribution and restaurant contribution margin are important tools for investors, because they are widely-used metrics within the restaurant industry to evaluate restaurant-level productivity, efficiency, and performance. Management uses restaurant contribution and restaurant contribution margin as key metrics to evaluate the profitability of incremental sales at our restaurants, to evaluate our restaurant performance across periods, and to evaluate our restaurant financial performance compared with our competitors.

Management believes that restaurant contribution and restaurant contribution margin are important tools for investors, because they are widely-used metrics within the restaurant industry to evaluate restaurant-level productivity, efficiency, and performance. Restaurant contribution and restaurant contribution margin may also assist investors in evaluating our business and performance relative to industry peers and provide greater transparency with respect to our financial condition and results of operations.

A reconciliation of restaurant contribution and restaurant contribution margin to company-operated restaurant revenue is provided below:

Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
(Dollar amounts in thousands) September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016 September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016
Company-operated restaurant revenue $ 94,982
$ 89,738
$ 287,316
$ 268,984
Company restaurant expenses 77,607
70,984
229,366
211,982
Restaurant contribution $ 17,375
$ 18,754
$ 57,950
$ 57,002
Restaurant contribution margin (%) 18.3 % 20.9 % 20.2 % 21.2 %


	Thirteen Weeks Ended						Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
(Dollar amounts in thousands)	September 28, 2022			September 29, 2021			September 28, 2022			September 29, 2021

Restaurant contribution:
Income from operations	$	6,864		$	14,245		$	20,613		$	32,917
Add (less):
General and administrative expenses		9,855			9,357			29,488			30,354
Franchise expenses		9,027			8,545			27,315			24,457
Depreciation and amortization		3,530			3,685			10,745			11,540
Loss on disposal of assets		21			83			129			194
Loss on disposition of restaurants		—			10			—			1,534
Franchise revenue		(9,543)			(8,918)			(28,862)			(24,919)
Franchise advertising fee revenue		(7,161)			(6,796)			(21,590)			(19,370)
Impairment and closed-store reserves		219			167			598			1,091
Restaurant contribution	$	12,812		$	20,378		$	38,436		$	57,798

Company-operated restaurant revenue:
Total revenue	$	119,878		$	115,700		$	354,037		$	345,406
Less:
Franchise revenue		(9,543)			(8,918)			(28,862)			(24,919)
Franchise advertising fee revenue		(7,161)			(6,796)			(21,590)			(19,370)
Company-operated restaurant revenue	$	103,174		$	99,986		$	303,585		$	301,117

Restaurant contribution margin (%)		12.4	%		20.4	%		12.7	%		19.2	%

New Restaurant Openings

The number of restaurant openings reflects the number of new restaurants opened by us and our franchisees during a particular reporting period. Before a new restaurant opens, we and our franchisees incur pre-opening costs, as described below. New restaurants often open with an initial start-up period of higher than normal sales volumes, which subsequently decrease to stabilized levels. New restaurants typically experience normal inefficiencies in the form of

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higher food and paper, labor, and other direct operating expenses and, as a result, restaurant contribution margins are generally lower during the start-up period of operation. The average start-up period after which our new restaurants’ revenue and expenses normalize is approximately fourteen weeks. When we enter new markets, we may be exposed to start-up times and restaurant contribution margins that are longer and lower than reflected in our average historical experience.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA

EBITDA represents net income before interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation, and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents net income before interest expense, provision for income taxes, depreciation, amortization, and other items that we do not consider representative of our on-going operating performance, as identified in the reconciliation table below.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA as presented in this report are supplemental measures of our performance that are neither required by, nor presented in accordance with, GAAP. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measurements of our financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered as alternatives to net income, operating income, or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP, or as alternatives to cash flow from operating activities as a measure of our liquidity. In addition, in evaluating EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, you should be aware that in the future we will incur expenses or charges such as those added back to calculate EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. Our presentation of EBITDA and

Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items.

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA have limitations as analytical tools, and you should not consider them in isolation, or as substitutes for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are (i) they do not reflect our cash expenditures, or future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments, (ii) they do not reflect changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs, (iii) they do not reflect the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our debt, (iv) although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized will often have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect any cash requirements for such replacements, (v) they do not adjust for all non-cash income or expense items that are reflected in our statements of cash flows, (vi) they do not reflect the impact of earnings or charges resulting from matters we consider not to be indicative of our on-going operations, and (vii) other companies in our industry may calculate these measures differently than we do, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures.

We compensate for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP amounts excluded from such non-GAAP financial measures. We further compensate for the limitations in our use of non-GAAP financial measures by presenting comparable GAAP measures more prominently.

We believe that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period by isolating the effects of some items that vary from period to period without any correlation to core operating performance or that vary widely among similar companies. These potential differences may be caused by variations in capital structures (affecting interest expense), tax positions (such as the impact on periods or companies of changes in effective tax rates or ~~net operating losses)~~NOLs) and the age and book depreciation of facilities and equipment (affecting relative depreciation expense). We also present EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA because (i) we believe that these measures are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry, (ii) we believe that investors will find these measures useful in assessing our ability to service or incur indebtedness, and (iii) we use EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA internally for a number of benchmarks, including to compare our performance to that of our ~~competitors and for compensation performance benchmarks.~~competitors.

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The following table sets forth reconciliations of our net income to our EBITDA and Adjusted ~~EBITDA to our net (loss) income:~~

EBITDA:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended				Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
(Amounts in thousands)	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021		September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021
Net income	$	5,009	$	10,161	$	14,265	$	22,943
Non-GAAP adjustments:
Provision for income taxes		1,776		3,654		5,736		8,644
Interest expense, net of interest income		108		449		957		1,399
Depreciation and amortization		3,530		3,685		10,745		11,540
EBITDA	$	10,423	$	17,949	$	31,703	$	44,526
Stock-based compensation expense (a)		1,009		1,042		2,806		2,936
Loss on disposal of assets (b)		21		83		129		194
Loss on disposition of restaurants (c)		—		10		—		1,534
Impairment and closed-store reserves (d)		219		167		598		1,091
Income tax receivable agreement income (e)		(29)		(19)		(345)		(69)
Securities class action legal expense (f)		(10)		(415)		443		256
Legal settlements (g)		(541)		—		(541)		—
Special legal expenses (h)		350		—		350		—
Pre-opening costs (i)		131		36		280		220
Adjusted EBITDA	$	11,573	$	18,853	$	35,423	$	50,688

Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
(Amounts in thousands) September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016 September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016
Net (loss) income $ (4,039 ) $ 5,211
$ 8,657
$ 17,921
Non-GAAP adjustments:

(Benefit) provision for income taxes (2,457 ) 2,830
5,254
11,930
Interest expense, net of interest income 903
785
2,471
2,441
Depreciation and amortization 4,697
4,074
13,646
11,796
EBITDA $ (896 ) $ 12,900
$ 30,028
$ 44,088
Stock-based compensation expense(a)
324
105
738
244
Loss on disposal of assets(b)(c)
65
58
724
524
Expenses related to fire loss(c)
—
—
—
48
Loss (gain) on recovery of insurance proceeds, property, equipment and expenses(c)
—
148
—
(741 )
Recovery of securities lawsuits related legal expense(d) (634 ) —
(1,145 ) —
Asset impairment and closed-store reserves(e)
16,038
2,490
17,293
2,624
Loss (gain) on disposition of restaurants(f)
—
5
—
(28 )
Income tax receivable agreement (income) expense(g) (19 ) 182
107
411
Securities lawsuits related legal expense(h)
933
519
2,341
2,327
Pre-opening costs(i)
429
918
1,526
1,775
Executive transition costs(j)
—
—
271
—
Adjusted EBITDA $ 16,240
$ 17,325
$ 51,883
$ 51,272


(a)	Includes non-cash, stock-based compensation.


(b)	Loss on disposal of assets includes the loss on disposal of assets related to retirements and replacement or write-off of leasehold improvements or equipment.

(c)

In November 2015, one of our restaurants incurred damage resulting from a fire. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2016, we incurred costs directly related to the fire of less than $0.1 million, disposed of an additional $0.1 million in assets, and recognized gains of $0.7 million, related to the reimbursement of property and equipment and $0.5 million, related to the reimbursement of lost profits. The reimbursement of lost profits is included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements of operations, for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2016, as a reduction of company restaurant expenses. We received from the insurance company cash of $1.0 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2016, and $0.4 million on October 5, 2016, net of the insurance deductible. The $0.4 million is included in accounts and other receivables in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 2016. The restaurant was reopened for business on March 14, 2016.

~~(d)~~

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017,~~29, 2021, we ~~received insurance~~completed the sale of eight restaurants within the Sacramento area to an existing franchisee. This sale resulted in cash proceeds of ~~$0.6~~$4.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to the reimbursement of certain legal expenses paid in prior years for the defense of securities lawsuits. See the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7, Commitments and Contingencies, Legal Matters.

~~(e)~~

Includes costs related to impairment of long-lived assets and closing restaurants. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, we determined that the carrying value of the assets of 10 and 11 restaurants, respectively, in Texas and California may not be recoverable. As a result, we recorded a $15.0 million and $15.5 million expense, respectively, related to the impairment of the assets of the restaurants. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017 we closed three restaurants in Texas, one of which was fully impaired during ~~the fourth quarter of 2016. During~~ the thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017, we closed an additional two~~29, 2021 and a net loss on sale of restaurants ~~one in Arizona and one in Texas, which were fully impaired in the third quarter~~ of ~~2016. These closures resulted in closed-store reserve expenses of $1.0~~less than $0.1 million and ~~$1.8~~$1.5 million for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017,~~29, 2021, respectively.

(d)

Includes costs related to impairment of long-lived and ROU assets and closing restaurants. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, ~~2016,~~2022, we ~~determined the carrying value~~recorded non-cash impairment charges of ~~two restaurants in Arizona~~$0.1 million and ~~Texas may not be recoverable. As a result we recognized an expense of $2.5~~$0.4 million, respectively, primarily related to the ~~impairment of the~~long-lived assets of ~~the two restaurants. We continue to monitor the recoverability of the carrying value of the assets of several other restaurants.~~

~~(f)~~

~~On June 16, 2016, we completed an agreement to sell~~ one ~~company-operated~~ restaurant in Tucson, Arizona to a franchisee, resulting in cash proceeds of $1.5 million and a net gain of less than $0.1 million, which is recorded as a gain on disposition of restaurants in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. This restaurant is now included in our franchised restaurant totals.California.

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, we recorded non-cash impairment charges of $0.1 million and $0.7 million, respectively, primarily related to the carrying value of the ROU assets of one restaurant in Texas closed in 2019, the ROU assets of one restaurant in California, and the long-lived assets of three restaurants in California.

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022, we recognized $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of closed-store reserve expense related to the amortization of ROU assets, property taxes and CAM payments for our closed locations. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, we recognized $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, of closed-store reserve expense, primarily related to the amortization of ROU assets, property taxes and CAM payments for our closed locations.

(e)

~~(g)~~

On July 30, 2014, we entered into the TRA. This agreement calls for us to pay to our pre-IPO stockholders 85% of the savings in cash that we realize in our taxes as a result of utilizing our ~~net operating losses~~NOLs and other tax attributes attributable to preceding periods. For the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017~~28, 2022 and September ~~28, 2016,~~29, 2021, income tax receivable agreement ~~(income) expense~~income consisted of the amortization of interest expense and changes in estimates for actual tax returns filed, related to our total expected TRA payments.

(f)
~~(h)~~	Consists of costs and recoveries related to the defense of securities lawsuits. ~~See~~During the ~~Notes~~thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, we received $0.5 million in insurance proceeds, net of legal expenses, related to ~~the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7, Commitments and Contingencies, Legal Matters.~~a derivative complaint.

(g)	Includes $0.5 million received from legal settlement, net of legal expenses.

(h)	Consists of costs related to a special dividend declaration. On October 11, 2022, the Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $1.50 per share on the common stock of the Company.

(i)

Pre-opening costs are a component of general and administrative expenses, and consist of costs directly associated with the opening of new restaurants and incurred prior to opening, including management labor costs, staff labor costs during training, food and supplies used during training, marketing costs, and other related pre-opening costs. These are generally incurred over the three to five months prior to opening. Pre-opening costs also include occupancy costs incurred between the date of possession and the opening date for a restaurant.


~~(j)~~	~~Includes costs associated with the transition of our CEO, such as executive recruiter costs.~~

~~Comparison of Results of Operations~~

Our operating results for the thirteen weeks ended September 27, 2017 and September 28, 2016, in absolute terms, and expressed as percentages of total revenue, with the exception of cost of operations and company restaurant expenses, which are expressed as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue, are compared below.

Thirteen Weeks Ended
September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016
Increase /
(Decrease)
Statements of Operations Data ($ ,000) (%) ($ ,000) (%) ($ ,000) (%)
Company-operated restaurant revenue $ 94,982
93.9
$ 89,738
93.7
$ 5,244
5.8
Franchise revenue 6,173
6.1
6,078
6.3
95
1.6
Total revenue 101,155
100
95,816
100
5,339
5.6
Cost of operations

Food and paper costs(1)
27,851
29.3
26,960
30.0
891
3.3
Labor and related expenses(1)
27,514
29.0
24,455
27.3
3,059
12.5
Occupancy and other operating expenses(1)
22,242
23.4
20,071
22.4
2,171
10.8
Gain on recovery of insurance proceeds, lost profit(1)
—
—
(502 ) (0.6 ) 502
(100.0 )
Company restaurant expenses(1)
77,607
81.7
70,984
79.1
6,623
9.3
General and administrative expenses 8,285
8.2
8,252
8.6
33
0.4
Franchise expenses 709
0.7
797
0.8
(88 ) (11.0 )
Depreciation and amortization 4,697
4.6
4,074
4.3
623
15.3
Loss on disposal of assets 65
0.1
58
0.1
7
12.1
Loss on recovery of insurance proceeds, property, equipment and expenses —
—
148
0.2
(148 ) (100.0 )
Recovery of securities lawsuits related legal expenses (634 ) (0.6 ) —
—
(634 ) N/A
Asset impairment and closed-store reserves 16,038
15.9
2,490
2.6
13,548
544.1
Total expenses 106,767
105.5
86,803
90.6
19,964
23.0
(Loss) gain on disposition of restaurants —
—
(5 ) 0.0
5
(100.0 )
(Loss) income from operations (5,612 ) (5.5 ) 9,008
9.4
(14,620 ) (162.3 )
Interest expense, net of interest income 903
0.9
785
0.8
118
15.0
Income tax receivable agreement (income) expense (19 ) 0.0
182
0.2
(201 ) (110.4 )
(Loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes (6,496 ) (6.4 ) 8,041
8.4
(14,537 ) (180.8 )
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (2,457 ) (2.4 ) 2,830
3.0
(5,287 ) (186.8 )
Net (loss) income $ (4,039 ) (4.0 ) $ 5,211
5.4
$ (9,250 ) (177.5 )


~~(1)~~	Percentages for line items relating to cost of operations and company restaurant expenses are calculated with company-operated restaurant revenue as the denominator. All other percentages use total revenue.

Our operating results for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017 and September 28, 2016, in absolute terms, and expressed as percentages of total revenue, with the exception of cost of operations and company restaurant expenses, which are expressed as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue, are compared below.

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016
Increase /
(Decrease)
Statement of Operations Data ($ ,000) (%) ($ ,000) (%) ($ ,000) (%)
Company-operated restaurant revenue $ 287,316
93.7
$ 268,984
93.5
$ 18,332
6.8
Franchise revenue 19,183
6.3
18,660
6.5
523
2.8
Total revenue 306,499
100.0
287,644
100.0
18,855
6.6
Cost of operations

Food and paper costs(1)
84,069
29.3
80,760
30.0
3,309
4.1
Labor and related expenses(1)
80,939
28.2
73,323
27.3
7,616
10.4
Occupancy and other operating expenses(1)
64,358
22.4
58,401
21.7
5,957
10.2
Gain on recovery of insurance proceeds, lost profit(1)
—
—
(502 ) (0.2 ) 502
(100 )
Company restaurant expenses(1)
229,366
79.8
211,982
78.8
17,384
8.2
General and administrative expenses 27,594
9.0
25,776
9.0
1,818
7.1
Franchise expenses 2,532
0.8
2,960
1.0
(428 ) (14.5 )
Depreciation and amortization 13,646
4.5
11,796
4.1
1,850
15.7
Loss on disposal of assets 724
0.2
524
0.2
200
38.2
Expenses related to fire loss —
—
48
0.0
(48 ) (100.0 )
Gain on recovery of insurance proceeds, property, equipment and expenses —
—
(741 ) (0.3 ) 741
(100.0 )
Recovery of securities lawsuits related legal expenses (1,145 ) (0.4 ) —
—
(1,145 ) N/A
Asset impairment and closed-store reserves 17,293
5.6
2,624
0.9
14,669
559.0
Total expenses 290,010
94.6
254,969
88.6
35,041
13.7
Gain on disposition of restaurants —
—
28
0.0
(28 ) (100.0 )
Income from operations 16,489
5.4
32,703
11.4
(16,214 ) (49.6 )
Interest expense, net of interest income 2,471
0.8
2,441
0.8
30
1.2
Income tax receivable agreement expense 107
0.0
411
0.1
(304 ) (74.0 )
Income before provision for income taxes 13,911
4.5
29,851
10.4
(15,940 ) (53.4 )
Provision for income taxes 5,254
1.7
11,930
4.1
(6,676 ) (56.0 )
Net income $ 8,657
2.8
$ 17,921
6.2
$ (9,264 ) (51.7 )


~~(1)~~	Percentages for line items relating to cost of operations and company restaurant expenses are calculated with company-operated restaurant revenue as the denominator. All other percentages use total revenue.

~~Company-Operated Restaurant Revenue~~

For the quarter, company-operated restaurant revenue increased $5.2 million, or 5.8%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The growth in company-operated restaurant sales was due to $5.4 million

Table of non-comparable restaurant sales on restaurants that had not been open the fifteen months required to be included in comparable restaurant sales and a $0.8 million increase resulting from a 0.9% increase in company-operated comparable sales. This was partially offset by the closure of three restaurants in the third quarter of 2017 and two restaurants in the first quarter of 2017, and temporary closures during the third quarter of 2017, primarily related to Hurricane Harvey. The company-operated comparable restaurant sales increase consisted of an increase in average check size of 1.7%, partially offset by a decline in transactions of 0.8%.

Year-to-date, company-operated restaurant revenue increased $18.3 million, or 6.8%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The growth in company-operated restaurant sales was due to $19.0 million of non-comparable restaurant sales on restaurants that had not been open the fifteen months required to be included in comparable restaurant sales, a $2.7 million increase resulting from a 1.0% increase in company-operated comparable restaurant sales, and $0.7 million related to a restaurant closed during the first quarter of 2016, due to fire damage, that was open for all of 2017. These increases were partially offset by the closure of two restaurants in 2016 and five restaurants in the current year, and the sale of one restaurant

~~in 2016 to a franchisee. The company-operated comparable restaurant sales increase consisted of an increase in average check size of 1.9%, partially offset by a decrease in transactions of 0.8%.~~

~~Franchise Revenue~~

For the quarter, franchise revenue increased $0.1 million, or 1.6%, from the comparable period in the prior year. This increase was primarily due to 15 new franchised restaurants opened during or after the prior year quarter, and franchise comparable restaurant sales growth of 2.4%, partially offset by a decline in franchise agreement and development agreement fees and lower franchise fees received from franchised restaurants related to their use of our point-of-sales system.

Year-to-date, franchise revenue increased $0.5 million, or 2.8%, from the comparable period in the prior year. This increase was primarily due to 19 new franchised restaurants opened during or after the first quarter of 2016 and franchise comparable restaurant sales growth of 1.8%, partially offset by a decline in franchise agreement and development agreement fees and lower franchise fees received from franchised restaurants related to their use of our point-of-sales system.

~~Food and Paper Costs~~

For the quarter, food and paper costs increased $0.9 million, or 3.3%, from the comparable period in the prior year, due to a $0.5 million increase in food costs and a $0.4 million increase in paper costs. Year-to-date, food and paper costs increased $3.3 million, or 4.1%, from the comparable period in the prior year, due to a $2.5 million increase in food costs and a $0.8 million increase in paper costs. The increases in food and paper costs, for the quarter and year-to-date periods, resulted primarily from higher restaurant revenue, increased food waste and loyalty program incentives, partially offset by lower commodity costs related to chicken.

For the quarter, food and paper costs as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue were 29.3%, from 30.0% in the comparable period of the prior year. Year-to-date, food and paper costs as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue were 29.3%, from 30.0% in the comparable period of the prior year. The percentage decrease for the quarter and year-to-date periods was due primarily to the lower commodity costs, noted above, partially offset by increased food waste and loyalty program incentives.

~~Labor and Related Expenses~~

For the quarter, payroll and benefit expenses increased $3.1 million, or 12.5%, from the comparable period in the prior year. Year-to-date, payroll and benefit expenses increased $7.6 million, or 10.4%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The increase for the quarter and year-to-date periods was due primarily to increased labor costs resulting from the opening of new restaurants in fiscal 2016 and the first three quarters of fiscal 2017, the impact of the wage increases in California and Los Angeles during fiscal 2016 and the first three quarters of fiscal 2017, and higher workers' compensation expense due to increased claims activity.

For the quarter, payroll and benefit expenses as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue were 29.0%, up from 27.3% in the comparable period in the prior year. Year-to-date, payroll and benefit expenses as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue were 28.2%, from 27.3% in the comparable period in the prior year. The increases for the quarter and year-to-date periods, were due primarily to wage increases in California and Los Angeles, the impact of the incremental labor required for 30 new restaurants opened during or after the first quarter of 2016, an increase in workers compensation expense due to an increase in claims and wage continuation paid to employees at our Houston locations during hurricane related closures.

~~Occupancy and Other Operating Expenses~~

For the quarter, occupancy and other operating expenses increased $2.2 million, or 10.8%, from the comparable period of the prior year. The increase for the quarter was primarily due to a $1.1 million increase in occupancy costs, due primarily to additional rent, a $0.4 million increase in utilities costs, a $0.2 million increase advertising costs, and a $0.5 million increase in other operating expenses, resulting primarily from an increase in credit card fees and restaurant security expenses. Year-to-date, occupancy and other operating expenses increased $6.0 million, or 10.2%, from the comparable period of the prior year. The increase for the year-to-date period was due to a $2.8 million increase in occupancy costs, due primarily to additional rent and property tax, a $1.1 million increase in utilities costs, a $0.7 million increase advertising costs, and a $1.4 million increase in other operating expenses, resulting primarily from an increase in credit card fees, restaurant security expenses and repair and maintenance costs. The increases for the quarter and year-to-date periods resulted primarily from the new restaurants opened during or after the first quarter of 2016.

For the quarter, occupancy and other operating expenses as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue were 23.4%, up from 22.4% in the comparable period of the prior year. Year-to-date, occupancy and other operating expenses as a percentage of company-operated restaurant revenue were 22.4%, up from 21.7% in the comparable period of the prior year. Both the quarter and year-to-date increases resulted primarily from rent expense, relative to revenue volume generated, and other incremental costs related to opening new restaurants in 2016 and the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017.

~~General and Administrative Expenses~~

For the quarter, general and administrative expenses increased less than $0.1 million, or 0.4%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The slight increase for the quarter was due primarily to (i) a $0.8 million increase in legal expense related primarily to an increase in securities class action litigation costs, (ii) a $0.2 million increase in dead site costs related to costs incurred for potential new restaurant locations that we chose not to continue to pursue, (iii) a $0.2 million increase in stock compensation related expenses, and (iv) a $0.2 million increase in other general and administrative costs. These increases were offset by a $0.9 million decrease in our accrual for our annual bonus program and a $0.5 million decrease in restaurant pre-opening costs.

Year-to-date, general and administrative expenses increased $1.8 million, or 7.1%, from the comparable period in the prior year. The increase for the year-to-date period was due primarily to (i) a $0.9 million increase in legal expense, (ii) a $0.5 million increase in payroll expense, due primarily to an increase in the number of corporate employees, partially offset by a decline in our accrual for our annual bonus program, (iii) a $0.5 million increase in stock compensation related expenses, and (iv) a $0.3 million increase in other general and administrative costs, primarily related to an increase in recruiting costs. These increases were partially offset by a $0.4 million decrease in travel related costs.

For the quarter, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue were 8.2% down from 8.6% in the comparable period of the prior year. Year-to-date general and administrative expenses as a percentage of total revenue were consistent at 9.0%, when compared to the comparable period of the prior year. The percentage decrease for the quarter is primarily due to higher total revenue, as well as the cost reductions noted above.

~~(Loss) Gain on Recovery of Insurance Proceeds~~

In November 2015, one of our restaurants incurred damage resulting from a fire. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2016, we incurred costs directly related to the fire of less than $0.1 million, disposed of an additional $0.1 million in assets, and recognized gains of $0.7 million, related to the reimbursement of property and equipment and $0.5 million, related to the reimbursement of lost profits. The reimbursement of lost profits is included in the accompanying consolidated financial statements of operations, for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2016, as a reduction of our company restaurant expenses. We received from the insurance company cash of $1.0 million during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2016, and $0.4 million on October 5, 2016, net of the insurance deductible. The $0.4 million is included in accounts and other receivables in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 28, 2016. The restaurant was reopened for business on March 14, 2016.

~~Recovery of Securities Class Action Legal Expense~~

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, we received insurance proceeds of $0.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively, related to the reimbursement of certain legal expenses paid in prior years for the defense of securities lawsuits. Subsequent to September 27, 2017, we received an additional $0.5 million. See the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, Note 7, Commitments and Contingencies, Legal Matters.

~~Asset Impairment and Closed-Store Reserves~~

During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, we determined that the carrying value of the assets of 10 and 11 restaurants, respectively, in Texas and California may not be recoverable. As a result, we recorded a $15.0 million and $15.5 million expense, respectively, related to the impairment of the assets of the restaurants. During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, we closed three restaurants in Texas, one of which was fully impaired during the fourth quarter of 2016 and the other two are included in the impairment expense discussed above. During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, we closed an additional two restaurants, one in Arizona and one in Texas, which were fully impaired in the third quarter of 2016. These closures resulted in closed-store reserve expenses of $1.0 million and $1.8 million for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, respectively, During the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2016, we determined the carrying value of two restaurants in Arizona and Texas may not be recoverable. As a

result we recognized an expense of $2.5 million, primarily related to the impairment of the assets of the two restaurants. We continue to monitor the recoverability of the carrying value of the assets of several other restaurants.

~~(Loss) Gain on Disposition of Restaurants~~

On June 16, 2016, we completed an agreement to sell one company-operated restaurant in Tucson, Arizona to a franchisee, resulting in cash proceeds of $1.5 million and a net gain of less than $0.1 million, which is recorded as a gain on disposition of restaurants in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations. This restaurant is now included in our franchised restaurant totals.

~~Interest Expense, Net~~

~~For the quarter and year-to-date periods, interest expense, net was comparable with the same periods of the prior year.~~

~~Income Tax Receivable Agreement~~

On July 30, 2014, we entered into the TRA. The TRA calls for us to pay to our pre-IPO stockholders 85% of the savings in cash that we realize in our taxes as a result of utilizing our net operating losses and other tax attributes attributable to preceding periods. For the quarter ended September 27, 2017 we recorded income tax receivable agreement income of less than $0.1 million and for the quarter ended September 28, 2016, we recorded income tax receivable agreement expense of $0.2 million. For the year-to-date periods we recorded income tax receivable agreement expense of $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, related to the amortization of interest expense related to our total expected TRA payments and changes in estimates for actual tax returns filed. During the fourth quarter of 2017 we anticipate making a TRA payment of approximately $11.0 million to our pre-IPO stockholders.

~~(Benefit) Provision for Income Taxes~~

For the quarter ended September 27, 2017, we recorded an income tax benefit of $2.5 million, reflecting an estimated effective tax rate of 37.8%. For the quarter ended September 28, 2016, we recorded an income tax provision of $2.8 million, reflecting an estimated effective tax rate of approximately 35.2%. Year-to-date ended September 27, 2017, we recorded an income tax provision of $5.3 million, reflecting an estimated effective tax rate of approximately 37.8%. Year-to-date ended September 28, 2016, we recorded an income tax provision of $11.9 million, reflecting an estimated effective tax rate of approximately 40.0%. These rates are in line with our estimated long-term federal and state tax rates.Contents

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources have been cash provided from operations, cash and cash equivalents, and our ~~secured~~ revolving credit facility. Our primary requirements for liquidity and capital are new restaurants, existing restaurant capital investments (remodels and maintenance), legal defense costs, lease obligations, interest payments on our debt, ~~lease obligations, and~~ working capital and general corporate needs. Our working capital requirements are not significant, since our customers pay for their purchases in cash or by payment card (credit or debit) at the time of sale. Thus, we are able to sell many of our inventory items before we have to pay our ~~suppliers for them.~~suppliers. Our restaurants do not require significant inventories or receivables. We believe that these sources of liquidity and capital are sufficient to finance our continued operations, ~~and expansion plans~~including planned capital expenditures, for at least the next 12 ~~months.~~

months from the issuance of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

The following table presents summary cash flow information for the periods ~~indicated.~~

Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
(Amounts in thousands) September 27, 2017 September 28, 2016
Net cash provided (used) by

Operating activities $ 52,210
$ 39,670
Investing activities (28,295 ) (24,257 )
Financing activities (19,021 ) (14,985 )
Net increase in cash $ 4,894
$ 428

indicated (in thousands):


	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
(Amounts in thousands)	September 28, 2022		September 29, 2021
Net cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities	$	21,907	$	42,332
Investing activities		(13,022)		(8,143)
Financing activities		(19,656)		(22,739)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	$	(10,771)	$	11,450

Operating Activities

For the thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022, net cash ~~provided by~~from operating activities ~~increased~~changed by approximately ~~$12.5~~$20.4 million from the comparable period of the prior year. This change was due ~~primarily~~ to ~~higher profitability after non-cash items and favorable~~unfavorable working capital ~~fluctuations.~~

fluctuations and lower profitability compared to the same period in the prior year.

Investing Activities

For the thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022, net cash used byin investing activities ~~increased~~changed by ~~$4.0~~$4.9 million from the comparable period of the prior year. This change was due primarily to ~~opening 12 new company~~the Company receiving a deposit of $4.6 million on the sale of eight restaurants ~~and seven remodels completed in~~within the Sacramento area during the thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017 compared to 10 new restaurants and one remodel completed in~~29, 2021.

Financing Activities

For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, ~~2016, as well as insurance proceeds related to fire damage and proceeds from the sale of a restaurant received in the prior year period.~~

For the year ending December 27, 2017, we expect to incur capital expenditures of $39.0 million to $41.0 million, consisting of $26.0 to $28.0 million related to new restaurants, $7.0 million related to the remodeling of existing restaurants, and $6.0 million related to major maintenance and other corporate capital expenditures.

~~Financing Activities~~

~~For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017,~~2022, net cash ~~used by~~from financing activities ~~increased~~changed by ~~$4.0~~$3.1 million from the comparable period of the prior year. ~~This~~The change was due primarily to ~~the prepayment~~$22.8 million of ~~$19.0 million~~net pay downs on the ~~2014~~2018 Revolver during the thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017~~29, 2021, compared to ~~a prepayment~~net pay downs of ~~$16.0~~$20.0 million ~~for~~during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, ~~2016.~~

2022. This change was partially offset by a $1.6 million cash inflow related to option exercises during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022, compared to a $0.9 million cash inflow during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021.

Debt and Other Obligations

~~New Credit Agreement~~

~~On December 11, 2014, we refinanced our debt, with EPL, Intermediate, and Holdings entering into~~

The Company, as a guarantor, is a party to a credit agreement ~~with~~(the “2022 Credit Agreement”) among EPL, as borrower, Intermediate, as a guarantor, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swingline lender, and letter of credit issuer, the lenders party thereto, and the other parties thereto, which provides for a $150.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2022 Revolver”). The 2022 Revolver, which is available pursuant to the ~~2014 Revolver. The 2014 Revolver~~2022 Credit Agreement, includes a sub limit of $15.0 million for letters of credit and a sub limit of $15.0 million for swingline loans. ~~At September 27, 2017, $8.1 million of letters of credit were outstanding~~The 2022 Revolver and ~~$106.9 million was available to borrow under the revolving line of credit. The 2014 Revolver~~2022 Credit Agreement will mature on July 27, 2027. The obligations under the 2022

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Credit Agreement and related loan documents are guaranteed by Holdings and Intermediate. The obligations of Holdings, EPL and Intermediate under the 2022 Credit Agreement and related loan documents are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of their respective assets.

redeem qualified equity interests of Holdings held by our past or present officers, directors, or employees (or their estates) upon death, disability, or termination of employment, (ii) pay under its TRA, and (iii) so long as no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, (a) make non-cash repurchases of equity interests in connection with the exercise of stock options by directors, officers and management, provided that those equity interests represent a portion of the consideration of the exercise price of those stock options, (b) pay up to $0.5 million in any 12 month consecutive period to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire equity interests of any subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned subsidiary from any holder of equity interest in such subsidiary, (c) pay up to $2.5 million per year pursuant to stock option plans, employment agreements, or incentive plans, (d) make up to $5.0 million in other restricted payments per year, and (e) make other restricted payments, subject to its compliance, on a pro forma basis, with (x) a lease-adjusted consolidated leverage ratio not to exceed 4.25 times and (y) the financial covenants applicable to the 2022 Revolver.

Borrowings under the ~~2014 Revolver~~2022 Credit Agreement (other than any swingline loans) bear interest, at the borrower’s option, at rates based upon either ~~LIBOR~~the secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”) or a base rate, plus, for each rate, a margin determined in accordance with a lease-adjusted consolidated leverage ratio-based pricing grid. The base rate is calculated as the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, (b) the ~~prime rate of~~published Bank of America prime rate, or (c) ~~LIBOR~~Term SOFR with a term of one-month SOFR plus 1.00%. For ~~LIBOR~~Term SOFR loans, the margin is in the range of ~~1.75%~~1.25% to ~~2.50%~~2.25%, and for base rate loans the margin is in ~~the~~a range of ~~0.75%~~0.25% to ~~1.50%~~1.25%. Borrowings under the 2022 Revolver may be repaid and reborrowed. The interest rate range was ~~2.96%~~2.87% to ~~2.99%~~6.00% and ~~2.44%~~1.35% to ~~2.99%~~6.00% for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022, respectively, and ~~2.20%~~1.34% to ~~2.27%~~1.35% and ~~2.02%~~1.34% to ~~2.27%~~1.65% for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2021, respectively.

The 2022 Credit Agreement contains certain financial covenants. We were in compliance with the financial covenants as of September 28, 2022.

At September 28, 2022, $10.0 million of letters of credit and $20.0 million of borrowings were outstanding under the 2022 Revolver. There were $120.0 million remaining borrowings available under the 2022 Revolver at September 28, 2022.

During the year ended December 25, 2019, we entered into an interest rate swap with a notional amount of $40.0 million, related to the outstanding borrowings under our 2018 Revolver (defined below). The interest rate swap was designated as a cash flow hedge and effectively converted a portion of our outstanding borrowings to a fixed rate of 1.31%, plus the applicable margin spread, which was 1.5% for the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, ~~2016, respectively.~~

~~The 2014 Revolver includes a number of negative~~2022.

During the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 2022, we refinanced and ~~financial covenants, including,~~terminated our credit agreement (the “2018 Credit Agreement”) among others, the following (all subject to certain exceptions): a maximum lease-adjusted consolidated leverage ratio covenant, a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, and limitations on indebtedness, liens, investments, asset sales, mergers, consolidations, liquidations, dissolutions, restricted payments, and negative pledges. The 2014 Revolver also includes certain customary affirmative covenants and events of default. We were in compliance with all such covenants at September 27, 2017.

~~Under the 2014 Revolver, Holdings may not make certain payments such~~EPL, as cash dividends, except that it may, inter alia, (i) pay up to $1.0 million per year to repurchase or redeem qualified equity interests of Holdings held by past or present officers, directors, or employees (or their estates) ofborrower, the Company ~~upon death, disability, or termination~~and Intermediate, as guarantors, Bank of ~~employment, (ii) pay under~~America, N.A., as administrative agent, swingline lender, and letter of credit issuer, the ~~TRA,~~lenders party thereto, and ~~(iii) so long~~the other parties thereto, which provided for a $150.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2018 Revolver”) and entered into the 2022 Credit Agreement. On July 29, 2022, we made a $20.0 million payment to the 2022 Revolver and the outstanding balance as ~~no default or event~~ of ~~default has occurred and is continuing, (a) make non-cash repurchases~~September 28, 2022 was $20.0 million. See Note 4, “Long-term debt” for additional information.

Material Cash Requirements

Our material cash requirements as of equity interests in connection with the exercise of stock options by directors and officers, provided that those equity interests represent a portion of the consideration of the exercise price of those stock options, (b) pay up to $2.5 million per year pursuant to stock option plans, employment agreements, or incentive plans, (c) make up to $5.0 million in other restricted payments per year, and (d) make other restricted payments, provided that such payments would not cause, in each case, on a pro forma basis, (x) its lease-adjusted consolidated leverage ratio to equal or exceed 4.25 times and (y) its consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio to be less than 1.75 times.

~~Contractual Obligations~~

~~Our contractual commitments outstanding on~~ September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022 have not changed materially since those disclosed under “Material Cash Requirements” in Part II, Item 7 of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December ~~28, 2016. These~~ 29, 2021. Our material cash requirements relate mostly to future (i) debt payments, including expected interest expense, calculated based on current interest rates, (ii) restaurant operating lease payments, (iii) income tax receivable agreement payments, ~~and~~ (iv) purchasing commitments for chicken, (v) restaurant finance lease payments, and ~~beverage. During~~(vi) capital expenditures.

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Share Repurchase Program and Subsequent Borrowings

On October 11, 2022, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program under which the ~~fourth quarter~~Company is authorized to repurchase up to $20.0 million of ~~2017~~shares of our Common Stock. The repurchase program will terminate on March 28, 2024, may be modified, suspended or discontinued at any time, and does not obligate us to acquire any particular number of shares.

In addition, on October 11, 2022, our Board of Directors declared a special dividend of $1.50 per share on our common stock. The special dividend is payable on November 9, 2022, to stockholders of record, including holders of restricted stock and restricted stock units, at the close of business on October 24, 2022.

Lastly, on November 3, 2022, we ~~anticipate making a TRA~~borrowed $46.0 million on our 2022 Revolver and outstanding borrowings as of November 3, 2022 were $66.0 million. After payment of the special dividend, we are expected to have approximately ~~$11.0~~$10.0 million ~~to our pre-IPO stockholders.~~

~~Off-Balance Sheet and Other Arrangements~~

~~As of September 27, 2017, we were using $8.1 million of borrowing capacity~~in cash on ~~the 2014 Revolver for letters of credit in support of our insurance programs.~~

hand.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Interest Rate Risk

On July 27, 2022, we refinanced the 2018 Revolver and entered into the 2022 Credit Agreement, which provides for a $150 million five-year senior secured revolving facility. In connection with the refinancing, the 2018 Credit Agreement was terminated. We are exposed to market risk from changes in ~~the~~ interest ~~rate~~rates on our debt, which bears interest, at ~~USD LIBOR~~secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”) plus a margin between ~~1.75%~~1.25% and ~~2.50%~~2.25%. As of September ~~27, 2017,~~28, 2022, we had outstanding borrowings of ~~$85.0~~$20.0 million ~~and another $8.1~~under our 2022 Revolver, $10.0 million of letters of credit in support of our insurance ~~programs. A 1.0%~~programs, and the applicable margin on outstanding borrowings under 2022 Revolver was 1.5%. We effectively did not have any long-term debt subject to variations in interest rates as of September 28, 2022 as a one percent increase in the ~~effective~~variable rate of interest ~~rate applied to these borrowings~~ would not result in a ~~pre-tax~~material increase in annual interest expense.

On July 29, 2022, we made a $20.0 million payment to the 2022 Revolver and the outstanding balance as of September 28, 2022 was $20.0 million. Borrowings under the 2022 Credit Agreement (other than any swingline loans) bear interest, at the borrowers’ option, at rates based upon either “SOFR” or a base rate, plus, for each rate, a margin determined in accordance with a lease-adjusted consolidated leverage ratio-based pricing grid. If future rates based upon SOFR are higher than SOFR rates as currently determined, we may experience potential increases in interest rates on our variable rate debt, which could adversely impact our interest expense, ~~increase~~results of ~~$0.9 million on an annualized basis.~~

~~We manage~~operations and cash flows.

In connection with our entry into the 2022 Credit Agreement, we terminated the interest rate ~~risk through normal operating and financing activities and,~~swap previously used to hedge interest rate risk. In settlement of this swap, we received approximately $0.6 million. The remaining amount in AOCI related to the hedging relationship will be reclassified into earnings when ~~determined appropriate, through~~ the ~~use of derivative financial instruments.~~

hedged forecasted transaction is reported in earnings.

Inflation

Inflation has an impact on food, paper, construction, utility, labor and benefits, general and administrative, and other costs, all of which can materially impact our operations. We have a substantial number of hourly employees who are paid wage rates at or based on the applicable federal, state, or local minimum wage, and increases in the minimum wage will increase our labor costs. In general, we have been able to substantially offset cost increases resulting from inflation by increasing menu prices, managing menu mix, improving productivity, or making other adjustments. We may not be able to offset cost increases in the future.

In addition, we have a substantial number of hourly employees who are paid wage rates at or based on the applicable federal, state, or local minimum wage, and increases in the minimum wage will increase our labor costs.

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to market price fluctuation in food product prices. Given the historical volatility of certain of our food product prices, including chicken, other proteins, grains, produce, dairy products, and cooking oil, these fluctuations can

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materially impact our food and beverage costs. While our purchasing commitments partially mitigate the risk of such fluctuations, there is no assurance that supply and demand factors such as disease or inclement weather will not cause the prices of the commodities used in our restaurant operations to fluctuate. In periods when the prices of commodities drop, we may pay higher prices under our purchasing commitments. In rapidly fluctuating commodities markets, it may prove difficult for us to adjust our menu prices in accordance with input price fluctuations. Therefore, to the extent that we do not pass along cost increases to our customers, our results of operations may be adversely affected. At this time, we do not use financial instruments to hedge our commodity risk.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the ~~required~~ time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and ~~designed to ensure~~forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our disclosure controls and procedures are based on assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives. Because of their inherent limitations, we cannot guarantee that our disclosure controls and procedures will succeed in achieving their stated objectives in all cases, that they will be complied with in all cases, or that they will prevent or detect all misstatements.

Our management has evaluated, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer ~~have~~ concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, at the reasonable assurance level, as of ~~the end of the period covered by this report.~~

September 28, 2022.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

~~Other than the remediation discussed below, no other change~~

No changes in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the ~~period covered by this report~~quarter ended September 28, 2022 that ~~has~~have materially affected, or isare reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

~~Remediation Efforts to Address Material Weaknesses in Internal Control over Financial Reporting~~

~~We previously reported material weaknesses that were identified as~~

Table of ~~December 28, 2016 relating to the design and operating effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. The material weaknesses resulted from:~~


1.	Certain accounting staff shared accounting system password information and access with an external consultant, who was not engaged through standard Company channels and subject to standard terms and conditions of engagement, who conducted standard accounting functions and had system administrator access.


2.	Certain accounting staff, on several occasions, used passwords from other Company employees to enter data for approval on those employees’ behalf and then approved the resulting transactions in the accounting system, thereby circumventing controls over segregation of duties.

~~Based on these findings, we have remediated these material weaknesses by:~~


1.	~~Increased awareness among accounting and information system employees of our existing password, data security and access, and accounting entry policies.~~


2.	~~Designed and implemented controls over system access and password assignments so that users cannot circumvent these controls.~~


3.	Changed our vendor approval and payment procedures so that accounting staff in relevant positions cannot engage or pay vendors without additional review and adherence to standard Company policies and provisions for engagement.

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

~~On or about February 24, 2014, a former employee filed a class action~~

For information regarding material legal proceedings, see Note 7, “Commitments and Contingencies—Legal Matters” in the ~~Superior Court of the State of California, County of Orange, under the caption~~ ~~Elliott Olvera, et al v. El Pollo Loco, Inc., et al~~ ~~(Case No. 30-2014-00707367-CU-OE-CXC) on behalf of all putative class members (all hourly employees from 2010~~“Notes to the present) alleging certain violations of California labor laws, including failure to pay overtime compensation, failure to provide meal periods and rest breaks, and failure to provide itemized wage statements. The putative lead plaintiff’s requested remedies include compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive relief, disgorgement of profits, and reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs. No specific amount of damages sought was specified in the complaint. The parties executed a Stipulation of Class Settlement and ReleaseCondensed Consolidated Financial Statements” above, which ~~the court refused to approve on the grounds that it did not provide sufficient compensation for the putative class members. Further settlement discussions were not successful, and the litigation~~information is moving forward with the filing deadline for plaintiff’s class certification motion postponed until February 1, 2018. Purported class actions alleging wage and hour violations are commonly filed against California employers. The Company has similar cases pending and fully expects to have to defend against similar lawsuits in the future.

~~Daniel Turocy, et al. v. El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., et al.~~ ~~(Case No. 8:15-cv-01343) was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California on August 24, 2015, and~~ ~~Ron Huston, et al. v. El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., et al.~~ (Case No. 8:15-cv-01710) was filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California on October 22, 2015. The two lawsuits have been consolidated, with co-lead plaintiffs and class counsel. A consolidated complaint was filed on January 29, 2016, on behalf of co-lead plaintiffs and others similarly situated, alleging violations of federal securities laws in connection with Holdings common stock purchased or otherwise acquired and the purchase of call options or the sale of put options, between May 1, 2015 and August 13, 2015 (the “Class Period”). The named defendants are Holdings; Stephen J. Sather, Laurance Roberts, and Edward J. Valle (collectively, the “Individual Defendants”); and Trimaran Pollo Partners, L.L.C., Trimaran Capital Partners, and Freeman Spogli & Co. (collectively, the “Controlling Shareholder Defendants”). Among other things, Plaintiffs allege that, in 2014 and early 2015, Holdings suffered losses due to rising labor costs in California and, in an attempt to mitigate the effects of such rising costs, removed a $5 value option from the Company's menu, which resulted in a decrease in traffic from value-conscious consumers. Plaintiffs further allege that during the Class Period, Holdings and the Individual Defendants made a series of materially false and misleading statements that concealed the effect that these factors were having on store sales growth, resulting in Holdings stock continuing to be traded at artificially inflated prices. As a result, Plaintiffs and other members of the putative class allegedly suffered damages in connection with their purchase of Holdings’ stock during the Class Period. In addition, Plaintiffs allege that the Individual Defendants and Controlling Shareholder Defendants had direct involvement in, and responsibility over, the operations of Holdings, and are presumed to have had, among other things, the power to control or influence the transactions giving rise to the alleged securities law violations. In both cases, Plaintiffs seek an unspecified amount of damages, as well as costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees).

On or about November 5, 2015, a purported Holdings shareholder filed a derivative complaint on behalf of Holdings in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware against certain Holdings officers, directors and Trimaran Pollo Partners, L.L.C., under the caption ~~Armen Galustyan v. Sather, et al.~~ (Case No. 11676-VCL). The derivative complaint alleges that these defendants breached their fiduciary duties to Holdings and were unjustly enriched when they sold shares of Holdings at artificially inflated prices due to alleged misrepresentations and omissions regarding EPL’s comparable store sales in the second quarter of 2015. The Holdings shareholder’s requested remedies include an award of compensatory damages to Holdings, as well as a court order to improve corporate governanceincorporated by putting forward for stockholder vote certain resolutions for amendments to Holdings’ Bylaws or Certificate of Incorporation. The parties have stipulated to, which the court has ordered, a stay of these proceedings pending the outcome of ~~Turocy v. El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., discussed above. A second purported Holdings shareholder filed a derivative complaint on or about September 23, 2016, under the caption~~ ~~Diep v. Sather, CA 12760-~~

~~VCL in the Delaware Court of Chancery. The~~ ~~Diep~~ ~~action is also purportedly brought on behalf of Holdings, names the same defendants and asserts substantially the same claims on substantially the same alleged facts as does~~ ~~Galustyan. Defendants moved to stay or dismiss the~~ ~~Diep~~ ~~action.~~

~~On March 17, 2017, the Delaware court granted in part, and denied in part, the motion to stay the~~ ~~Diep~~ ~~action. The court denied defendants' motion to dismiss the complaint for failure to state a claim. No trial date for the~~ ~~Diep~~ ~~action has been set.~~

The Company is also involved in various other claims and legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these other actions will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources. A significant increase in the number of claims, or an increase in amounts owing under successful claims, could materially and adversely affect its business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

reference into this Item 1.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December ~~28, 2016,~~29, 2021 filed with the SEC on March 11, 2022, except for ~~(i) the addition of the risk factors that immediately follow, and (ii)~~ the revision of the risk factors that ~~follow them, which are revised~~immediately follow.

Matters relating to employment and ~~restated in their entirety.~~

~~Additional Risk Factors~~

~~The process of finding a new CEO~~labor law may ~~negatively~~adversely affect our business.

~~On March 7, 2017, Steve Sather,~~

Various federal, state and local labor laws govern our ~~President~~relationships with our employees and ~~Chief Executive Officer, informed~~affect operating costs. These laws include employee classifications as exempt or non-exempt, minimum wage requirements, unemployment tax rates, workers’ compensation rates, citizenship requirements, and other wage and benefit requirements for employees classified as non-exempt. Significant additional government regulations and new laws mandating increases in minimum wages or benefits such as health insurance could materially affect our ~~board that he intends to retire on or before December 31, 2017,~~business, financial condition, operating results, and cash flow. In particular, our labor and regulatory compliance costs could be adversely impacted as a result of California Assembly Bill No. 257, the Fast Food Accountability and Standards Recovery Act (“FAST Act”), which was signed into law in September 2022. The FAST Act, currently subject to a referendum campaign, authorizes the ~~Company hiring his replacement. At this time, Mr. Sather retains his positions while~~creation of a ~~search~~council to set minimum standards for ~~his successor is underway. As President~~workers in the industry, including for wages, working hours, and ~~CEO, Mr. Sather is responsible for~~other health and safety conditions. The implementation of the ~~general supervision~~FAST Act could result in increased labor cost at our California restaurants thereby potentially impacting the profitability of our ~~business. Turnover~~California restaurants. Further, this bill could prompt similar legislation in other states. In addition, the ~~CEO position~~unionization of our employees and of the employees of our franchisees could lead to operational or strategic uncertainty or inefficiency, or increased turnover among managers and executives, or among employees generally, affecting our operations and performance. Such effects could occur before Mr. Sather retires, after his successor’s tenure begins, and during any gap between the two. Similarly, a new CEO may require time to become familiar withmaterially affect our business, financial condition, operating results, and ~~during this period his~~cash flow.

Employee claims against us or ~~her lack of familiarity with~~ our organization could pose an impediment to the efficient operation of our business and the development and execution of our business strategy. We are not guaranteed to be able to find a replacement with suitable skills and personality promptly and for an amount of compensation that we consider appropriate. Compensation for a new CEO may include equity grants, which may result in dilution to shareholders. Any successor may be less effective than Mr. Sather, or change our Company’s direction, and any such changes could be disruptive or unsuccessful. Additionally, any retirement agreements that we may enter into with Mr. Sather may provide certain compensation or benefits that may be material, but we have not yet resolved the terms of such agreements, if any.

~~Our business is geographically concentrated and real estate intensive, making it vulnerable to natural disasters.~~

As stated in our Form 10-K risk factor, “Our business is geographically concentrated in the greater Los Angeles area, and we could be negatively affected by conditions specific to that region,” including fires, earthquakes, or other natural disasters. Additionally, outside of Los Angeles, many of our restaurants are clustered around major cities in Northern California, Texas, and elsewhere. Localized disasters, especially exacerbated by climate change, including wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding, could impair our assets and operations in those areas. For example, in the third quarter of 2017, the Houston metropolitan area was impacted by Hurricane Harvey and resultant flooding. This caused for us,franchisees based on, among other ~~effects, temporary store closures~~things, wage and ~~food spoilage, as described in “Management’s Discussion~~hour violations, discrimination, harassment, or wrongful termination may also create not only legal and ~~Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Comparison of Results of Operations.”~~

~~Revised Risk Factors~~

Our growth strategy depends in part on opening new restaurants in existing and new markets and expanding our franchise system. We may be unsuccessful in opening new company-operated or franchised restaurants or in establishing new markets, whichfinancial liability but negative publicity that could adversely affect us and divert our ~~growth.~~

~~One~~financial and management resources that could otherwise be used to benefit the future performance of ~~the key means to achieving~~ our ~~growth strategy is and will~~operations. These types of employee claims could also be ~~through opening new restaurants and operating those restaurants~~asserted against us, on a ~~profitable basis. We opened 18 new company-operated restaurants~~co-employer theory, by employees of our franchisees. A significant increase in ~~fiscal 2016 and plan to open an estimated~~

~~15 to 16 in fiscal 2017. Our franchisees opened 13 new restaurants in fiscal 2016 and plan to open 7 to 9 in fiscal 2017. The ability to open new restaurants is dependent upon a~~the number of ~~factors, many of which are beyond our control, including our and our franchisees’ abilities to:~~

~~identify available and suitable restaurant sites;~~

~~compete for restaurant sites;~~

~~reach acceptable agreements regarding~~these claims, or an increase in the ~~lease or purchase of locations;~~

~~obtain or have available the financing required to acquire and operate a restaurant, including construction and opening costs;~~

~~respond to unforeseen engineering or environmental problems with leased premises;~~

~~avoid the impact of inclement weather and natural and man-made disasters;~~

~~hire, train, and retain the skilled management and other employees necessary to meet staffing needs;~~

~~obtain, in a timely manner and for an acceptable cost, required licenses, permits, and regulatory approvals;~~

~~respond effectively to any changes in local, state, and federal law and regulations that adversely affect our and our franchisees’ costs or abilities to open new restaurants; and~~

~~control construction and equipment cost increases for new restaurants.~~

~~There is no guarantee that a sufficient~~ number of suitable restaurant sites will be available in desirable areas or on terms that are acceptable to us in order to achieve our growth plan. If we are unable to open new restaurants or sign new franchisees, or if restaurant openings are significantly delayed, our earnings or revenue growth and our business could be materially and adversely affected, as we expect a portion of our growth to come from new locations.

As part of our longer-term growth strategy, we may enter into geographic markets in which we have little or no prior operating or franchising experience, through company-operated restaurant growth and franchise development agreements. The challenges of entering new markets include (i) difficulties in hiring experienced personnel, (ii) unfamiliarity with local real estate markets and demographics, (iii) consumer unfamiliarity with our brand, and (iv) competitive and economic conditions, consumer tastes, and discretionary spending patterns that are different from and more difficult to predict or satisfy than in our existing markets. Consumer recognition of our brand has been important for our success in our existing markets. In addition, restaurants that we open in new markets may take longer to reach expected sales and profit levels on a consistent basis, and may have higher construction, occupancy, and operating costs, than restaurants that we open in existing markets, thereby affecting our overall profitability. Any failure on our part to recognize or respond to these challenges may adversely affect the success of any new restaurants. Expanding our franchise system could require the implementation, expense, and successful management of enhanced business support systems, management information systems, and financial controls, as well as additional staffing, franchise support, and capital expenditures and working capital.

At the end of fiscal 2009, we had 21 system-wide restaurants, all originally developed by franchisees, open east of the Rocky Mountains. However, by 2012, all of these restaurants had been closed. We may encounter similar issues with our current growth strategy, whichclaims, could materially and adversely affect our business, brand image, employee recruitment, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

If we or our franchisees face labor shortages or increased labor costs, our results of operations and ~~cash flow.~~

~~Due to brand recognition and logistical synergies, as part of our~~ growth ~~strategy, we also intend to open new restaurants in areas where we have existing restaurants. The operating results and comparable restaurant sales for our restaurants~~ could be adversely ~~affected due~~affected.

Labor is a primary component in the cost of operating our company-operated and franchised restaurants. Labor shortages and increased labor costs are subject to ~~increasing proximity among our restaurants~~numerous internal and ~~due~~external factors, including higher employee-turnover rates, changes in immigration policy including barriers to ~~market saturation.~~

immigrants entering, working in, or remaining in the United States, regulatory changes, prevailing wage rates, including increases in federal, state, or local minimum wages or in other employee benefit costs (including costs associated with health insurance coverage or workers’ compensation insurance), and increased competition we face from other companies for qualified employees. During ~~fiscal 2016,~~2021, we ~~determined that the carrying value~~experienced an increasingly competitive and overall tightening of the ~~assets~~labor market. This was attributed to, among other things, increased federal unemployment subsidies, including unemployment benefits offered in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and other government regulations. A sustained labor shortage could lead to increased costs, such as increased overtime incurred to meet the demands of ~~nine restaurants,~~our customers and increased wage rates to attract and retain employees. Any failure to meet our staffing needs or any material increases in ~~Arizona,~~employee turnover rates could adversely affect our business and results of operations, including our ability to grow our restaurant base. See also our risk factor titled “The COVID-19 pandemic and measures intended to prevent its spread may have a significant negative impact on our business, sales, results of operations and financial condition” above for labor shortage risks we may face in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Federally-mandated, state-mandated, or locally-mandated minimum wages have recently increased in several jurisdictions, including the State of California and ~~Texas,~~Los Angeles County, and may ~~not~~ be recoverable. As a result, we recorded a $8.3 million expense related to the impairment of the assets of the nine restaurants. In addition, during the thirty-nine weeks ended September 27, 2017, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $15.5 million primarily related to the assets of nine restaurants in Texas and two restaurants in California, and a non-cash closed-store reserve of $1.8 million related to the closure of four restaurants in Texas and one in Arizona. We continue to monitor the recoverability of the carrying value of the assets of several other restaurants. In particular, most of the Company’s (and its franchisees’) restaurants in Texas have been open since the beginning of 2015, and many since the beginning of 2016. Accordingly, given the difficulty in projecting results for newer restaurants in newer markets, the Company intends to continue to monitor the performance of its Texas portfolio. Based on the most recent resultsfurther raised in the ~~Texas market, if management's plans to grow sales and improve profitability are not successful,~~ future, ~~significant impairment to the Company’s assets may occur~~including as a result of the ~~performance of these restaurants and the related~~FAST Act in California. We may be unable to sufficiently increase our menu prices in order to pass future ~~cash flow assumptions over the remaining lease term. The combined carrying values of the restaurants in Texas is $15.6 million as of September 27, 2017. This number only applies~~increased labor costs on to our ~~current company-operated Texas portfolio. Asset impairments outside~~customers, in which case our margins would be negatively affected. Also, reduced margins of ~~Texas, or impairments to new units or future~~

capital expenditures could present additional exposure. Closures could also require additional expenditures. Furthermore, franchised unit closings could result in the loss of franchise revenue and have other adverse effects on us.

~~Our growth depends on maintaining amicable relations with our franchisees. If our relations with existing or potential~~ franchisees deteriorate, restaurant performance and our development pipeline could suffer. Additionally, our franchisee relationships are contractual in nature, and are comprised of mutual obligations. If contracts or contractual provisions between us and our franchisees are violated by either party, legally or practically unenforceable, or judicially voided, whether with respect to one, more than one, or all of our franchisees, restaurant performance and our development pipeline could suffer. In particular, we rely on non-compete, territorial exclusivity, and other development-related provisions to provide stability to our franchisee network. For example, we are litigating with a franchisee who is challenging the enforceability of the territorial exclusivity clause in the franchise agreement. Although we think that this lawsuit is immaterial, if this or similar clauses were held unenforceable, we and other franchisors could be materially negatively impacted.

~~We may not be able to compete successfully with other quick-service and fast casual restaurants. Intense competition in the restaurant industry~~ could make it more difficult to ~~expand our business, and could also have a negative impact on our operating results, if customers favor our competitors or if we are forced to change our pricing and other marketing strategies.~~

~~The food service industry, and particularly its quick-service and fast casual segments, is intensely competitive.~~sell franchises. In addition, ~~the greater Los Angeles area, the primary market~~increases in which we compete, consists of what we believe to be the most competitive Mexican-inspired quick-service and fast casual market in the United States. We expect competition in this market and in each of our other markets to continue to be intense, because consumer trends are favoring limited service restaurants that offer healthier menu items made with better-quality products, and many limited service restaurants are responding to these trends. Competition in our industry is primarily based on price, convenience, quality of service, brand recognition, restaurant location, and type and quality of food. If our company-operated and franchised restaurants cannot compete successfully with other quick-service and fast casual restaurants in new and existing markets, we could lose customers and our revenue could decline. Our market position is based on balancing price and quality, and drift in our competitive position, popular perception of our position, or popular interest in our position, could harm our sales, brand, and support among customers. Our company-operated and franchised restaurants compete with national and regional quick-service and fast casual restaurant chains for customers, restaurant locations, and qualified management and other staff. Compared with us, some of our competitors have substantially greater financial and other resources, have been in business longer, have greater brand recognition, or are better-established in the markets where our restaurants are located or are planned to be located. These competitive factors are particularly applicable in markets in which we have expanded relatively rapidly and relatively recently, such as Texas. Any of these competitive factors may materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

~~We have limited control with respect to the operations of our franchisees, which could have a negative impact on our business.~~

Franchisees are independent business operators. They are not our employees, and we do not exercise control over the day-to-day operations of their restaurants. We provide training and support to franchisees, and set and monitor operational standards, but the quality of franchised restaurants may be diminishedprices by any number of factors beyond our control. Consequently, franchisees may fail to operate their restaurants in fashions consistent with our standards and requirements, or to hire and train qualified managers and other restaurant personnel. If franchisees do not operate to our expectations, our image and reputation, and the images and reputations of other franchisees, may suffer materially, and system-wide sales could decline significantly.

Franchisees, as independent business operators, may from time to time disagree with us and our strategies regarding the business or our interpretation of our respective rights and obligations under the franchise agreement. Disagreement may lead to disputes with our franchisees, and we expect such disputes to occur from time to time as we continue to offer franchises. To the extent that we have such disputes, the attention, time, and financial resources of our management and our franchisees will be diverted from our restaurants, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. For example, we are litigating with a franchisee who is challenging the enforceability of the territorial exclusivity clause in the franchise agreement. Although we think that this lawsuit is immaterial, if this or similar clauses were held unenforceable, we and other franchisors could be materially negatively impacted.

~~Disputes between~~ us and our franchisees ~~whether in court or otherwise, could relate~~ to either party’s violation of its contractual obligations. Unfavorable judgments or settlements relating to franchisee disputes could result in monetary or injunctive relief against us, including the voiding of non-compete, territorial exclusivity, or other development-related provisions upon which we rely. Even our success in franchisee disputes could damage our franchisees’ finances or operations, or our relationships with them.

~~Information technology system failures or breaches of our network security could interrupt our operations and adversely affect our business.~~

We rely on our computer systems and network infrastructure across our operations, including point-of-sale processing at our restaurants. Our operations depend upon our ability to protect our computer equipment and systems against damage from physical theft, fire, power loss, telecommunications failure, and other catastrophic events, as well as from internal and external security breaches, viruses, and other disruptive problems. Any damage or failure of our computer systems or network infrastructure that causes an interruption in our operationscover increased labor costs could have ~~a material adverse~~the effect onof lowering sales, which would thereby reduce our ~~business~~margins and ~~subject us to litigation or to actions by regulatory authorities. Moreover, these systems, infrastructures, and operations rely upon third-party software and vendors, and~~the royalties that we may therefore have a limited ability to guard against, learn about, or remedy problems that could harm us, including bugs and glitches, system outages, and hacks that exploit security vulnerabilities to steal or ransom information.

~~If we are unable to protect our customers’ payment method data, we could be exposed to data loss, litigation, liability, and reputational damage~~.

~~(Formerly: If we are unable to protect our customers’ credit and debit card data, we could be exposed to data loss, litigation, liability, and reputational damage.)~~

~~We accept electronic payment cards~~receive from our customers in our restaurants. For the fiscal year ended December 28, 2016, approximately 51% of our sales were attributable to credit/debit card transactions, and credit/debit card usage could continue to increase. A number of restaurant operators and retailers have experienced actual or potential security breaches in which credit/debit card information may have been stolen. While we have taken reasonable steps to prevent the occurrence of security breaches in this respect, we may in the future become subject to claims for purportedly fraudulent transactions arising out of the actual or alleged theft of credit/debit card information, and we may also be subject to lawsuits or other proceedings in the future relating to these types of incidents. Proceedings related to theft of credit/debit card information may be brought by payment card providers, banks, and credit unions that issue cards, cardholders (either individually or as part of a class action lawsuit), and federal and state regulators. Any such proceedings could distract our management team members from running our business and cause us to incur significant unplanned losses and expenses.

We also sell and accept for payment El Pollo Loco gift cards, and our loyalty rewards program provides points that can be redeemed for purchases. Like credit and debit cards, gift cards and rewards points are vulnerable to theft, whether physical or electronic. We believe that our gift cards are primarily vulnerable to physical theft, as we have implemented gift card policies such as requiring a physical card to be presented when redeeming value from a gift card; however, there could be instances of non-compliance with these policies. We believe that, due to their electronic nature, rewards points are primarily vulnerable to hacking. Customers affected by any loss of data or funds could litigate against us, and security breaches or even unsuccessful attempts at hacking could harm our reputation, and guarding against or responding to hacks could require significant time and resources.

We also receive and maintain certain personal information about our customers and team members. The use of this information by us is regulated at the federal and state levels. If our security and information systems are compromised or our team members fail to comply with these laws and regulations and this information is obtained by unauthorized persons or used inappropriately, it could adversely affect our reputation, as well as the results of operations, and could result in litigation against us or the imposition of penalties. In addition, our ability to accept credit/debit cards as payment in our restaurants and online depends on us maintaining our compliance status with standards set by the PCI Security Standards Council. These standards, set by a consortium of the major credit card companies, require certain levels of system security and procedures to protect our customers’ credit/debit card information as well as other personal information. Privacy and information security laws and regulations change over time, and compliance with those changes may result in cost increases due to necessary system and process changes.

franchisees.

If the ownership of our common stock continues to be highly concentrated, it may prevent ~~you and other~~ minority stockholders from influencing significant corporate decisions and may result in conflicts of interest.

As of September 28, 2022, Trimaran Pollo Partners, L.L.C. (“LLC”), owns approximately ~~43.3%~~30.2% of our outstanding common stock. This large position means that LLC and its majority ~~owners-predecessors~~owners—which are predecessors and affiliates of, and certain funds managed by, Trimaran Capital Partners ~~and Freeman Spogli & Co.~~ (collectively, “Trimaran” ~~and “Freeman Spogli,” respectively)-possess~~)—possess significant influence when stockholders vote on matters such as election of directors, mergers, consolidations and acquisitions, the sale of all or substantially all of our assets, decisions affecting our capital structure, amendments to our certificate of incorporation or our by-laws, and our winding up and dissolution. ~~So long~~In addition, as ~~LLC maintains at least 40% ownership, (i) any member~~ of September 28, 2022, certain affiliates of Freeman Spogli & Co., FS Equity Partners V, L.P. and FS Affiliates V, L.P. (“Freeman Spogli”), own collectively approximately 14.9% of our outstanding common stock, which they received in August 2022 following a distribution by the ~~board of directors may be removed at any time without cause by affirmative vote~~LLC of a ~~majority~~portion of its shares to Freeman Spogli.

Further, two of our ~~common stock, and (ii) stockholders representing 40% or greater ownership may cause special stockholder meetings to be called. Currently, three of our eight~~eleven directors, including our chairman, are affiliated with Trimaran orand one of our directors is affiliated with Freeman Spogli.

This concentration of ownership may delay, deter, or prevent acts that would be favored by our other stockholders. While our board has determined that director John Roth, a general partner of Freeman Spogli and its CEO, satisfies the criteria for an independent director under NASDAQ rules, the The interests of Trimaran and Freeman Spogli, either individually or collectively, may not always coincide with our interests or the interests of our other stockholders. ~~This concentration~~While Trimaran and Freeman Spogli act separately with respect to their respective ownership of our shares, their significant ownership may ~~also~~ have the effect of delaying, deterring, or preventing acts that would be favored by our other stockholders, including a change in control of us. Also, Trimaran ~~and~~and/or Freeman Spogli may seek to cause us to take courses of action that, in their judgments, could enhance their investments in us, but that might involve risks to our other stockholders or adversely affect us or our other stockholders. As a result, the market price of our common stock could decline, or stockholders might not receive a premium over the then-current market price of our common stock upon a change in control. In addition, this concentration of ownership may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning shares of a company with significant stockholders.

~~The interests of Trimaran and Freeman Spogli may conflict with ours or our stockholders’ in the future.~~

Trimaran and Freeman Spogli engage in a range of investing activities, including investments in restaurants and other consumer-related companies in particular. While our board has determined that director John Roth, a general partner of Freeman Spogli and its CEO, satisfies the criteria for an independent director under NASDAQ rules, in the ordinary course of their business activities, Trimaran and Freeman Spogli may engage in activities where their interests conflict with our interests or those of our stockholders. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that none of LLC or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, shareholders, members, partners, principals, affiliates and managers (including, inter alia, Trimaran and Freeman Spogli) has a duty to refrain from engaging, directly or indirectly, in the same business activities or similar business activities or lines of business in which we operate. For example, in the third quarter of 2017, Cafe Rio, a high-growth, fast-casual Mexican restaurant company, announced that Freeman Spogli had acquired a majority interest in it. Trimaran and Freeman Spogli also may pursue acquisition opportunities that may be complementary to our business, and, as a result, those acquisition opportunities may not be available to us. In addition, Trimaran and Freeman Spogli may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures, and other transactions that, in their judgment, could enhance their investment in us, even though those transactions might involve risks to you, such as debt-financed acquisitions.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

~~None. Additionally,~~

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

During the thirteen weeks ended September 28, 2022, the Company acquired shares of its common stock held by its employees to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of previously issued restricted stock. The number of shares of common stock acquired and the average price paid per share for each month in the third quarter ended September 28, 2022 are as ~~discussed above~~shown in (i) Part I, Item 1, Note 1, “Basis of Presentation”, and (ii) Part I, Item 2, “Liquidity and Capital Resources - Debt and Other Obligations - New Credit Agreement”, our 2014 Revolver limits payment of dividends.

the table below.


	Total Number of	Average Price
	Shares Purchased	Paid Per Share
June 30, 2022 to July 27, 2022	—	$	—
July 28, 2022 to August 24, 2022	2,584	$	9.32
August 25, 2022 to September 28, 2022	—	$	—
Total	2,584	$	9.32

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

None.

~~None.~~

Table of Contents

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.

None.

Item 5. Other Information.

None.

~~None.~~

Table of Contents

Item 6. Exhibits.

Exhibit Index

Number	Description	Filed Herewith	Form	Period Ended	Exhibit	Filing Date	SEC File Number

3.1	Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.		10-Q	6/25/2014	3.1	9/5/2014	001-36556

3.2	Amended and Restated By-Laws of El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.		10-Q	6/25/2014	3.2	9/5/2014	001-36556

10.1	Severance and Separation Agreement, dated June 15, 2022, between El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. and Miguel Lozano		8-K		10.1	6/21/2022	001-36556

10.2	Employment Agreement, dated June 28, 2022, between El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. and Ira Fils		8-K		10.1	7/1/2022	001-36556

10.3	Credit Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2022, among El Pollo Loco, Inc., as borrower, El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., as guarantor, the other guarantors party thereto, the lenders party thereto and Bank of America, as administrative agent, swingline lender and letter of credit issuer		8-K		10.1	8/2/2022	001-36556

10.4	Supplemental Agreement, dated as of August 31, 2022, by and among El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc., FS Equity Partners V, L.P., and FS Affiliates V, L.P.	X

31.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer under section 302 of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002	X

31.2	Certification of Chief Financial Officer under section 302 of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002	X

32.1	Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under 18 U.S.C. section 1350, adopted by section 906 of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002	*

101.INS	Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document	X

101.SCH	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document	X

101.CAL	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document	X

Table of Contents


101.DEF
~~Number~~	~~Description~~

~~31.1~~	~~Certification of Principal Executive Officer under section 302 of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002~~

~~31.2~~	~~Certification of Principal Financial Officer under section 302 of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002~~

32.1*	~~Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer under 18 U.S.C. section 1350, adopted by section 906 of the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002~~

~~101.INS~~	~~XBRL Instance Document~~

~~101.SCH~~	~~XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document~~

~~101.CAL~~	~~XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document~~

~~101.DEF~~	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document	X

101.LAB	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document	X

101.PRE	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document	X

104	Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page interactive data file does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL Document	X

Pursuant to Item 601(b)(32)(ii) of Regulation S-K (17 C.F.R. § 229.601(b)(32)(ii)), this certification is deemed furnished, not filed, for purposes of section 18 of the Exchange Act, nor is it otherwise subject to liability under that section. It will not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except if the registrant specifically incorporates it by reference.

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.



	El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc.
		(Registrant)

Date: November ~~3, 2017~~4, 2022		/s/ ~~Stephen J. Sather~~ Laurance Roberts
~~Date~~	~~Stephen J. Sather~~	Laurance Roberts
		President and Chief Executive Officer
		(duly authorized officer)
Date: November ~~3, 2017~~4, 2022		/s/ ~~Laurance Roberts~~ Ira Fils
~~Date~~	~~Laurance Roberts~~	Ira Fils
		Chief Financial Officer
		(principal financial officer)



~~Delaware~~		~~20-3563182~~
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)



3535 Harbor Blvd., Suite 100, Costa Mesa, California		92626
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip Code)


Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	LOCO	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC


Large Accelerated Filer	☐	Accelerated Filer	☒
~~Large accelerated filer~~	☐	~~Accelerated filer~~	☒
Non-accelerated Filer	☐	Smaller Reporting Company	☐
~~Non-accelerated filer~~	~~☐ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)~~	~~Smaller reporting company~~	☐
		Emerging Growth Company
		~~Emerging growth company~~	☒ ☐


☒
☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


☐
☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



Table of Contents		Page

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION	4	3
Item 1. Financial Statements.	4	3
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)	4	3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of ~~Operations~~Income (Unaudited)	5	4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited)		5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity (Unaudited)		6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)	6	8
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)	8	9
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.	20	28
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.	35	45
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.	35	46

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION	37	47
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.	37	47
Item 1A. Risk Factors.	38	47
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.	42	48
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.	42	48
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.	42	49
Item 5. Other Information.	42	49
Item 6. Exhibits.	43	50
Signatures	44	52



	September 27, 2017			December 28, 2016
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,062		$	2,168
Restricted cash	—			125
Accounts and other receivables, net	7,994			6,919
Inventories	2,233			2,112
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,016			3,104
Total current assets	20,305			14,428
Property and equipment owned, net	114,903			118,470
Property held under capital leases, net	46			64
Goodwill	248,674			248,674
Trademarks	61,888			61,888
Other intangible assets, net	403			484
Deferred tax assets	6,317			25,905
Other assets	1,136			1,392
Total assets	$	453,672		$	471,305
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Current portion of obligations under capital leases	$	129		$	144
Accounts payable	10,358			11,637
Accrued salaries and vacation	9,315			5,754
Accrued insurance	5,548			5,444
Accrued income taxes payable	3			120
Accrued interest	151			198
Other accrued expenses and current liabilities	32,732			22,021
Total current liabilities	58,236			45,318
Revolver loan	85,000			104,000
Obligations under capital leases, net of current portion	219			317
Deferred taxes	3,966			18,488
Other intangible liabilities, net	843			1,012
Other noncurrent liabilities	30,739			36,988
Total liabilities	179,003			206,123
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' Equity
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
Common stock, $0.01 par value—200,000,000 shares authorized; 38,652,918 and 38,473,772 shares issued and outstanding	387			385
Additional paid-in-capital	372,671			371,843
Accumulated deficit	(98,389		)	(107,046		)
Total stockholders' equity	274,669			265,182
Total liabilities and stockholder’s equity	$	453,672		$	471,305



	Thirteen Weeks Ended						Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
	September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016			September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016
Revenue
Company-operated restaurant revenue	$	94,982		$	89,738		$	287,316		$	268,984
Franchise revenue	6,173			6,078			19,183			18,660
Total revenue	101,155			95,816			306,499			287,644
Cost of operations
Food and paper cost	27,851			26,960			84,069			80,760
Labor and related expenses	27,514			24,455			80,939			73,323
Occupancy and other operating expenses	22,242			20,071			64,358			58,401
Gain on recovery of insurance proceeds, lost profit	—			(502		)	—			(502		)
Company restaurant expenses	77,607			70,984			229,366			211,982
General and administrative expenses	8,285			8,252			27,594			25,776
Franchise expenses	709			797			2,532			2,960
Depreciation and amortization	4,697			4,074			13,646			11,796
Loss on disposal of assets	65			58			724			524
Expenses related to fire loss	—			—			—			48
Loss (gain) on recovery of insurance proceeds, property, equipment and expenses	—			148			—			(741		)
Recovery of securities lawsuits related legal expenses	(634		)	—			(1,145		)	—
Asset impairment and closed-store reserves	16,038			2,490			17,293			2,624
Total expenses	106,767			86,803			290,010			254,969
(Loss) gain on disposition of restaurants	—			(5		)	—			28
(Loss) income from operations	(5,612		)	9,008			16,489			32,703
Interest expense, net of interest income of $6 and $7 for the quarters ended September 27, 2017 and September 28, 2016, respectively and $17 and $22 for year-to-date ended September 27, 2017 and September 28, 2016, respectively.	903			785			2,471			2,441
Income tax receivable agreement (income) expense	(19		)	182			107			411
(Loss) income before (benefit) provision for income taxes	(6,496		)	8,041			13,911			29,851
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(2,457		)	2,830			5,254			11,930
Net (loss) income	$	(4,039	)	$	5,211		$	8,657		$	17,921
Net (loss) income per share
Basic	$	(0.11	)	$	0.14		$	0.23		$	0.47
Diluted	$	(0.11	)	$	0.13		$	0.22		$	0.46
Weighted-average shares used in computing net (loss) income per share
Basic	38,462,100			38,415,189			38,449,453			38,331,400
Diluted	38,462,100			39,083,577			39,101,214			39,020,127



	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
Supplemental cash flow information	September 27, 2017		September 28, 2016
Cash paid during the period for interest	$	2,475	$	2,355
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	$	320	$	173
Unpaid purchases of property and equipment	$	3,131	$	4,599



			Fair Value Measurements at September 27, 2017 Using						Impairment Loss
	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Thirteen Weeks Ended September 27, 2017		Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended September 27, 2017
Property and equipment owned, net	$	280	$	—	$	—	$	280	$	15,035	15,480



	September 27, 2017		December 28, 2016
Deferred rent	$	8,835	$	8,328
Income tax receivable agreement payable	18,256		26,306
Other	3,648		2,354
Total other noncurrent liabilities	$	30,739	$	36,988



	Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended		Fiscal Year Ended
	September 27, 2017		2016		2015		2014
Company-operated restaurant activity:
Beginning of period	201		186		172		168
Openings	12		18		14		11
Restaurant sale to franchisee	—		(1	)	—		(6	)
Closures	(5	)	(2	)	—		(1	)
Restaurants at end of period	208		201		186		172
Franchised restaurant activity:
Beginning of period	259		247		243		233
Openings	6		13		5		5
Restaurant sale to franchisee	—		1		—		6
Closures	—		(2	)	(1	)	(1	)
Restaurants at end of period	265		259		247		243
System-wide restaurant activity:
Beginning of period	460		433		415		401
Openings	18		31		19		16
Closures	(5	)	(4	)	(1	)	(2	)
Restaurants at end of period	473		460		433		415



	Thirteen Weeks Ended						Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
(Dollar amounts in thousands)	September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016			September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016
Company-operated restaurant revenue	$	94,982		$	89,738		$	287,316		$	268,984
Company restaurant expenses	77,607			70,984			229,366			211,982
Restaurant contribution	$	17,375		$	18,754		$	57,950		$	57,002
Restaurant contribution margin (%)	18.3		%	20.9		%	20.2		%	21.2		%


Delaware		20-3563182



	Thirteen Weeks Ended					Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
(Amounts in thousands)	September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016		September 27, 2017			September 28, 2016
Net (loss) income	$	(4,039	)	$	5,211	$	8,657		$	17,921
Non-GAAP adjustments:
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(2,457		)	2,830		5,254			11,930
Interest expense, net of interest income	903			785		2,471			2,441
Depreciation and amortization	4,697			4,074		13,646			11,796
EBITDA	$	(896	)	$	12,900	$	30,028		$	44,088
Stock-based compensation expense(a)	324			105		738			244
Loss on disposal of assets(b)(c)	65			58		724			524
Expenses related to fire loss(c)	—			—		—			48
Loss (gain) on recovery of insurance proceeds, property, equipment and expenses(c)	—			148		—			(741		)
Recovery of securities lawsuits related legal expense(d)	(634		)	—		(1,145		)	—
Asset impairment and closed-store reserves(e)	16,038			2,490		17,293			2,624
Loss (gain) on disposition of restaurants(f)	—			5		—			(28		)
Income tax receivable agreement (income) expense(g)	(19		)	182		107			411
Securities lawsuits related legal expense(h)	933			519		2,341			2,327
Pre-opening costs(i)	429			918		1,526			1,775
Executive transition costs(j)	—			—		271			—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	16,240		$	17,325	$	51,883		$	51,272