Income Tax (Expense) Benefit
Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was approximately $196,000, or 12.3% of our pretax income. Income tax benefit for the three months ended October 1, 2017 was approximately $1.2 million, or 37.9% of our pretax loss. Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was approximately $937,000, or 19.8% of our pretax income. Income tax benefit for the nine months ended October 1, 2017 was approximately $2.9 million, or 36.9% of our pretax loss. The decrease in the effective tax rate was primarily a result of tax reform, signed into law on December 22, 2017, which decreased our federal statutory tax rate from 34.0% to 21.0%, and adjustments recorded as a result of the finalization of our 2017 income tax returns.
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Common Share
Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was approximately $1.4 million, or $0.15 per basic and diluted share. The basic and diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was approximately 9,090,000 and 9,111,000, respectively. Net loss from continuing operations for the three months ended October 1, 2017 was approximately $1.9 million, or ($0.28) per basic and diluted share. Net income from discontinued operations per basic and diluted share for the three months ended October 1, 2017 was $0.01 per basic and diluted share. There were approximately 6,955,000 basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the three months ended October 1, 2017.
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was approximately $3.8 million, or $0.45 per basic and diluted share. The basic and diluted weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was approximately 8,435,000 and 8,459,000, respectively. Net loss from continuing operations for the nine months ended October 1, 2017 was approximately $5.0 million, or ($0.72) per basic and diluted share. Net income from discontinued operations per basic and diluted share for the nine months ended October 1, 2017 was $0.10 per basic and diluted share. There were approximately 6,955,000 basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding for the nine months ended October 1, 2017.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our balance of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents was approximately $4.9 million and $8.8 million September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. On April 16, 2018, we sold 1,581,831 shares of common stock at $3.50 per share, from which we received total gross proceeds of approximately $5.5 million. We expect to utilize cash on hand to reinvest into our brand, including refreshing current corporate stores, repurchasing select franchise-operated stores, and the development of a new concept. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we fully repaid our term loan. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, we entered into agreements with Clark Championship Products LLC to develop the Clark Crew BBQ restaurant concept, which we also have the exclusive licensing rights to the Clark Crew BBQ brand. Pursuant to that agreement, we will provide financing in the amount of $1.4 million for the build out of the inaugural Clark Crew BBQ restaurant. We also repaid an additional $740,000 on our real estate loan and invested $7.0 million in short-term treasury bills.
Our current ratio, which measures our immediate short-term liquidity, was 1.93 as of September 30, 2018, compared to 1.62 as of December 31, 2017. The current ratio is computed by dividing total current assets by total current liabilities. The increase in our current ratio was primarily due to increases in our held-to-maturity securities and accounts receivable, net balances and decreases in our accounts payable, accrued compensation and benefits and other current liabilities balances, partially offset by increases in the current portion of long-term debt and financing lease obligations and decreases in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash and prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable.
Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was approximately $3.8 million, which reflects net income of approximately $3.8 million increased by non-cash charges of approximately $369,000. Changes in operating assets and liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily included cash outflows for other current liabilities of $203,000, other liabilities of $409,000 and accrued compensation and benefits of $411,000. These cash outflows were partially offset by cash inflows related to a decrease in prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivable of $689,000.
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities for the nine months ended October 1, 2017 was approximately $3.4 million, reflecting a net loss from continuing operations of approximately $5.0 million increased by non-cash charges of approximately $9.1 million. Changes in operating assets and liabilities included cash outflows from an increase in prepaid income taxes and income taxes receivables of $1.1 million other liabilities of $789,000. These cash outflows were partially offset by an increase in accrued compensation and benefits of $1.0 million. We also had cash inflows from discontinued operating activities of $1.1 million.