Ignite Restaurant (IRG) 10-Q 30 Apr 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 28, 2014
Document and Entity Information	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Ignite Restaurant Group, Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001526796	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-29	'
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes	'
Entity Filer Category	'Accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	26,124,425
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1	'

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$1,046	$972
Accounts receivable, net	11,922	14,565
Inventories	10,583	9,836
Other current assets	15,027	16,337
Total current assets	38,578	41,710
Property and equipment, net	242,345	248,507
Intangible assets, net	29,630	29,875
Goodwill	6,402	6,402
Other assets	23,126	20,590
Total assets	340,081	347,084
Current liabilities	'	'
Accounts payable	33,210	35,238
Accrued liabilities	48,867	49,259
Current portion of debt obligations	3,298	2,998
Total current liabilities	85,375	87,495
Long-term debt obligations	123,277	128,984
Deferred rent	20,250	19,548
Other long-term liabilities	9,273	9,450
Total liabilities	238,175	245,477
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)	'	'
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share, 100,000 shares authorized; zero shares issued and outstanding	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 500,000 shares authorized; 26,115 and 25,796 shares issued and outstanding, respectively	256	256
Additional paid-in capital	88,267	87,703
Accumulated earnings	13,383	13,648
Total stockholders' equity	101,906	101,607
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$340,081	$347,084

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 30, 2013
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS	'	'
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	100,000	100,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	500,000	500,000
Common stock, shares issued	26,115	25,796
Common stock, shares outstanding	26,115	25,796

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 01, 2013
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS	'	'
Revenues	$214,859	$118,240
Restaurant operating costs and expenses	'	'
Cost of sales	63,418	36,321
Labor expenses	66,847	31,907
Occupancy expenses	19,458	8,554
Other operating expenses	44,001	21,804
General and administrative	12,274	10,291
Depreciation and amortization	8,136	4,813
Pre-opening costs	204	1,091
Asset impairments and closures	957	17
Loss on disposal of property and equipment	265	195
Total costs and expenses	215,560	114,993
Income (loss) from operations	-701	3,247
Interest expense, net	-1,878	-395
Gain on insurance settlements	'	300
Income (loss) before income taxes	-2,579	3,152
Income tax expense (benefit)	-2,314	967
Net income (loss)	($265)	$2,185
Net income (loss) per share	'	'
Basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.01)	$0.09
Weighted average shares outstanding	'	'
Basic (in shares)	25,639	25,624
Diluted (in shares)	25,639	25,630

CONDENSED_CONSOLIDATED_STATEME1

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 01, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net income (loss)	($265)	$2,185
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	8,136	4,813
Amortization of debt issuance costs	197	74
Stock-based compensation	567	215
Deferred income tax	-2,814	390
Gain on insurance related to property and equipment	'	-300
Non-cash loss on disposal of property and equipment	265	168
Decrease (increase) in operating assets:	'	'
Accounts receivable	2,234	-1,001
Inventory	-747	-860
Other operating assets	1,074	276
Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities:	'	'
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	-265	3,550
Other operating liabilities	525	763
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,907	10,273
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-3,472	-8,947
Proceeds from property insurance claims	'	300
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment	49	1
Purchases of liquor licenses	'	-625
Net cash used in investing activities	-3,423	-9,271
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	43,600	'
Payments on revolving credit facility	-48,407	'
Payments on long-term debt	-600	'
Debt issuance costs paid	'	-107
Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards	-3	'
Net cash provided in financing activities	-5,410	-107
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	74	895
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	972	6,929
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$1,046	$7,824

Basis_of_Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Note 1 — Basis of Presentation
	As of March 31, 2014, Ignite Restaurant Group, Inc. (referred to herein as the “Company,” “Ignite,” “we,” “us” or “our”) owned and operated three full service, casual dining restaurant brands under the names Joe’s Crab Shack (“Joe’s”), Brick House Tavern + Tap (“Brick House”) and Romano’s Macaroni Grill (“Macaroni Grill”). As of March 31, 2014, we owned and operated 136 Joe’s restaurants, 20 Brick House restaurants and 177 Macaroni Grill restaurants in 36 states within the United States, and franchised 25 Macaroni Grill restaurants within the United States and foreign countries.
	J.H. Whitney VI, L.P., an affiliate of J.H. Whitney Capital Partners, LLC, currently owns approximately 66.5% of our total outstanding common stock.
	We prepared the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X, and hence, the financial statements do not contain certain information included in our annual financial statements and notes thereto. We have made adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments that are, in our opinion, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods presented. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for a full year. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 5, 2014. The December 30, 2013 condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ignite and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as of March 31, 2014. The prior year condensed consolidated financial statements do not include the results of operations and cash flows of Macaroni Grill, which we acquired on April 9, 2013. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	Fiscal Year
	Our fiscal year ends on the Monday nearest to December 31 of each year. Our quarterly accounting periods are comprised of four equal 13-week periods, except for 53-week fiscal years for which the fourth quarter will be comprised of 14 weeks. Fiscal years 2014 and 2013 are 52-week years.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, which prescribes that an unrecognized tax benefit or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain cases where the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. This update should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date, with retrospective application permitted. Our adoption of this update effective December 31, 2013 did not have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations while enhancing related disclosures. Under the amendment, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. Those strategic shifts should have a major effect on the organization’s operations and financial results. Examples include disposal of a major geographic area, a major line of business, or a major equity method investment. Expanded disclosures about the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of discontinued operations will be required. We early adopted the amendment effective December 31, 2013, and as such will apply the accounting and disclosure provisions to disposals and classifications of disposal groups as held for sale that occur after the effective date. Adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Selected_Balance_Sheet_Account

Selected Balance Sheet Accounts	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Selected Balance Sheet Accounts	'
Selected Balance Sheet Accounts	'
	Note 2 — Selected Balance Sheet Accounts
	The components of other current assets are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 30,
		2014		2013
	Prepaid rent	$	4,832	$	5,281
	Prepaid insurance	3,138		3,043
	Deferred income taxes	2,713		3,344
	Prepaid taxes	1,259		1,777
	Other	3,085		2,892
		$	15,027	$	16,337
	The components of intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 30,
		2014		2013
	Trademarks, net	$	10,920	$	11,030
	Liquor licenses	10,648		10,648
	Franchise agreements, net	8,062		8,197
		$	29,630	$	29,875
	The components of accrued liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 30,
		2014		2013
	Payroll and related costs	$	17,403	$	14,276
	Insurance	9,986		9,509
	Deferred gift card revenue	7,314		8,883
	Sales and alcohol taxes	5,615		4,154
	Utilities	2,974		2,603
	Property taxes	1,707		4,461
	Professional fees	1,089		2,425
	Other	2,779		2,948
		$	48,867	$	49,259

Debt_Obligations

Debt Obligations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Obligations	'
Debt Obligations	'
	Note 3 — Debt Obligations
	Debt obligations consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 30,
		2014		2013
	Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018	$	80,400	$	85,207
	$50.0 million term loan, due April 2018	46,175		46,775
	Total debt	126,575		131,982
	Less current portion	3,298		2,998
	Long-term debt obligations	$	123,277	$	128,984
	To finance our acquisition of Macaroni Grill, on April 9, 2013, we amended our Revolving Credit Facility (“New Revolving Credit Facility”) and added a $50.0 million term loan facility (the “Term Loan” and together with the New Revolving Credit Facility, the “New Credit Facility”). The initial interest rate for borrowings under the New Credit Facility was at LIBOR plus a margin of 3.5%, or the base rate (as defined in the agreement) plus a margin of 2.5%, as we elected. Thereafter, the applicable margins were subject to adjustment based on our maximum leverage ratio (as defined in the agreement), as determined on a quarterly basis, with the margins ranging from 1.25% to 4.25% on LIBOR-based loans, and from 0.25% to 3.25% on base rate-based loans. In addition, we are required to pay commitment fees on the unused portion of the New Revolving Credit Facility.  The commitment fee rate is 0.50% per annum, and is subject to adjustment thereafter on a quarterly basis based on our leverage ratio.
	On October 25, 2013, we entered into a First Amendment (the “Amendment”) to our New Credit Facility.  The initial interest rate for borrowings under the amendment was at LIBOR plus a margin of 4.5% or the base rate (as defined in the agreement) plus a margin of 3.5%, as we may elect. Thereafter, the applicable margins are subject to adjustment based on our maximum leverage ratio (as defined in the agreement), as determined on a quarterly basis, with the margins ranging from 1.75% to 4.5% on LIBOR-based loans, and from 0.75% to 3.5% on base rate-based loans.
	We wrote off $0.5 million of debt issuance costs in connection with our amendment to our Revolving Credit Facility in April 2013. Additionally, the remaining $1.5 million of unamortized debt issuance costs relating to our Revolving Credit Facility were included as a component of other assets and are being amortized over the term of the amended facility.
	The New Credit Facility, as amended, is guaranteed by each of our subsidiaries and secured by substantially all of our present and future assets and a lien on the capital stock or other equity interests of our direct and indirect subsidiaries. The New Credit Facility, as amended, contains financial covenants including a leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, as described in the agreement. The facility also contains other covenants which, among other things limit our ability to incur additional indebtedness, create liens on our assets, make certain investments or loans, merge or otherwise dispose of assets other than in the ordinary course of business, make acquisitions, and pay dividends or make other restricted payments.  Prior to the Amendment, the New Credit Facility allowed for (a) a maximum leverage ratio of (i) 5.50x through December 29, 2013, (ii) 5.25x from December 30, 2013 through June 29, 2014, (iii) 5.0x from June 30, 2014 through December 28, 2014 and (iv) 4.75x thereafter, and (b) a minimum fixed charge ratio of 1.35x through December 29, 2013 and 1.50x thereafter.
	The Amendment modified the financial covenants such that (a) the leverage ratio may not exceed (i) 6.25x through June 29,2014, (ii) 6.00x on June 30, 2014 through March 29, 2015, (iii) 5.75x on March 30, 2015 through September 27, 2015, (iv) 5.50x on September 28, 2015 through March 27, 2016, (v) 5.25x on March 28, 2016 through June 26, 2016, (vi) 5.00x on June 27, 2016 through September 25, 2016, and (vii) 4.75x on September 26, 2016 and thereafter, and (b) the fixed charge coverage ratio may not be less than (i) 1.25x through September 28, 2014, (ii) 1.30x on September 29, 2014 through March 29, 2015, (iii) 1.35x on March 30, 2015 through September 27, 2015, (iv) 1.40x on September 28, 2015 through March 27, 2016, (v) 1.45x on March 28, 2016 through September 25, 2016, and (vi) 1.50x on September 26, 2016 and thereafter. The Amendment also modified certain definitions, mandatory payment provisions and financial covenants, including the maximum leverage ratios applicable to our real property lease obligation covenant and certain definitions and covenants with respect to the treatment of acquisitions. We were in compliance with these financial covenants as of March 31, 2014.
	The weighted average interest rate on the New Credit Facility at March 31, 2014 was 4.9%. As of March 31, 2014, we had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $6.5 million and available borrowing capacity of approximately $13.1 million under the New Revolving Credit Facility.
	The carrying value of our long-term debt approximates fair value. The estimate of the fair value of our debt is based on observable market information from a third party pricing source, which is classified as a level 2 input within the fair value hierarchy.

Restaurant_Closures

Restaurant Closures	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restaurant Closures	'
Restaurant Closures	'
	Note 4 — Restaurant Closures
	During the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2014, we closed two Macaroni Grill restaurants: one in Florida and one in Arizona. We recognized $1.2 million in expense of which $824 thousand was recorded in asset impairments and closures and $347 thousand of accelerated depreciation was recorded in depreciation expense. The closure expense included future minimum lease obligations and a write-off of approximately $555 thousand of favorable lease interests related to one of the closed restaurants.

StockBased_Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation	'
Stock-Based Compensation	'
	Note 5 — Stock-Based Compensation
	During the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2014, the board of directors granted 335 thousand shares of restricted stock with a weighted average grant date fair value of $12.64, and 40 thousand stock appreciation rights (“SARs”) with a weighted average grant date fair value of $6.34. The total stock-based compensation expense for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2014 was $567 thousand of which $25 thousand was recorded in labor expenses and $542 thousand was recorded in general and administrative expenses. As of March 31, 2014, we had unrecognized stock-based compensation expense of approximately $8.1 million related to stock-based compensation awards granted. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.4 years.
	The following table provides the significant weighted average assumptions used to determine the fair value of SARs on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for awards granted during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2014 and April 1, 2013:
		Thirteen	Thirteen
		Weeks Ended	Weeks Ended
		March 31,	April 1,
		2014	2013
	Expected term	6.2 years	6.3 years
	Expected volatility	44.00%	47.10%
	Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
	Risk-free interest rate	2.00%	1.20%
	Since we have limited historical exercise experience on SARs, we used the simplified method of estimating expected term. We estimated expected volatility using the volatility of a peer group over a recent historical period equal to the same expected term of the award. The expected dividend yield is based on our history of not paying regular dividends in the past and our current intention to not pay regular dividends in the foreseeable future. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant using the term equal to our expected term. Restricted stock is valued using the closing stock price on the business day prior to the grant date.

Net_Income_Loss_per_Share

Net Income (Loss) per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Net Income (Loss) per Share	'
Net Income (Loss) per Share	'
	Note 6 — Net Income (Loss) per Share
	Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, while diluted net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus all potentially dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period. The following table summarizes the components to determine the numerator and denominators of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in thousands):
		Thirteen			Thirteen
		Weeks Ended			Weeks Ended
		March 31,			April 1,
		2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss)	$	(265	)	$	2,185
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	25,639			25,624
	Effect of dilutive securities	—			6
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	25,639			25,630
	For the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2014, we excluded 471 thousand shares of restricted stock and 1.1 million SARs from the calculation of diluted net loss per share because the effect was anti-dilutive due to the net loss for the period. The effect of dilutive securities for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2013 relates to 17 thousand shares of restricted stock outstanding as of April 1, 2013. For the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2013, we excluded 530 thousand SARs from the calculation of diluted net income per share because their effect was anti-dilutive.

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies.	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Note 7 — Commitments and Contingencies
	In the ordinary course of our business affairs and operations, we are subject to possible loss contingencies arising from third-party litigation and federal, state and local environmental, health and safety laws and regulations.
	Litigation
	We are a defendant or otherwise involved in a number of lawsuits in the ordinary course of business, including personal injury claims, contract claims, claims alleging violation of federal and state law regarding workplace and employment matters, discrimination and similar matters. When the potential liability can be estimated and the loss is considered probable, we record the estimated loss. Due to uncertainties related to the resolution of lawsuits and claims, the ultimate outcome may differ from our estimates. We believe that the ultimate exposure with respect to these pending lawsuits and claims is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
	On July 18, 2012, we announced our intention to restate our financial statements for the years ended December 28, 2009, January 3, 2011 and January 2, 2012 and the related interim periods. On July 20, 2012, a putative class action complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas against us, certain of our current directors and officers and the underwriters in the initial public offering (“IPO”). The plaintiffs allege that all the defendants violated Section 11 of the Securities Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”) and certain of our directors and officers have control person liability under Section 15 of the Securities Act, based on allegations that in light of the July 18, 2012 restatement announcement, our IPO registration statement and prospectus contained untrue statements of material facts, omitted to state other facts necessary to make the statements made therein not misleading, and omitted to state material facts required to be stated therein. The plaintiffs seek unspecified compensatory damages and attorneys’ fees and costs.
	We have begun the discovery process, however, we continue to believe this lawsuit is without merit, and are vigorously defending the lawsuit. However, we are unable to predict the outcome of this case and any future related cases.

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 8 — Income Taxes
	Our effective tax rate is generally the combined federal and state statutory rate reduced by the effect of tax credits primarily due to the tax benefit of FICA tax credits for employee reported tip income. The effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2014 was a benefit of 89.7%, while the effective tax rate for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2013 was an expense of 30.7%. The change in the effective tax rate is primarily due to more FICA tax credits being generated in the current quarter proportionate to the loss before income taxes.
	Income taxes for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2014 were estimated using the discrete method, which was based on actual year-to-date loss before income taxes and estimated tax credits generated primarily related to FICA and Medicare taxes paid on employee tip income. We believe that this method will yield a more reliable income tax calculation for the interim periods in fiscal year 2014. The estimated annual effective tax rate method is not reasonable due to its sensitivity to small changes in forecasted annual earnings before income taxes, which would result in significant variations in the customary relationship between income tax expense and earnings before income taxes for interim periods.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Information	'
Segment Information	'
	Note 9 — Segment Information
	All of our restaurants compete in the full-service casual dining industry. Our brands also possess similar production methods, distribution methods, and economic characteristics, resulting in similar long-term expected financial performance characteristics. In connection with the acquisition of Macaroni Grill and considering the future growth plans of Brick House, we believe reporting information about each of our brands would be useful to readers of our financial statements and is consistent with how management evaluates brand performance. While Macaroni Grill is similar in size to Joe’s, it currently has significantly different operating performance than our other two brands. We believe that providing this additional financial information for each of our brands will provide a better understanding of our overall operating results. Income (loss) from operations represents revenues less restaurant operating costs and expenses, directly allocable general and administrative expenses, and other restaurant-level expenses directly associated with each brand including depreciation and amortization, pre-opening costs, asset impairments and closures, and loss on disposal of property and equipment. Unallocated corporate expenses, capital expenditures, property and equipment, and goodwill and other intangibles assets are presented below as reconciling items to the amounts presented in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
	The following tables present information about our reportable segments for the respective periods (in thousands):
		Thirteen			Thirteen
		Weeks Ended			Weeks Ended
		March 31,			April 1,
		2014			2013
	Revenues
	Joe’s Crab Shack	$	105,332		$	106,596
	Brick House Tavern + Tap	17,763			11,644
	Romano’s Macaroni Grill	91,764			—
		$	214,859		$	118,240
	Income (loss) from operations
	Joe’s Crab Shack	$	7,777		$	11,085
	Brick House Tavern + Tap	1,795			663
	Romano’s Macaroni Grill	(1,588		)	—
	Corporate	(8,685		)	(8,501		)
		$	(701	)	$	3,247
	Depreciation and amortization
	Joe’s Crab Shack	$	4,555		$	3,840
	Brick House Tavern + Tap	1,022			786
	Romano’s Macaroni Grill	2,314			—
	Corporate	245			187
		$	8,136		$	4,813
	Capital expenditures
	Joe’s Crab Shack	$	1,964		$	8,399
	Brick House Tavern + Tap	1,251			235
	Romano’s Macaroni Grill	145			—
	Corporate	112			313
		$	3,472		$	8,947
		March 31,			December 30,
		2014			2013
	Property and equipment, net
	Joe’s Crab Shack	$	148,304		$	151,384
	Brick House Tavern + Tap	38,404			39,219
	Romano’s Macaroni Grill	52,419			54,541
	Corporate	3,218			3,363
		$	242,345		$	248,507
	Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
	Joe’s Crab Shack	$	4,297		$	4,403
	Brick House Tavern + Tap	620			625
	Romano’s Macaroni Grill	31,100			31,234
	Corporate	15			15
		$	36,032		$	36,277

Basis_of_Presentation_Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Basis of Presentation	'
Principles of Consolidation	'
	Principles of Consolidation
	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ignite and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as of March 31, 2014. The prior year condensed consolidated financial statements do not include the results of operations and cash flows of Macaroni Grill, which we acquired on April 9, 2013. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Fiscal Year	'
	Fiscal Year
	Our fiscal year ends on the Monday nearest to December 31 of each year. Our quarterly accounting periods are comprised of four equal 13-week periods, except for 53-week fiscal years for which the fourth quarter will be comprised of 14 weeks. Fiscal years 2014 and 2013 are 52-week years.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists, which prescribes that an unrecognized tax benefit or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain cases where the unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a liability and should not be combined with deferred tax assets. This update is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted. This update should be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that exist at the effective date, with retrospective application permitted. Our adoption of this update effective December 31, 2013 did not have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.
	In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, Presentation of Financial Statements (Topic 205) and Property, Plant, and Equipment (Topic 360): Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity, which changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations while enhancing related disclosures. Under the amendment, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations should be presented as discontinued operations. Those strategic shifts should have a major effect on the organization’s operations and financial results. Examples include disposal of a major geographic area, a major line of business, or a major equity method investment. Expanded disclosures about the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of discontinued operations will be required. We early adopted the amendment effective December 31, 2013, and as such will apply the accounting and disclosure provisions to disposals and classifications of disposal groups as held for sale that occur after the effective date. Adoption of this standard did not have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Selected_Balance_Sheet_Account1

Selected Balance Sheet Accounts (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Selected Balance Sheet Accounts	'
Schedule of components of other current assets	'
	The components of other current assets are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 30,
		2014		2013
	Prepaid rent	$	4,832	$	5,281
	Prepaid insurance	3,138		3,043
	Deferred income taxes	2,713		3,344
	Prepaid taxes	1,259		1,777
	Other	3,085		2,892
		$	15,027	$	16,337
Schedule of components of intangible assets	'
	The components of intangible assets are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 30,
		2014		2013
	Trademarks, net	$	10,920	$	11,030
	Liquor licenses	10,648		10,648
	Franchise agreements, net	8,062		8,197
		$	29,630	$	29,875
Schedule of components of accrued liabilities	'
	The components of accrued liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 30,
		2014		2013
	Payroll and related costs	$	17,403	$	14,276
	Insurance	9,986		9,509
	Deferred gift card revenue	7,314		8,883
	Sales and alcohol taxes	5,615		4,154
	Utilities	2,974		2,603
	Property taxes	1,707		4,461
	Professional fees	1,089		2,425
	Other	2,779		2,948
		$	48,867	$	49,259

Debt_Obligations_Tables

Debt Obligations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Debt Obligations	'
Schedule of debt obligations	'
	Debt obligations consisted of the following (in thousands):
		March 31,		December 30,
		2014		2013
	Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018	$	80,400	$	85,207
	$50.0 million term loan, due April 2018	46,175		46,775
	Total debt	126,575		131,982
	Less current portion	3,298		2,998
	Long-term debt obligations	$	123,277	$	128,984

StockBased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Stock-Based Compensation	'
Schedule of significant weighted average assumptions used to determine the fair value of SARs on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for awards granted	'
		Thirteen	Thirteen
		Weeks Ended	Weeks Ended
		March 31,	April 1,
		2014	2013
	Expected term	6.2 years	6.3 years
	Expected volatility	44.00%	47.10%
	Dividend yield	0.00%	0.00%
	Risk-free interest rate	2.00%	1.20%

Net_Income_Loss_per_Share_Tabl

Net Income (Loss) per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Net Income (Loss) per Share	'
Summary of components to determine the numerator and denominators of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share	'
	The following table summarizes the components to determine the numerator and denominators of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (in thousands):
		Thirteen			Thirteen
		Weeks Ended			Weeks Ended
		March 31,			April 1,
		2014			2013
	Numerator:
	Net income (loss)	$	(265	)	$	2,185
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average shares outstanding	25,639			25,624
	Effect of dilutive securities	—			6
	Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	25,639			25,630

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Information	'
Schedule of information about reportable segments for the respective periods	'
	The following tables present information about our reportable segments for the respective periods (in thousands):
		Thirteen			Thirteen
		Weeks Ended			Weeks Ended
		March 31,			April 1,
		2014			2013
	Revenues
	Joe’s Crab Shack	$	105,332		$	106,596
	Brick House Tavern + Tap	17,763			11,644
	Romano’s Macaroni Grill	91,764			—
		$	214,859		$	118,240
	Income (loss) from operations
	Joe’s Crab Shack	$	7,777		$	11,085
	Brick House Tavern + Tap	1,795			663
	Romano’s Macaroni Grill	(1,588		)	—
	Corporate	(8,685		)	(8,501		)
		$	(701	)	$	3,247
	Depreciation and amortization
	Joe’s Crab Shack	$	4,555		$	3,840
	Brick House Tavern + Tap	1,022			786
	Romano’s Macaroni Grill	2,314			—
	Corporate	245			187
		$	8,136		$	4,813
	Capital expenditures
	Joe’s Crab Shack	$	1,964		$	8,399
	Brick House Tavern + Tap	1,251			235
	Romano’s Macaroni Grill	145			—
	Corporate	112			313
		$	3,472		$	8,947
		March 31,			December 30,
		2014			2013
	Property and equipment, net
	Joe’s Crab Shack	$	148,304		$	151,384
	Brick House Tavern + Tap	38,404			39,219
	Romano’s Macaroni Grill	52,419			54,541
	Corporate	3,218			3,363
		$	242,345		$	248,507
	Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
	Joe’s Crab Shack	$	4,297		$	4,403
	Brick House Tavern + Tap	620			625
	Romano’s Macaroni Grill	31,100			31,234
	Corporate	15			15
		$	36,032		$	36,277

Basis_of_Presentation_Details

Basis of Presentation (Details)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 30, 2013
	WK	WK
	state
	restaurantbrands
Basis of presentation	'	'
Number of full service casual dining restaurant brands Owned and Operated by the entity	3	'
Number of states in which the entity owns and operates restaurants	36	'
Fiscal Year	'	'
Number of weeks in a quarter	13	'
Number of weeks in fourth quarter for 53-week fiscal years	14	'
Number of weeks in fiscal years in 2013 and 2014	52	52
J.H. Whitney VI	'	'
Basis of presentation	'	'
Percentage of total outstanding common stock owned by the entity	66.50%	'
Joe's	'	'
Basis of presentation	'	'
Number of restaurants owned and operated	136	'
Brick House	'	'
Basis of presentation	'	'
Number of restaurants owned and operated	20	'
Macaroni Grill	'	'
Basis of presentation	'	'
Number of restaurants owned and operated	177	'
Number of restaurants franchised	25	'

Selected_Balance_Sheet_Account2

Selected Balance Sheet Accounts (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 30, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Components of other current assets	'	'
Prepaid rent	$4,832	$5,281
Prepaid insurance	3,138	3,043
Deferred income taxes	2,713	3,344
Prepaid taxes	1,259	1,777
Other	3,085	2,892
Other current assets	15,027	16,337
Components of intangible assets	'	'
Trademarks, net	10,920	11,030
Liquor licenses	10,648	10,648
Franchise agreements, net	8,062	8,197
Intangible assets	29,630	29,875
Components of accrued liabilities	'	'
Payroll and related costs	17,403	14,276
Insurance	9,986	9,509
Deferred gift card revenue	7,314	8,883
Sales and alcohol taxes	5,615	4,154
Utilities	2,974	2,603
Property taxes	1,707	4,461
Professional fees	1,089	2,425
Other	2,779	2,948
Accrued liabilities	$48,867	$49,259

Debt_Obligations_Details

Debt Obligations (Details) (USD $)

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 30, 2013

Apr. 09, 2013

Apr. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 30, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Apr. 09, 2013

Apr. 09, 2013

Apr. 09, 2013

Apr. 09, 2013

Apr. 09, 2013

Apr. 09, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Dec. 30, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Oct. 25, 2013

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Revolving credit facility, expiring April 2018

Letter of credit subfacility

$50.0 million term loan, due April 2018

$50.0 million term loan, due April 2018

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Amendment

Period until December 29, 2013

Period until December 29, 2013

December 30, 2013 to June 29, 2014

June 30, 2014 to December 28, 2014

After December 28, 2014

After December 29, 2013

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

Base rate

Base rate

Base rate

Period until June 29,2014

June 30, 2014 to March 29, 2015

March 30, 2015 to September 27, 2015

March 30, 2015 to September 27, 2015

September 28, 2015 to March 27, 2016

September 28, 2015 to March 27, 2016

March 28, 2016 to June 26, 2016

June 27, 2016 to September 25, 2016

September 26, 2016 and thereafter

September 26, 2016 and thereafter

Period until September 28, 2014

September 29, 2014 to March 29, 2015

March 28, 2016 to September 25, 2016

LIBOR

LIBOR

LIBOR

Base rate

Base rate

Base rate

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Minimum

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Maximum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Minimum

Minimum

Minimum

Maximum

Minimum

Maximum

Debt obligations

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total debt

$126,575,000

$131,982,000

'

'

$80,400,000

$85,207,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$46,175,000

$46,775,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Less current portion

3,298,000

2,998,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Long-term debt obligations

123,277,000

128,984,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Term loan amount

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

50,000,000

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Upsizing of existing credit facility

'

'

50,000,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Variable rate basis

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'LIBOR

'

'

'base rate

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'LIBOR

'

'

'base rate

'

'

Applicable margin (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

3.50%

1.25%

4.25%

2.50%

0.25%

3.25%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

4.50%

1.75%

4.50%

3.50%

0.75%

3.50%

Commitment fee (as a percent)

'

'

0.50%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Write-off of debt issuance costs

'

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unamortized debt issuance costs

'

'

'

'

1,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Leverage ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

5.5

5.25

5

4.75

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6.25

6

'

5.75

'

5.5

5.25

5

'

4.75

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fixed charge ratio

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.35

'

'

'

'

1.5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

1.35

'

1.4

'

'

'

1.5

'

1.25

1.3

1.45

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

4.90%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Amount outstanding

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

6,500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Available borrowing capacity

'

'

'

'

$13,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Restaurant_Closures_Details

Restaurant Closures (Details) (Macaroni Grill, Restaurant closure, USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
	restaurant
Restaurant Closures	'
Number of restaurants closed	2
Restructuring charges recognized	$1,200,000
Asset impairments and closures	824,000
Accelerated depreciation	347,000
Amount of favorable lease interests written-off included in restructuring charges	$555,000
Number of restaurants of which favorable lease interests were written-off	1
FLORIDA	'
Restaurant Closures	'
Number of restaurants closed	1
ARIZONA	'
Restaurant Closures	'
Number of restaurants closed	1

StockBased_Compensation_Detail

Stock-Based Compensation (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
Share data in Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014
		Labor expenses	General and administrative expenses	Restricted stock	SARs
Share-based compensation	'	'	'	'	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	'	335	'
Granted (in shares)	'	'	'	'	40
Weighted average grant date fair value (in dollars per share)	'	'	'	$12.64	$6.34
Stock-based compensation expense	$567,000	$25,000	$542,000	'	'
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense	$8,100,000	'	'	'	'
Weighted average period over which cost is expected to be recognized	'3 years 4 months 24 days	'	'	'	'

StockBased_Compensation_Detail1

Stock-Based Compensation (Details 2) (SARs)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 01, 2013
SARs	'	'
Weighted average assumptions used to determine the fair value of SARs	'	'
Expected term	'6 years 2 months 12 days	'6 years 3 months 18 days
Expected volatility (as a percent)	44.00%	47.10%
Dividend yield (as a percent)	0.00%	0.00%
Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)	2.00%	1.20%

Net_Income_Loss_per_Share_Deta

Net Income (Loss) per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 01, 2013
Numerator:	'	'
Net income (loss)	($265)	$2,185
Denominator:	'	'
Basic weighted average shares outstanding	25,639	25,624
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	'	6
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding	25,639	25,630
Net Income (Loss) per Share	'	'
Number of restricted stock shares outstanding related to the dilutive securities in the computation of diluted net income per share	'	6
Restricted stock	'	'
Denominator:	'	'
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	'	17
Net Income (Loss) per Share	'	'
Number of securities excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share because of their anti-dilutive effect	471	'
Number of restricted stock shares outstanding related to the dilutive securities in the computation of diluted net income per share	'	17
SARs	'	'
Net Income (Loss) per Share	'	'
Number of securities excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share because of their anti-dilutive effect	1,100	530

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 01, 2013
Income Taxes	'	'
Effective tax rate (as a percent)	89.70%	30.70%

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 01, 2013	Dec. 30, 2013
Segment information	'	'	'
Revenues	$214,859	$118,240	'
Income (loss) from operations	-701	3,247	'
Depreciation and amortization	8,136	4,813	'
Capital expenditures	3,472	8,947	'
Property and equipment, net	242,345	'	248,507
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	36,032	'	36,277
Joe's Crab Shack	'	'	'
Segment information	'	'	'
Revenues	105,332	106,596	'
Income (loss) from operations	7,777	11,085	'
Depreciation and amortization	4,555	3,840	'
Capital expenditures	1,964	8,399	'
Property and equipment, net	148,304	'	151,384
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	4,297	'	4,403
Brick House Tavern + Tap	'	'	'
Segment information	'	'	'
Revenues	17,763	11,644	'
Income (loss) from operations	1,795	663	'
Depreciation and amortization	1,022	786	'
Capital expenditures	1,251	235	'
Property and equipment, net	38,404	'	39,219
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	620	'	625
Romano's Macaroni Grill	'	'	'
Segment information	'	'	'
Revenues	91,764	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	-1,588	'	'
Depreciation and amortization	2,314	'	'
Capital expenditures	145	'	'
Property and equipment, net	52,419	'	54,541
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	31,100	'	31,234
Corporate	'	'	'
Segment information	'	'	'
Income (loss) from operations	-8,685	-8,501	'
Depreciation and amortization	245	187	'
Capital expenditures	112	313	'
Property and equipment, net	3,218	'	3,363
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net	$15	'	$15