Fiesta Restaurant (FRGI) 10-Q 7 Aug 17 2017 Q2 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017	Aug. 02, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	FIESTA RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1,534,992
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jul. 2, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		27,089,625

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 02, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017
Current assets:
Cash	$ 4,426	$ 4,196
Trade receivables	9,075	8,771
Inventories	2,367	2,865
Prepaid rent	3,345	3,575
Income tax receivable	584	3,304
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	9,443	4,231
Total current assets	29,240	26,942
Property and equipment, net	239,414	270,920
Goodwill	123,484	123,484
Deferred income taxes	29,023	14,377
Other assets	5,082	5,842
Total assets	426,243	441,565
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	94	89
Accounts payable	18,135	16,165
Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits	11,786	12,275
Accrued real estate taxes	5,164	6,924
Other liabilities	20,779	11,316
Total current liabilities	55,958	46,769
Long-term debt, net of current portion	62,375	71,423
Lease financing obligations	1,664	1,664
Deferred income—sale-leaseback of real estate	25,362	27,165
Other liabilities	32,082	30,369
Total liabilities	177,441	177,390
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $.01; authorized 100,000,000 shares, issued 27,089,482 and 26,884,992 shares, respectively, and outstanding 26,835,137 and 26,755,640 shares, respectively.	268	267
Additional paid-in capital	165,097	163,204
Retained earnings	83,437	100,704
Total stockholders' equity	248,802	264,175
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 426,243	$ 441,565

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Jul. 02, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	27,089,482	26,884,992
Common stock, shares outstanding	26,835,137	26,755,640

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016
Revenues:
Restaurant sales	$ 172,005	$ 180,835	$ 346,982	$ 356,774
Franchise royalty revenues and fees	619	697	1,249	1,435
Total revenues	172,624	181,532	348,231	358,209
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	50,728	54,607	101,676	108,657
Restaurant wages and related expenses (including stock-based compensation expense of ($74), $40, $35 and $76, respectively)	46,269	46,981	94,401	92,033
Restaurant rent expense	8,915	9,113	18,777	18,034
Other restaurant operating expenses	24,636	24,263	48,704	46,651
Advertising expense	4,292	7,006	11,831	14,001
General and administrative (including stock-based compensation expense of $1,248, $1,218, $1,785 and $2,193, respectively)	19,140	14,253	35,148	28,101
Depreciation and amortization	8,596	8,625	17,782	16,961
Pre-opening costs	910	2,016	1,334	3,198
Impairment and other lease charges	10,762	82	43,176	94
Other expense (income), net	654	10	798	(238)
Total operating expenses	174,902	166,956	373,627	327,492
Income (loss) from operations	(2,278)	14,576	(25,396)	30,717
Interest expense	654	535	1,238	1,093
Income (loss) before income taxes	(2,932)	14,041	(26,634)	29,624
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(772)	5,125	(9,414)	10,813
Net income (loss)	$ (2,160)	$ 8,916	$ (17,220)	$ 18,811
Basic net income (loss) per share (usd per share)	$ (0.08)	$ 0.33	$ (0.64)	$ 0.70
Diluted net income (loss) per share (usd per share)	$ (0.08)	$ 0.33	$ (0.64)	$ 0.70
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	26,815,015	26,654,280	26,794,560	26,629,999
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	26,815,015	26,660,269	26,794,560	26,636,145

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016
Stock-based compensation	$ 1,200	$ 1,300	$ 1,800	$ 2,300
Restaurant Wages And Related Expenses
Stock-based compensation	(74)	40	35	76
General and Administrative Expense
Stock-based compensation	$ 1,248	$ 1,218	$ 1,785	$ 2,193

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings
Beginning balance at Jan. 03, 2016	$ 243,982	$ 266	$ 159,724	$ 83,992
Beginning shares at Jan. 03, 2016	26,571,602
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation	$ 2,269		2,269
Vesting of restricted shares (in shares)	115,566
Vesting of restricted shares	$ 0	1	(1)
Tax deficiency from stock-based compensation	(81)		(81)
Net income (loss)	$ 18,811			18,811
Ending shares at Jul. 03, 2016	26,687,168
Ending balance at Jul. 03, 2016	$ 264,981	267	161,911	102,803
Beginning balance at Jan. 01, 2017	$ 264,175	267	163,204	100,704
Beginning shares at Jan. 01, 2017	26,755,640
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation	$ 1,820		1,820
Vesting of restricted shares (in shares)	79,497
Vesting of restricted shares	$ 1	1
Cumulative effect of adopting a new accounting standard (Note 1)	26		73	(47)
Net income (loss)	$ (17,220)			(17,220)
Ending shares at Jul. 02, 2017	26,835,137
Ending balance at Jul. 02, 2017	$ 248,802	$ 268	$ 165,097	$ 83,437

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME7

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (17,220)	$ 18,811
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from operating activities:
Loss on disposals of property and equipment	931	25
Stock-based compensation	1,820	2,269
Impairment and other lease charges	43,176	94
Depreciation and amortization	17,782	16,961
Amortization of deferred financing costs	154	154
Amortization of deferred gains from sale-leaseback transactions	(1,803)	(1,791)
Deferred income taxes	(14,646)	0
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities	5,232	7,046
Net cash provided from operating activities	35,426	43,569
Capital expenditures:
New restaurant development	(18,796)	(35,760)
Restaurant remodeling	(961)	(486)
Other restaurant capital expenditures	(3,587)	(1,995)
Corporate and restaurant information systems	(2,809)	(3,997)
Total capital expenditures	(26,153)	(42,238)
Properties purchased for sale-leaseback	0	(2,663)
Proceeds from disposals of other properties	0	226
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	0	3,642
Net cash used in investing activities	(26,153)	(41,033)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Excess tax benefit from vesting of restricted shares	0	120
Borrowings on revolving credit facility	5,000	9,400
Repayments on revolving credit facility	(14,000)	(12,500)
Principal payments on capital leases	(43)	(28)
Net cash used in financing activities	(9,043)	(3,008)
Net increase (decrease) in cash	230	(472)
Cash, beginning of period	4,196	5,281
Cash, end of period	4,426	4,809
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid on long-term debt	1,149	921
Interest paid on lease financing obligations	71	71
Accruals for capital expenditures	5,872	6,093
Income tax payments, net	$ 2,486	$ 5,275

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Business Description. Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Fiesta Restaurant Group" or "Fiesta") owns, operates and franchises two fast-casual restaurant brands through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Pollo Operations, Inc. and its subsidiaries, Pollo Franchise, Inc. (collectively “Pollo Tropical”) and Taco Cabana, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively “Taco Cabana”). Unless the context otherwise requires, Fiesta and its subsidiaries, Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana, are collectively referred to as the “Company”. At July 2, 2017 , the Company owned and operated 153 Pollo Tropical ® restaurants and 169 Taco Cabana ® restaurants. The Pollo Tropical restaurants included 134 located in Florida, six located in Texas and 13 located in Georgia. The Taco Cabana restaurants included 168 located in Texas and one located in Oklahoma. At July 2, 2017 , the Company franchised a total of 32 Pollo Tropical restaurants and seven Taco Cabana restaurants. The franchised Pollo Tropical restaurants included 17 in Puerto Rico, one in the Bahamas, two in Guyana, one in Venezuela, four in Panama, one in Honduras, and six on college campuses and at a hospital in Florida. The franchised Taco Cabana restaurants included five in New Mexico and two on college campuses in Texas. Basis of Consolidation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Fiesta and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Fiscal Year . The Company uses a 52 - 53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. The fiscal year ended January 1, 2017 contained 52 weeks. The three and six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 each contained thirteen and twenty six weeks , respectively. The fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 will contain 52 weeks. Basis of Presentation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 have been prepared without an audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not include certain information and footnotes required by U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements have been included. The results of operations for the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended January 1, 2017 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2017 . The January 1, 2017 balance sheet data is derived from those audited financial statements. Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Fair value is defined as 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 under current market conditions. In determining fair value, the accounting standards establish a three level hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable and reflect our own assumptions. The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate the fair value: • Current Assets and Liabilities. The carrying values reported on the balance sheet of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those financial instruments. • Revolving Credit Borrowings. The fair value of outstanding revolving credit borrowings under the Company's senior credit facility, which is considered Level 2, is based on current LIBOR rates. The fair value and carrying value of the Company's senior credit facility were approximately $60.9 million at July 2, 2017 and $69.9 million at January 1, 2017 . Long-Lived Assets . The Company assesses the recoverability of property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets by determining whether the carrying value of these assets can be recovered over their respective remaining lives through undiscounted future operating cash flows. Impairment is reviewed when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be fully recoverable. See Note 3. Use of Estimates . The preparation of the 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 the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements. Estimates also affect the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include: accrued occupancy costs, insurance liabilities, evaluation for impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets and lease accounting matters. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Guidance Adopted in 2017. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718), to simplify various aspects of the accounting and presentation of share-based payments, including the income tax effects of awards and forfeiture assumptions. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company prospectively adopted the amendments in this guidance that relate to the classification of excess tax benefits or tax benefit deficiencies from share-based payment arrangements in the statement of cash flows and income statement. Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements result from share-based compensation windfall deductions in excess of compensation costs for financial reporting purposes and tax benefit deficiencies result from share-based compensation deduction shortfalls. During the six months ended July 2, 2017 , the Company recognized $0.2 million of tax benefit deficiencies, which pursuant to the adopted guidance increased income tax expense and decreased net income by $0.2 million . Effective January 2, 2017, the Company elected to change its accounting policy to recognize forfeitures as they occur. The new forfeiture policy election was adopted using a modified retrospective approach with a $0.1 million

Prepaid Expenses and Other Curr

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Prepaid expenses and other current assets, consist of the following: July 2, 2017 January 1, 2017 Prepaid contract expenses $ 2,984 $ 2,089 Assets held for sale (1) 2,705 — Other 3,754 2,142 $ 9,443 $ 4,231 (1)

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges The Company reviews its long-lived assets, principally property and equipment, for impairment at the restaurant level. In addition to considering management’s plans, known regulatory or governmental actions and damage due to acts of God (hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.), the Company considers a triggering event to have occurred related to a specific restaurant if the restaurant’s cash flows for the last twelve months are less than a minimum threshold or if consistent levels of cash flows for the remaining lease period are less than the carrying value of the restaurant’s assets. If an indicator of impairment exists for any of its assets, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows over the life of the primary asset for each restaurant is compared to that long-lived asset’s carrying value. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flow, the Company then determines the fair value of the asset and if an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. There is uncertainty in the projected undiscounted future cash flows used in the Company's impairment review analysis. If actual performance does not achieve the projections, the Company may recognize impairment charges in future periods, and such charges could be material. For closed restaurant locations, the Company 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. There is uncertainty in the estimates of future lease costs and sublease recoveries. Actual costs and sublease recoveries could vary significantly from the estimated amounts and result in additional lease charges or recoveries, and such amounts could be material. A summary of impairment on long-lived assets and other lease charges recorded by segment is as follows: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended July 2, 2017 July 3, 2016 July 2, 2017 July 3, 2016 Pollo Tropical $ 10,536 $ — $ 42,607 $ — Taco Cabana 226 82 569 94 $ 10,762 $ 82 $ 43,176 $ 94 On April 24, 2017, the Company announced a Strategic Renewal Plan (the "Plan") to drive long-term shareholder value creation that included the closure of 30 Company-owned Pollo Tropical restaurants outside its core Florida markets. The Company closed all Pollo Tropical locations in Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, Texas, and Nashville, Tennessee during the second quarter of 2017. The Company continues to own and operate 19 Pollo Tropical restaurants located outside of Florida, including 13 in Atlanta and six in south Texas. Up to two Pollo Tropical restaurants that closed in April 2017 in Texas may be rebranded as Taco Cabana restaurants. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company recognized impairment charges of $32.0 million with respect to the 30 closed restaurants, seven of which were impaired in 2016, as well as an additional impairment charge related to previously closed restaurants primarily as a result of the decision not to convert a location to a Taco Cabana restaurant. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company also recognized impairment charges of $0.3 million with respect to three Taco Cabana restaurants that it continues to operate. In the second quarter of 2017, the Company recognized other lease charges, net of recoveries, of $6.7 million , primarily related to Pollo Tropical restaurants that were closed during the quarter. In addition, the Company recognized impairment charges of $3.8 million related to three closed Pollo Tropical restaurants as a result of the decision not to convert the locations to Taco Cabana restaurants and $0.2 million with respect to four Taco Cabana restaurants that it subsequently closed in the third quarter of 2017. Impairment and other lease charges for the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 for Pollo Tropical consist of impairment charges of $3.8 million and $35.7 million , respectively, and other lease charges, net of recoveries, of $6.7 million and $6.9 million , respectively. Impairment and other lease charges for the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 for Taco Cabana consist of impairment charges of $0.2 million and $0.6 million , respectively. The Company determined the fair value of restaurant equipment, for those restaurants reviewed for impairment, based on current economic conditions, the Company’s history of using these assets in the operation of its business and the Company's expectation of how a market participant would value the assets. These fair value asset measurements rely on significant unobservable inputs and are considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Level 3 assets measured at fair value associated with impairment charges recorded during the six months ended July 2, 2017 totaled $9.5 million , which primarily consist of leasehold improvements related to Pollo Tropical restaurants that may be rebranded as Taco Cabana restaurants and the estimated fair value of owned properties. The Company owns two of the Pollo Tropical restaurants that were closed in the second quarter of 2017. The carrying value of these restaurants, which are classified as held for sale, totaled $2.7 million

Other Liabilities

Other Liabilities	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities	Other Liabilities Other liabilities, current, consist of the following: July 2, 2017 January 1, 2017 Accrued workers' compensation and general liability claims $ 6,539 $ 4,838 Sales and property taxes 2,062 1,844 Accrued occupancy costs 6,891 2,161 Other 5,287 2,473 $ 20,779 $ 11,316 Other liabilities, long-term, consist of the following: July 2, 2017 January 1, 2017 Accrued occupancy costs $ 22,676 $ 20,172 Deferred compensation 1,121 2,027 Accrued workers’ compensation and general liability claims 4,029 4,030 Other 4,256 4,140 $ 32,082 $ 30,369 Accrued occupancy costs include obligations pertaining to closed restaurant locations and accruals to expense operating lease rental payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The following table presents the activity in the closed-store reserve, of which $ 7.3 million and $ 3.1 million are included in long-term accrued occupancy costs at July 2, 2017 and January 1, 2017 , respectively, with the remainder in other current liabilities. Six Months Ended July 2, 2017 Year Ended January 1, 2017 Balance, beginning of period $ 4,912 $ 1,832 Provisions for restaurant closures 7,423 3,093 Additional lease charges, net of (recoveries) (698 ) (237 ) Payments, net (1,928 ) (806 ) Other adjustments 4,371 1,030 Balance, end of period $ 14,080 $ 4,912

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation	Stock-Based Compensation During the six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 , the Company granted certain employees 182,522 and 50,087 non-vested restricted shares, respectively, under the Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Fiesta Plan"). These shares generally vest and become non-forfeitable over a four year vesting period. The weighted average fair value at grant date for these non-vested shares issued during the six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 was $20.75 and $35.25 , respectively. During the six months ended July 2, 2017 , the Company granted new non-employee directors 8,927 non-vested restricted shares, under the Fiesta Plan. These shares vest and become non-forfeitable over a five year vesting period. The weighted average fair value at grant date for these non-vested shares was $22.41 . During the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 , the Company granted non-employee directors 29,669 and 14,081 non-vested restricted shares, respectively, under the Fiesta Plan. The weighted average fair value at the grant date for restricted non-vested shares issued to directors during the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 was $20.90 and $33.39 . These shares vest and become non-forfeitable over a one year vesting period. During the six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 , the Company granted certain employees 11,745 and 5,762 restricted stock units, respectively, under the Fiesta Plan. The restricted stock units granted during the six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 vest and become non-forfeitable at the end of a four year vesting period. The weighted average fair value at grant date for these restricted stock units issued to employees during the six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 was $20.75 and $35.25 , respectively. Also during the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 , the Company granted 92,171 restricted stock units under the Fiesta Plan to certain employees subject to continued service requirements and market performance conditions: • The Company granted its Chief Executive Officer 72,290 restricted stock units, which vest and become non-forfeitable in four tranches over a four year vesting period subject to continued service and attainment of specified share prices of the Company's Common Stock during 20 consecutive trading days at any point during each year. Each tranche vests by the end of a one year period if the specified target stock price condition for that year is met. If the specified target stock price condition for any tranche is not met for the year, the cumulative unearned units will be rolled over to subsequent tranches on a pro rata basis. The number of shares into which these restricted stock units convert ranges from no shares, if the service and market performance conditions are not met, to 72,290 shares, if the service and market performance conditions are met in the fourth year. The weighted average fair value at grant date for these restricted stock units was $12.90 . • The Company granted certain executives 19,881 restricted stock units, which vest and become non-forfeitable in March 2020 subject to market performance conditions. The weighted average fair value at grant date for these restricted stock units was $6.20 . During the six months ended July 3, 2016 , the Company granted 33,691 non-vested restricted shares and 33,691 restricted stock units, respectively, under the Fiesta Plan to certain employees subject to performance conditions. The non-vested restricted shares vest and become non-forfeitable over a four year vesting period subject to the attainment of financial performance conditions. The restricted stock units vest and become non-forfeitable at the end of a three year vesting period. The number of shares into which the restricted stock units convert is based on the attainment of certain financial performance conditions and for the restricted stock units granted during the six months ended July 3, 2016 , ranges from no shares, if the minimum financial performance condition is not met, to 67,382 shares, if the maximum performance condition is met. The weighted average fair value at grant date for both restricted non-vested shares and restricted stock units subject to financial performance conditions granted during the six months ended July 3, 2016 was $35.25 . Stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 was $1.2 million and $1.8 million , respectively, and for the three and six months ended July 3, 2016 was $1.3 million and $2.3 million , respectively. At July 2, 2017 , the total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted shares and restricted stock units was approximately $ 7.0 million . At July 2, 2017 , the remaining weighted average vesting period for non-vested restricted shares was 3.0 years and restricted stock units was 2.1 years. A summary of all non-vested restricted shares and restricted stock units activity for the six months ended July 2, 2017 is as follows: Non-Vested Shares Restricted Stock Units Shares Weighted Units Weighted Outstanding at January 1, 2017 129,352 $ 37.94 51,445 $ 46.59 Granted 221,118 20.84 103,916 12.51 Vested/Released (78,325 ) 30.54 (1,172 ) 51.54 Forfeited (17,800 ) 32.85 (5,556 ) 37.43 Outstanding at July 2, 2017 254,345 $ 25.71 148,633 $ 23.06

Business Segment Information

Business Segment Information	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segment Information	Business Segment Information The Company is engaged in the fast-casual restaurant industry, with two restaurant concepts (each of which is an operating segment): Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana. Pollo Tropical restaurants offer a wide variety of freshly prepared tropical inspired food while our Taco Cabana restaurants offer a broad selection of freshly prepared Mexican inspired food. Each segment's accounting policies are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 to the Company's audited financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2017 . Prior to the second quarter of 2017, the primary measures of segment profit or loss used to assess performance and allocate resources were income (loss) before taxes and an Adjusted EBITDA measure, which was defined as earnings attributable to the applicable operating segment before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment and other lease charges, stock-based compensation expense and other income and expense. In 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors appointed a new Chief Executive Officer who initiated the Plan and uses an Adjusted EBITDA measure for the purpose of assessing performance and allocating resources to segments. The new Adjusted EBITDA measure used by the chief operating decision maker includes adjustments for significant items that management believes are related to strategic changes and/or are not related to the ongoing operation of the Company’s restaurants. Beginning in the second quarter of 2017, the primary measure of segment profit or loss used by the chief operating decision maker to assess performance and allocate resources is Adjusted EBITDA, which is now defined as earnings attributable to the applicable operating segments before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment and other lease charges, stock-compensation expense, other expense (income), net, and certain significant items for each segment that management believes are related to strategic changes and/or are not related to the ongoing operation of the Company's restaurants as set forth in the reconciliation table below. The Company has included the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA for all periods presented. The “Other” column includes corporate-related items not allocated to reportable segments and consists primarily of corporate-owned property and equipment, miscellaneous prepaid costs, capitalized costs associated with the issuance of indebtedness, corporate cash accounts, a current income tax receivable, and advisory fees related to a previously proposed and terminated separation transaction. Three Months Ended Pollo Tropical Taco Cabana Other Consolidated July 2, 2017: Restaurant sales $ 94,374 $ 77,631 $ — $ 172,005 Franchise revenue 427 192 — 619 Cost of sales 28,956 21,772 — 50,728 Restaurant wages and related expenses 21,691 24,578 — 46,269 Restaurant rent expense 4,472 4,443 — 8,915 Other restaurant operating expenses 12,930 11,706 — 24,636 Advertising expense 2,011 2,281 — 4,292 General and administrative expense 10,782 8,358 — 19,140 Adjusted EBITDA 17,139 6,982 — 24,121 Depreciation and amortization 5,435 3,161 — 8,596 Capital expenditures 8,243 5,320 916 14,479 July 3, 2016: Restaurant sales $ 101,879 $ 78,956 $ — $ 180,835 Franchise revenue 508 189 — 697 Cost of sales 32,266 22,341 — 54,607 Restaurant wages and related expenses 23,980 23,001 — 46,981 Restaurant rent expense 4,825 4,288 — 9,113 Other restaurant operating expenses 13,701 10,562 — 24,263 Advertising expense 3,685 3,321 — 7,006 General and administrative expense 8,843 5,363 47 14,253 Adjusted EBITDA 14,588 10,528 — 25,116 Depreciation and amortization 5,428 3,197 — 8,625 Capital expenditures 20,468 3,633 1,346 25,447 Six Months Ended Pollo Tropical Taco Cabana Other Consolidated July 2, 2017: Restaurant sales $ 193,684 $ 153,298 $ — $ 346,982 Franchise revenue 876 373 — 1,249 Cost of sales 58,903 42,773 — 101,676 Restaurant wages and related expenses 45,737 48,664 — 94,401 Restaurant rent expense 9,847 8,930 — 18,777 Other restaurant operating expenses 26,319 22,385 — 48,704 Advertising expense 6,336 5,495 — 11,831 General and administrative expense 19,676 15,472 — 35,148 Adjusted EBITDA 31,861 13,476 — 45,337 Depreciation and amortization 11,518 6,264 — 17,782 Capital expenditures 16,906 8,016 1,231 26,153 July 3, 2016: Restaurant sales $ 200,785 $ 155,989 $ — $ 356,774 Franchise revenue 1,085 350 — 1,435 Cost of sales 63,870 44,787 — 108,657 Restaurant wages and related expenses 46,876 45,157 — 92,033 Restaurant rent expense 9,469 8,565 — 18,034 Other restaurant operating expenses 26,293 20,358 — 46,651 Advertising expense 7,447 6,554 — 14,001 General and administrative expense 16,528 10,825 748 28,101 Adjusted EBITDA 30,050 20,768 — 50,818 Depreciation and amortization 10,706 6,255 — 16,961 Capital expenditures 34,567 5,267 2,404 42,238 Identifiable Assets: July 2, 2017 $ 247,312 $ 164,384 $ 14,547 $ 426,243 January 1, 2017 263,868 165,195 12,502 441,565 A reconciliation of consolidated net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA follows: Three Months Ended Pollo Tropical Taco Cabana Other Consolidated July 2, 2017: Net income (loss) $ (2,160 ) Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (772 ) Income (loss) before taxes $ (3,502 ) $ 570 $ — $ (2,932 ) Add: Non-general and administrative expense adjustments: Depreciation and amortization 5,435 3,161 — 8,596 Impairment and other lease charges 10,536 226 — 10,762 Interest expense 295 359 — 654 Other expense (income), net 744 (90 ) — 654 Stock-based compensation credit in restaurant wages (45 ) (29 ) — (74 ) Unused pre-production costs in advertising expense — 88 — 88 Total Non-general and administrative expense adjustments 16,965 3,715 — 20,680 General and administrative expense adjustments: Stock-based compensation expense 640 608 — 1,248 Terminated capital project 7 6 — 13 Board and shareholder matter costs 1,767 1,332 — 3,099 Write-off of site development costs 109 35 — 144 Plan restructuring costs and retention bonuses 1,153 716 — 1,869 Total General and administrative expense adjustments 3,676 2,697 — 6,373 Adjusted EBITDA: $ 17,139 $ 6,982 $ — $ 24,121 July 3, 2016: Net income (loss) $ 8,916 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 5,125 Income (loss) before taxes $ 7,636 $ 6,452 $ (47 ) $ 14,041 Add: Non-general and administrative expense adjustments: Depreciation and amortization 5,428 3,197 — 8,625 Impairment and other lease charges — 82 — 82 Interest expense 228 307 — 535 Other expense (income), net — 10 — 10 Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages 21 19 — 40 Total Non-general and administrative expense adjustments 5,677 3,615 — 9,292 General and administrative expense adjustments: Stock-based compensation expense 680 538 — 1,218 Board and shareholder matter costs — — 47 47 Write-off of site development costs 190 14 — 204 Office restructuring and relocation costs 346 — — 346 Legal settlements and related costs 59 (91 ) — (32 ) Total General and administrative expense adjustments 1,275 461 47 1,783 Adjusted EBITDA: $ 14,588 $ 10,528 $ — $ 25,116 Six Months Ended Pollo Tropical Taco Cabana Other Consolidated July 2, 2017: Net income (loss) $ (17,220 ) Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (9,414 ) Income (loss) before taxes $ (28,598 ) $ 1,964 $ — $ (26,634 ) Add: Non-general and administrative expense adjustments: Depreciation and amortization 11,518 6,264 — 17,782 Impairment and other lease charges 42,607 569 — 43,176 Interest expense 544 694 — 1,238 Other expense (income), net 888 (90 ) — 798 Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages — 35 — 35 Unused pre-production costs in advertising expense 322 88 — 410 Total Non-general and administrative expense adjustments 55,879 7,560 — 63,439 General and administrative expense adjustments: Stock-based compensation expense 955 830 — 1,785 Terminated capital project 484 365 — 849 Board and shareholder matter costs 2,225 1,678 — 3,903 Write-off of site development costs 162 292 — 454 Plan restructuring costs and retention bonuses 1,227 787 — 2,014 Legal settlements and related costs (473 ) — — (473 ) Total General and administrative expense adjustments 4,580 3,952 — 8,532 Adjusted EBITDA: $ 31,861 $ 13,476 $ — $ 45,337 July 3, 2016: Net income (loss) $ 18,811 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 10,813 Income (loss) before taxes $ 17,305 $ 13,067 $ (748 ) $ 29,624 Add: Non-general and administrative expense adjustments: Depreciation and amortization 10,706 6,255 — 16,961 Impairment and other lease charges — 94 — 94 Interest expense 479 614 — 1,093 Other expense (income), net (12 ) (226 ) — (238 ) Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages 38 38 — 76 Total Non-general and administrative expense adjustments 11,211 6,775 — 17,986 General and administrative expense adjustments: Stock-based compensation expense 1,225 968 — 2,193 Board and shareholder matter costs — — 748 748 Write-off of site development costs 247 49 — 296 Office restructuring and relocation costs 346 — — 346 Legal settlements and related costs (284 ) (91 ) — (375 ) Total General and administrative expense adjustments 1,534 926 748 3,208 Adjusted EBITDA: $ 30,050 $ 20,768 $ — $ 50,818

Net Income (Loss) per Share

Net Income (Loss) per Share	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (Loss) per Share	Net Income (Loss) per Share The Company computes basic net income (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Our non-vested restricted shares contain a non-forfeitable right to receive dividends on a one-to-one per share ratio to common shares and are thus considered participating securities. The impact of the participating securities is included in the computation of basic net income per share pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings attributable to common shares and participating securities according to dividends declared (whether paid or unpaid) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Net income per common share is computed by dividing undistributed earnings allocated to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In applying the two-class method, undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and non-vested restricted shares based on the weighted average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if our restricted stock units were to be converted into common shares. Restricted stock units with performance conditions are only included in the diluted earnings per share calculation to the extent that performance conditions have been met at the measurement date. We compute diluted earnings per share by adjusting the basic weighted average number of common shares by the dilutive effect of the restricted stock units, determined using the treasury stock method. For the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 , all restricted stock units outstanding were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been antidilutive as a result of the net loss in the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 . Weighted average outstanding restricted stock units totaling 13,990 and 10,698 shares for the three and six months ended July 3, 2016 , respectively, were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been antidilutive. The computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share is as follows: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended July 2, 2017 July 3, 2016 July 2, 2017 July 3, 2016 Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share: Net income (loss) $ (2,160 ) $ 8,916 $ (17,220 ) $ 18,811 Less: income allocated to participating securities — (89 ) — (183 ) Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ (2,160 ) $ 8,827 $ (17,220 ) $ 18,628 Weighted average common shares, basic 26,815,015 26,654,280 26,794,560 26,629,999 Restricted stock units — 5,989 — 6,146 Weighted average common shares, diluted 26,815,015 26,660,269 26,794,560 26,636,145 Basic net income (loss) per share $ (0.08 ) $ 0.33 $ (0.64 ) $ 0.70 Diluted net income (loss) per share $ (0.08 ) $ 0.33 $ (0.64 ) $ 0.70

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Lease Assignments . Taco Cabana has assigned three leases to various parties on properties where it no longer operates restaurants with lease terms expiring on various dates through 2029. The assignees are responsible for making the payments required by the leases. The Company is a guarantor under one of the leases, and it remains secondarily liable as a surety with respect to two of the leases. The maximum potential liability for future rental payments that the Company could be required to make under these leases at July 2, 2017 was $1.5 million . The Company could also be obligated to pay property taxes and other lease related costs. The obligations under these leases will generally continue to decrease over time as the operating leases expire. The Company does not believe it is probable that it will be ultimately responsible for the obligations under these leases. Legal Matters . The Company is a party to legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of business, including the matter described below. The Company records accruals for outstanding legal matters when it believes it is probable that a loss will be incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal matters that could affect the amount of any accrual and developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. If a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability. On November 24, 2015, Pollo Tropical received a legal demand letter alleging that assistant managers were misclassified as exempt from overtime wages under the Fair Labor Standards Act. On September 30, 2016, prior to any suit being filed, Pollo Tropical reached a settlement with seven named individuals and a proposed collective action class that will allow current and former assistant managers to receive notice and opt-in to the settlement. Pollo Tropical denies any liability or unlawful conduct. The Company has recorded a charge of $0.8 million to cover the estimated costs related to the settlement, including estimated payments to individuals that opt-in to the settlement, premium payments to named individuals, attorneys’ fees for the individuals' counsel, and related settlement administration costs. The charge does not include legal fees incurred by Pollo Tropical in defending the action. The settlement, which is subject to approval by an arbitrator and a judicial body, will result in dismissal with prejudice for the named individuals and all individuals that opt-in to the settlement.

Recent Accounting Pronouncement

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements In May 2014, and in subsequent updates, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which amends the guidance in former Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and provides for either a full retrospective adoption in which the standard is applied to all of the periods presented or a modified retrospective adoption in which the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard is recognized at the date of initial application. The new standard provides accounting guidance for all revenue arising from contracts with customers and affects all entities that enter into contracts to provide goods or services to their customers unless the contracts are in the scope of other US GAAP requirements. The guidance also provides a model for the measurement and recognition of gains and losses on the sale of certain non-financial assets, such as property and equipment, including real estate. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of Topic 606; however, the Company does not believe the standard will impact its recognition of revenue from company-owned restaurants or its recognition of franchise royalty revenues, which are based on a percent of gross sales. The Company expects the provisions to primarily impact franchise and development fees as well as gift card programs and does not expect the standard to have a material effect on its financial statements. The Company does not plan to early adopt the standard and plans to use the modified retrospective approach to adopt the standard. For the Company, the new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessee recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. For the Company, the new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. A modified retrospective approach is required with an option to use certain practical expedients. The new guidance is required to be applied at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact on its financial statements. Although the impact is not currently estimable, the Company expects to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for most of the leases it currently accounts for as operating leases. In addition, for the Company's leases that are classified as sale-leaseback transactions, the Company will be required to record an initial adjustment to retained earnings associated with the previously deferred gains, and for any future transactions, the gain, adjusted for any off-market terms, will be recorded immediately. Currently the Company amortizes sale-leaseback gains over the lease term. The Company is continuing its assessment, which may identify other impacts.

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Consolidation	Basis of Consolidation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Fiesta and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Fiscal Year	Fiscal Year . The Company uses a 52 - 53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. The fiscal year ended January 1, 2017 contained 52 weeks. The three and six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 each contained thirteen and twenty six weeks , respectively. The fiscal year ending December 31, 2017 will contain 52
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 have been prepared without an audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not include certain information and footnotes required by U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of such financial statements have been included. The results of operations for the three and six months ended July 2, 2017 and July 3, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended January 1, 2017 included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2017 . The January 1, 2017
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Fair value is defined as 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 under current market conditions. In determining fair value, the accounting standards establish a three level hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable and reflect our own assumptions. The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate the fair value: • Current Assets and Liabilities. The carrying values reported on the balance sheet of cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those financial instruments. • Revolving Credit Borrowings.
Long-Lived Assets	Long-Lived Assets . The Company assesses the recoverability of property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets by determining whether the carrying value of these assets can be recovered over their respective remaining lives through undiscounted future operating cash flows. Impairment is reviewed when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be fully recoverable. See Note 3.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates. The preparation of the 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 the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements. Estimates also affect the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include: accrued occupancy costs, insurance liabilities, evaluation for impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets and lease accounting matters. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Guidance Adopted in 2017. In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (Topic 718), to simplify various aspects of the accounting and presentation of share-based payments, including the income tax effects of awards and forfeiture assumptions. In the first quarter of 2017, the Company prospectively adopted the amendments in this guidance that relate to the classification of excess tax benefits or tax benefit deficiencies from share-based payment arrangements in the statement of cash flows and income statement. Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements result from share-based compensation windfall deductions in excess of compensation costs for financial reporting purposes and tax benefit deficiencies result from share-based compensation deduction shortfalls. During the six months ended July 2, 2017 , the Company recognized $0.2 million of tax benefit deficiencies, which pursuant to the adopted guidance increased income tax expense and decreased net income by $0.2 million . Effective January 2, 2017, the Company elected to change its accounting policy to recognize forfeitures as they occur. The new forfeiture policy election was adopted using a modified retrospective approach with a $0.1 million In May 2014, and in subsequent updates, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which amends the guidance in former Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and provides for either a full retrospective adoption in which the standard is applied to all of the periods presented or a modified retrospective adoption in which the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard is recognized at the date of initial application. The new standard provides accounting guidance for all revenue arising from contracts with customers and affects all entities that enter into contracts to provide goods or services to their customers unless the contracts are in the scope of other US GAAP requirements. The guidance also provides a model for the measurement and recognition of gains and losses on the sale of certain non-financial assets, such as property and equipment, including real estate. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the provisions of Topic 606; however, the Company does not believe the standard will impact its recognition of revenue from company-owned restaurants or its recognition of franchise royalty revenues, which are based on a percent of gross sales. The Company expects the provisions to primarily impact franchise and development fees as well as gift card programs and does not expect the standard to have a material effect on its financial statements. The Company does not plan to early adopt the standard and plans to use the modified retrospective approach to adopt the standard. For the Company, the new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessee recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. For the Company, the new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. A modified retrospective approach is required with an option to use certain practical expedients. The new guidance is required to be applied at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact on its financial statements. Although the impact is not currently estimable, the Company expects to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities for most of the leases it currently accounts for as operating leases. In addition, for the Company's leases that are classified as sale-leaseback transactions, the Company will be required to record an initial adjustment to retained earnings associated with the previously deferred gains, and for any future transactions, the gain, adjusted for any off-market terms, will be recorded immediately. Currently the Company amortizes sale-leaseback gains over the lease term. The Company is continuing its assessment, which may identify other impacts.
Segment Reporting	Each segment's accounting policies are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 to the Company's audited financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2017 . Prior to the second quarter of 2017, the primary measures of segment profit or loss used to assess performance and allocate resources were income (loss) before taxes and an Adjusted EBITDA measure, which was defined as earnings attributable to the applicable operating segment before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment and other lease charges, stock-based compensation expense and other income and expense.
Net Income per Share	The Company computes basic net income (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Our non-vested restricted shares contain a non-forfeitable right to receive dividends on a one-to-one per share ratio to common shares and are thus considered participating securities. The impact of the participating securities is included in the computation of basic net income per share pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method of computing earnings per share is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings attributable to common shares and participating securities according to dividends declared (whether paid or unpaid) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. Net income per common share is computed by dividing undistributed earnings allocated to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In applying the two-class method, undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and non-vested restricted shares based on the weighted average shares outstanding during the period.Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if our restricted stock units were to be converted into common shares. Restricted stock units with performance conditions are only included in the diluted earnings per share calculation to the extent that performance conditions have been met at the measurement date. We compute diluted earnings per share by adjusting the basic weighted average number of common shares by the dilutive effect of the restricted stock units, determined using the treasury stock method.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Cu18

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	Prepaid expenses and other current assets, consist of the following: July 2, 2017 January 1, 2017 Prepaid contract expenses $ 2,984 $ 2,089 Assets held for sale (1) 2,705 — Other 3,754 2,142 $ 9,443 $ 4,231 (1)

Impairment of Long-Lived Asse19

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]
Summary of Impairment on Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges by Segment	A summary of impairment on long-lived assets and other lease charges recorded by segment is as follows: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended July 2, 2017 July 3, 2016 July 2, 2017 July 3, 2016 Pollo Tropical $ 10,536 $ — $ 42,607 $ — Taco Cabana 226 82 569 94 $ 10,762 $ 82 $ 43,176 $ 94

Other Liabilities (Tables)

Other Liabilities (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Other Liabilities, Current	Other liabilities, current, consist of the following: July 2, 2017 January 1, 2017 Accrued workers' compensation and general liability claims $ 6,539 $ 4,838 Sales and property taxes 2,062 1,844 Accrued occupancy costs 6,891 2,161 Other 5,287 2,473 $ 20,779 $ 11,316
Other Liabilities, Long-term	Other liabilities, long-term, consist of the following: July 2, 2017 January 1, 2017 Accrued occupancy costs $ 22,676 $ 20,172 Deferred compensation 1,121 2,027 Accrued workers’ compensation and general liability claims 4,029 4,030 Other 4,256 4,140 $ 32,082 $ 30,369
Activity in the Closed-Store Reserve	The following table presents the activity in the closed-store reserve, of which $ 7.3 million and $ 3.1 million are included in long-term accrued occupancy costs at July 2, 2017 and January 1, 2017 , respectively, with the remainder in other current liabilities. Six Months Ended July 2, 2017 Year Ended January 1, 2017 Balance, beginning of period $ 4,912 $ 1,832 Provisions for restaurant closures 7,423 3,093 Additional lease charges, net of (recoveries) (698 ) (237 ) Payments, net (1,928 ) (806 ) Other adjustments 4,371 1,030 Balance, end of period $ 14,080 $ 4,912

Stock-Based Compensation (Table

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Non-vested Restricted Shares Activity	A summary of all non-vested restricted shares and restricted stock units activity for the six months ended July 2, 2017 is as follows: Non-Vested Shares Restricted Stock Units Shares Weighted Units Weighted Outstanding at January 1, 2017 129,352 $ 37.94 51,445 $ 46.59 Granted 221,118 20.84 103,916 12.51 Vested/Released (78,325 ) 30.54 (1,172 ) 51.54 Forfeited (17,800 ) 32.85 (5,556 ) 37.43 Outstanding at July 2, 2017 254,345 $ 25.71 148,633 $ 23.06
Schedule of Restricted Stock Units Activity	A summary of all non-vested restricted shares and restricted stock units activity for the six months ended July 2, 2017 is as follows: Non-Vested Shares Restricted Stock Units Shares Weighted Units Weighted Outstanding at January 1, 2017 129,352 $ 37.94 51,445 $ 46.59 Granted 221,118 20.84 103,916 12.51 Vested/Released (78,325 ) 30.54 (1,172 ) 51.54 Forfeited (17,800 ) 32.85 (5,556 ) 37.43 Outstanding at July 2, 2017 254,345 $ 25.71 148,633 $ 23.06

Business Segment Information (T

Business Segment Information (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment	Three Months Ended Pollo Tropical Taco Cabana Other Consolidated July 2, 2017: Restaurant sales $ 94,374 $ 77,631 $ — $ 172,005 Franchise revenue 427 192 — 619 Cost of sales 28,956 21,772 — 50,728 Restaurant wages and related expenses 21,691 24,578 — 46,269 Restaurant rent expense 4,472 4,443 — 8,915 Other restaurant operating expenses 12,930 11,706 — 24,636 Advertising expense 2,011 2,281 — 4,292 General and administrative expense 10,782 8,358 — 19,140 Adjusted EBITDA 17,139 6,982 — 24,121 Depreciation and amortization 5,435 3,161 — 8,596 Capital expenditures 8,243 5,320 916 14,479 July 3, 2016: Restaurant sales $ 101,879 $ 78,956 $ — $ 180,835 Franchise revenue 508 189 — 697 Cost of sales 32,266 22,341 — 54,607 Restaurant wages and related expenses 23,980 23,001 — 46,981 Restaurant rent expense 4,825 4,288 — 9,113 Other restaurant operating expenses 13,701 10,562 — 24,263 Advertising expense 3,685 3,321 — 7,006 General and administrative expense 8,843 5,363 47 14,253 Adjusted EBITDA 14,588 10,528 — 25,116 Depreciation and amortization 5,428 3,197 — 8,625 Capital expenditures 20,468 3,633 1,346 25,447 Six Months Ended Pollo Tropical Taco Cabana Other Consolidated July 2, 2017: Restaurant sales $ 193,684 $ 153,298 $ — $ 346,982 Franchise revenue 876 373 — 1,249 Cost of sales 58,903 42,773 — 101,676 Restaurant wages and related expenses 45,737 48,664 — 94,401 Restaurant rent expense 9,847 8,930 — 18,777 Other restaurant operating expenses 26,319 22,385 — 48,704 Advertising expense 6,336 5,495 — 11,831 General and administrative expense 19,676 15,472 — 35,148 Adjusted EBITDA 31,861 13,476 — 45,337 Depreciation and amortization 11,518 6,264 — 17,782 Capital expenditures 16,906 8,016 1,231 26,153 July 3, 2016: Restaurant sales $ 200,785 $ 155,989 $ — $ 356,774 Franchise revenue 1,085 350 — 1,435 Cost of sales 63,870 44,787 — 108,657 Restaurant wages and related expenses 46,876 45,157 — 92,033 Restaurant rent expense 9,469 8,565 — 18,034 Other restaurant operating expenses 26,293 20,358 — 46,651 Advertising expense 7,447 6,554 — 14,001 General and administrative expense 16,528 10,825 748 28,101 Adjusted EBITDA 30,050 20,768 — 50,818 Depreciation and amortization 10,706 6,255 — 16,961 Capital expenditures 34,567 5,267 2,404 42,238 Identifiable Assets: July 2, 2017 $ 247,312 $ 164,384 $ 14,547 $ 426,243 January 1, 2017 263,868 165,195 12,502 441,565
Reconciliation Of Consolidated Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA	A reconciliation of consolidated net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA follows: Three Months Ended Pollo Tropical Taco Cabana Other Consolidated July 2, 2017: Net income (loss) $ (2,160 ) Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (772 ) Income (loss) before taxes $ (3,502 ) $ 570 $ — $ (2,932 ) Add: Non-general and administrative expense adjustments: Depreciation and amortization 5,435 3,161 — 8,596 Impairment and other lease charges 10,536 226 — 10,762 Interest expense 295 359 — 654 Other expense (income), net 744 (90 ) — 654 Stock-based compensation credit in restaurant wages (45 ) (29 ) — (74 ) Unused pre-production costs in advertising expense — 88 — 88 Total Non-general and administrative expense adjustments 16,965 3,715 — 20,680 General and administrative expense adjustments: Stock-based compensation expense 640 608 — 1,248 Terminated capital project 7 6 — 13 Board and shareholder matter costs 1,767 1,332 — 3,099 Write-off of site development costs 109 35 — 144 Plan restructuring costs and retention bonuses 1,153 716 — 1,869 Total General and administrative expense adjustments 3,676 2,697 — 6,373 Adjusted EBITDA: $ 17,139 $ 6,982 $ — $ 24,121 July 3, 2016: Net income (loss) $ 8,916 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 5,125 Income (loss) before taxes $ 7,636 $ 6,452 $ (47 ) $ 14,041 Add: Non-general and administrative expense adjustments: Depreciation and amortization 5,428 3,197 — 8,625 Impairment and other lease charges — 82 — 82 Interest expense 228 307 — 535 Other expense (income), net — 10 — 10 Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages 21 19 — 40 Total Non-general and administrative expense adjustments 5,677 3,615 — 9,292 General and administrative expense adjustments: Stock-based compensation expense 680 538 — 1,218 Board and shareholder matter costs — — 47 47 Write-off of site development costs 190 14 — 204 Office restructuring and relocation costs 346 — — 346 Legal settlements and related costs 59 (91 ) — (32 ) Total General and administrative expense adjustments 1,275 461 47 1,783 Adjusted EBITDA: $ 14,588 $ 10,528 $ — $ 25,116 Six Months Ended Pollo Tropical Taco Cabana Other Consolidated July 2, 2017: Net income (loss) $ (17,220 ) Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (9,414 ) Income (loss) before taxes $ (28,598 ) $ 1,964 $ — $ (26,634 ) Add: Non-general and administrative expense adjustments: Depreciation and amortization 11,518 6,264 — 17,782 Impairment and other lease charges 42,607 569 — 43,176 Interest expense 544 694 — 1,238 Other expense (income), net 888 (90 ) — 798 Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages — 35 — 35 Unused pre-production costs in advertising expense 322 88 — 410 Total Non-general and administrative expense adjustments 55,879 7,560 — 63,439 General and administrative expense adjustments: Stock-based compensation expense 955 830 — 1,785 Terminated capital project 484 365 — 849 Board and shareholder matter costs 2,225 1,678 — 3,903 Write-off of site development costs 162 292 — 454 Plan restructuring costs and retention bonuses 1,227 787 — 2,014 Legal settlements and related costs (473 ) — — (473 ) Total General and administrative expense adjustments 4,580 3,952 — 8,532 Adjusted EBITDA: $ 31,861 $ 13,476 $ — $ 45,337 July 3, 2016: Net income (loss) $ 18,811 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes 10,813 Income (loss) before taxes $ 17,305 $ 13,067 $ (748 ) $ 29,624 Add: Non-general and administrative expense adjustments: Depreciation and amortization 10,706 6,255 — 16,961 Impairment and other lease charges — 94 — 94 Interest expense 479 614 — 1,093 Other expense (income), net (12 ) (226 ) — (238 ) Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages 38 38 — 76 Total Non-general and administrative expense adjustments 11,211 6,775 — 17,986 General and administrative expense adjustments: Stock-based compensation expense 1,225 968 — 2,193 Board and shareholder matter costs — — 748 748 Write-off of site development costs 247 49 — 296 Office restructuring and relocation costs 346 — — 346 Legal settlements and related costs (284 ) (91 ) — (375 ) Total General and administrative expense adjustments 1,534 926 748 3,208 Adjusted EBITDA: $ 30,050 $ 20,768 $ — $ 50,818

Net Income (Loss) per Share (Ta

Net Income (Loss) per Share (Tables)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share	The computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share is as follows: Three Months Ended Six Months Ended July 2, 2017 July 3, 2016 July 2, 2017 July 3, 2016 Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share: Net income (loss) $ (2,160 ) $ 8,916 $ (17,220 ) $ 18,811 Less: income allocated to participating securities — (89 ) — (183 ) Net income (loss) available to common shareholders $ (2,160 ) $ 8,827 $ (17,220 ) $ 18,628 Weighted average common shares, basic 26,815,015 26,654,280 26,794,560 26,629,999 Restricted stock units — 5,989 — 6,146 Weighted average common shares, diluted 26,815,015 26,660,269 26,794,560 26,636,145 Basic net income (loss) per share $ (0.08 ) $ 0.33 $ (0.64 ) $ 0.70 Diluted net income (loss) per share $ (0.08 ) $ 0.33 $ (0.64 ) $ 0.70

Basis of Presentation - Narrati

Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details) - restaurant	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016	Dec. 31, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]
Fiscal period duration	91 days	91 days	182 days	182 days		371 days
Forecast
Entity Information [Line Items]
Fiscal period duration					364 days
Minimum | Forecast
Entity Information [Line Items]
Fiscal period duration					364 days
Maximum | Forecast
Entity Information [Line Items]
Fiscal period duration					371 days
Entity Operated Units | Pollo Tropical
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	153		153
Entity Operated Units | Pollo Tropical | Florida
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	134		134
Entity Operated Units | Pollo Tropical | Texas
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	6		6
Entity Operated Units | Pollo Tropical | Georgia
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	13		13
Entity Operated Units | Taco Cabana
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	169		169
Entity Operated Units | Taco Cabana | Texas
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	168		168
Entity Operated Units | Taco Cabana | Oklahoma
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	1		1
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	32		32
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Florida
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	6		6
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Puerto Rico
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	17		17
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Bahamas
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	1		1
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Guyana
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	2		2
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Venezuela
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	1		1
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Panama
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	4		4
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Honduras
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	1		1
Franchised Units | Taco Cabana
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	7		7
Franchised Units | Taco Cabana | Texas
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	2		2
Franchised Units | Taco Cabana | New Mexico
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of restaurants	5		5

Basis of Presentation - Fair Va

Basis of Presentation - Fair Value Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 02, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Carrying value of senior credit facility	$ 60.9	$ 69.9
Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value of senior credit facility	$ 60.9	$ 69.9

Basis of Presentation - Guidanc

Basis of Presentation - Guidance Adopted in 2017 (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 02, 2017	Jul. 02, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings		$ 26
ASU 2016-09
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Tax deficiencies from share-based compensation		200
Effect of adopting new guidance to net income		$ 200
Cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings	$ 100

Prepaid Expenses and Other Cu27

Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 02, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Prepaid contract expenses	$ 2,984	$ 2,089
Assets held for sale	2,705	0
Other	3,754	2,142
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$ 9,443	$ 4,231

Impairment of Long-Lived Asse28

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges - Summary by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Impairment and other lease charges	$ 10,762	$ 82	$ 43,176	$ 94
Pollo Tropical
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Impairment and other lease charges	10,536	0	42,607	0
Taco Cabana
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Impairment and other lease charges	$ 226	$ 82	$ 569	$ 94

Impairment of Long-Lived Asse29

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017USD ($)restaurant	Apr. 02, 2017USD ($)restaurant	Jul. 02, 2017USD ($)restaurant	Jul. 31, 2017restaurant	Apr. 24, 2017restaurant	Jan. 01, 2017restaurant
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Carrying value of assets held for sale | $	$ 2.7		$ 2.7
Level 3
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Fair value of impaired assets | $	9.5		9.5
Restaurants, Brand Conversion | Maximum
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Number of restaurants					2
Restaurants, Closed
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Number of restaurants					30
Pollo Tropical
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges | $	3.8	$ 32	35.7
Lease charges | $	$ 6.7		$ 6.9
Number of closed restaurants held for sale	2		2
Pollo Tropical | Restaurants, Open
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Number of restaurants						7
Pollo Tropical | Restaurants, Closed
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Number of closed restaurants no longer considered for brand conversion	3		3
Pollo Tropical | Outside Florida
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Number of restaurants					19
Pollo Tropical | Atlanta
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Number of restaurants					13
Pollo Tropical | South Texas
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Number of restaurants					6
Taco Cabana
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges | $	$ 0.2	$ 0.3	$ 0.6
Taco Cabana | Restaurants, Open
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Number of restaurants		3
Taco Cabana | Restaurants, Closed | Subsequent Event
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]
Number of restaurants				4

Other Liabilities - Current (De

Other Liabilities - Current (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 02, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued workers' compensation and general liability claims	$ 6,539	$ 4,838
Sales and property taxes	2,062	1,844
Accrued occupancy costs	6,891	2,161
Other	5,287	2,473
Other liabilities, current	$ 20,779	$ 11,316

Other Liabilities - Long-term (

Other Liabilities - Long-term (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 02, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]
Accrued occupancy costs	$ 22,676	$ 20,172
Deferred compensation	1,121	2,027
Accrued workers’ compensation and general liability claims	4,029	4,030
Other	4,256	4,140
Other liabilities, long-term	$ 32,082	$ 30,369

Other Liabilities - Narrative (

Other Liabilities - Narrative (Details) - Closed Stores - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 02, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017	Jan. 03, 2016
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Closed-store reserve	$ 14,080	$ 4,912	$ 1,832
Other Liabilities, Long-Term
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Closed-store reserve	$ 7,300	$ 3,100

Other Liabilities - Restructuri

Other Liabilities - Restructuring Reserve (Details) - Closed Stores - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017
Activity in the Closed-Store Reserve
Balance, beginning of period	$ 4,912	$ 1,832
Provisions for restaurant closures	7,423	3,093
Additional lease charges, net of (recoveries)	(698)	(237)
Payments, net	(1,928)	(806)
Other adjustments	4,371	1,030
Balance, end of period	$ 14,080	$ 4,912

Stock-Based Compensation - Narr

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017USD ($)tranche$ / sharesshares	Jul. 03, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Jul. 02, 2017USD ($)daytranche$ / sharesshares	Jul. 03, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation | $	$ 1.2	$ 1.3	$ 1.8	$ 2.3
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense | $	$ 7		$ 7
Nonvested Restricted Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted in period			221,118
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares			$ 20.84
Share-based compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition			3 years
Nonvested Restricted Shares | Management
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted in period			182,522	50,087
Vesting period			4 years
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares			$ 20.75	$ 35.25
Nonvested Restricted Shares | Director | Non-Employee Directors Grant, 5-Yr Vesting
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted in period			8,927
Vesting period			5 years
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares			$ 22.41
Nonvested Restricted Shares | Director | Non-Employee Directors Grant, 1-Yr Vesting
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted in period	29,669	14,081	29,669	14,081
Vesting period			1 year
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 20.90	$ 33.39	$ 20.90	$ 33.39
Restricted Stock Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted in period			103,916
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares			$ 12.51
Share-based compensation cost not yet recognized, period for recognition			2 years 1 month 6 days
Restricted Stock Units | Management
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted in period			11,745	5,762
Vesting period			4 years
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares			$ 20.75	$ 35.25
Market Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted in period	92,171		92,171
Market Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Chief Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted in period	72,290		72,290
Vesting period			4 years
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 12.90		$ 12.90
Number of tranches | tranche	4		4
Threshold consecutive trading days | day			20
Market Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Chief Executive Officer | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares to be issued at end of performance period			0
Market Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Chief Executive Officer | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares to be issued at end of performance period			72,290
Market Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Executive Officer
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted in period	19,881		19,881
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 6.20		$ 6.20
Performance-Based Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted in period				33,691
Vesting period				4 years
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares				$ 35.25
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted in period				33,691
Vesting period				3 years
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares				$ 35.25
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Minimum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares to be issued at end of performance period				0
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Maximum
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares to be issued at end of performance period				67,382

Stock-Based Compensation - Non-

Stock-Based Compensation - Non-vested Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units Activity (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017$ / sharesshares
Non-Vested Shares
Non-vested Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) | shares	129,352
Granted (in shares) | shares	221,118
Vested/Released (in shares) | shares	(78,325)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(17,800)
Outstanding at end of period (in shares) | shares	254,345
Weighted Average Grant Date Price
Outstanding at beginning of period (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 37.94
Granted (usd per share) | $ / shares	20.84
Vested/Released (usd per share) | $ / shares	30.54
Forfeited (usd per share) | $ / shares	32.85
Outstanding at end of period (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 25.71
Restricted Stock Units
Non-vested Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) | shares	51,445
Granted (in shares) | shares	103,916
Vested/Released (in shares) | shares	(1,172)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(5,556)
Outstanding at end of period (in shares) | shares	148,633
Weighted Average Grant Date Price
Outstanding at beginning of period (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 46.59
Granted (usd per share) | $ / shares	12.51
Vested/Released (usd per share) | $ / shares	51.54
Forfeited (usd per share) | $ / shares	37.43
Outstanding at end of period (usd per share) | $ / shares	$ 23.06

Business Segment Information -

Business Segment Information - Segment Reporting Information, by Segment (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017USD ($)	Jul. 03, 2016USD ($)	Jul. 02, 2017USD ($)segment	Jul. 03, 2016USD ($)	Jan. 01, 2017USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments | segment			2
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restaurant sales	$ 172,005	$ 180,835	$ 346,982	$ 356,774
Franchise revenue	619	697	1,249	1,435
Cost of sales	50,728	54,607	101,676	108,657
Restaurant wages and related expenses	46,269	46,981	94,401	92,033
Restaurant rent expense	8,915	9,113	18,777	18,034
Other restaurant operating expenses	24,636	24,263	48,704	46,651
Advertising expense	4,292	7,006	11,831	14,001
General and administrative expense	19,140	14,253	35,148	28,101
Adjusted EBITDA	24,121	25,116	45,337	50,818
Depreciation and amortization	8,596	8,625	17,782	16,961
Capital expenditures	14,479	25,447	26,153	42,238
Identifiable assets	426,243		426,243		$ 441,565
Operating Segments | Pollo Tropical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restaurant sales	94,374	101,879	193,684	200,785
Franchise revenue	427	508	876	1,085
Cost of sales	28,956	32,266	58,903	63,870
Restaurant wages and related expenses	21,691	23,980	45,737	46,876
Restaurant rent expense	4,472	4,825	9,847	9,469
Other restaurant operating expenses	12,930	13,701	26,319	26,293
Advertising expense	2,011	3,685	6,336	7,447
General and administrative expense	10,782	8,843	19,676	16,528
Adjusted EBITDA	17,139	14,588	31,861	30,050
Depreciation and amortization	5,435	5,428	11,518	10,706
Capital expenditures	8,243	20,468	16,906	34,567
Identifiable assets	247,312		247,312		263,868
Operating Segments | Taco Cabana
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restaurant sales	77,631	78,956	153,298	155,989
Franchise revenue	192	189	373	350
Cost of sales	21,772	22,341	42,773	44,787
Restaurant wages and related expenses	24,578	23,001	48,664	45,157
Restaurant rent expense	4,443	4,288	8,930	8,565
Other restaurant operating expenses	11,706	10,562	22,385	20,358
Advertising expense	2,281	3,321	5,495	6,554
General and administrative expense	8,358	5,363	15,472	10,825
Adjusted EBITDA	6,982	10,528	13,476	20,768
Depreciation and amortization	3,161	3,197	6,264	6,255
Capital expenditures	5,320	3,633	8,016	5,267
Identifiable assets	164,384		164,384		165,195
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Restaurant sales	0	0	0	0
Franchise revenue	0	0	0	0
Cost of sales	0	0	0	0
Restaurant wages and related expenses	0	0	0	0
Restaurant rent expense	0	0	0	0
Other restaurant operating expenses	0	0	0	0
Advertising expense	0	0	0	0
General and administrative expense	0	47	0	748
Adjusted EBITDA	0	0	0	0
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Capital expenditures	916	$ 1,346	1,231	$ 2,404
Identifiable assets	$ 14,547		$ 14,547		$ 12,502

Business Segment Information 37

Business Segment Information - Reconciliation of Consolidated Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net income (loss)	$ (2,160)	$ 8,916	$ (17,220)	$ 18,811
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes	(772)	5,125	(9,414)	10,813
Income (loss) before income taxes	(2,932)	14,041	(26,634)	29,624
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization	8,596	8,625	17,782	16,961
Impairment and other lease charges	10,762	82	43,176	94
Interest expense	654	535	1,238	1,093
Other expense (income), net	654	10	798	(238)
Stock-based compensation credit in restaurant wages	1,200	1,300	1,800	2,300
Unused pre-production costs in advertising expense	88		410
Total Non-general and administrative expense adjustments	20,680	9,292	63,439	17,986
General and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense	1,200	1,300	1,800	2,300
Terminated capital project	13		849
Board and shareholder matter costs	3,099	47	3,903	748
Write-off of site development costs	144	204	454	296
Restructuring, relocation and retention costs	1,869	346	2,014	346
Legal settlements and related costs		(32)	(473)	(375)
Total General and administrative expense adjustments	6,373	1,783	8,532	3,208
Adjusted EBITDA	24,121	25,116	45,337	50,818
Restaurant Wages And Related Expenses
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation credit in restaurant wages	(74)	40	35	76
General and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense	(74)	40	35	76
General and Administrative Expense
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation credit in restaurant wages	1,248	1,218	1,785	2,193
General and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense	1,248	1,218	1,785	2,193
Pollo Tropical
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Impairment and other lease charges	10,536	0	42,607	0
Taco Cabana
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Impairment and other lease charges	226	82	569	94
Operating Segments | Pollo Tropical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	(3,502)	7,636	(28,598)	17,305
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization	5,435	5,428	11,518	10,706
Impairment and other lease charges	10,536	0	42,607	0
Interest expense	295	228	544	479
Other expense (income), net	744	0	888	(12)
Unused pre-production costs in advertising expense	0		322
Total Non-general and administrative expense adjustments	16,965	5,677	55,879	11,211
General and administrative expense adjustments:
Terminated capital project	7		484
Board and shareholder matter costs	1,767	0	2,225	0
Write-off of site development costs	109	190	162	247
Restructuring, relocation and retention costs	1,153	346	1,227	346
Legal settlements and related costs		59	(473)	(284)
Total General and administrative expense adjustments	3,676	1,275	4,580	1,534
Adjusted EBITDA	17,139	14,588	31,861	30,050
Operating Segments | Pollo Tropical | Restaurant Wages And Related Expenses
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation credit in restaurant wages	(45)	21	0	38
General and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense	(45)	21	0	38
Operating Segments | Pollo Tropical | General and Administrative Expense
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation credit in restaurant wages	640	680	955	1,225
General and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense	640	680	955	1,225
Operating Segments | Taco Cabana
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	570	6,452	1,964	13,067
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization	3,161	3,197	6,264	6,255
Impairment and other lease charges	226	82	569	94
Interest expense	359	307	694	614
Other expense (income), net	(90)	10	(90)	(226)
Unused pre-production costs in advertising expense	88		88
Total Non-general and administrative expense adjustments	3,715	3,615	7,560	6,775
General and administrative expense adjustments:
Terminated capital project	6		365
Board and shareholder matter costs	1,332	0	1,678	0
Write-off of site development costs	35	14	292	49
Restructuring, relocation and retention costs	716	0	787	0
Legal settlements and related costs		(91)	0	(91)
Total General and administrative expense adjustments	2,697	461	3,952	926
Adjusted EBITDA	6,982	10,528	13,476	20,768
Operating Segments | Taco Cabana | Restaurant Wages And Related Expenses
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation credit in restaurant wages	(29)	19	35	38
General and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense	(29)	19	35	38
Operating Segments | Taco Cabana | General and Administrative Expense
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation credit in restaurant wages	608	538	830	968
General and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense	608	538	830	968
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income (loss) before income taxes	0	(47)	0	(748)
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization	0	0	0	0
Impairment and other lease charges	0	0	0	0
Interest expense	0	0	0	0
Other expense (income), net	0	0	0	0
Unused pre-production costs in advertising expense	0		0
Total Non-general and administrative expense adjustments	0	0	0	0
General and administrative expense adjustments:
Terminated capital project	0		0
Board and shareholder matter costs	0	47	0	748
Write-off of site development costs	0	0	0	0
Restructuring, relocation and retention costs	0	0	0	0
Legal settlements and related costs		0	0	0
Total General and administrative expense adjustments	0	47	0	748
Adjusted EBITDA	0	0	0	0
Other | Restaurant Wages And Related Expenses
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation credit in restaurant wages	0	0	0	0
General and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense	0	0	0	0
Other | General and Administrative Expense
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation credit in restaurant wages	0	0	0	0
General and administrative expense adjustments:
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

Net Income (Loss) per Share - N

Net Income (Loss) per Share - Narrative (Details)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2016shares	Jul. 03, 2016shares	Jul. 02, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Nonvested restricted shares right to receive dividends, per share ratio to common shares			1
Restricted Stock Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Weighted average antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	13,990	10,698

Net Income (Loss) per Share - C

Net Income (Loss) per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016	Jul. 02, 2017	Jul. 03, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (2,160)	$ 8,916	$ (17,220)	$ 18,811
Less: income allocated to participating securities	0	(89)	0	(183)
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders	$ (2,160)	$ 8,827	$ (17,220)	$ 18,628
Weighted average common shares, basic	26,815,015	26,654,280	26,794,560	26,629,999
Restricted stock units (in shares)	0	5,989	0	6,146
Weighted average common shares, diluted	26,815,015	26,660,269	26,794,560	26,636,145
Basic net income (loss) per share (usd per share)	$ (0.08)	$ 0.33	$ (0.64)	$ 0.70
Diluted net income (loss) per share (usd per share)	$ (0.08)	$ 0.33	$ (0.64)	$ 0.70

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)plaintiff	Jul. 02, 2017USD ($)restaurant
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of subleases | restaurant		3
Maximum potential liability for future rental payments		$ 1.5
Fair Labor Standards Act Legal Demand Letter
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of named individuals related to settlement | plaintiff	7
Recorded charge to cover estimated costs related to settlement	$ 0.8