Nathan's Famous (NATH) 10-K 10 Jun 16 2016 FY Annual report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Jun. 06, 2016	Sep. 27, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	NATHANS FAMOUS INC
Entity Central Index Key	69,733
Trading Symbol	nath
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--03-27
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		4,182,699
Entity Public Float			$ 120,986
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Mar. 27, 2016
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Amendment Flag	false

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Deferred Franchise Fees [Member]
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Deferred franchise fees	$ 137,000	$ 278,000
Cash and cash equivalents	50,228,000	51,393,000
Marketable securities	0	7,091,000
Accounts and other receivables, net	8,721,000	9,499,000
Inventories	687,000	822,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Note F)	1,343,000	4,532,000
Total current assets	60,979,000	73,337,000
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $7,190 and $6,946, respectively	9,013,000	9,257,000
Goodwill	95,000	95,000
Intangible asset	1,353,000	1,353,000
Other assets	109,000	347,000
	71,549,000	84,389,000
Accounts payable	4,887,000	5,319,000
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	6,176,000	6,412,000
Total current liabilities	11,200,000	12,009,000
Long-term debt, net of unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs of $4,734 and $5,860, respectively (Note K)	130,266,000	129,140,000
Other liabilities	1,706,000	2,397,000
Deferred income taxes	713,000	751,000
Total liabilities	$ 143,885,000	$ 144,297,000
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note M)
STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT)
Common stock, $.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 9,274,066 and 9,252,097 shares issued; and 4,177,309 and 4,604,410 shares outstanding at March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively	$ 93,000	$ 93,000
Additional paid-in capital	60,950,000	60,196,000
(Accumulated deficit)	$ (57,348,000)	(63,444,000)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		47,000
	$ 3,695,000	(3,108,000)
Treasury stock, at cost, 5,096,757 and 4,647,687 shares at March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively	(76,031,000)	(56,800,000)
Total stockholders’ (deficit)	(72,336,000)	(59,908,000)
	$ 71,549,000	$ 84,389,000

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Accumulated depreciation	$ 7,190	$ 6,946
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ 4,734	$ 5,860
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	30,000,000	30,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	9,274,066	9,252,097
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	4,177,309	4,604,410
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	5,096,757	4,647,687

Consolidated Statements of Earn

Consolidated Statements of Earnings - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
REVENUES
Sales	$ 76,031,000	$ 75,520,000	$ 65,521,000
License royalties	19,815,000	18,011,000	8,513,000
Franchise fees and royalties	5,044,000	5,581,000	5,718,000
Total revenues	100,890,000	99,112,000	79,752,000
COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of sales	57,998,000	61,951,000	53,072,000
Restaurant operating expenses	3,557,000	3,747,000	3,142,000
Depreciation and amortization	1,255,000	1,253,000	1,157,000
General and administrative expenses	13,117,000	12,203,000	11,460,000
Total costs and expenses	75,927,000	79,154,000	68,831,000
Income from operations	24,963,000	19,958,000	10,921,000
Interest expense	(14,630,000)	(816,000)	(135,000)
Interest income	52,000	176,000	325,000
Insurance gain (Note M.4)	0	0	2,774,000
Impairment charge – long-term investment (Note G)	(100,000)	0	(400,000)
Other income, net	99,000	87,000	76,000
Income before provision for income taxes	10,384,000	19,405,000	13,561,000
Provision for income taxes	4,288,000	7,702,000	5,234,000
Net income	$ 6,096,000	$ 11,703,000	$ 8,327,000
Income per share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 1.38	$ 2.61	$ 1.87
Diluted (in dollars per share)	1.37	2.55	1.81
Cash dividends declared per share (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 25	$ 0
Weighted average shares used in computing income per share:
Basic (in shares)	4,430,000	4,486,000	4,450,000
Diluted (in shares)	4,463,000	4,588,000	4,605,000

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Net income	$ 6,096,000	$ 11,703,000	$ 8,327,000
Other comprehensive loss, net of deferred income taxes:
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax		$ (102,000)	$ (180,000)
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax	$ 47,000
Other comprehensive loss	(47,000)	$ (102,000)	$ (180,000)
Comprehensive income	$ 6,049,000	$ 11,601,000	$ 8,147,000

Consolidated Statements of Stoc

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity - USD ($)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2013	8,958,181				4,579,563
Balance at Mar. 31, 2013	$ 90,000	$ 54,491,000	$ 32,636,000	$ 329,000	$ (53,398,000)	$ 34,148,000
Shares issued in connection with share-based compensation plans (in shares)	134,002
Shares issued in connection with share-based compensation plans	$ 1,000	943,000				944,000
Withholding tax on net share settlement of share-based compensation plans		(772,000)				(772,000)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)					30,463
Repurchase of common stock					$ (1,486,000)	(1,486,000)
Income tax benefit on stock option exercises		2,195,000				2,195,000
Share-based compensation		721,000				721,000
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred income tax benefit				(180,000)		(180,000)
Net income			8,327,000			8,327,000
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 30, 2014	9,092,183				4,610,026
Balance at Mar. 30, 2014	$ 91,000	57,578,000	40,963,000	149,000	$ (54,884,000)	$ 43,897,000
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of deferred income tax benefit
Shares issued in connection with share-based compensation plans (in shares)	159,914
Shares issued in connection with share-based compensation plans	$ 2,000	880,000				$ 882,000
Withholding tax on net share settlement of share-based compensation plans		(3,693,000)				(3,693,000)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)					37,661
Repurchase of common stock					$ (1,916,000)	(1,916,000)
Income tax benefit on stock option exercises		4,572,000				4,572,000
Share-based compensation		859,000				859,000
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred income tax benefit				(102,000)		(102,000)
Net income			11,703,000			11,703,000
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 29, 2015	9,252,097				4,647,687
Balance at Mar. 29, 2015	$ 93,000	60,196,000	(63,444,000)	47,000	$ (56,800,000)	(59,908,000)
Dividends declared			$ (116,110,000)			$ (116,110,000)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of deferred income tax benefit
Shares issued in connection with share-based compensation plans (in shares)	21,969
Shares issued in connection with share-based compensation plans		89,000				$ 89,000
Withholding tax on net share settlement of share-based compensation plans		(285,000)				$ (285,000)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)					449,070	449,070
Repurchase of common stock					$ (19,231,000)	$ (19,231,000)
Income tax benefit on stock option exercises		228,000				228,000
Share-based compensation		722,000				$ 722,000
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities, net of deferred income tax benefit
Net income			$ 6,096,000			$ 6,096,000
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 27, 2016	9,274,066				5,096,757
Balance at Mar. 27, 2016	$ 93,000	$ 60,950,000	$ (57,348,000)		$ (76,031,000)	(72,336,000)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, net of deferred income tax benefit				$ (47,000)		$ (47,000)

Consolidated Statements of Sto7

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' (Deficit) Equity (Parentheticals) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Tax		$ (66,000)	$ (119,000)
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, deferred income tax benefit	$ 25,000
Reclassification adjustment for gains included in net income, deferred income tax benefit	$ 25,000

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 6,096,000	$ 11,703,000	$ 8,327,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities
Depreciation and amortization	1,255,000	1,253,000	1,157,000
Insurance gain	0	0	(2,774,000)
Amortization of bond premium	64,000	$ 164,000	$ 150,000
Gain on sale of marketable equity securities	(26,000)
Gain on sale of property and equipment	(18,000)
Amortization of debt discounts and issuance costs	1,185,000	$ 66,000
Share-based compensation expense	722,000	859,000	$ 721,000
Provision for doubtful accounts	38,000	23,000	21,000
Impairment charge – long-term investment	100,000	0	400,000
Deferred income taxes	(13,000)	111,000	1,652,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables, net	740,000	(2,417,000)	(927,000)
Insurance proceeds received for business interruption claim		718,000
Inventories	135,000	125,000	99,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	3,189,000	(1,403,000)	(2,033,000)
Other assets	138,000	181,000	30,000
Accrued litigation			(5,874,000)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities	(293,000)	1,779,000	2,329,000
Deferred franchise fees	(141,000)	44,000	(44,000)
Other liabilities	(691,000)	79,000	(358,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	12,480,000	13,285,000	2,876,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale securities	10,868,000	$ 8,020,000	2,890,000
Insurance proceeds received for property and equipment (Note M.4)			2,711,000
Change in restricted cash			$ (135,000)
Proceeds from disposal of property and equipment	133,000
Purchase of property and equipment	(1,125,000)	$ (1,538,000)	$ (4,339,000)
Purchase of available-for-sale securities	(3,887,000)	(4,258,000)	(2,219,000)
Litigation settlement			6,009,000
Net cash provided by investing activities	5,989,000	2,224,000	4,917,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt		135,000,000
Debt discounts and issuance costs	(60,000)	(5,926,000)
Dividends paid to stockholders	(375,000)	(115,110,000)
Repurchase of treasury stock	(19,231,000)	(1,916,000)	(1,486,000)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	89,000	880,000	944,000
Income tax benefit on stock option exercises	228,000	4,572,000	2,195,000
Payments of withholding tax on net share settlement of share-based compensation plans	(285,000)	(3,693,000)	(772,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(19,634,000)	13,807,000	881,000
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(1,165,000)	29,316,000	8,674,000
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	51,393,000	22,077,000	13,403,000
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	50,228,000	51,393,000	22,077,000
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest Paid	13,688,000		1,099,000
Income taxes	$ 848,000	$ 4,545,000	$ 3,457,000

Note A - Description and Organi

Note A - Description and Organization of Business	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE A - DESCRIPTION AND ORGANIZATION OF BUSINESS Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively the “Company” or “Nathan’s”) has historically operated or franchised a chain of retail fast food restaurants featuring the “Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dog”, crinkle-cut French-fried potatoes and a variety of other menu offerings. Nathan’s has also established a Branded Product Program, which enables foodservice retailers to sell select Nathan’s proprietary products outside of the realm of a traditional franchise relationship. Nathan’s also licenses the manufacture and sale of “Nathan’s Famous” packaged hot dogs, crinkle-cut French fries and a number of other products to a variety of third parties for sale to supermarkets, club stores and grocery stores. The Company is also the owner of the Arthur Treacher’s brand. Arthur Treacher’s main product is its "Original Fish & Chips" product consisting of fish fillets coated with a special batter prepared under a proprietary formula, deep-fried golden brown, and served with English-style chips and corn meal "hush puppies." The Company considers itself to be in the foodservice industry, and has pursued co-branding and co-hosting initiatives. At March 27, 2016, the Company’s restaurant system included five Company-owned units in the New York City metropolitan area and 259 franchised or licensed units, located in 21 11

Note B - Summary of Significant

Note B - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The following significant accounting policies have been applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements: 1. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 2. Fiscal Year The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in March, which results in a 52 or 53-week reporting period. The results of operations and cash flows for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 are on the basis of a 52-week reporting period. 3. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates made by management in preparing the consolidated financial statements include revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of stock-based compensation, accounting for income taxes, and the valuation of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. 4. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents amounted to $0 and $1,754 at March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively. Substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are in excess of government insurance. 5. Inventories Inventories, which are stated at the lower of cost or market value, consist primarily of food items and supplies. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. 6. Marketable Securities The Company determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase and reassesses the appropriateness of the classification at each reporting date. As of March 27, 2016, the Company had sold all of its marketable securities that had been invested in municipal bonds and the proceeds are included in cash and cash equivalents. At March 29, 2015, all marketable securities held by the Company were classified as available-for-sale and, as a result, were stated at fair value (Note D), with unrealized gains and losses included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized gains and losses on the sale of securities are determined on a specific identification basis. Interest income, net of reclassifications out of other comprehensive income is recorded when it is earned and deemed realizable by the Company. 7. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Major improvements are capitalized and minor replacements, maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are calculated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the lease term of the related asset. The estimated useful lives are as follows: Building and improvements (in years) 5 – 25 Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures (in years) 3 – 15 Leasehold improvements (in years) 5 – 20 8. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and intangible assets consist of (i) goodwill of $95 resulting from the acquisition of Nathan’s in 1987; and (ii) trademarks, trade names and other intellectual property of $1,353 in connection with Arthur Treacher’s. The Company’s goodwill and intangible assets are deemed to have indefinite lives and, accordingly, are not amortized, but are evaluated for impairment at least annually, but more often whenever changes in facts and circumstances occur which may indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. As of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, the Company performed its required annual impairment test of goodwill and intangible assets and has determined no impairment is deemed to exist. 9. Long-lived Assets Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment is measured by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from use of the assets and their ultimate disposition. In instances where impairment is determined to exist, the Company writes down the asset to its fair value based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Impairment losses are recorded on long-lived assets on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis whenever impairment factors are determined to be present. The Company considers a history of restaurant operating losses to be its primary indicator of potential impairment for individual restaurant locations. We relocated our Oceanside restaurant in March 2015 at a total investment of approximately $1,285. As a result of Hurricane Sandy, our Coney Island restaurant sustained significant damage (Note M.4). The restaurant was fully repaired and re-opened on May 20, 2013. No long-lived assets were deemed impaired during the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014. 10. 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 (an exit price). The fair value hierarchy, as outlined in the applicable accounting guidance, is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity’s pricing based upon their own market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels: ● Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for an identical asset or liability in an active market ● Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for a similar asset or liability in an active market or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability ● Level 3 - inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability The use of observable market inputs (quoted market prices) when measuring fair value and, specifically, the use of Level 1 quoted prices to measure fair value are required whenever possible. The determination of where an asset or liability falls in the hierarchy requires significant judgment. The Company evaluates its hierarchy disclosures quarterly and based on various factors, it is possible that an asset or liability may be classified differently from year to year. At March 27, 2016, we did not have any marketable securities. The following table presents assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 29, 2015 based upon the valuation hierarchy: March 29, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Carrying Value Marketable securities $ - $ 7,091 $ - $ 7,091 Total assets at fair value $ - $ 7,091 $ - $ 7,091 Nathan’s marketable securities, which consisted primarily of municipal bonds, were not actively traded. The valuation of such bonds was based upon quoted market prices for similar bonds currently trading in an active market or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset. The Company’s long-term debt had a carrying value of $135,000 as of March 27, 2016 and a fair value of $142,425 as of March 27, 2016. The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt based upon review of observable pricing in secondary markets as of the last trading day of the fiscal period. Accordingly, the Company classifies its long-term debt as Level 2. The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of the instruments. The majority of the Company’s non-financial assets and liabilities are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis. However, the Company is required on a non-recurring basis to use fair value measurements when analyzing asset impairment as it relates to goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets. The Company utilized the income approach (Level 3 inputs) which utilized cash flow forecasts for future income and were discounted to present value in performing its annual impairment testing of intangible assets. 11. Start-up Costs Pre-opening and similar restaurant costs are expensed as incurred. 12. Revenue Recognition - Branded Product Program The Company recognizes sales from the Branded Product Program and certain products sold from the Branded Menu Program upon delivery to Nathan’s customers via third party common carrier. Rebates provided to customers are classified as a reduction to sales. 13. Revenue Recognition - Company-owned Restaurants Sales by Company-owned restaurants, which are typically paid in cash or credit card by the customer, are recognized at the point of sale. Sales are presented net of sales tax. 14. Revenue Recognition - Franchising Operations In connection with its franchising operations, the Company receives initial franchise fees, area development fees, royalties, and in certain cases, revenue from sub-leasing restaurant properties to franchisees. Franchise and area development fees, which are typically received prior to completion of the revenue recognition process, are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Initial franchise fees, which are non-refundable, are recognized as income when substantially all services to be performed by Nathan’s and conditions relating to the sale of the franchise have been performed or satisfied, which generally occurs when the franchised restaurant commences operations. The following services are typically provided by the Company prior to the opening of a franchised restaurant: o Approval of all site selections to be developed. o Provision of architectural plans suitable for restaurants to be developed. o Assistance in establishing building design specifications, reviewing construction compliance and equipping the restaurant. o Provision of appropriate menus to coordinate with the restaurant design and location to be developed. o Provision of management training for the new franchisee and selected staff. o Assistance with the initial operations of restaurants being developed. At March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, $137 and $278, respectively, of deferred franchise fees are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. For the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, the Company earned franchise fees of $751, $1,043 and $863, respectively, from new unit openings, transfers, co-branding and forfeitures. Development fees are non-refundable and the related agreements require the franchisee to open a specified number of restaurants in the development area within a specified time period or the agreements may be canceled by the Company. Revenue from development agreements is deferred and shall be recognized, with an appropriate provision for estimated uncollectible amounts, when all material services or conditions to the sale have been substantially performed by the franchisor. If substantial obligations under the development agreement are not dependent on the number of individual franchise locations to be opened, substantial performance shall be determined using the same criteria applicable to an individual franchise, which is generally the opening of the first location pursuant to the development agreement. If substantial performance is dependent on the number of locations, then the development fee is deferred and recognized ratably over the term of the agreement, as restaurants in the development area commence operations on a pro rata basis to the minimum number of restaurants required to be open, or at the time the development agreement is effectively canceled. At March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, $129 and $214, respectively, of deferred development fee revenue is included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The following is a summary of franchise openings and closings for the Nathan’s franchise restaurant system for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014: March 27 , 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Franchised restaurants operating at the beginning of the period 296 324 303 New franchised restaurants opened during the period 56 36 56 Franchised restaurants closed during the period (93 ) (64 ) (35 ) Franchised restaurants operating at the end of the period 259 296 324 The Company recognizes franchise royalties on a monthly basis, which are generally based upon a percentage of sales made by the Company’s franchisees, when they are earned and deemed collectible. The Company recognizes royalty revenue from its Branded Menu Program directly from the sale of Nathan’s products by its primary distributor or directly from the manufacturers. Franchise fees and royalties that are not deemed to be collectible are not recognized as revenue until paid by the franchisee or until collectibility is deemed to be reasonably assured. 15. Revenue Recognition – License Royalties The Company earns revenue from royalties on the licensing of the use of its intellectual property in connection with certain products produced and sold by outside vendors. The use of the Company’s intellectual property must be approved by the Company prior to each specific application to ensure proper quality and a consistent image. Revenue from license royalties is recognized on a monthly basis when it is earned and deemed collectible. 16. Business Concentrations and Geographical Information The Company’s accounts receivable consist principally of receivables from franchisees for royalties and advertising contributions, from sales under the Branded Product Program, and from royalties from retail licensees. At March 27, 2016, four Branded Product customers represented 19%, 14%, 9% and 8%, of accounts receivable. At March 29, 2015, three Branded Product customers represented 20%, 17% and 10%, of accounts receivable. One Branded Products customer accounted for 14%, 17% and 17% of total revenue for the years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively. One retail licensee accounted for 19% and 17% of the total revenue for the years ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively. The Company’s primary supplier of hot dogs represented 81%, 83% and 75% of product purchases for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively. The Company’s distributor of products to its Company-owned restaurants represented 5 % The Company’s revenues for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 were derived from the following geographic areas: March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Domestic (United States) $ 95,655 $ 95,682 $ 76,221 Non-domestic 5,235 3,430 3,531 $ 100,890 $ 99,112 $ 79,752 The Company’s sales for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 were derived from the following: March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Branded Products $ 58,545 $ 58,948 $ 51,877 Company-owned restaurants 16,664 15,874 13,231 Other 822 698 413 $ 76,031 $ 75,520 $ 65,521 17. Advertising The Company administers an advertising fund on behalf of its restaurant system to coordinate the marketing efforts of the Company. Under this arrangement, the Company collects and disburses fees paid by manufacturers, franchisees and Company-owned stores for national and regional advertising, promotional and public relations programs. Contributions to the advertising fund are based on specified percentages of net sales, generally ranging up to 2%. Company-owned store advertising expense, which is expensed as incurred, was $191, $175 and $147, for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively, and have been included within restaurant operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings. 18. Stock-Based Compensation At March 27, 2016, the Company had one stock-based compensation plan in effect which is more fully described in Note L. The cost of all share-based payments, including grants of restricted stock and stock options, is recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values measured at the grant date, or the date of any later modification, over the requisite service period. The Company recognizes compensation cost for unvested stock awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite vesting period. 19. Classification of Operating Expenses Cost of sales consists of the following: o The cost of food and other products sold by Company-operated restaurants, through the Branded Product Program and through other distribution channels. o The cost of labor and associated costs of in-store restaurant management and crew. o The cost of paper products used in Company-operated restaurants. o Other direct costs such as fulfillment, commissions, freight and samples. Restaurant operating expenses consist of the following: o Occupancy costs of Company-operated restaurants. o Utility costs of Company-operated restaurants. o Repair and maintenance expenses of Company-operated restaurant facilities. o Marketing and advertising expenses done locally and contributions to advertising funds for Company-operated restaurants. o Insurance costs directly related to Company-operated restaurants. 20. Income Taxes The Company’s current provision for income taxes is based upon its estimated taxable income in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates, after considering the impact on taxable income of temporary differences resulting from different treatment of items for tax and financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and any operating loss or tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in those periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Should management determine that it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets would be established in the period such determination was made. Uncertain Tax Positions The Company has recorded liabilities for underpayment of income taxes and related interest and penalties for uncertain tax positions based on the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. The Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Nathan’s recognizes accrued interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits as part of the income tax provision. 2 1 . Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance changing the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. The revised definition of a discontinued operation includes those components of an entity or a group of components of an entity representing a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The guidance eliminated the current requirement to assess continuing cash flow and continuing involvement with the disposal group. The revised definition also includes a business or nonprofit activity that, on acquisition, meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale. A disposal meeting the new definition is required to be reported as discontinued operations when the component of an entity or group of components of an entity meets the held for sale criteria, is actually disposed of by sales, or is disposed of through means other than a sale. The guidance was effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 and did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position. In January 2015, the FASB issued new guidance to simplify the income statement presentation requirements by eliminating the seldom-used concept of extraordinary items. Extraordinary items are events and transactions that are distinguished by their unusual nature and by the infrequency of their occurrence. Eliminating the extraordinary classification simplifies the income statement presentation by no longer segregating such extraordinary items from the ordinary results of operations and separately stating the amount, net of tax along with the effect on earnings per share. This new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods therein, which for Nathan’s would be its first quarter of fiscal 2017 beginning March 28, 2016. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company early adopted this standard beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. In November 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance requiring deferred tax assets and liabilities be presented as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. This accounting principle change will be effective in calendar year 2017 for public entities with calendar year reporting periods. However, early adoption is permitted for any interim or annual period. Public entities are required to apply the new guidance in the annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. This standard is required to take effect in Nathan’s first quarter ending (June 2017) of our fiscal year ending March 25, 2018. However, early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of any interim or annual reporting period. Nathan’s may apply the amendment prospectively or retrospectively to all periods presented. In case of a prospective application, Nathan’s would disclose in the first interim and annual period of change (i) the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle, and (ii) a statement that prior periods were not adjusted. If the amendment is applied retrospectively, Nathan’s would have to disclose in the first interim and annual period of change (i) the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle, and (ii) quantitative information about the effects of the accounting change on prior periods. The Company early adopted this standard in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and applied it retrospectively, which resulted in decreases to current assets of $277 and total liabilities of $277 as of March 29, 2015. (See Note J.) The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. 2 2 . New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that attempts to establish a uniform basis for recording revenue to virtually all industries financial statements, under U.S. GAAP as amended in March 2016 and April 2016. The FASB issued two updates to the standard clarifying reporting revenue between Principle versus Agent and clarification in determining performance obligations and licenses guidance. The revenue standard’s core principle is built on the contract between a vendor and a customer for the provision of goods and services. It attempts to depict the exchange of rights and obligations between the parties in the pattern of revenue recognition based on the consideration to which the vendor is entitled. In order to accomplish this objective, companies must evaluate the following five basic steps: (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. There are three basic transition methods that are available – full retrospective, retrospective with certain practical expedients, and a cumulative effect approach. Under the third alternative, an entity would apply the new revenue standard only to contracts that are incomplete under legacy U.S. guidance at the date of initial application and recognize the cumulative effect of the new standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Prior years would not be restated and additional disclosures would be required to enable users of the financial statements to understand the impact of adopting the new standard in the current year compared to prior years that are presented under legacy U.S. guidance. Early adoption is prohibited. Public companies were originally expected to apply the new standard for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein, which for Nathan’s would have been its first quarter of fiscal 2018, beginning on March 27, 2017. On May 12, 2015, the FASB issued a second proposed update to the standard clarifying the distinction between revenue from licenses of intellectual property that represent a promise to deliver a good or service over time versus a promise to be satisfied at a point in time. On July 9, 2015, the FASB agreed to delay the standard’s effective date to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 which will now be our first quarter (June 2018) of our fiscal year ending March 31, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard on its consolidated financial position and results of operations. The Company does not believe that the standard will impact its recognition of revenue for its Branded Product Program, Company-operated restaurants or its recognition of royalties from its franchised restaurants or retail licensees, which are based on a percentage of sales. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on the recognition of fees received from international development fees from the sales of exclusive territorial right, initial fees from franchisees for new restaurant openings or extended franchise terms. In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance that requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. If such conditions exist, management will be required to include disclosures enabling users to understand those conditions and management’s plans to alleviate or mitigate those conditions. This new standard is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 16, 2016. This standard will take effect in Nathan’s fourth quarter of our fiscal year ending March 26, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard on its consolidated financial position and results of operations. In July 2015, the FASB updated U.S. accounting guidance to simplify the ways businesses measure inventory. Companies that use the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method or the average cost method will measure inventory at the lower of its cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the normal course of business, minus the cost of completion, disposal, and transportation. Companies will no longer consider replacement cost or net realizable value less a normal profit margin when measuring inventory. This new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 which will be our first quarter (June 2017) of our fiscal year ending March 25, 2018. Nathan’s does not expect the adoption of this new guidance to have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position. In February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on leases. The new standard, among other changes, will require lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases. The lease liability will be measured at the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The right-of-use asset will be measured at the lease liability amount, adjusted for lease prepayments, lease incentives received and the lessee’s initial direct costs (e.g. commissions). The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. This standard is required to take effect in Nathan’s first quarter ending (June 2019) of our fiscal year ending March 29, 2020. The adoption will require a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard on its consolidated financial position and results of operations. In March 2016, The FASB issued new guidance that will change how companies account for certain aspects of its share-based payments to employees. The update simplifies the accounting for a stock payment's tax consequences. It also amends how excess tax benefits and a Company's payments to cover the tax bills for the shares' recipients should be classified. The amendments allow companies to estimate the number of stock awards they expect to vest, and they revised the withholding requirements for classifying stock awards as equity. Previously, tax withheld was permitted only at the minimum statutory tax rates, which is being amended to permit higher tax withholding as long as it does not exceed the maximum statutory tax rate for an employee in the applicable jurisdictions. This new standard will be effective for public companies with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 which will be Nathan’s first quarter ending (June 2017) of our fiscal year ending in March 2018. However, early application is permitted. Nathan’s will early adopt effective its first fiscal quarter ending June 26, 2016 and is currently completing its evaluation of the effects of this new accounting standard on its financial position and results of operations. Pursuant to the standard, Nathan’s should recognize all excess tax benefits (“windfalls”) and tax deficiencies (“shortfalls”), including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards, as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. These items shall not be factored into the projected annual income tax rate, but will be treated as discrete items when they occur. Accordingly, this new treatment will add additional volatility to the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting standards, when adopted, will have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.

Note C - Income Per Share

Note C - Income Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	NOTE C - INCOME PER SHARE Basic income per common share is calculated by dividing income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and excludes any dilutive effect of stock options. Diluted income per common share gives effect to all potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the period. Dilutive common shares used in the computation of diluted income per common share result from the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants, as determined using the treasury stock method. The following chart provides a reconciliation of information used in calculating the per-share amounts for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively: Net Income Shares Net income per share 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 Basic EPS Basic calculation $ 6,096 $ 11,703 $ 8,327 4,430,000 4,486,000 4,450,000 $ 1.38 $ 2.61 $ 1.87 Effect of dilutive employee stock options - - - 33,000 102,000 155,000 (.01 ) (.06 ) (.06 ) Diluted EPS Diluted calculation $ 6,096 $ 11,703 $ 8,327 4,463,000 4,588,000 4,605,000 $ 1.37 $ 2.55 $ 1.81 No options to purchase shares of common stock for the years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.

Note D - Marketable Securities

Note D - Marketable Securities	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Marketable Securities Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE D – MARKETABLE SECURITIES At March 27, 2016, we did not have any marketable securities. The cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair market value for marketable securities, which consist entirely of municipal bonds that are classified as available-for-sale securities are as follows: Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value March 29, 2015 $ 7,019 $ 72 $ - $ 7,091 Proceeds from the sale of available-for-sale securities and the resulting gross realized gains included in the determination of net income are as follows: March 2 7 , 201 6 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Available-for-sale securities: Proceeds $ 10,868 $ 8,020 $ 2,890 Gross realized gains $ 26 $ - $ - As a result of the sale of all of the marketable securities, all prior unrealized gains have been realized and are included in net income and reclassified in determining other comprehensive income for the year ended March 27, 2016. The reclassification of unrealized gains for the year ended March 27, 2016 was $47, which was net of taxes of $25. The change in net unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities for the fiscal years ended March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, of $(102) and $(180), respectively, which is net of deferred income taxes, has been included as a component of comprehensive income. Accumulated other comprehensive income is comprised entirely of the net unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities as of March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014.

Note E - Accounts and Other Rec

Note E - Accounts and Other Receivables, Net	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE E - ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES, NET Accounts and other receivables, net, consist of the following: March 27 , 2016 March 29, 2015 Branded product sales $ 5,689 $ 6,317 Franchise and license royalties 2,592 2,570 Other 911 1,055 9,192 9,942 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts 471 443 Accounts and other receivables, net $ 8,721 $ 9,499 Accounts receivable are due within 30 days and are stated at amounts due from franchisees, retail licensees and Branded Product Program customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are generally considered past due. The Company does not recognize franchise and license royalties that are not deemed to be realizable. The Company individually reviews each past due account and determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the customer’s current and expected future ability to pay its obligation to the Company, the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. Based on management’s assessment, the Company provides for estimated uncollectible amounts through a charge to earnings. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they are deemed to be uncollectible against the allowance for doubtful accounts. Changes in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 are as follows: March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Beginning balance $ 443 $ 433 $ 130 Bad debt expense 38 23 21 Uncollectible marketing fund contributions - - 320 Accounts written off (10 ) (13 ) (38 ) Ending balance $ 471 $ 443 $ 433

Note F - Prepaid Expenses and O

Note F - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Other Current Assets [Text Block]	NOTE F – PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following: March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Income taxes $ 211 $ 3,525 Insurance 488 497 Other 644 510 $ 1,343 $ 4,532

Note G - Long-term Investment

Note G - Long-term Investment	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Cost-method Investments, Description [Text Block]	NOTE G – LONG-TERM INVESTMENT In September 2012, Nathan’s purchased 351,550 shares of Series A Preferred Stock in a privately-owned corporation for $500. Nathan’s investment currently represents a 2.5% equity ownership in the entity and Nathan’s does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee. The shares have voting rights on the same basis as the common shareholders and have certain dividend rights, if declared. Nathan’s accounts for this investment pursuant to the cost method and recognizes dividends distributed by the investee as income to the extent that dividends are distributed from net accumulated earnings of the investee. There were no dividends declared by the investee during the fifty-two week periods ended March 27, 2016 or March 29, 2015. Each reporting period, management reviews the carrying value of this investment based upon the financial information provided by the investment’s management and considers whether indicators of impairment exist. If an impairment indicator exists, management evaluates the fair value of its investment to determine if an, other-than-temporary impairment in value has occurred. We are required to recognize an impairment on the investment if such impairment is considered to be other-than-temporary. We have performed our evaluation of whether indicators of impairment existed, and determined that an other-than-temporary impairment has occurred and recorded impairment charges of $100 and $400 on this investment during the fifty-two week periods ended March 27, 2016 and March 30, 2014, respectively based on t

Note H - Property and Equipment

Note H - Property and Equipment, Net	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE H - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET Property and equipment consists of the following: March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Land $ 1,197 $ 1,197 Building and improvements 2,029 2,067 Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures 5,698 5,594 Leasehold improvements 7,124 6,120 Construction-in-progress 155 1,225 16,203 16,203 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 7,190 6,946 $ 9,013 $ 9,257

Note I - Accrued Expenses, Othe

Note I - Accrued Expenses, Other Current Liabilities and Other Liabilities	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Accounts Payable, Accrued Liabilities, and Other Liabilities Disclosure, Current [Text Block]	NOTE I – ACCRUED EXPENSES, OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES AND OTHER LIABILITIES Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following: March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Payroll and other benefits $ 2,919 $ 2,847 Accrued rebates 940 815 Rent and occupancy costs 218 206 Deferred revenue 679 601 Construction costs 183 269 Interest 507 750 Professional fees 101 329 Income taxes 82 17 Dividend payable 375 375 Other 172 203 $ 6,176 $ 6,412 Other liabilities consist of the following: March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Deferred development fees $ 129 $ 214 Reserve for uncertain tax positions (Note J) 427 555 Deferred rental liability 893 991 Dividend payable 250 625 Other 7 12 $ 1,706 $ 2,397

Note J - Income Taxes

Note J - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE J - INCOME TAXES The income tax provision consists of the following for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014: March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Federal Current $ 3,176 $ 5,992 $ 2,664 Deferred (11 ) 60 1,421 3,165 6,052 4,085 State and local Current 1,135 1,599 918 Deferred (12 ) 51 231 1,123 1,650 1,149 $ 4,288 $ 7,702 $ 5,234 The total income tax provision for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 differs from the amounts computed by applying the United States Federal income tax rate of 34%, 35% and 34%, respectively to income before income taxes as a result of the following: March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Computed “expected” tax expense $ 3,531 $ 6,792 $ 4,611 State and local income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit 826 1,112 773 Tax-exempt investment earnings (9 ) (63 ) (110 ) Change in uncertain tax positions, net (129 ) (62 ) (22 ) Nondeductible meals and entertainment and other 69 (77 ) (18 ) $ 4,288 $ 7,702 $ 5,234 The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are presented below: March 27 , March 29, 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets Accrued expenses $ 236 $ 145 Allowance for doubtful accounts 62 52 Deferred revenue 393 432 Deferred stock compensation 271 223 Excess of straight line over actual rent 379 412 Investment 151 152 Other 119 140 Total gross deferred tax assets $ 1,611 $ 1,556 Deferred tax liabilities Deductible prepaid expense 263 288 Unrealized gain on marketable securities - 16 Depreciation expense 1,717 1,692 Amortization 344 311 Total gross deferred tax liabilities 2,324 2,307 Net deferred tax (liability) $ (713 ) (751 ) A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We consider the level of historical taxable income, scheduled reversal of temporary differences, tax planning strategies and projected future taxable income in determining whether a valuation allowance is warranted. Based upon these considerations, management believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefit of its gross deferred tax asset. The following is a tabular reconciliation of the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014. March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of year $ 266 $ 283 $ 296 Decreases of tax positions taken in prior years (98 ) (64 ) (34 ) Increases based on tax positions taken in current year 43 47 21 Settlements of tax positions taken in prior years (3 ) - - Unrecognized tax benefits, end of year $ 208 $ 266 $ 283 The amount of unrecognized tax benefits at March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 were $208, $266 and $283, respectively, all of which would impact Nathan’s effective tax rate, if recognized. As of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, the Company had $200 and $289, respectively, accrued for the payment of interest and penalties. For the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 Nathan’s recognized interest and penalties in the amounts of $34, $44 and $43, respectively. The Company believes that it is reasonably possible that decreases in unrecognized tax benefits of up to $31 In May 2014, Nathan’s received notification from the Internal Revenue Service that it is seeking to review its tax return for the year ended March 31, 2013. Subsequent to March 27, 2016, we received confirmation that the review was concluded without adjustment. In June 2015, Nathan’s received notification from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance that it will review Nathan’s tax returns for the period April 1, 2011 through March 31, 2014. Fieldwork has been completed and we are awaiting the final conclusion of the New York State review. The earliest tax years’ that are subject to examination by taxing authorities by major jurisdictions are as follows: Jurisdiction Fiscal Year Federal 2013 New York State 2012 New York City 2013

Note K - Long-term Debt

Note K - Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE K – LONG-TERM DEBT Long-term debt consists of the following: March 2 7 , 2016 March 29, 2015 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 $ 135,000 $ 135,000 Less: current maturities of long-term debt - - Less: unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs (4,734 ) (5,860 ) $ 130,266 $ 129,140 On March 10, 2015, the Company completed the issuance of $135,000 of 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 (“the Notes”) in a Rule 144A transaction. The Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of March 10, 2015 (the “Indenture”), by and among the Company, certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries, as guarantors, and U.S. Bank National Association, a national banking association, as trustee and collateral trustee. The Company used the proceeds to pay a special cash dividend of approximately $116,100 (see Note L.1) with the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital. Debt discounts and issuance costs of approximately $5,926 were incurred which will be amortized into interest expense over the remaining 5-year term of the Notes. The Notes bear interest at 10.000% per annum, payable semi-annually on March 15th and September 15th with payments of $6,937.5 and $6,750 paid on September 15, 2015 and March 15, 2016, respectively. The Notes have no scheduled principal amortization payments prior to its final maturity on March 10, 2020. There are no financial maintenance covenants associated with the Notes. As of March 27, 2016, Nathan’s was in compliance with all covenants associated with the Notes. The Indenture contains certain covenants limiting the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions on, redeem or repurchase, capital stock; (iii) make investments or other restricted payments; (iv) create or incur certain liens; (v) incur restrictions on the payment of dividends or other distributions from its restricted subsidiaries; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) sell assets; or (viii) effect a consolidation or merger. Certain Restricted Payments which may be made or indebtedness incurred by Nathan’s or its Restricted Subsidiaries may require compliance with the following financial ratios: Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Priority Secured Leverage Ratio S ecured Leverage Ratio The Indenture also contains customary events of default, including, among other things, failure to pay interest, failure to comply with agreements related to the indenture, failure to pay at maturity or acceleration of other indebtedness, failure to pay certain judgments, and certain events of insolvency or bankruptcy. Generally, if any event of default occurs, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes may declare the Notes due and payable by providing notice to the Company. In case of default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, the Notes will become immediately due and payable. The Notes are general senior secured obligations, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries and rank pari passu Pursuant to the terms of a collateral trust agreement, the liens securing the Notes and the guarantees will be contractually subordinated to the liens securing any future credit facility. The Notes and the guarantees will be the Company and the guarantors’ senior secured obligations and will rank: ● senior in right of payment to all of the Company and the guarantors’ future subordinated indebtedness; ● effectively senior to all unsecured senior indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the Notes and the guarantees; ● pari passu ● effectively junior to any future credit facility to the extent of the value of the collateral securing any future credit facility and the Notes and the guarantees and certain other assets; ● effectively junior to any of the Company and the guarantors’ existing and future indebtedness that is secured by assets other than the collateral securing the Notes and the guarantees to the extent of the value of any such assets; and ● structurally subordinated to the indebtedness of any of the Company’s current and future subsidiaries that do not guarantee the Notes. Prior to September 15, 2017, the Company has the option to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes at a redemption price equal to 110% of the principal amount of the Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and any additional interest, with the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings. The Company may redeem the Notes in whole or in part prior to September 15, 2017, at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of the Notes plus the Applicable Premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest. An Applicable Premium is the greater of 1% of the principal amount of the Notes; or the excess of the present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the Notes at September 15, 2017 plus (ii) all required interest payments due on the Notes through September 15, 2017 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over the then outstanding principal amount of the Notes. On or after September 15, 2017, the Company may redeem some or all of the Notes at a decreasing premium over time, plus accrued and unpaid interest as follows: YEAR PERCENTAGE On or after September 15, 2017 and prior to March 15, 2018 105.000% On or after March 15, 2018 and prior to March 15, 2019 102.500% On and after March 15, 2019 100.000% In certain circumstances involving a change of control, the Company will be required to make an offer to repurchase all or, at the holder’s option, any part, of each holder’s Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”). In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of purchase. If the Company sells certain assets and does not use the net proceeds as required, the Company will be required to use such net proceeds to repurchase the Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest penalty, if any, to the date of repurchase. The Notes may be traded between qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933. We have recorded the Notes at cost.

Note L - Stockholders' Equity,

Note L - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Other Employee Benefit Plans	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE L – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY, STOCK PLANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS 1. Dividend On March 10, 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a special cash dividend of $25.00 per share payable to shareholders of record as of March 20, 2015 of which approximately $115,100 was paid on March 27, 2015 to the stockholders. The Company also accrued $1,000 for the expected dividends payable on unvested shares pursuant to the terms of the restricted stock agreements. As restricted stock grants, the declared dividend will be paid. We have paid $375 of the accrued dividend and estimate that approximately $375, $125 and $125 will be paid during our fiscal years ending March 26, 2017, March 25, 2018 and March 31, 2019, respectively. The ex-date for the distribution was March 30, 2015 pursuant to NASDAQ regulations for dividend distributions that are greater than 25% of the Company’s market capitalization. 2. Stock Incentive Plans On September 14, 2010, the Company’s shareholders approved the Nathan’s Famous, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2010 Plan”), which provides for the issuance of nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and other stock-based awards to directors, officers and key employees. The Company was initially authorized to issue up to 150,000 shares of common stock under the 2010 Plan, together with any shares which had not been previously issued under the Company’s previous stock option plans as of July 19, 2010 (171,000 shares), plus any shares subject to any outstanding options or restricted stock grants under the Company’s previous stock option plans that were outstanding as of July 19, 2010 and that subsequently expire unexercised, or are otherwise forfeited, up to a maximum of an additional 100,000 shares. On September 13, 2012, the Company amended the 2010 Plan increasing the number of shares available for issuance by 250,000 shares. Shares to be issued under the 2010 Plan may be made available from authorized but unissued stock, common stock held by the Company in its treasury, or common stock purchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise. The number of shares issuable and the grant, purchase or exercise price of outstanding awards are subject to adjustment in the amount that the Company’s Compensation Committee considers appropriate upon the occurrence of certain events, including stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, consolidations, reorganizations, recapitalizations, or other capital adjustments. In the event that the Company issues restricted stock awards pursuant to the 2010 Plan, each share of restricted stock would reduce the amount of available shares for issuance by either 3.2 shares for each share of restricted stock granted or 1 share for each share of restricted stock granted. As of March 27, 2016, there were up to 223,698 shares available to be issued for future option grants or up to 190,218 shares of restricted stock that may be granted under the 2010 Plan. In general, options granted under the Company’s stock incentive plans have terms of five or ten years and vest over periods of between three and five years. The Company has historically issued new shares of common stock for options that have been exercised and used the Black-Scholes option valuation model to determine the fair value of options granted at the grant date. During the fiscal year ended March 29, 2015, the Company granted options to purchase 50,000 shares at an exercise price of $53.89 per share, all of which expire five years from the date of grant. All such stock options vest ratably over a four-year period commencing August 6, 2015. The weighted-average option fair values, as determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, and the assumptions used to estimate these values for stock options granted during the year ended March 29, 2015 were as follows: Weighted-average option fair values $ 11.970 Expected life (years) 4.5 Interest rate 1.66 % Volatility 22.77 % Dividend Yield 0 % The expected dividend yield is based on historical and projected yields for regular dividends. The Company estimates expected volatility based primarily on historical monthly price changes of the Company’s stock equal to the expected life of the option. The risk free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of the grant. The expected option term is the number of years the Company estimates the options will be outstanding prior to exercise based on expected employment termination behavior. During the fiscal year ended March 30, 2014, the Company granted 25,000 shares of restricted stock at a fair value of $49.80 per share representing the closing price on the date of grant, which will be fully vested five years from the date of grant. The restrictions on the shares lapse ratably over a five-year period on the annual anniversary of the date of grant. The compensation expense related to this restricted stock award is expected to be $1,245 and will be recognized, commencing on the grant date, over the next five years. The Company recognizes compensation cost for unvested stock-based incentive awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Compensation cost charged to expense under all stock-based incentive awards is as follows: March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Stock options $ 181 $ 318 $ 224 Restricted stock 541 541 497 $ 722 $ 859 $ 721 The tax benefit on stock-based compensation expense was $298 , $1,081 of unamortized compensation expense related to stock-based incentive awards. The Company expects to recognize this expense over approximately two years and one month, which represents the weighted average remaining requisite service periods for such awards. A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options at March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 and changes during the fiscal years then ended is presented in the tables below: 2016 2015 2014 Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Options outstanding – beginning of year 142,964 $ 24.36 279,500 $ 15.22 429,500 $ 13.29 Granted - - 50,000 $ 53.89 - - Expired (3,787 ) 11.72 - - - - Exercised (15,147 ) 11.72 (235,125 ) 14.74 (150,000 ) 9.71 Options outstanding - end of year 124,030 $ 26.29 94,375 $ 36.90 279,500 $ 15.22 Options exercisable - end of year 67,221 $ 18.44 - $ - 190,750 $ 14.04 Weighted-average fair value of options granted - - 50,000 $ 11.97 - - During the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, options to purchase 15,147, 235,125 and 150,000 shares were exercised which aggregated proceeds of $89 , The following table summarizes information about outstanding stock options at March 27, 2016: Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value Options outstanding at March 27, 2016 124,030 $ 26.29 2.13 $ 1,952 Options exercisable at March 27, 2016 67,221 $ 18.44 1.08 $ 1,586 Exercise prices range from $1 1 .7 2 to $ 35 . 576 R eplacement stock options: March 30, 2015, was the ex-dividend date for the Nathan’s dividend distribution that was paid on March 27, 2015. Pursuant to the mandatory anti-dilution provisions of the option plan, the Company issued replacement options for the unvested stock options that were outstanding as of March 29, 2015. Nathan’s performed its evaluation based on the closing price of its common stock on Friday March 27, 2015 of $73.56 per share, or $48.56 per share excluding the dividend of $25.00 per share. No other terms or conditions of the outstanding options were modified. The anti-dilution provisions of the original awards granted to the 11 optionees were structured to equalize the award’s fair value before and after the modification and as a result there was no resulting incremental fair value after the modification to equalize value. The following table summarizes information about the replacement stock options outstanding after the conversion, effective March 30, 2015: Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value Options outstanding at March 30, 2015 142,964 $ 24.36 2.87 $ 3,460 Options exercisable at March 30, 2015 - $ - - $ - Exercise prices range from $11.72 to $35.576 Restricted stock: Transactions with respect to restricted stock for the fiscal year ended March 27, 2016 are as follows: Shares Weighted- Average Grant-date Fair value Per share Unvested restricted stock at March 29, 2015 40,000 $ 39.54 Granted - - Vested (15,000 ) $ 36.13 Unvested restricted stock at March 27, 2016 25,000 $ 41.59 The aggregate fair value of restricted stock vested during the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 was $683, $965 and $533, respectively. 3. Common Stock Purchase Rights On June 5, 2013, Nathan’s adopted a new stockholder rights plan (the “2013 Rights Plan”) under which all stockholders of record as of June 17, 2013 received rights to purchase shares of common stock (the “2013 Rights”) and the previously existing “New Rights Plan” was terminated. The 2013 Rights were distributed as a dividend. Initially, the 2013 Rights will attach to, and trade with, the Company’s common stock. Subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the 2013 Rights Plan, the 2013 Rights will become exercisable if (among other things) a person or group acquires 15% or more of the Company’s common stock (“triggering event”). Upon such triggering event and payment of the purchase price of $100.00 (the “2013 Right Purchase Price”), each 2013 Right (except those held by the acquiring person or group) will entitle the holder to acquire one share of the Company’s common stock (or the economic equivalent thereof) or, if the then-current market price is less than the then current 2013 Right Purchase Price, a number of shares of the Company’s common stock which at the time of the transaction has a market value equal to the then current 2013 Right Purchase Price at a purchase price per share equal to the then current market price of the Company’s Common Stock. The Company’s Board of Directors may redeem the 2013 Rights prior to the time they are triggered. Upon adoption of the 2013 Rights Plan, the Company reserved 10,188,600 shares of common stock for issuance upon exercise of the 2013 Rights. The 2013 Rights will expire on June 17, 2018 unless earlier redeemed or exchanged by the Company. At March 27, 2016, the Company has reserved 10,825,689 shares of common stock for issuance upon exercise of the Common Stock Purchase Rights approved by the Board of Directors on June 5, 2013. 4. Stock Repurchase Programs On December 13, 2013, the Company and Mutual Securities, Inc. (“MSI”) entered into an agreement pursuant to which MSI has been authorized on the Company’s behalf to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, $.01 par value having a value of up to an aggregate of five million dollars ($5,000), which purchases could commence on December 23, 2013. The agreement with MSI was adopted under the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended in order to assist the Company in implementing its previously announced stock purchase plans described below and provides for the purchase of up to an aggregate of 800,000 shares. On September 11, 2015, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized the commencement of a modified Dutch Auction tender offer to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of its common stock at a price not less than $33.00 nor greater than $36.00 per share. On November 13, 2015, the Pricing Committee authorized the Company to extend the expiration date of the modified Dutch Auction tender offer until 5:00PM EST on December 2, 2015 and increase the price range of the modified Dutch Auction tender offer to a price per share of not less than $41.00 nor greater than $44.00. Based on the final count by American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, the depositary of the tender, 88,672 shares of common stock were tendered and not withdrawn at or below the final purchase price of $44.00 per share. Since the tender offer was not fully subscribed, no proration was required and all shares validly tendered and not withdrawn were accepted for purchase. All of such shares purchased in the tender offer were purchased at the same price of $44.00 per share, for a total cost of $4,056, including fees and expenses related to the modified Dutch Auction tender offer. Through March 27, 2016, Nathan’s purchased a total of 5,096,757 shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $76,031 pursuant to the various stock repurchase plans previously authorized by the Board of Directors. Of these repurchased shares, 449,070 shares were repurchased at a cost of $19,231 during the year ended March 27, 2016, which includes 88,672 shares of common stock purchased pursuant to the modified Dutch Auction tender offer described above. On November 9, 2009, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized its sixth stock repurchase plan for the purchase of up to 500,000 shares of its common stock on behalf of the Company. On February 1, 2011, Nathan’s Board of Directors increased the authorization to purchase its common stock by an additional 300,000 shares. On February 1, 2016, Nathan’s Board of Directors increased the authorization to purchase its common stock by an additional 200,000 shares. On March 11, 2016, Nathan’s Board of Directors increased the authorization to purchase its common stock by an additional 200,000 shares increasing the aggregate authorization under the Sixth Securities Repurchase Program to 1.2 million shares. The Company has repurchased 909,126 shares at a cost of $28,369 under the sixth stock repurchase plan through March 27, 2016. An aggregate of 290,874 shares are available to be purchased. On March 11, 2016, the Company and Mutual Securities, Inc. (“MSI”) entered into an agreement (the “Agreement”) pursuant to which MSI has been authorized on the Company’s behalf to purchase up to 175,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, $.01 par value, commencing on March 21, 2016. The Agreement was adopted under the safe harbor provided by Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, in order to assist the Company in implementing its stock purchase plans. Purchases under the existing stock repurchase plan may be made from time to time, depending on market conditions, in open market or privately-negotiated transactions, at prices deemed appropriate by management. There is no set time limit on the repurchases to be made under the stock repurchase plan. 5. Employment Agreements Effective January 1, 2007, Howard M. Lorber, previously Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, assumed the newly-created position of Executive Chairman of the Board of Nathan’s and Eric Gatoff, previously Vice President and Corporate Counsel, became Chief Executive Officer of Nathan’s. In connection with the foregoing, the Company entered into an employment agreement with each of Messrs. Lorber (as amended, the “Lorber Employment Agreement”) and Gatoff (as amended, the “Gatoff Employment Agreement”). Under the terms of the Lorber Employment Agreement, Mr. Lorber will serve as Executive Chairman of the Board from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2012, unless his employment is terminated in accordance with the terms of the Lorber Employment Agreement. On November 1, 2012, the Company amended its employment agreement with Mr. Lorber, extending the term of the employment agreement to December 31, 2017 and increasing the base compensation of Mr. Lorber to $600 per annum. In addition, Mr. Lorber received a grant of 50,000 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting as provided in a Restricted Stock Agreement between Mr. Lorber and the Company. Mr. Lorber will not receive a contractually-required bonus. The Lorber Employment Agreement provides for a three-year consulting period after the termination of employment during which Mr. Lorber will receive a consulting fee of $200 per year in exchange for his agreement to provide no less than 15 days of consulting services per year, provided, Mr. Lorber is not required to provide more than 50 days of consulting services per year. The Lorber Employment Agreement provides Mr. Lorber with the right to participate in employment benefits offered to other Nathan’s executives. During and after the contract term, Mr. Lorber is subject to certain confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-competition provisions in favor of the Company. In the event that Mr. Lorber’s employment is terminated without cause, he is entitled to receive his salary and bonus for the remainder of the contract term. The Lorber Employment Agreement further provides that in the event there is a change in control, as defined in the agreement, Mr. Lorber has the option, exercisable within one year after such event, to terminate the agreement. Upon such termination, he has the right to receive a lump sum cash payment equal to the greater of (A) his salary and annual bonuses for the remainder of the employment term (including a prorated bonus for any partial fiscal year), which bonus shall be equal to the average of the annual bonuses awarded to him during the three fiscal years preceding the fiscal year of termination; or (B) 2.99 times his salary and annual bonus for the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year of termination, in each case together with a lump sum cash payment equal to the difference between the exercise price of any exercisable options having an exercise price of less than the then current market price of the Company’s common stock and such then current market price. In addition, Nathan’s will provide Mr. Lorber with a tax gross-up payment to cover any excise tax due. In the event of termination due to Mr. Lorber’s death or disability, he is entitled to receive an amount equal to his salary and annual bonuses for a three-year period, which bonus shall be equal to the average of the annual bonuses awarded to him during the three fiscal years preceding the fiscal year of termination. Under the terms of the Gatoff Employment Agreement, Mr. Gatoff initially served as Chief Executive Officer from January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2008, which period automatically extends for additional one-year periods unless either party delivers notice of non-renewal no less than 180 days prior to the end of the term then in effect. Consequently, the Gatoff Employment Agreement is expected to be extended through December 31, 2017, based on the original terms, and no non-renewal notice has been given. Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Gatoff will receive a base salary, currently $500 effective June 1, 2016, and an annual bonus based on his performance measured against the Company’s financial, strategic and operating objectives as determined by the Compensation Committee. The Gatoff Employment Agreement provides for an automobile allowance and the right of Mr. Gatoff to participate in employment benefits offered to other Nathan’s executives. The employment agreement automatically extends for successive one-year periods unless notice of non-renewal is provided in accordance with the agreement. During and after the contract term, Mr. Gatoff is subject to certain confidentiality, non-solicitation and non-competition provisions in favor of the Company. On June 4, 2013, Mr. Gatoff received a grant of 25,000 shares of restricted stock at a fair value of $49.80 per share representing the closing price on the date of grant, subject to vesting as provided in a Restricted Stock Agreement between Mr. Gatoff and the Company. The compensation expense related to this restricted stock award is expected to be $1,245 and will be recognized, commencing of the grant date, over the next five years. On June 10, 2015, the Company and Wayne Norbitz entered into a Transition Agreement (the “Transition Agreement”) relating to the retirement of Mr. Norbitz as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company. Under the Transition Agreement, Mr. Norbitz continued to serve as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company through August 7, 2015 at which time he became a Consultant to the Company pursuant to the terms of a one year Consulting Agreement between him and the Company (the “Consulting Agreement”). The Consulting Agreement provides that Mr. Norbitz will receive a consulting fee of $16.3 per month. The Transition Agreement further provides that Mr. Norbitz will receive a severance payment of $289 and under the terms of the Transition Agreement, the Company purchased from Mr. Norbitz 56,933 shares of the Company’s common stock, $.01 par value (the “Common Stock”) at a purchase price of $40.28 which was the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market on June 10, 2015. The Company and one employee of Nathan’s entered into a change of control agreement effective May 31, 2007 for annual compensation of $136 per year. The agreement additionally includes a provision under which the employee has the right to terminate the agreement and receive payment equal to approximately three times his annual compensation upon a change in control, as defined. Each employment agreement terminates upon death or voluntary termination by the respective employee or may be terminated by the Company on up to 30-days’ prior written notice by the Company in the event of disability or “cause,” as defined in each agreement. 6. Defined Contribution and Union Pension Plans The Company has a defined contribution retirement plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code covering all nonunion employees over age 21, who have been employed by the Company for at least one year. Employees may contribute to the plan, on a tax-deferred basis, up to 20% of their total annual salary. Historically, the Company has matched contributions at a rate of $.25 per dollar contributed by the employee on up to a maximum of 3% of the employee’s total annual salary. Employer contributions for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 were $35 , The Company participates in a noncontributory, multi-employer, defined benefit pension plan (the “Union Plan”) covering substantially all of the Company’s union-represented employees. The risks of participating in the Union Plan are different from a single-employer plan in the following aspects (a) assets contributed to the Union Plan by one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers; (b) if a participating employer stops contributing to the plan, the unfunded obligations of the plan may be borne by the remaining participating employers; and (c) if the Company chooses to stop participating in the Union Plan, the Company may be required to pay the Union Plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the Union Plan, referred to as a withdrawal liability. The Company has no plans or intentions to stop participating in the plan as of March 27, 2016 and does not believe that there is a reasonable possibility that a withdrawal liability will be incurred. Contributions to the Union Plan were $8, 7. Other Benefits The Company provides, on a contributory basis, medical benefits to active employees. The Company does not provide medical benefits to retirees.

Note M - Commitments and Contin

Note M - Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE M - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 1. Commitments The Company’s operations are principally conducted in leased premises. The leases generally have initial terms ranging from 5 to 20 years and usually provide for renewal options ranging from 5 to 20 years. Most of the leases contain escalation clauses and common area maintenance charges (including taxes and insurance). Revenue from sub-leasing properties is recognized in income as the revenue is earned and deemed collectible. Sub-lease rental income is presented net of associated lease costs in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings. As of March 27, 2016, the Company had non-cancelable operating lease commitments, net of certain sublease rental income, as follows: Lease commitments Sublease income Net lease commitments 2017 $ 1,618 $ 303 $ 1,315 2018 1,645 327 1,318 2019 1,654 330 1,324 2020 1,545 332 1,213 2021 1,063 309 754 Thereafter 6,906 1,128 5,778 $ 14,431 $ 2,729 $ 11,702 Aggregate rental expense, net of sublease income, under all current leases amounted to $1,628, $1,617 and $1,391 for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively. Sublease rental income was $270 , Contingent rental payments on building leases are typically made based on the percentage of gross sales of the individual restaurants that exceed predetermined levels. The percentage of gross sales to be paid and related gross sales level vary by unit. Contingent rental expense, which is inclusive of common area maintenance charges, was approximately $517 , At March 27, 2016, the Company leases one site which it in turn subleases to a franchisee, which expires in April 2027 exclusive of renewal options. The Company remains liable for all lease costs when property is subleased to a franchisee. 2. Legal Proceedings The Company and its subsidiaries are from time to time involved in ordinary and routine litigation. Management presently believes that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, cash flows or results of operations. Nevertheless, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties and unfavorable rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include money damages and, in such event, could result in a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of operations for the period in which the ruling occurs. 3. Guaranty On December 1, 2009, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company executed a Guaranty of Lease (the “Guaranty”) in connection with its re-franchising of a restaurant located in West Nyack, New York. The Guaranty extended through the fifth Lease Year, as defined in the lease, and shall not exceed an amount equal to the highest amount of the annual minimum rent, percentage rent and any additional rent payable pursuant to the lease and reasonable attorney’s fees and other costs. The Guaranty expired and the Company reversed all previously recorded liabilities in connection with this guaranty. In connection with the Nathan’s Franchise Agreement, Nathan’s also received a personal guaranty from the franchisee for all obligations under the Guaranty. Nathan’s has not been required to make any payments pursuant to the Guaranty. 4. Hurricane Sandy On October 29, 2012, Superstorm Sandy struck the Northeastern United States, which forced the closing of all of the Company-owned restaurants. Our flagship Coney Island restaurant incurred significant damage and re-opened on May 20, 2013. Our Company-owned restaurant in Oceanside, New York was closed for approximately two weeks. Our Coney Island Boardwalk restaurant sustained minor damage and re-opened on March 18, 2013. Seventy-eight franchised restaurants, including 18 Branded Menu locations, were also closed for varying periods of time. As of March 30, 2014, the Company settled the property damage claim with its insurers and received payments of approximately $3,400, net of fees, from our insurer and used these proceeds towards the rebuilding of the Coney Island restaurant. In connection with the settlement of the property and casualty loss, the Company recognized a gain of approximately $2,774 during the fiscal ended March 30, 2014. In April 2014, the Company settled its claim for reimbursable on-going business expenses while the restaurant was closed of approximately $718, net of fees, that was included in accounts and other receivables in the balance sheet as of March 30, 2014.

Note N - Related Party Transact

Note N - Related Party Transactions	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]	NOTE N - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS An accounting firm of which Charles Raich, who serves on Nathan’s Board of Directors, has been the Founding Partner, received ordinary tax preparation and other consulting fees of $181, $160 and $130 for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively. A firm to which Mr. Lorber is as an investor (and, prior to January 2012, a consultant), and the firm’s affiliates, received ordinary and customary insurance commissions aggregating approximately $19, $24 and $24 for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively.

Note O - Quarterly Financial In

Note O - Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	NOTE O - QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 201 6 Total revenues $ 30,654 $ 30,619 $ 20,564 $ 19,053 Gross profit (a) 4,785 6,313 3,681 3,254 Income from operations 7,616 8,426 4,435 4,486 Net income 2,310 2,847 432 507 Per share information Net income per share Basic (b) $ .50 $ .64 $ .10 $ .12 Diluted (b) $ .50 $ .64 $ .10 $ .12 Shares used in computation of net income per share Basic (b) 4,584,000 4,432,000 4,408,000 4,297,000 Diluted (b) 4,621,000 4,449,000 4,444,000 4,337,000 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2015 Total revenues $ 27,585 $ 28,872 $ 22,315 $ 20,340 Gross profit (a) 4,240 4,716 2,594 2,019 Income from operations 6,779 6,447 3,765 2,967 Net income 4,071 3,854 2,241 1,537 Per share information Net income per share Basic (b) $ .91 $ .86 $ .50 $ .34 Diluted (b) $ .89 $ .84 $ .49 $ .34 Shares used in computation of net income per share Basic (b) 4,471,000 4,472,000 4,482,000 4,521,000 Diluted (b) 4,593,000 4,593,000 4,603,000 4,562,000 (a) Gross profit represents the difference between sales and cost of sales. (b) The sum of the quarters may not equal the full year per share amounts included in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings due to the effect of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the fiscal years as compared to the quarters.

Schedule II - Valuation and Qua

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements
Schedule of Valuation and Qualifying Accounts Disclosure [Text Block]	SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 (in thousands) COL. A COL. B COL. C COL. D COL. E Description Balance at beginning of period Additions charged to costs and expenses Additions charged to other accounts Deductions Balance at end of period Fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2016 Allowance for doubtful accounts - accounts receivable $ 443 $ 38 $ - $ (10 )(b) $ 471 Fifty-two weeks ended March 29, 2015 Allowance for doubtful accounts - accounts receivable $ 433 $ 23 $ - $ (13 )(b) $ 443 Fifty-two weeks ended March 30, 2014 Allowance for doubtful accounts - accounts receivable $ 130 $ 21 $ 320 (a) $ (38 )(b) $ 433 (a) Uncollectible marketing fund contributions. (b) Uncollectible amounts written off.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]	1. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]	2. Fiscal Year The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in March, which results in a 52 or 53-week reporting period. The results of operations and cash flows for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 are on the basis of a 52-week reporting period.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]	3. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates made by management in preparing the consolidated financial statements include revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of stock-based compensation, accounting for income taxes, and the valuation of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	4. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents amounted to $0 and $1,754 at March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively. Substantially all of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are in excess of government insurance.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	5. Inventories Inventories, which are stated at the lower of cost or market value, consist primarily of food items and supplies. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.
Marketable Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]	6. Marketable Securities The Company determines the appropriate classification of securities at the time of purchase and reassesses the appropriateness of the classification at each reporting date. As of March 27, 2016, the Company had sold all of its marketable securities that had been invested in municipal bonds and the proceeds are included in cash and cash equivalents. At March 29, 2015, all marketable securities held by the Company were classified as available-for-sale and, as a result, were stated at fair value (Note D), with unrealized gains and losses included as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income. Realized gains and losses on the sale of securities are determined on a specific identification basis. Interest income, net of reclassifications out of other comprehensive income is recorded when it is earned and deemed realizable by the Company.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	7. Property and Equipment Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Major improvements are capitalized and minor replacements, maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Depreciation and amortization are calculated on the straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the lease term of the related asset. The estimated useful lives are as follows: Building and improvements (in years) 5 – 25 Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures (in years) 3 – 15 Leasehold improvements (in years) 5 – 20
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	8. Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill and intangible assets consist of (i) goodwill of $95 resulting from the acquisition of Nathan’s in 1987; and (ii) trademarks, trade names and other intellectual property of $1,353 in connection with Arthur Treacher’s. The Company’s goodwill and intangible assets are deemed to have indefinite lives and, accordingly, are not amortized, but are evaluated for impairment at least annually, but more often whenever changes in facts and circumstances occur which may indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. As of March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, the Company performed its required annual impairment test of goodwill and intangible assets and has determined no impairment is deemed to exist.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	9. Long-lived Assets Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Impairment is measured by comparing the carrying value of the long-lived assets to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to result from use of the assets and their ultimate disposition. In instances where impairment is determined to exist, the Company writes down the asset to its fair value based on the present value of estimated future cash flows. Impairment losses are recorded on long-lived assets on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis whenever impairment factors are determined to be present. The Company considers a history of restaurant operating losses to be its primary indicator of potential impairment for individual restaurant locations. We relocated our Oceanside restaurant in March 2015 at a total investment of approximately $1,285. As a result of Hurricane Sandy, our Coney Island restaurant sustained significant damage (Note M.4). The restaurant was fully repaired and re-opened on May 20, 2013. No long-lived assets were deemed impaired during the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]	10. 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 (an exit price). The fair value hierarchy, as outlined in the applicable accounting guidance, is based on inputs to valuation techniques that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect assumptions market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity’s pricing based upon their own market assumptions. The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels: ? Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for an identical asset or liability in an active market ? Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for a similar asset or liability in an active market or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability ? Level 3 - inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability The use of observable market inputs (quoted market prices) when measuring fair value and, specifically, the use of Level 1 quoted prices to measure fair value are required whenever possible. The determination of where an asset or liability falls in the hierarchy requires significant judgment. The Company evaluates its hierarchy disclosures quarterly and based on various factors, it is possible that an asset or liability may be classified differently from year to year. At March 27, 2016, we did not have any marketable securities. The following table presents assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 29, 2015 based upon the valuation hierarchy: March 29, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Carrying Value Marketable securities $ - $ 7,091 $ - $ 7,091 Total assets at fair value $ - $ 7,091 $ - $ 7,091 Nathan’s marketable securities, which consisted primarily of municipal bonds, were not actively traded. The valuation of such bonds was based upon quoted market prices for similar bonds currently trading in an active market or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset. The Company’s long-term debt had a carrying value of $135,000 as of March 27, 2016 and a fair value of $142,425 as of March 27, 2016. The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt based upon review of observable pricing in secondary markets as of the last trading day of the fiscal period. Accordingly, the Company classifies its long-term debt as Level 2. The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of the instruments. The majority of the Company’s non-financial assets and liabilities are not required to be carried at fair value on a recurring basis. However, the Company is required on a non-recurring basis to use fair value measurements when analyzing asset impairment as it relates to goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets and long-lived assets. The Company utilized the income approach (Level 3 inputs) which utilized cash flow forecasts for future income and were discounted to present value in performing its annual impairment testing of intangible assets.
Start-up Activities, Cost Policy [Policy Text Block]	11. Start-up Costs Pre-opening and similar restaurant costs are expensed as incurred.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	12. Revenue Recognition - Branded Product Program The Company recognizes sales from the Branded Product Program and certain products sold from the Branded Menu Program upon delivery to Nathan’s customers via third party common carrier. Rebates provided to customers are classified as a reduction to sales. 13. Revenue Recognition - Company-owned Restaurants Sales by Company-owned restaurants, which are typically paid in cash or credit card by the customer, are recognized at the point of sale. Sales are presented net of sales tax. 14. Revenue Recognition - Franchising Operations In connection with its franchising operations, the Company receives initial franchise fees, area development fees, royalties, and in certain cases, revenue from sub-leasing restaurant properties to franchisees. Franchise and area development fees, which are typically received prior to completion of the revenue recognition process, are initially recorded as deferred revenue. Initial franchise fees, which are non-refundable, are recognized as income when substantially all services to be performed by Nathan’s and conditions relating to the sale of the franchise have been performed or satisfied, which generally occurs when the franchised restaurant commences operations. The following services are typically provided by the Company prior to the opening of a franchised restaurant: o Approval of all site selections to be developed. o Provision of architectural plans suitable for restaurants to be developed. o Assistance in establishing building design specifications, reviewing construction compliance and equipping the restaurant. o Provision of appropriate menus to coordinate with the restaurant design and location to be developed. o Provision of management training for the new franchisee and selected staff. o Assistance with the initial operations of restaurants being developed. At March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, $137 and $278, respectively, of deferred franchise fees are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. For the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, the Company earned franchise fees of $751, $1,043 and $863, respectively, from new unit openings, transfers, co-branding and forfeitures. Development fees are non-refundable and the related agreements require the franchisee to open a specified number of restaurants in the development area within a specified time period or the agreements may be canceled by the Company. Revenue from development agreements is deferred and shall be recognized, with an appropriate provision for estimated uncollectible amounts, when all material services or conditions to the sale have been substantially performed by the franchisor. If substantial obligations under the development agreement are not dependent on the number of individual franchise locations to be opened, substantial performance shall be determined using the same criteria applicable to an individual franchise, which is generally the opening of the first location pursuant to the development agreement. If substantial performance is dependent on the number of locations, then the development fee is deferred and recognized ratably over the term of the agreement, as restaurants in the development area commence operations on a pro rata basis to the minimum number of restaurants required to be open, or at the time the development agreement is effectively canceled. At March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, $129 and $214, respectively, of deferred development fee revenue is included in other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The following is a summary of franchise openings and closings for the Nathan’s franchise restaurant system for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014: March 27 , 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Franchised restaurants operating at the beginning of the period 296 324 303 New franchised restaurants opened during the period 56 36 56 Franchised restaurants closed during the period (93 ) (64 ) (35 ) Franchised restaurants operating at the end of the period 259 296 324 The Company recognizes franchise royalties on a monthly basis, which are generally based upon a percentage of sales made by the Company’s franchisees, when they are earned and deemed collectible. The Company recognizes royalty revenue from its Branded Menu Program directly from the sale of Nathan’s products by its primary distributor or directly from the manufacturers. Franchise fees and royalties that are not deemed to be collectible are not recognized as revenue until paid by the franchisee or until collectibility is deemed to be reasonably assured. 15. Revenue Recognition – License Royalties The Company earns revenue from royalties on the licensing of the use of its intellectual property in connection with certain products produced and sold by outside vendors. The use of the Company’s intellectual property must be approved by the Company prior to each specific application to ensure proper quality and a consistent image. Revenue from license royalties is recognized on a monthly basis when it is earned and deemed collectible.
Concentration Risk, Credit Risk, Policy [Policy Text Block]	16. Business Concentrations and Geographical Information The Company’s accounts receivable consist principally of receivables from franchisees for royalties and advertising contributions, from sales under the Branded Product Program, and from royalties from retail licensees. At March 27, 2016, four Branded Product customers represented 19%, 14%, 9% and 8%, of accounts receivable. At March 29, 2015, three Branded Product customers represented 20%, 17% and 10%, of accounts receivable. One Branded Products customer accounted for 14%, 17% and 17% of total revenue for the years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively. One retail licensee accounted for 19% and 17% of the total revenue for the years ended March 27, 2016 and March 29, 2015, respectively. The Company’s primary supplier of hot dogs represented 81%, 83% and 75% of product purchases for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively. The Company’s distributor of products to its Company-owned restaurants represented 5 % The Company’s revenues for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 were derived from the following geographic areas: March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Domestic (United States) $ 95,655 $ 95,682 $ 76,221 Non-domestic 5,235 3,430 3,531 $ 100,890 $ 99,112 $ 79,752 The Company’s sales for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014 were derived from the following: March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Branded Products $ 58,545 $ 58,948 $ 51,877 Company-owned restaurants 16,664 15,874 13,231 Other 822 698 413 $ 76,031 $ 75,520 $ 65,521
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	17. Advertising The Company administers an advertising fund on behalf of its restaurant system to coordinate the marketing efforts of the Company. Under this arrangement, the Company collects and disburses fees paid by manufacturers, franchisees and Company-owned stores for national and regional advertising, promotional and public relations programs. Contributions to the advertising fund are based on specified percentages of net sales, generally ranging up to 2%. Company-owned store advertising expense, which is expensed as incurred, was $191, $175 and $147, for the fiscal years ended March 27, 2016, March 29, 2015 and March 30, 2014, respectively, and have been included within restaurant operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	18. Stock-Based Compensation At March 27, 2016, the Company had one stock-based compensation plan in effect which is more fully described in Note L. The cost of all share-based payments, including grants of restricted stock and stock options, is recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values measured at the grant date, or the date of any later modification, over the requisite service period. The Company recognizes compensation cost for unvested stock awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite vesting period.
Cost of Sales, Policy [Policy Text Block]	19. Classification of Operating Expenses Cost of sales consists of the following: o The cost of food and other products sold by Company-operated restaurants, through the Branded Product Program and through other distribution channels. o The cost of labor and associated costs of in-store restaurant management and crew. o The cost of paper products used in Company-operated restaurants. o Other direct costs such as fulfillment, commissions, freight and samples. Restaurant operating expenses consist of the following: o Occupancy costs of Company-operated restaurants. o Utility costs of Company-operated restaurants. o Repair and maintenance expenses of Company-operated restaurant facilities. o Marketing and advertising expenses done locally and contributions to advertising funds for Company-operated restaurants. o Insurance costs directly related to Company-operated restaurants.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	20. Income Taxes The Company’s current provision for income taxes is based upon its estimated taxable income in each of the jurisdictions in which it operates, after considering the impact on taxable income of temporary differences resulting from different treatment of items for tax and financial reporting purposes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and any operating loss or tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in those periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Should management determine that it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets would be established in the period such determination was made. Uncertain Tax Positions The Company has recorded liabilities for underpayment of income taxes and related interest and penalties for uncertain tax positions based on the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return should be recorded in the financial statements. The Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such position should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Nathan’s recognizes accrued interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits as part of the income tax provision.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	2 1 . Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncements In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance changing the criteria for reporting discontinued operations. The revised definition of a discontinued operation includes those components of an entity or a group of components of an entity representing a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. The guidance eliminated the current requirement to assess continuing cash flow and continuing involvement with the disposal group. The revised definition also includes a business or nonprofit activity that, on acquisition, meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale. A disposal meeting the new definition is required to be reported as discontinued operations when the component of an entity or group of components of an entity meets the held for sale criteria, is actually disposed of by sales, or is disposed of through means other than a sale. The guidance was effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2016 and did not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations or financial position. In January 2015, the FASB issued new guidance to simplify the income statement presentation requirements by eliminating the seldom-used concept of extraordinary items. Extraordinary items are events and transactions that are distinguished by their unusual nature and by the infrequency of their occurrence. Eliminating the extraordinary classification simplifies the income statement presentation by no longer segregating such extraordinary items from the ordinary results of operations and separately stating the amount, net of tax along with the effect on earnings per share. This new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods therein, which for Nathan’s would be its first quarter of fiscal 2017 beginning March 28, 2016. Early adoption is permitted provided that the guidance is applied from the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The Company early adopted this standard beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. In November 2015, the FASB issued new accounting guidance requiring deferred tax assets and liabilities be presented as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. This accounting principle change will be effective in calendar year 2017 for public entities with calendar year reporting periods. However, early adoption is permitted for any interim or annual period. Public entities are required to apply the new guidance in the annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. This standard is required to take effect in Nathan’s first quarter ending (June 2017) of our fiscal year ending March 25, 2018. However, early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of any interim or annual reporting period. Nathan’s may apply the amendment prospectively or retrospectively to all periods presented. In case of a prospective application, Nathan’s would disclose in the first interim and annual period of change (i) the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle, and (ii) a statement that prior periods were not adjusted. If the amendment is applied retrospectively, Nathan’s would have to disclose in the first interim and annual period of change (i) the nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle, and (ii) quantitative information about the effects of the accounting change on prior periods. The Company early adopted this standard in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016 and applied it retrospectively, which resulted in decreases to current assets of $277 and total liabilities of $277 as of March 29, 2015. (See Note J.) The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations or financial position. 2 2 . New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued a new accounting standard that attempts to establish a uniform basis for recording revenue to virtually all industries financial statements, under U.S. GAAP as amended in March 2016 and April 2016. The FASB issued two updates to the standard clarifying reporting revenue between Principle versus Agent and clarification in determining performance obligations and licenses guidance. The revenue standard’s core principle is built on the contract between a vendor and a customer for the provision of goods and services. It attempts to depict the exchange of rights and obligations between the parties in the pattern of revenue recognition based on the consideration to which the vendor is entitled. In order to accomplish this objective, companies must evaluate the following five basic steps: (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations in the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. There are three basic transition methods that are available – full retrospective, retrospective with certain practical expedients, and a cumulative effect approach. Under the third alternative, an entity would apply the new revenue standard only to contracts that are incomplete under legacy U.S. guidance at the date of initial application and recognize the cumulative effect of the new standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. Prior years would not be restated and additional disclosures would be required to enable users of the financial statements to understand the impact of adopting the new standard in the current year compared to prior years that are presented under legacy U.S. guidance. Early adoption is prohibited. Public companies were originally expected to apply the new standard for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein, which for Nathan’s would have been its first quarter of fiscal 2018, beginning on March 27, 2017. On May 12, 2015, the FASB issued a second proposed update to the standard clarifying the distinction between revenue from licenses of intellectual property that represent a promise to deliver a good or service over time versus a promise to be satisfied at a point in time. On July 9, 2015, the FASB agreed to delay the standard’s effective date to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 which will now be our first quarter (June 2018) of our fiscal year ending March 31, 2019. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard on its consolidated financial position and results of operations. The Company does not believe that the standard will impact its recognition of revenue for its Branded Product Program, Company-operated restaurants or its recognition of royalties from its franchised restaurants or retail licensees, which are based on a percentage of sales. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this standard will have on the recognition of fees received from international development fees from the sales of exclusive territorial right, initial fees from franchisees for new restaurant openings or extended franchise terms. In August 2014, the FASB issued new guidance that requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. If such conditions exist, management will be required to include disclosures enabling users to understand those conditions and management’s plans to alleviate or mitigate those conditions. This new standard is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within annual periods beginning after December 16, 2016. This standard will take effect in Nathan’s fourth quarter of our fiscal year ending March 26, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard on its consolidated financial position and results of operations. In July 2015, the FASB updated U.S. accounting guidance to simplify the ways businesses measure inventory. Companies that use the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method or the average cost method will measure inventory at the lower of its cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the normal course of business, minus the cost of completion, disposal, and transportation. Companies will no longer consider replacement cost or net realizable value less a normal profit margin when measuring inventory. This new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 which will be our first quarter (June 2017) of our fiscal year ending March 25, 2018. Nathan’s does not expect the adoption of this new guidance to have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position. In February 2016, the FASB issued a new accounting standard on leases. The new standard, among other changes, will require lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases. The lease liability will be measured at the present value of the lease payments over the lease term. The right-of-use asset will be measured at the lease liability amount, adjusted for lease prepayments, lease incentives received and the lessee’s initial direct costs (e.g. commissions). The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. This standard is required to take effect in Nathan’s first quarter ending (June 2019) of our fiscal year ending March 29, 2020. The adoption will require a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new accounting standard on its consolidated financial position and results of operations. In March 2016, The FASB issued new guidance that will change how companies account for certain aspects of its share-based payments to employees. The update simplifies the accounting for a stock payment's tax consequences. It also amends how excess tax benefits and a Company's payments to cover the tax bills for the shares' recipients should be classified. The amendments allow companies to estimate the number of stock awards they expect to vest, and they revised the withholding requirements for classifying stock awards as equity. Previously, tax withheld was permitted only at the minimum statutory tax rates, which is being amended to permit higher tax withholding as long as it does not exceed the maximum statutory tax rate for an employee in the applicable jurisdictions. This new standard will be effective for public companies with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 which will be Nathan’s first quarter ending (June 2017) of our fiscal year ending in March 2018. However, early application is permitted. Nathan’s will early adopt effective its first fiscal quarter ending June 26, 2016 and is currently completing its evaluation of the effects of this new accounting standard on its financial position and results of operations. Pursuant to the standard, Nathan’s should recognize all excess tax benefits (“windfalls”) and tax deficiencies (“shortfalls”), including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards, as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. These items shall not be factored into the projected annual income tax rate, but will be treated as discrete items when they occur. Accordingly, this new treatment will add additional volatility to the Company’s effective tax rate. The Company does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting standards, when adopted, will have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.

Note B - Summary of Significa26

Note B - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes Tables
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]	Building and improvements (in years) 5 – 25 Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures (in years) 3 – 15 Leasehold improvements (in years) 5 – 20
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]	March 29, 2015 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Carrying Value Marketable securities $ - $ 7,091 $ - $ 7,091 Total assets at fair value $ - $ 7,091 $ - $ 7,091
Schedule of Franchisor Disclosure [Table Text Block]	March 27 , 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Franchised restaurants operating at the beginning of the period 296 324 303 New franchised restaurants opened during the period 56 36 56 Franchised restaurants closed during the period (93 ) (64 ) (35 ) Franchised restaurants operating at the end of the period 259 296 324
Schedule of Revenue from External Customers Attributed to Foreign Countries by Geographic Area [Table Text Block]	March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Domestic (United States) $ 95,655 $ 95,682 $ 76,221 Non-domestic 5,235 3,430 3,531 $ 100,890 $ 99,112 $ 79,752
Revenue from External Customers by Products and Services [Table Text Block]	March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Branded Products $ 58,545 $ 58,948 $ 51,877 Company-owned restaurants 16,664 15,874 13,231 Other 822 698 413 $ 76,031 $ 75,520 $ 65,521

Note C - Income Per Share (Tabl

Note C - Income Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]	Net Income Shares Net income per share 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 2016 2015 2014 Basic EPS Basic calculation $ 6,096 $ 11,703 $ 8,327 4,430,000 4,486,000 4,450,000 $ 1.38 $ 2.61 $ 1.87 Effect of dilutive employee stock options - - - 33,000 102,000 155,000 (.01 ) (.06 ) (.06 ) Diluted EPS Diluted calculation $ 6,096 $ 11,703 $ 8,327 4,463,000 4,588,000 4,605,000 $ 1.37 $ 2.55 $ 1.81

Note D - Marketable Securities

Note D - Marketable Securities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	Cost Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses Fair Market Value March 29, 2015 $ 7,019 $ 72 $ - $ 7,091
Realized Gain (Loss) on Investments [Table Text Block]	March 2 7 , 201 6 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Available-for-sale securities: Proceeds $ 10,868 $ 8,020 $ 2,890 Gross realized gains $ 26 $ - $ -

Note E - Accounts and Other R29

Note E - Accounts and Other Receivables, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]	March 27 , 2016 March 29, 2015 Branded product sales $ 5,689 $ 6,317 Franchise and license royalties 2,592 2,570 Other 911 1,055 9,192 9,942 Less: allowance for doubtful accounts 471 443 Accounts and other receivables, net $ 8,721 $ 9,499
Schedule of Credit Losses for Financing Receivables, Current [Table Text Block]	March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Beginning balance $ 443 $ 433 $ 130 Bad debt expense 38 23 21 Uncollectible marketing fund contributions - - 320 Accounts written off (10 ) (13 ) (38 ) Ending balance $ 471 $ 443 $ 433

Note F - Prepaid Expenses and30

Note F - Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Other Current Assets [Table Text Block]	March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Income taxes $ 211 $ 3,525 Insurance 488 497 Other 644 510 $ 1,343 $ 4,532

Note H - Property and Equipme31

Note H - Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Property, Plant, and Equipment, Carrying Value [Table Text Block]	March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Land $ 1,197 $ 1,197 Building and improvements 2,029 2,067 Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures 5,698 5,594 Leasehold improvements 7,124 6,120 Construction-in-progress 155 1,225 16,203 16,203 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization 7,190 6,946 $ 9,013 $ 9,257

Note I - Accrued Expenses, Ot32

Note I - Accrued Expenses, Other Current Liabilities and Other Liabilities (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities [Table Text Block]	March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Payroll and other benefits $ 2,919 $ 2,847 Accrued rebates 940 815 Rent and occupancy costs 218 206 Deferred revenue 679 601 Construction costs 183 269 Interest 507 750 Professional fees 101 329 Income taxes 82 17 Dividend payable 375 375 Other 172 203 $ 6,176 $ 6,412
Schedule of Other Assets and Other Liabilities [Table Text Block]	March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 Deferred development fees $ 129 $ 214 Reserve for uncertain tax positions (Note J) 427 555 Deferred rental liability 893 991 Dividend payable 250 625 Other 7 12 $ 1,706 $ 2,397

Note J - Income Taxes (Tables)

Note J - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]	March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Federal Current $ 3,176 $ 5,992 $ 2,664 Deferred (11 ) 60 1,421 3,165 6,052 4,085 State and local Current 1,135 1,599 918 Deferred (12 ) 51 231 1,123 1,650 1,149 $ 4,288 $ 7,702 $ 5,234
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]	March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Computed “expected” tax expense $ 3,531 $ 6,792 $ 4,611 State and local income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit 826 1,112 773 Tax-exempt investment earnings (9 ) (63 ) (110 ) Change in uncertain tax positions, net (129 ) (62 ) (22 ) Nondeductible meals and entertainment and other 69 (77 ) (18 ) $ 4,288 $ 7,702 $ 5,234
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]	March 27 , March 29, 2016 2015 Deferred tax assets Accrued expenses $ 236 $ 145 Allowance for doubtful accounts 62 52 Deferred revenue 393 432 Deferred stock compensation 271 223 Excess of straight line over actual rent 379 412 Investment 151 152 Other 119 140 Total gross deferred tax assets $ 1,611 $ 1,556 Deferred tax liabilities Deductible prepaid expense 263 288 Unrealized gain on marketable securities - 16 Depreciation expense 1,717 1,692 Amortization 344 311 Total gross deferred tax liabilities 2,324 2,307 Net deferred tax (liability) $ (713 ) (751 )
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of year $ 266 $ 283 $ 296 Decreases of tax positions taken in prior years (98 ) (64 ) (34 ) Increases based on tax positions taken in current year 43 47 21 Settlements of tax positions taken in prior years (3 ) - - Unrecognized tax benefits, end of year $ 208 $ 266 $ 283
Summary of Income Tax Examinations [Table Text Block]	Jurisdiction Fiscal Year Federal 2013 New York State 2012 New York City 2013

Note K - Long-term Debt (Tables

Note K - Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Debt [Table Text Block]	March 2 7 , 2016 March 29, 2015 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 $ 135,000 $ 135,000 Less: current maturities of long-term debt - - Less: unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs (4,734 ) (5,860 ) $ 130,266 $ 129,140
Debt Instrument Redemption [Table Text Block]	YEAR PERCENTAGE On or after September 15, 2017 and prior to March 15, 2018 105.000% On or after March 15, 2018 and prior to March 15, 2019 102.500% On and after March 15, 2019 100.000%

Note L - Stockholders' Equity35

Note L - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Other Employee Benefit Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions [Table Text Block]	Weighted-average option fair values $ 11.970 Expected life (years) 4.5 Interest rate 1.66 % Volatility 22.77 % Dividend Yield 0 %
Schedule of Compensation Cost for Share-based Payment Arrangements, Allocation of Share-based Compensation Costs by Plan [Table Text Block]	March 27, 2016 March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014 Stock options $ 181 $ 318 $ 224 Restricted stock 541 541 497 $ 722 $ 859 $ 721
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]	2016 2015 2014 Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Options outstanding – beginning of year 142,964 $ 24.36 279,500 $ 15.22 429,500 $ 13.29 Granted - - 50,000 $ 53.89 - - Expired (3,787 ) 11.72 - - - - Exercised (15,147 ) 11.72 (235,125 ) 14.74 (150,000 ) 9.71 Options outstanding - end of year 124,030 $ 26.29 94,375 $ 36.90 279,500 $ 15.22 Options exercisable - end of year 67,221 $ 18.44 - $ - 190,750 $ 14.04 Weighted-average fair value of options granted - - 50,000 $ 11.97 - -
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Activity [Table Text Block]	Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value Options outstanding at March 27, 2016 124,030 $ 26.29 2.13 $ 1,952 Options exercisable at March 27, 2016 67,221 $ 18.44 1.08 $ 1,586 Exercise prices range from $1 1 .7 2 to $ 35 . 576 Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life Aggregate Intrinsic Value Options outstanding at March 30, 2015 142,964 $ 24.36 2.87 $ 3,460 Options exercisable at March 30, 2015 - $ - - $ - Exercise prices range from $11.72 to $35.576
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]	Shares Weighted- Average Grant-date Fair value Per share Unvested restricted stock at March 29, 2015 40,000 $ 39.54 Granted - - Vested (15,000 ) $ 36.13 Unvested restricted stock at March 27, 2016 25,000 $ 41.59

Note M - Commitments and Cont36

Note M - Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes Tables
Schedule of Future Minimum Rental Payments for Operating Leases [Table Text Block]	Lease commitments Sublease income Net lease commitments 2017 $ 1,618 $ 303 $ 1,315 2018 1,645 327 1,318 2019 1,654 330 1,324 2020 1,545 332 1,213 2021 1,063 309 754 Thereafter 6,906 1,128 5,778 $ 14,431 $ 2,729 $ 11,702

Note O - Quarterly Financial 37

Note O - Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes Tables
Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]	First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 201 6 Total revenues $ 30,654 $ 30,619 $ 20,564 $ 19,053 Gross profit (a) 4,785 6,313 3,681 3,254 Income from operations 7,616 8,426 4,435 4,486 Net income 2,310 2,847 432 507 Per share information Net income per share Basic (b) $ .50 $ .64 $ .10 $ .12 Diluted (b) $ .50 $ .64 $ .10 $ .12 Shares used in computation of net income per share Basic (b) 4,584,000 4,432,000 4,408,000 4,297,000 Diluted (b) 4,621,000 4,449,000 4,444,000 4,337,000 First Quarter Second Quarter Third Quarter Fourth Quarter Fiscal Year 2015 Total revenues $ 27,585 $ 28,872 $ 22,315 $ 20,340 Gross profit (a) 4,240 4,716 2,594 2,019 Income from operations 6,779 6,447 3,765 2,967 Net income 4,071 3,854 2,241 1,537 Per share information Net income per share Basic (b) $ .91 $ .86 $ .50 $ .34 Diluted (b) $ .89 $ .84 $ .49 $ .34 Shares used in computation of net income per share Basic (b) 4,471,000 4,472,000 4,482,000 4,521,000 Diluted (b) 4,593,000 4,593,000 4,603,000 4,562,000

Schedule II - Valuation and Q38

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Notes Tables
Allowance for Credit Losses on Financing Receivables [Table Text Block]	COL. A COL. B COL. C COL. D COL. E Description Balance at beginning of period Additions charged to costs and expenses Additions charged to other accounts Deductions Balance at end of period Fifty-two weeks ended March 27, 2016 Allowance for doubtful accounts - accounts receivable $ 443 $ 38 $ - $ (10 )(b) $ 471 Fifty-two weeks ended March 29, 2015 Allowance for doubtful accounts - accounts receivable $ 433 $ 23 $ - $ (13 )(b) $ 443 Fifty-two weeks ended March 30, 2014 Allowance for doubtful accounts - accounts receivable $ 130 $ 21 $ 320 (a) $ (38 )(b) $ 433

Note A - Description and Orga39

Note A - Description and Organization of Business (Details Textual)	Mar. 27, 2016
Entity Operated Units [Member]
Number of Restaurants	5
Franchised Units [Member]
Number of Restaurants	259
Number of States in which Entity Operates	21
Number of Countries in which Entity Operates	11

Note B - Summary of Significa40

Note B - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015
Cost of Goods, Product Line [Member] | Supplier Concentration Risk [Member] | Distributor of Product to Company-owned Restaurants [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage		5.00%	5.00%	5.00%
Cost of Goods, Product Line [Member] | Supplier Concentration Risk [Member] | Primary Supplier of Hot Dogs [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage		81.00%	83.00%	75.00%
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Branded Product Customer A [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage		19.00%	20.00%
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Branded Product Customer B [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage		14.00%	17.00%
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Branded Product Customer C [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage		9.00%	10.00%
Accounts Receivable [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Branded Product Customer D [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage		8.00%
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | Branded Product Customer A [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage		14.00%	17.00%	17.00%
Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Customer Concentration Risk [Member] | One Retail Licensee [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage		19.00%	17.00%
Oceanside [Member]
Investment in Restaurant Relocation					$ 1,285,000
Deferred Franchise Fees [Member]
Deferred Revenue, Current	$ 137,000	$ 137,000	$ 278,000
Deferred Development Fee [Member]
Deferred Revenue	129,000	129,000	214,000
New Unit Openings, Transfers, Co-branding, and Forfeitures [Member]
Franchise Revenue		751,000	1,043,000	$ 863,000
Decrease to Current Assets [Member] | March 29, 2015 [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	277,000
Decrease to Total Liabilities [Member] | March 29, 2015 [Member]
Prior Period Reclassification Adjustment	277,000
Goodwill and Intangible Asset Impairment		0	0
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use		0	0	0
Available-for-sale Securities	0	0	7,091,000
Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	0	0	1,754,000
Goodwill	95,000	95,000	95,000
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill)	1,353,000	1,353,000	1,353,000
Long-term Debt, Gross	135,000,000	135,000,000	135,000,000
Long-term Debt, Fair Value	$ 142,425,000	142,425,000
Franchise Revenue		$ 5,044,000	5,581,000	5,718,000
Maximum Contributions to Advertising Fund Percentage of Net Sales		2.00%
Advertising Expense		$ 191,000	$ 175,000	$ 147,000

Note B - Property and Equipment

Note B - Property and Equipment (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful life	5 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful life	25 years
Machinery, Equipment, Furniture, and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Machinery, Equipment, Furniture, and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful life	15 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Estimated useful life	5 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Estimated useful life	20 years

Note B - Assets and Liabilities

Note B - Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities		$ 0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities		7,091,000
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities		0
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 0	$ 7,091,000

Note B - Summary of Franchise O

Note B - Summary of Franchise Openings and Closings for the Nathan's Franchise Restaurant System (Details)	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Franchised Restaurants Operating Beginning of Period [Member]
Restaurants	296	324	303
New Franchised Restaurants Opened During Period [Member]
Restaurants	56	36	56
Franchised Restaurants Closed During Period [Member]
Restaurants	(93)	(64)	(35)
Franchised Restaurants Operating End of Period [Member]
Restaurants	259	296	324

Note B - The Company's Revenues

Note B - The Company's Revenues (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Dec. 27, 2015	Sep. 27, 2015	Jun. 28, 2015	Mar. 29, 2015	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Domestic [Member]
Revenues									$ 95,655,000	$ 95,682,000	$ 76,221,000
Non-domestic [Member]
Revenues									5,235,000	3,430,000	3,531,000
Revenues	$ 19,053,000	$ 20,564,000	$ 30,619,000	$ 30,654,000	$ 20,340,000	$ 22,315,000	$ 28,872,000	$ 27,585,000	$ 100,890,000	$ 99,112,000	$ 79,752,000

Note B - The Company's Sales (D

Note B - The Company's Sales (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Branded Product Sales [Member]
Sales	$ 58,545,000	$ 58,948,000	$ 51,877,000
Company Operated Restaurants [Member]
Sales	16,664,000	15,874,000	13,231,000
Other Products [Member]
Sales	822,000	698,000	413,000
Sales	$ 76,031,000	$ 75,520,000	$ 65,521,000

Note C - Income Per Share (Deta

Note C - Income Per Share (Details Textual) - shares	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	0	0	0

Note C - Earnings Per Share Rec

Note C - Earnings Per Share Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	[1]	Dec. 27, 2015	[1]	Sep. 27, 2015	[1]	Jun. 28, 2015	[1]	Mar. 29, 2015	[1]	Dec. 28, 2014	[1]	Sep. 28, 2014	[1]	Jun. 29, 2014	[1]	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Basic calculation																	$ 6,096	$ 11,703	$ 8,327
Basic calculation (in shares)	4,297,000		4,408,000		4,432,000		4,584,000		4,521,000		4,482,000		4,472,000		4,471,000		4,430,000	4,486,000	4,450,000
Basic calculation (in dollars per share)	$ 0.12		$ 0.10		$ 0.64		$ 0.50		$ 0.34		$ 0.50		$ 0.86		$ 0.91		$ 1.38	$ 2.61	$ 1.87
Effect of dilutive employee stock options (in shares)																	33,000	102,000	155,000
Effect of dilutive employee stock options (in dollars per share)																	$ (0.01)	$ (0.06)	$ (0.06)
Diluted calculation																	$ 6,096	$ 11,703	$ 8,327
Diluted (in shares)	4,337,000		4,444,000		4,449,000		4,621,000		4,562,000		4,603,000		4,593,000		4,593,000		4,463,000	4,588,000	4,605,000
Diluted calculation (in dollars per share)	$ 0.12		$ 0.10		$ 0.64		$ 0.50		$ 0.34		$ 0.49		$ 0.84		$ 0.89		$ 1.37	$ 2.55	$ 1.81
[1]	The sum of the quarters may not equal the full year per share amounts included in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings due to the effect of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the fiscal years as compared to the quarters.

Note D - Marketable Securitie48

Note D - Marketable Securities (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 0	$ 7,091,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Net of Tax	47,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Reclassification Adjustment from AOCI for Sale of Securities, Tax	$ 25,000
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Unrealized Holding Gain (Loss) on Securities Arising During Period, Net of Tax		$ (102,000)	$ (180,000)

Note D - Marketable Securitie49

Note D - Marketable Securities (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Cost		$ 7,019,000
Gross Unrealized Gains		72,000
Available-for-sale Securities	$ 0	$ 7,091,000

Note D - Proceeds from Sale of

Note D - Proceeds from Sale of Available-for-Sale Securities and the Resulting Gross Realized Gains (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Proceeds	$ 10,868	$ 8,020	$ 2,890
Gross realized gains	$ 26

Note E - Accounts and Other R51

Note E - Accounts and Other Receivables, Net (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Accounts Receivable Payment Terms	30 days

Note E - Accounts and Other R52

Note E - Accounts and Other Receivables, Net (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Branded Product Sales [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	$ 5,689,000	$ 6,317,000
Franchise and License Royalties [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	2,592,000	2,570,000
Other Receivables [Member]
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	911,000	1,055,000
Accounts Receivable, Gross, Current	9,192,000	9,942,000
Less: allowance for doubtful accounts	471,000	443,000	$ 433,000	$ 130,000
Accounts and other receivables, net	$ 8,721,000	$ 9,499,000

Note E - Changes in Allowance f

Note E - Changes in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Beginning balance	$ 443,000	$ 433,000	$ 130,000
Bad debt expense	38,000	23,000	21,000
Uncollectible marketing fund contributions	0	0	320,000
Accounts written off	(10,000)	(13,000)	(38,000)
Ending balance	$ 471,000	$ 443,000	$ 433,000

Note F - Summary of Prepaid Exp

Note F - Summary of Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Income taxes	$ 211	$ 3,525
Insurance	488	497
Other	644	510
	$ 1,343	$ 4,532

Note G - Long-term Investment (

Note G - Long-term Investment (Details Textual) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Sep. 23, 2012
Investment Owned, Balance, Shares				351,550
Long-term Investments				$ 500,000
Cost Method Investment Ownership Percentage				2.50%
Cost-method Investments, Other than Temporary Impairment	$ 100,000	$ 0	$ 400,000

Note H - Property and Equipme56

Note H - Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Land	$ 1,197	$ 1,197
Building and improvements	2,029	2,067
Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures	5,698	5,594
Leasehold improvements	7,124	6,120
Construction-in-progress	155	1,225
	16,203	16,203
Accumulated depreciation	7,190	6,946
	$ 9,013	$ 9,257

Note I - Accrued Expenses and O

Note I - Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Deferred Franchise Fees And Other Deferred Revenue [Member]
Deferred Revenue, Current	$ 679	$ 601
Payroll and other benefits	2,919	2,847
Accrued rebates	940	815
Rent and occupancy costs	218	206
Construction costs	183	269
Interest	507	750
Professional fees	101	329
Income taxes	82	17
Dividend payable	375	375
Other	172	203
Total	$ 6,176	$ 6,412

Note I - Other Liabilities (Det

Note I - Other Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Deferred development fees	$ 129	$ 214
Reserve for uncertain tax positions (Note J)	427	555
Deferred rental liability	893	991
Dividend payable	250	625
Other	7	12
Total other liabilities	$ 1,706	$ 2,397

Note J - Income Taxes (Details

Note J - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	34.00%	35.00%	34.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$ 208	$ 266	$ 283
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued	200	289
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	34	$ 44	$ 43
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Amount of Unrecorded Benefit	$ (31)

Note J - Income Tax Provision (

Note J - Income Tax Provision (Benefit) (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Current	$ 3,176,000	$ 5,992,000	$ 2,664,000
Deferred	(11,000)	60,000	1,421,000
	3,165,000	6,052,000	4,085,000
Current	1,135,000	1,599,000	918,000
Deferred	(12,000)	51,000	231,000
	1,123,000	1,650,000	1,149,000
	$ 4,288,000	$ 7,702,000	$ 5,234,000

Note J - Effective Income Tax R

Note J - Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Computed “expected” tax expense	$ 3,531,000	$ 6,792,000	$ 4,611,000
State and local income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit	826,000	1,112,000	773,000
Tax-exempt investment earnings	(9,000)	(63,000)	(110,000)
Change in uncertain tax positions, net	(129,000)	(62,000)	(22,000)
Nondeductible meals and entertainment and other	69,000	(77,000)	(18,000)
	$ 4,288,000	$ 7,702,000	$ 5,234,000

Note J - Deferred Tax Assets an

Note J - Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Deferred tax assets
Accrued expenses	$ 236	$ 145
Allowance for doubtful accounts	62	52
Deferred revenue	393	432
Deferred stock compensation	271	223
Excess of straight line over actual rent	379	412
Investment	151	152
Other	119	140
Total gross deferred tax assets	1,611	1,556
Deferred tax liabilities
Deductible prepaid expense	$ 263	288
Unrealized gain on marketable securities		16
Depreciation expense	$ 1,717	1,692
Amortization	344	311
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	2,324	2,307
Net deferred tax (liability)	$ (713)	$ (751)

Note J - Reconciliation of Unre

Note J - Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of year	$ 266,000	$ 283,000	$ 296,000
Decreases of tax positions taken in prior years	(98,000)	(64,000)	(34,000)
Increases based on tax positions taken in current year	43,000	47,000	$ 21,000
Settlements of tax positions taken in prior years	(3,000)	0
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of year	$ 208,000	$ 266,000	$ 283,000

Note J - The Earliest Tax Years

Note J - The Earliest Tax Years Subject to Examination by Taxing Authorities (Details) - Earliest Tax Year [Member]	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]
Earliest tax year subject to examination	2,013
New York State [Member]
Earliest tax year subject to examination	2,012
New York City [Member]
Earliest tax year subject to examination	2,013

Note K - Long-term Debt (Detail

Note K - Long-term Debt (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Mar. 15, 2016	Sep. 15, 2015	Mar. 10, 2015	Mar. 10, 2015	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 29, 2015
Secured Debt [Member] | Option to Redeem at Redemption Price Equal to Percentage of Principal Amount [Member] | Maximum [Member] | In The Event of Certain Equity Offerings [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage of Principal Amount Redeemed				35.00%
Secured Debt [Member] | Option to Redeem Notes at Redemption Price Equal to the Percentage of Principal Amount plus the Applicable Premium [Member] | Applicable Premium if Percentage of Principal Amount is Greater than Treasury Rate Basis Spread [Member]
Debt Instrument, Applicable Premium, Percentage of Principal Amount			1.00%	1.00%
Secured Debt [Member] | Option to Redeem Notes at Redemption Price Equal to the Percentage of Principal Amount plus the Applicable Premium [Member] | Applicable Premium if Treasury Rate Basis Spread is Greater than Percentage of Principal Amount [Member] | Treasury Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Applicable Premium, Treasury Rate Basis Spread			0.50%	0.50%
Secured Debt [Member] | Option to Redeem Notes at Redemption Price Equal to the Percentage of Principal Amount plus the Applicable Premium [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage				100.00%
Secured Debt [Member] | In The Event of Certain Equity Offerings [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage				110.00%
Secured Debt [Member] | In the Event of Chang of Control Offer [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage				101.00%
Secured Debt [Member] | In the Event the Company Sells Certain Assets and Fails to Use the Proceeds as Required [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage				100.00%
Secured Debt [Member]
Debt Instrument, Event of Default, Percentage Ownership Enabling the Declaration of Due and Payable			25.00%	25.00%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount			$ 135,000,000	$ 135,000,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage			10.00%	10.00%
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross			$ 5,926,000	$ 5,926,000
Debt Instrument, Term				5 years
Interest Paid	$ 6,750,000	$ 6,937,500
Debt Instrument, Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio			2	2
Debt Instrument, Priority Secured Leverage Ratio			0.4	0.4
Debt Instrument Secured Leverage Ratio			3.75	3.75
Special Cash Dividend [Member]
Dividends, Cash			$ 116,100,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage					10.00%		10.00%
Interest Paid					$ 13,688,000	$ 1,099,000

Note K - Summary of Debt (Detai

Note K - Summary of Debt (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2020	$ 135,000,000	$ 135,000,000
Less: unamortized debt discounts and issuance costs	(4,734,000)	(5,860,000)
Total	$ 130,266,000	$ 129,140,000

Note K - Summary of Debt (Det67

Note K - Summary of Debt (Details) (Parentheticals)	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Interest Rate	10.00%	10.00%

Note K - Summary of Redemption

Note K - Summary of Redemption Features (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period One [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	105.00%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Two [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	102.50%
Debt Instrument, Redemption, Period Three [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage	100.00%

Note L - Stockholders' Equity69

Note L - Stockholders' Equity, Stock Plans and Other Employee Benefit Plans (Details Textual)	Jun. 01, 2016USD ($)	Jun. 10, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Mar. 27, 2015USD ($)$ / shares	Mar. 10, 2015$ / shares	Jun. 04, 2013USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Nov. 01, 2012USD ($)shares	Mar. 31, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 25, 2018USD ($)	Mar. 26, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Mar. 29, 2015USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Mar. 30, 2014USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Mar. 27, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Mar. 27, 2016USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Mar. 11, 2016$ / sharesshares	Feb. 01, 2016shares	Nov. 13, 2015$ / shares	Sep. 11, 2015$ / sharesshares	Dec. 13, 2013USD ($)$ / sharesshares	Jun. 05, 2013$ / sharesshares	Sep. 13, 2012shares	Feb. 01, 2011shares	Sep. 14, 2010shares	Jul. 14, 2010shares	Nov. 09, 2009shares	May. 31, 2007USD ($)
Special Cash Dividend [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member]
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock | $							$ 125,000	$ 125,000	$ 375,000
Special Cash Dividend [Member]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared | $ / shares			$ 25	$ 25
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock | $			$ 115,100,000							$ 375,000
Dividends Payable | $										$ 1,000,000			$ 1,000,000	$ 1,000,000
Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Base Salary [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount | $	$ 500,000
Excluding Dividend [Member]
Share Price | $ / shares			$ 48.56
Newly Authorized Additional Shares Pursuant to 2010 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant																							150,000
Shares Not Issued Under 2001 Plan and 2002 Plan [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant																								171,000
Shares Expired or Forfeited up to 100000 Shares [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant																							100,000
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant										223,698			223,698	223,698
Restricted Stock [Member] | Executive Chairman of the Board [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period						50,000
Restricted Stock [Member] | Chief Executive Officer [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition					5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period					25,000
Share Price | $ / shares					$ 49.80
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized | $					$ 1,245,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition												5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant										190,218			190,218	190,218
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period												25,000
Share Price | $ / shares												$ 49.80
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized | $												$ 1,245,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value | $										$ 683,000	$ 965,000	$ 533,000
The 2010 Plan [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Option Life										5 years
Options Granted before the 2010 Plan [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Option Life										10 years
Stock Incentive Plans [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period										3 years
Stock Incentive Plans [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period										5 years
Common Stock Purchase Rights [Member]
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance										10,825,689			10,825,689	10,825,689
Minimum [Member] | Dutch Auction Tender Offer [Member]
Share Price | $ / shares																	$ 41	$ 33
Maximum [Member] | Dutch Auction Tender Offer [Member]
Share Price | $ / shares																	$ 44	$ 36
Dutch Auction Tender Offer [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased																		500,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired										88,672
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method | $										$ 4,056,000
Sixth Stock Repurchase Plan [Member]
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased										1,200,000			1,200,000	1,200,000											500,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired													909,126
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method | $													$ 28,369,000
Stock Repurchase Program Number of Additional Shares Authorized to be Repurchased															200,000	200,000						300,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased										290,874			290,874	290,874
MSI Agreement [Member]
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ / shares															$ 0.01
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased															175,000
Base Salary [Member] | Executive Chairman of the Board [Member]
Contractual Obligation | $						$ 600,000
Base Salary [Member] | One Employee [Member]
Contractual Obligation | $																										$ 136,000
Consulting Fee [Member] | Executive Chairman of the Board [Member]
Contractual Obligation | $						$ 200,000
Executive Chairman of the Board [Member]
Term of Consulting Period Pursuant to the Lorber Employment [Agreement]						3 years
President and Chief Operating Officer [Member]
Share Price | $ / shares		$ 40.28
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ / shares		$ 0.01
Consulting Agreement Term		1 year
Consulting Fee Per Month | $		$ 16,300
Transition Agreement, Severance Payable | $		$ 289,000
Transition Agreement, Number of Shares of Common Stock Purchased		56,933
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared | $ / shares										$ 0	$ 25	$ 0
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition										2 years 30 days
Payments of Ordinary Dividends, Common Stock | $										$ 375,000	$ 115,110,000
Increased Number of Shares Available for Issuance Due to Plan Amendment																					250,000
Amount of Available Common Shares Reduced by Each Share of Restricted Stock Granted																					3.2
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Option Life											5 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period											4 years
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross											50,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangements by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Weighted Average Exercise Price | $ / shares											$ 53.89
Share Price | $ / shares			$ 73.56
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense | $										$ 298,000	$ 350,000	$ 286,000
Share Based Compensation Total Unamortized Compensation Expense | $										$ 1,081,000			$ 1,081,000	$ 1,081,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period										15,147	235,125	150,000
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised | $										$ 89,000	$ 880,000	$ 944,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value | $										$ 486,000	$ 13,040,000	6,038,000
Minimum Percentage of Common Stock Acquired by a Person or Group which Triggers Exercise of New Rights																				15.00%
New Right Purchase Price | $ / shares																				$ 100
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance																				10,188,600
Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share | $ / shares										$ 0.01	$ 0.01		$ 0.01	$ 0.01					$ 0.01
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount | $																			$ 5,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Number of Shares Authorized to be Repurchased																			800,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired										449,070				5,096,757
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method | $										$ 19,231,000	$ 1,916,000	1,486,000		$ 76,031,000
Number of Times of Salary and Bonus Lump Sum Cash Payment										2.99			2.99	2.99
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount | $										$ 35,000	30,000	34,000
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contributions Per Employee, Percent										20.00%
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution Rate Per Dollar										0.25
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent of Employees' Gross Pay										3.00%
Multiemployer Plans, Plan Contributions | $										$ 8,000	$ 10,000	$ 10,000

Note L - Fair Value Option Valu

Note L - Fair Value Option Valuation Assumptions (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Weighted-average option fair values (in dollars per share)		$ 11.97
Expected life (years)		4 years 182 days
Interest rate		1.66%
Volatility		22.77%
Dividend Yield		0.00%

Note L - Compensation Cost Char

Note L - Compensation Cost Charged to Expense Under All Stock-based Incentive Awards (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 181	$ 318	$ 224
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Expense	541	541	497
Share-based Compensation Expense	$ 722	$ 859	$ 721

Note L - A Summary of the Statu

Note L - A Summary of the Status of the Company's Stock Options (Details) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Options Outstanding After Replacement Stock Issuance [Member]
Options outstanding – beginning of year (in shares)	142,964
Options outstanding – beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$ 24.36
Options outstanding - end of year (in shares)		142,964
Options outstanding - end of year (in dollars per share)		$ 24.36
Options Outstanding Before Replacement Stock Issuance [Member]
Options outstanding – beginning of year (in shares)	94,375
Options outstanding – beginning of year (in dollars per share)	$ 36.90
Options outstanding - end of year (in shares)		94,375
Options outstanding - end of year (in dollars per share)		$ 36.90
Options outstanding – beginning of year (in shares)		279,500	429,500
Options outstanding – beginning of year (in dollars per share)		$ 15.22	$ 13.29
Granted (in shares)		50,000
Granted (in dollars per share)		$ 53.89
Expired (in shares)	(3,787)
Expired (in dollars per share)	$ 11.72
Exercised (in shares)	(15,147)	(235,125)	(150,000)
Exercised (in dollars per share)	$ 11.72	$ 14.74	$ 9.71
Options outstanding - end of year (in shares)	124,030		279,500
Options outstanding - end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 26.29		$ 15.22
Options exercisable - end of year (in shares)	67,221		190,750
Options exercisable - end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 18.44		$ 14.04
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Grants in Period, Gross		50,000
Weighted-average fair value of options granted (in dollars per share)		$ 11.97

Note L - Outstanding Stock Opti

Note L - Outstanding Stock Options (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Options Outstanding After Replacement Stock Issuance [Member]
Options outstanding (in shares)		142,964
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)		$ 24.36
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life		2 years 317 days
Options outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value		$ 3,460
Options outstanding (in shares)	124,030		279,500	429,500
Options outstanding, weighted average exercise price (in dollars per share)	$ 26.29		$ 15.22	$ 13.29
Options outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual life	2 years 47 days
Options outstanding, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 1,952
Options exercisable - end of year (in shares)	67,221		190,750
Options exercisable - end of year (in dollars per share)	$ 18.44		$ 14.04
Options exercisable, weighted average remaining contractual life	1 year 29 days
Options exercisable, aggregate intrinsic value	$ 1,586

Note L - Outstanding Stock Op74

Note L - Outstanding Stock Options (Details) (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015
Exercise price range, lower limit (in dollars per share)	$ 11.72	$ 11.72
Exercise price range, upper limit (in dollars per share)	$ 35.576	$ 35.576

Note L - Transactions With Resp

Note L - Transactions With Respect to Restricted Stock (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016$ / sharesshares
Unvested restricted stock at March 29, 2015 (in shares) | shares	40,000
Unvested restricted stock at March 29, 2015 (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 39.54
Vested (in shares) | shares	(15,000)
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 36.13
Unvested restricted stock at March 27, 2016 (in shares) | shares	25,000
Unvested restricted stock at March 27, 2016 (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 41.59

Note M - Commitments and Cont76

Note M - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2015USD ($)	Mar. 30, 2014USD ($)	Oct. 29, 2012
Minimum [Member]
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	5 years
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	5 years
Maximum [Member]
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Term of Contract	20 years
Lessee Leasing Arrangements, Operating Leases, Renewal Term	20 years
Closed for Varying Periods of Time [Member] | Branded Menu Location [Member]
Number of Restaurants				18
Closed for Varying Periods of Time [Member]
Number of Restaurants				78
Other Receivables [Member]
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Operating Activities			$ 718,000
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease, Number of Units	1
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net	$ 1,628,000	$ 1,617,000	1,391,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Sublease Rentals	270,000	267,000	265,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Contingent Rentals	517,000	489,000	454,000
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Investing Activities			3,400,000
Insured Event, Gain (Loss)	$ 0	0	$ 2,774,000
Proceeds from Insurance Settlement, Operating Activities		$ 718,000

Note M - Non-cancelable Operati

Note M - Non-cancelable Operating Lease Commitments (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 27, 2016USD ($)
2,017	$ 1,618
2,017	303
2,017	1,315
2,018	1,645
2,018	327
2,018	1,318
2,019	1,654
2,019	330
2,019	1,324
2,020	1,545
2,020	332
2,020	1,213
2,021	1,063
2,021	309
2,021	754
Thereafter	6,906
Thereafter	1,128
Thereafter	5,778
	14,431
	2,729
	$ 11,702

Note N - Related Party Transa78

Note N - Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Accounting Firm where Charles Raich Served as Managing Partner [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$ 181	$ 160	$ 130
Fim where Lorber Serves as Consultant [Member]
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction	$ 19	$ 24	$ 24

Note O - Quarterly Financial 79

Note O - Quarterly Financial Information (Details) - USD ($)		3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
		Mar. 27, 2016		Dec. 27, 2015		Sep. 27, 2015		Jun. 28, 2015		Mar. 29, 2015		Dec. 28, 2014		Sep. 28, 2014		Jun. 29, 2014		Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Total revenues		$ 19,053,000		$ 20,564,000		$ 30,619,000		$ 30,654,000		$ 20,340,000		$ 22,315,000		$ 28,872,000		$ 27,585,000		$ 100,890,000	$ 99,112,000	$ 79,752,000
Gross profit (a)	[1]	3,254,000		3,681,000		6,313,000		4,785,000		2,019,000		2,594,000		4,716,000		4,240,000
Income from operations		4,486,000		4,435,000		8,426,000		7,616,000		2,967,000		3,765,000		6,447,000		6,779,000		24,963,000	19,958,000	10,921,000
Net income		$ 507,000		$ 432,000		$ 2,847,000		$ 2,310,000		$ 1,537,000		$ 2,241,000		$ 3,854,000		$ 4,071,000		$ 6,096,000	$ 11,703,000	$ 8,327,000
Basic calculation (in dollars per share)		$ 0.12	[2]	$ 0.10	[2]	$ 0.64	[2]	$ 0.50	[2]	$ 0.34	[2]	$ 0.50	[2]	$ 0.86	[2]	$ 0.91	[2]	$ 1.38	$ 2.61	$ 1.87
Diluted calculation (in dollars per share)		$ 0.12	[2]	$ 0.10	[2]	$ 0.64	[2]	$ 0.50	[2]	$ 0.34	[2]	$ 0.49	[2]	$ 0.84	[2]	$ 0.89	[2]	$ 1.37	$ 2.55	$ 1.81
Basic calculation (in shares)		4,297,000	[2]	4,408,000	[2]	4,432,000	[2]	4,584,000	[2]	4,521,000	[2]	4,482,000	[2]	4,472,000	[2]	4,471,000	[2]	4,430,000	4,486,000	4,450,000
Diluted (b) (in shares)		4,337,000	[2]	4,444,000	[2]	4,449,000	[2]	4,621,000	[2]	4,562,000	[2]	4,603,000	[2]	4,593,000	[2]	4,593,000	[2]	4,463,000	4,588,000	4,605,000
[1]	Gross profit represents the difference between sales and cost of sales.
[2]	The sum of the quarters may not equal the full year per share amounts included in the accompanying consolidated statements of earnings due to the effect of the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the fiscal years as compared to the quarters.

Schedule II - Valuation and Q80

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Details) - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] - USD ($) $ in Thousands		12 Months Ended
		Mar. 27, 2016	Mar. 29, 2015	Mar. 30, 2014
Balance at beginning of period		$ 443	$ 433	$ 130
Additions charged to costs and expenses		$ 38	$ 23	21
Additions charged to other accounts				320	[1]
Deductions	[2]	$ (10)	$ (13)	(38)
Balance at end of period		$ 471	$ 443	$ 433
[1]	Uncollectible marketing fund contributions.
[2]	Uncollectible amounts written off.