Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 29, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with its subsidiaries (“Red Robin,” “we,” “us,” “our”, or the “Company”), primarily operates, franchises, and develops casual-dining restaurants in North America. As of December 29, 2019, the Company owned and operated 454 restaurants located in 38 states. The Company also had 102 casual-dining restaurants operated by franchisees in 16 states and one Canadian province. The Company operates its business as one operating and one reportable segment.
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation - The consolidated financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and include the accounts of Red Robin and its wholly owned subsidiaries after elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions. The Company’s fiscal year is 52 or 53 weeks ending the last Sunday of the calendar year. Year end dates and the number of weeks in each fiscal year are shown in the table below for periods presented in this Form 10-K and for the upcoming fiscal year.
Fiscal Year
 
Year End Date
 
Number of Weeks in Fiscal Year
Current and Prior Fiscal Years:
 
 
 
 
2019
 
December 29, 2019
 
52

2018
 
December 30, 2018
 
52

2017
 
December 31, 2017
 
53

Upcoming Fiscal Year
 
 
 
 
2020
 
December 27, 2020
 
52


Use of Estimates - The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 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 periods. The areas that require management’s most significant estimates are impairment of long-lived assets, goodwill, lease accounting, insurance/self-insurance reserves, estimating fair value, income taxes, unearned revenue, and stock-based compensation expense. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications - Certain amounts presented in prior periods have been reclassified to conform with the current period presentation. For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018, the Company reclassified unfavorable lease rights of $1.4 million from Deferred rent to Other non-current liabilities and reclassified the short-term portion of our lease obligations totaling $0.8 million from Accrued liabilities and other to its own line item on the consolidated balance sheets. Management believes this presentation better reflects the nature of these liabilities subsequent to the adoption of Topic 842 (Leases), as defined in Note 10, Leases. For the fiscal years ended December 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company reclassified gift card breakage of $3.9 million and $4.0 million, respectively, from Other, net to its own line item presented in the adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Cash Equivalents - The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Amounts receivable from credit card issuers are typically converted to cash within two to four days of the original sales transaction and are considered to be cash equivalents.
Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with multiple financial institutions. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit and therefore bear minimal credit risk. The Company holds cash and cash equivalents at financial institutions in excess of amounts covered by the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”) and sometimes invests excess cash in money market funds not insured by the FDIC.
Accounts Receivable - Accounts receivable consists primarily of third-party gift card receivables, tenant improvement allowances, and trade receivables due from franchisees for royalties. At the end of 2019, there was approximately $13.3 million of gift cards in transit in accounts receivable related to gift cards that were sold by third-party retailers compared to $13.8 million at the end of 2018. At the end of 2019, there was also approximately $0.6 million related to tenant improvement allowances in accounts receivable compared to $2.4 million at the end of 2018.
Inventories - Inventories consist of food, beverages, and supplies valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or net realizable value. At the end of 2019 and 2018, food and beverage inventories were $8.1 million and $8.7 million, respectively, and supplies inventories were $18.3 million and $18.6 million, respectively.
Property and Equipment - Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized and minor replacements, maintenance, and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method, based on the shorter of the estimated useful lives or the terms of the underlying leases of the related assets. Interest incurred on funds used to construct Company-owned restaurants is capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the related assets.
The estimated useful lives for property and equipment are:
Buildings
5 to 20 years
Leasehold improvements
Shorter of lease term or estimated useful life, not to exceed 20 years
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
5 to 20 years
Computer equipment
2 to 5 years

The Company capitalizes certain overhead related to the development and construction of its new restaurants as well as certain information technology infrastructure upgrades. Costs incurred for the potential development of restaurants that are subsequently terminated are expensed.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, net - Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. Intangible assets comprise primarily leasehold interests, acquired franchise rights, and the costs of purchased liquor licenses. Leasehold interests primarily represent the fair values of acquired lease contracts having contractual rents lower than fair market rents and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining initial lease term. Acquired franchise rights, which represent the acquired value of franchise contracts, are amortized over the term of the franchise agreements. The costs of obtaining non-transferable liquor licenses from local government agencies are capitalized and generally amortized over a period of up to 20 years. The costs of purchasing transferable liquor licenses through open markets in jurisdictions with a limited number of authorized liquor licenses are capitalized as indefinite-lived intangible assets.
Goodwill, which is not subject to amortization, is evaluated for impairment annually as of the end of the Company’s third fiscal quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change, such as material deterioration in performance or a significant number of restaurant closures, that would indicate an impairment may exist. Goodwill is evaluated at the level of the Company’s single operating segment, which also represents the Company’s only reporting unit.
When evaluating goodwill for impairment, the Company may first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that a reporting unit is impaired. If we do not perform a qualitative assessment, or if we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, we perform a quantitative assessment and calculate the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recorded to reduce the carrying value to the estimated fair value. Our decision to perform a qualitative impairment assessment in a given year is influenced by a number of factors, including the significance of the excess of the reporting unit’s estimated fair value over carrying value at the last quantitative assessment date, the amount of time in between quantitative fair value assessments, and the price of our common stock.
The Company performed a qualitative assessment for the 2019 annual impairment evaluation at the end of the third fiscal quarter and determined goodwill was not impaired. No indicators of impairment were identified from the date of our impairment test through the end of 2019. By review of macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance compared with prior projections and prior actual financial results, other relevant entity-specific events, and changes in share price, we determined it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit was less than its carrying amount.
The Company performed a quantitative assessment and determined that goodwill was not impaired as of October 7, 2018. No indicators of impairment were identified from the date of our impairment test through the end of 2018. Step one of the impairment test is based upon a comparison of the carrying value of net assets, including goodwill balances, to the fair value of net assets. Fair value is measured using a combination of the market capitalization method, the income approach, and the market approach. The market capitalization method uses the Company’s stock price to derive fair value. The income approach consists of utilizing the discounted cash flow method that incorporates the Company’s estimates of future revenues and costs, discounted using a risk-adjusted discount rate. The Company’s estimates used in the income approach are consistent with the plans and estimates used to manage operations. The market approach utilizes multiples of profit measures in order to estimate the fair value of the assets. The Company evaluates all methods to ensure reasonably consistent results. Additionally, the Company evaluates the key input factors in the models used to determine whether a moderate change in any input factor or combination of factors would significantly change the results of the tests.
Liquor licenses with indefinite lives are reviewed for impairment annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If the carrying amount is not recoverable, we record an impairment charge for the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value. We determine fair value based on prices in the open market for license in same or similar jurisdictions. No impairment charges were recorded in 2019, 2018, or 2017.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets - The Company reviews its long-lived assets, including restaurant sites, leasehold improvements, information technology systems, and other fixed assets, and amortizable intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the assets. Identifiable cash flows are measured at the lowest level for which they are largely independent of the cash flows of other groups of assets and liabilities, generally at the restaurant level. If the assets are determined to be impaired, the amount of impairment recognized is the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds their fair value. Fair value is generally determined using forecasted cash flows discounted using an estimated weighted average cost of capital. Management may also utilize other market information to determine fair value when relevant information is available. Restaurant sites and other assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of their carrying amount or fair value, less estimated costs to sell. Information technology systems, such as internal-use computer software, are reviewed and tested for recoverability if the internal-use computer software is not expected to provide substantive service potential, a significant change occurs in the extent or manner in which the software is used or is expected to be used, a significant change is made or will be made to the software program, or costs of developing or modifying internal-use software significantly exceed the amount originally expected to develop or modify the software.
Other Assets, net - Other assets, net consist primarily of assets related to various deposits, the employee deferred compensation plan and unamortized debt issuance costs on revolving credit facilities. Debt issuance costs are capitalized and amortized to interest expense on a straight-line basis which approximates the effective interest rate method over the term of the Company’s long-term debt.
Advertising - Under the Company’s franchise agreements, both the Company and the franchisees must contribute up to 3.0% of revenues to two national media advertising funds (the “Advertising Funds”). These Advertising Funds are used to build the Company’s brand equity and awareness primarily through a national marketing strategy, including national television advertising, digital media, social media programs, email, loyalty, and public relations initiatives. Contributions to these Advertising Funds from franchisees are recorded as revenue under Franchise revenue in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income in accordance with Topic 606 (Revenue from Contracts with Customers).
Total advertising costs were $44.3 million, $44.3 million, and $48 million in 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, and were included in Selling, general, and administrative expenses.
Advertising production costs are expensed in the period when the advertising first takes place. Other advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Self-Insurance Programs - The Company utilizes a self-insurance plan for health, general liability, and workers’ compensation coverage. Predetermined loss limits have been arranged with insurance companies to limit the Company’s per occurrence cash outlay. Accrued liabilities and accrued payroll and payroll-related liabilities include the estimated cost to settle reported claims and incurred but unreported claims.
Legal Contingencies - In the normal course of business, we are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are uncertain. We record an accrual for legal contingencies when we determine it is probable that we have incurred a liability and we can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. In making such determinations we evaluate, among other things, the probability of an unfavorable outcome and, when we believe it probable that a liability has been incurred, our ability to make a reasonable estimate of the loss.
Pre-opening Costs - Pre-opening costs are expensed as incurred. Pre-opening costs include rental expenses through the date of opening for each restaurant, travel expenses, wages and benefits for the training and opening teams, as well as food, beverage, and other restaurant opening costs incurred prior to a restaurant opening for business. Costs related to preparing restaurants to introduce Donatos® will be expensed as incurred and included in pre-opening costs.
Income Taxes - Deferred tax liabilities are recognized for the estimated effects of all taxable temporary differences, and deferred tax assets are recognized for the estimated effects of all deductible temporary differences and net operating losses, if any, and tax credit carryforwards. Realization of net deferred tax assets is dependent upon profitable operations and future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences. However, the amount of the deferred tax assets considered realizable could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period are increased or reduced or if there are differences in the timing or amount of future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences.
We do not provide for deferred taxes on the excess of the financial reporting basis over the tax basis in our investments in foreign subsidiaries that are essentially permanent in duration. We intend to reinvest earnings from our foreign subsidiaries, if any, in those operations for the foreseeable future. We have not, nor do we anticipate the need to, repatriate funds to the U.S. to satisfy domestic liquidity needs and, accordingly, we do not provide for U.S. federal income and foreign withholding tax on these earnings. While we do not expect to repatriate cash to the U.S., if these funds were distributed to the U.S., in the form of dividends or otherwise, we would be subject to additional U.S. income taxes. Determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred income tax liabilities on these earnings is not practicable because such liability, if any, is dependent on circumstances existing if and when remittance occurs.
Pursuant to the guidance for uncertain tax positions, a taxpayer must be able to more likely than not sustain a position to recognize a tax benefit, and the measurement of the benefit is calculated as the largest amount that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon resolution of the benefit. The Company has analyzed filing positions in all of the federal, state, and foreign jurisdictions where it is required to file income tax returns, as well as all open tax years in these jurisdictions. The only periods subject to examination for the Company’s federal and state returns are the 2014 through 2018 tax years.
The Company records interest and penalties associated with audits as a component of income before taxes. Penalties are recorded in Interest income and other, net, and interest paid or received is recorded in Interest expense and other in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income. The Company recorded immaterial interest expense on the identified tax liabilities in 2019, 2018, and 2017.
Earnings Per Share - Basic earnings per share amounts are calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per share amounts are calculated based upon the weighted average number of common and potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the year. Potentially dilutive shares are excluded from the computation in periods in which they have an anti-dilutive effect. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur if holders of options exercised their holdings into common stock.
The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the impact of outstanding stock options. Basic weighted average shares outstanding is reconciled to diluted weighted average shares outstanding for the fiscal years ended December 29, 2019, December 30, 2018, and December 31, 2017 as follows (in thousands):
 
2019
 
2018
 
2017
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
12,959

 
12,976

 
12,899

Dilutive effect of stock options and awards

 

 
99

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
12,959

 
12,976

 
12,998

 
 
 
 
 
 
Awards excluded due to anti-dilutive effect on diluted earnings per share
378

 
427

 
329


Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Comprehensive (loss) income consists of the net income or loss and other gains and losses affecting stockholders’ equity that, under U.S. GAAP, are excluded from net income. Other comprehensive (loss) income as presented in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for 2019, 2018, and 2017 consisted of the foreign currency translation adjustment resulting from the Company's Canadian restaurant operations.
Stock-Based Compensation - The Company maintains several equity incentive plans under which it may grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock variable compensation or other forms of awards granted or denominated in the Company’s common stock or units of the Company’s common stock, as well as cash variable compensation awards to employees, non-employees, directors, and consultants. The Company also maintains an employee stock purchase plan. The Company issues shares relating to stock-based compensation plans and the employee stock purchase plan from treasury shares.
Deferred Compensation (Income) Expense - The Company has assets and liabilities related to a deferred compensation plan. The assets of the deferred compensation plan are held in a rabbi trust, where they are invested in certain mutual funds that cover an investment spectrum range from equities to money market instruments. Increases in the market value of the investments held in the trust result in the recognition of deferred compensation expense reported in Selling, general, and administrative expenses and recognition of investment gain reported in Interest income and other, net, in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). Decreases in the market value of the investments held in the trust result in the recognition of a reduction to deferred compensation expense and recognition of investment loss reported in Interest income and other, net, in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Foreign Currency Translation - The Canadian Dollar is the functional currency for our Canadian restaurant operations. Assets and liabilities denominated in Canadian Dollars are translated into U.S. Dollars at exchange rates in effect as of the balance sheet date. Income and expense accounts are translated using the average exchange rates prevailing throughout the period. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded as a separate component of Other comprehensive (loss) income. Gain or loss from foreign currency transactions is recognized in our consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) income.