Commitments and Contingencies |
12 Months Ended |
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Dec. 25, 2022 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments and Contingencies |
12. Commitments and Contingencies
Because litigation is inherently unpredictable, assessing contingencies related to litigation is a complex process involving highly subjective judgment about potential outcomes of future events. When evaluating litigation contingencies, we may be unable to provide a meaningful estimate due to a number of factors, including the procedural status of the matter in question, the availability of appellate remedies, insurance coverage related to the claim or claims in question, the presence of complex or novel legal theories, and the ongoing discovery and development of information important to the matter. In addition, damage amounts claimed in litigation against us may be unsupported, exaggerated, or unrelated to possible outcomes, and as such are not meaningful indicators of our potential liability or financial exposure. Accordingly, we review the adequacy of accruals and disclosures each quarter in consultation with legal counsel, and we assess the probability and range of possible losses associated with contingencies for potential accrual in the consolidated financial statements. However, the ultimate resolution of litigated claims may differ from our current estimates.
In the normal course of business, there are various claims in process, matters in litigation, administrative proceedings, and other contingencies. These include employment related claims and class action lawsuits, claims from Guests or Team Members alleging illness, injury, food quality, health, or operational concerns, and lease and other commercial disputes. To date, none of these claims, certain of which are covered by insurance policies, have had a material effect on the Company. While it is not possible to predict the outcome of these suits, legal proceedings, and claims with certainty, management is of the opinion that adequate provision for potential losses associated with these matters has been made in the financial statements and that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations. However, a significant increase in the number of these claims, or one or more successful claims resulting in greater liabilities than we currently anticipate, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
As of December 25, 2022, we had a balance of $7.7 million for loss contingencies on our consolidated balance sheets, of which $3.0 million relates to a class action settlement that is scheduled to be paid in first quarter 2023. We increased our estimate of loss contingency liabilities by approximately $4.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 related to changes during the fourth quarter in the status ongoing litigation matters. We ultimately may be subject to greater or less than the accrued amount for this and other matters.
As of December 25, 2022, we had purchase commitments to certain vendors who provide food and beverages and other supplies to our restaurants, for an aggregate of $142.1 million. We expect to fulfill our commitments under these agreements in the normal course of business, and as such, no liability has been recorded.
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