Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

v3.23.1
Commitments and Contingencies
4 Months Ended
Apr. 16, 2023
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies 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 condensed 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, and other contingencies, certain of which are covered by insurance policies. 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 any one of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position and results of operations. 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 April 16, 2023, we had a balance of $8.9 million for loss contingencies included within Accrued liabilities and other on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet. 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. We increased our estimate of loss contingency liabilities by approximately $4.3 million in the first quarter of 2023 related to changes during the first quarter in the status of ongoing litigation matters. We ultimately may be subject to greater or less than the accrued amount for this and other matters.
As of April 16, 2023, we had non-cancellable purchase commitments to certain vendors who provide food and beverages and other supplies to our restaurants, for an aggregate of $133.2 million. We expect to fulfill our commitments under these agreements in the normal course of business, and as such, no liability has been recorded.