Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

v3.19.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation
 
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
The Company consolidates entities in which it has a controlling financial interest, the usual condition of which is ownership of a majority voting interest. The Company also considers for consolidation an entity in which it has certain interests, where the controlling financial interest may be achieved through arrangements that do not involve voting interests. Such an entity, known as a variable interest entity (“VIE”), is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that possesses the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that are significant to it.
 
The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever an event or change in circumstances occurs that may have a significant adverse impact on the fair value of the investment. If a loss in value has occurred and is deemed to be other than temporary, an impairment loss is recorded. Several factors are reviewed to determine whether a loss has occurred that is other than temporary, including the absence of an ability to recover the carrying amount of the investment, the length and extent of the fair value decline, and the financial condition and future prospects of the investee.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions for the reporting period and as of the reporting date. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the disclosure of contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements
 
Fair value represents the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Assets and liabilities are valued based upon observable and non-observable inputs. Valuations using Level 1 inputs are based on unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs utilize significant other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly. Valuations using Level 3 inputs are based on significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. There were no significant transfers between levels during any period presented.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Cash and cash equivalents are defined as cash on hand and highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in banks and at the restaurants as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Receivable
 
The majority of the Company’s receivables arise primarily from credit cards, management agreements, trade customers and other reimbursable amounts due from hotel operators where the Company operates a food and beverage service. The Company determines an allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time trade accounts receivable are past due, previous loss and payment history, the customer’s current ability to pay its obligation to the Company and the condition of the general economy and industry as a whole. The Company has not reserved any trade receivables as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Inventory
Inventory
 
Inventories, which consist of food, liquor and other beverages, are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the first in, first out method. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs to sell. The Company has not reserved any inventory as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Property and Equipment
Property and Equipment
 
Additions to property and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are recorded at cost. Costs incurred to repair and maintain the Company’s operations and equipment are expensed as incurred. Restaurant smallwares are capitalized during the initial year of operation of a particular restaurant. All restaurant supplies purchased subsequent to the first year are expensed as incurred. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost of the assets and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or loss on retirements is reflected in operating income in the year of disposition.
 
After the asset has been placed into service, depreciation is based on the estimated useful life of the asset using the straight-line method for financial statement purposes. Computer and equipment as well as furniture and fixtures are depreciated over their useful lives from
five
to
seven
years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining term of the associated lease. Lease terms begin on the date the Company takes possession under the lease and include option periods where failure to exercise such options would result in an economic penalty.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
 
Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying values of these assets may not be fully recoverable. The impairment evaluation is generally performed at the individual venue asset group level. Recoverability of restaurant assets is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an individual restaurant’s assets to the estimated identifiable undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by those restaurant assets. If the carrying amount of an individual restaurant’s assets exceeds its estimated, identifiable, undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset’s exceed its fair value. Fair value is determined by discounting a restaurant’s identifiable future cash flows.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company did not identify any event or changes in circumstances that indicated that the carrying values of its restaurant assets were impaired. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded impairments, net of related liabilities, of $0.6 million.
Debt Issuance Costs
Debt Issuance Costs
 
Debt issuance costs incurred in connection with the issuance of long-term debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expense based on the term of the related debt agreement using the straight-line method, which approximates the effective interest method. The Company has recorded debt issuance costs as an offset to long-term debt, net of current portion on the consolidated balance sheets.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
 
The Company computes income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for differences between the basis of assets and liabilities for financial statement and income tax purposes, using the enacted statutory rate in effect for the year these differences are expected to be taxable or refunded. Deferred income tax expenses or credits are based on the changes in the asset or liability, respectively, from period to period. A deferred tax asset or liability is recognized whenever there are future tax effects from existing temporary differences and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. If the Company determines that a deferred tax asset or liability could be realized in a greater or lesser amount than recorded, the deferred tax asset or liability is adjusted and a corresponding adjustment is made to the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) in the period during which the determination is made.
 
The Company reduces its deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if it determines that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of these tax assets will not be realized. In making this determination, the Company considers various qualitative and quantitative factors, such as:
 
 
·
the level of historical taxable income;
 
·
the projection of future taxable income over periods in which the deferred tax assets would be deductible;
 
·
events within the restaurant industry;
 
·
the health of the economy; and,
 
·
historical trending.
 
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had a valuation allowance of
approximately $10.8 million and
$11.6 million, respectively, established against its deferred tax assets.
 
The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position when it determines that it is more-likely-than-not that the position would be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities. The amount recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. If the Company derecognizes an uncertain tax position, the Company’s policy is to record any applicable interest and penalties within the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition
 
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification Topic 606 – “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASC 606”), using the modified retrospective method. Results for the year ended December 31, 2018 are presented under the new revenue recognition standard, while the prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for the prior periods. Refer to Note 11 for additional details related to the impact of adopting ASC 606.
 
Revenue is derived from restaurant sales, management services and license related operations.
 
The Company recognizes restaurant revenues, net of discounts, when goods and services are provided. Sales tax amounts collected from customers that are remitted to governmental authorities are excluded from net revenue.
 
The Company’s management agreements typically call for a management fee based on a percentage of revenue, a monthly marketing fee based on a percentage of revenues and an incentive fee based on a managed venue’s net profits. Similarly, royalties from the licensee in license agreements are generally based on a percentage of the licensed restaurant’s revenue. These management, license and incentive fees are recognized as revenue in the period the restaurant’s sales occur.
 
The Company also recognizes revenue for initial license fees and upfront fees related to its management and license agreements. For the year ended December 31, 2018, initial license fees and upfront fees were recognized straight-line over the term of the related agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2017, prior to the adoption of ASC 606, initial license fees were recognized when the related services had been provided, which was generally upon the opening of the restaurant, and upfront fees were recognized on a pro-rata basis as restaurants under the development agreement were opened.
Gift Certificates
Gift Certificates
 
Proceeds from the sale of gift certificates are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue when redeemed by the holder. There are no expiration dates on the Company’s gift certificates and the Company does not charge any service fees that would result in a decrease to a customer’s available balance.
 
Although the Company will continue to honor all gift certificates presented for payment, it may determine the likelihood of redemption to be remote for certain gift certificates due to, among other things, long periods of inactivity. In these circumstances, to the extent the Company determines there is no requirement for remitting balances to government agencies under unclaimed property laws, outstanding gift certificate balances may then be recognized as breakage in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) as a component of owned food, beverage and other net revenues.
 
For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized $0.2 
million in revenue from gift certificate breakage. The Company recorded no revenue from gift certificate breakage for the year ended December
 31, 2017.
Pre-opening Costs
Pre-opening Costs
 
Pre-opening costs for Company owned restaurants are expensed as incurred prior to a restaurant opening for business. Pre-opening costs for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 were $1.3 million and $1.6 million, respectively.
Advertising Costs
Advertising Costs
 
The Company expenses the cost of advertising and promotions as incurred. Advertising expense amounted to $2.2 million and $3.6 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Leases and Deferred Rent
Leases and Deferred Rent
 
The Company leases all of its restaurant locations under leases classified as operating leases. The Company also leases equipment under operating leases. Minimum base rent for the Company’s operating leases, which generally have escalating rentals over the term of the lease, is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term. As such, an equal amount of rent expense is attributed to each period during the term of the lease regardless of when actual payments occur. The difference between rent expense and actual cash payments is recorded as deferred rent in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Lease terms begin on the date the Company takes possession under the lease and includes option periods where failure to exercise such options would result in an economic penalty.
 
Certain of the Company’s leases also provide for contingent rent, which is determined as a percentage of sales in excess of specified, minimum sales targets. The Company recognizes contingent rent expense prior to the achievement of the specified sales target provided achievement of the sales target is considered probable.
 
Incentive payments received from landlords, generally in the form of tenant improvement allowances, are recorded as an increase to deferred rent in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the lease term as a reduction to rent expense.
 
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had $16.8 million and $17.0 million, respectively, of long-term deferred rent and tenant improvement allowances on the consolidated balance sheets.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation
 
The Company maintains an equity incentive compensation plan under which it may grant options, warrants, restricted stock or other stock-based awards to directors, officers, key employees and other key individuals performing services to the Company. Restricted stock and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) are valued using the closing stock price on the date of grant. The fair value of an option award or warrant is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Black-Scholes model requires estimates of the expected term of the option, the risk-free interest rate, future volatility and dividend yield. The Company’s assumptions are as follows:
 
 
·
Expected Term – The expected term of options is based upon evaluations of historical and expected future exercise behavior with consideration of both the vesting period and contractual terms of the instruments.
 
·
Risk Free Interest Rate – The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury rates at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected term at the grant date.
 
·
Implied Volatility – Implied volatility is based upon an average of the volatilities of an industry peer group who are publicly traded.
 
·
Dividend Yield – The Company has historically not paid dividends and does not plan to do so in the foreseeable future.
 
Under the plan, vesting of awards can either be based on the passage of time or on the achievement of performance goals. For awards that vest on the passage of time, compensation cost is recognized over the vesting period. For performance-based awards, the Company recognizes compensation costs over the requisite service period when conditions for achievement become probable. The Company estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ or are expected to differ. These estimates, which are currently at 10%, are based on historical forfeiture behavior exhibited by employees of the Company.
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share
Earnings (Loss) per Share
 
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and income available to common stockholders. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period plus the dilutive effect of all potential shares of common stock including common stock issuable pursuant to stock options, warrants, and RSUs. Earnings (loss) per share for continuing operations and discontinued operations are computed independently. As a result, the sum of per share amount may not equal the total. Refer to Note 13 for the calculations of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Concentrations of Credit Risk
 
The Company maintains cash and cash equivalent balances with financial institutions that, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had $1.1 million and $1.6 million, respectively, of cash deposited that is in excess of federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses related to these balances and management believes its credit risk to be minimal.
 
The Company’s accounts receivable balance includes credit card receivables. Management believes that concentrations of credit risk with respect to these credit card receivables are limited. Credit card receivables are anticipated to be collected within three business days of the transaction.
Segment Reporting
Segment Reporting
 
The Company operates in three segments: owned restaurants, owned food, beverage and other operations and managed and licensed operations. These reportable segments are supported by the Company’s corporate unit. The Company’s owned restaurant segment consists of leased restaurant locations that compete in the full-service dining industry and have similar investment criteria and economic and operating characteristics. The Company’s owned food, beverage and other operations segment includes entities where the Company leases a restaurant and provides additional ancillary food and beverage services, such as managing pool bars and providing full hospitality services for a hotel. The Company’s managed and licensed operations segment consists of management agreements in which the Company operates the food and beverage services in hotels or casinos and could include an STK, which the Company refers to as managed locations, and license agreements in which the Company has licensed the use of one of the Company’s brands. Revenues within the managed and licensed operations segment are generated from management fees based on the net revenue at each location, incentive fees based on profitability at each location and license fees.
 
Information regarding the revenues and costs for each business segment has been reported in Note 20 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Foreign Currency Translation
Foreign Currency Translation
 
Assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Gains or losses resulting from the translation of foreign subsidiaries represent other comprehensive income (loss) and are accumulated as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Currency translation gains or (losses) are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss within stockholders' equity and amounted to approximately ($0.8) million and ($12.0) thousand during the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Comprehensive income (loss) consists of two components: net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). The Company’s other comprehens
ive income (loss) is comprised of foreign currency translation adjustments. All of the Company’s foreign currency translation adjustments relate to wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Updated (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” (“ASU 2016-02”). ASU 2016-02 has been subsequently modified with various amendments, clarifications, and scope improvements. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize most leases, with the exception of leases with terms of less than one year, on the balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and liability. ASU 2016-02 also requires certain disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.
 
The Company will adopt the requirements of ASU
2016
-
02
effective January 
1
,
2019
using the optional transition method. The optional transition method allows entities to record the cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption and does not require application of the standard to the comparative periods presented in the financial statements. The Company has also elected to adopt the practical expedient transition package, which eliminates the requirements to reassess lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. Additionally, the Company has elected the practical expedients that permit the accounting policy election to account for each separate lease component of a contract and its associated non-lease components as a single lease component. The Company has also elected the accounting policy for short-term lease exceptions, and therefore the Company will not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to short-term leases (i.e. leases with terms of
12
months or less). The Company has not elected the hindsight practical expedient, which permits the use of hindsight when determining the lease term and impairment of right-of-use assets, or the portfolio approach practical expedient, which permits applying the standard to a portfolio of leases with similar characteristics.
 
The adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have a significant impact to the consolidated balance sheets with the recording of material assets and obligations related to the Company’s restaurants which operate under lease agreements. These restaurant leases comprise the majority of the Company’s material lease agreements. Although the Company is finalizing its evaluation of the effect on its consolidated financial statements and disclosures, the Company expects to record operating lease liabilities as of January 1, 2019 ranging from approximately $61.0 million to $70.0 million based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments. Additionally, the Company expects to record corresponding right-of-use assets ranging from approximately $44.0 million to $53.0 million based on the operating lease liabilities adjusted for deferred rent and lease incentives existing as of the effective date. This estimate may change as the Company enters into new lease agreements and completes its implementation, including finalizing the evaluation of potential embedded leases.
 
The Company does not expect a material impact on its consolidated results of operations or its consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company is finalizing the impact of ASU 2016-02 on its accounting policies and processes, potential embedded leases, and internal control over financial reporting. The Company expects expanded qualitative and quantitative financial statement disclosures regarding the Company’s leasing arrangements.
 
In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2018-07”). ASU 2018-07 simplifies the accounting and reporting for share-based payments issued to non-employees by expanding the scope of Accounting Standard Codification 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”, which currently only includes share-based compensation to employees, to also include share-based payments to nonemployees for goods and services. The amendments in ASU 2018-07 are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is evaluating the effect of this standard on its consolidated financial statements but does not expect the adoption of ASU 2018-07 to be material.
 
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement” (“ASU 2018-13”). ASU 2018-13 eliminates, modifies and adds disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The amendments in ASU 2018-13 are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the effects of ASU 2018-13 on its consolidated financial statements but does not expect the adoption of ASU 2018-13 to be material.
 
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract” (“ASU 2018-15”). ASU 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs in cloud computing arrangements with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. ASU 2018-15 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Entities can choose to adopt the new guidance prospectively or retrospectively. The Company is evaluating the effects of this pronouncement on its consolidated financial statements.
 
In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-17, “Consolidation (Topic 810): Targeted Improvements to Related Party Guidance for Variable Interest Entities” (“ASU 2018-17”). ASU 2018-17 states that indirect interests held through related parties in common control arrangements should be considered on a proportional basis to determine whether fees paid to decision makers and service providers are variable interests. This is consistent with how indirect interests held through related parties under common control are considered for determining whether a reporting entity must consolidate a variable interest entity. ASU 2018-17 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Entities are required to adopt the new guidance retrospectively with a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The Company is evaluating the effects of this pronouncement on its consolidated financial statements.