Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

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.

Prior Period Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications of the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023 have been made to conform to current year presentation. The Company has reclassified credit card receivables of $7.2 million to be presented within credit card receivables from accounts receivable and accrued payroll expenses of $5.7 million to be presented within accrued payroll expenses from accrued expenses. Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 5 - Accrued Expenses were conformed to the current year presentation discussed above.

Certain reclassifications were also made to conform the prior period segment reporting to the current year segment presentation. Refer to Note 15 – Segment Reporting for additional information regarding the Company’s reportable operating segments.

Certain reclassifications were also made to align our international revenues and long-term assets with the Company’s classification of domestic and international venues. These reclassifications are not material.

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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 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 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, 2024 and 2023.

Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents

Restricted cash and cash equivalents are accounts that are restricted to funding payment of employee benefits and collateral accounts relating to liquor license bonds.

Credit card receivable

The Company’s credit card receivables arise from credit cards payments that are in transit from the credit card processor to the Company.

Accounts Receivable

The Company’s receivables arise from management, license and franchise agreements, trade customers and other reimbursable amounts due from hotel operators where the Company operates a food and beverage service. Accounts receivable from third-party delivery services at December 31, 2024 and 2023 was $1.3 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Receivables from the Company’s management, license, franchise and hotel partners were $6.3 million and $8.2 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

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. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, food inventories were $6.7 million and $4.0 million, respectively, and beverage inventories were $4.5 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

Goodwill

Goodwill consists of goodwill associated with the Benihana Acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized and is tested for impairment annually on November 1^st or on an interim basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicated a potential impairment.

Property and Equipment

Additions to property and equipment, including leasehold improvements, are recorded at cost while costs incurred to repair and maintain the Company’s operations and equipment are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset. 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.

Computers and equipment as well as furniture and fixtures are depreciated over their useful lives from three to fifteen 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.

Other Assets

Other assets include liquor license acquisition costs and costs to fulfill obligations under the Company’s management and license agreements.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):

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Intangible assets consist of the indefinite-lived “Benihana”, “Kona Grill” and “RA Sushi” trade names and other finite-lived intangible assets that are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful life of 10 to 15 years. The amortization expense was $0.1 million and nominal for the years ended 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company’s estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the five succeeding fiscal years is 0.1 million annually.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets, which include property and equipment and right-of-use assets for operating leases, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be fully recoverable. The impairment evaluation is generally performed at the individual restaurant level, as we believe this is the lowest level of identifiable cash flows. We believe that historical cash flows, in addition to other relevant facts and circumstances, are the primary basis for estimating future cash flows. Relevant facts and circumstances include, among others, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the acquired assets or the strategy for the overall business, and significant negative industry or economic trends. 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 exclusive of operating lease payments, expected to be generated by those restaurant assets. This process requires the use of estimates and assumptions, which are subject to a high degree of judgment. If the carrying amount of an individual restaurant’s assets exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, exclusive of operating lease payments, an impairment charge is recognized as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its fair value. The estimated fair value is determined for these assets in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and the operating lease right-of-use assets as of December 31, 2024 were $276.1 million and

$260.2 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2024, no impairment loss related to long-lived assets has been recognized.

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 related to the revolving credit facility in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The portion of debt issuance costs related to the term loan and delayed draw term loan is recorded in long-term debt, net of current portion on the consolidated balance sheets.

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 benefit for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations 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 recording of deferred taxes requires significant management judgment regarding the interpretation of applicable statutes, the status of various income tax audits, and particular facts and circumstances.

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 benefit for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations.

Revenue Recognition

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.

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, franchise and incentive fees are recognized as revenue in the period the restaurant’s sales occur.

The Company recognizes initial licensing fees and upfront fees related to management and license agreements on a straight-line basis over the term of the agreement as a component of management, license, franchise and incentive fee revenue on the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company has a loyalty program for Kona Grill, “Konavore”, to encourage customers to frequent its restaurants. The loyalty rewards program awards a customer one point for every dollar spent. When a customer is part of the rewards program, the obligation to provide future discounts related to points earned is considered a separate performance obligation, to which a portion of the transaction price is allocated. The performance obligation related to loyalty points is deemed to have been satisfied, and the amount deferred in the balance sheet is recognized as revenue, when the points are converted to a reward and redeemed, or the likelihood of redemption is remote. A portion of the transaction price is allocated to loyalty points, if necessary, on a pro-rata basis, based on the stand-alone selling price, as determined by menu pricing and loyalty points terms. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023 the deferred revenue allocated to loyalty points that have not been redeemed was $0.2 million, which is recorded as a component of accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The Company expects the loyalty points to be redeemed and recognized over a one-year period.

Gift Cards

Proceeds from the sale of gift cards are recorded as deferred revenue and recognized as revenue when redeemed by the holder. There are no expiration dates on the Company’s gift cards 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 cards presented for payment, it may determine the likelihood of redemption to be remote for certain gift cards 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 card balances may then be recognized as breakage in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of owned restaurant net revenue. For the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company recognized $1.5 million and $0.1 million, respectively, in revenue from gift card breakage.

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, 2024 and 2023 were $9.5 million and $8.9 million, respectively.

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses the cost of advertising and promotions as incurred. Advertising expense was $21.8 million and $10.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Leases

Contracts are evaluated to determine whether they contain a lease at inception. The Company’s contracts determined to be or contain a lease include explicitly or implicitly identified assets where the Company has the right to substantially all of the economic benefits of the assets and has the ability to direct how and for what purpose the assets are used during the lease term. If it is determined that the contract contains an operating lease, a right-of-use asset and operating lease liability are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets. A right-of-use asset represents the Company’s right to use the underlying asset and the lease liability represents the Company’s contractually obligated payments. Both the right-of-use asset and the lease liability are recognized as of the commencement date of the lease and are based upon the present value of lease payments due over the course of the lease. The right-of-use asset is reduced by any lease incentives received. For leases that do not have a rate implicit in the lease, the Company’s incremental borrowing rate at the date of commencement is used to determine the present value of the lease payments. The Company’s incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that it would have to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term on an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.

The Company enters into contracts to lease office and restaurant space with terms that expire at various dates through 2047. The lease term is the minimum of the noncancelable period of the lease or the lease term inclusive of reasonably certain renewal periods. The Company considers a number of factors when evaluating whether the options in its lease contracts were reasonably certain of exercise, such as length of time before option exercise, expected value of the leased asset at the end of the initial lease term, importance of the lease to overall operations, costs to negotiate a new lease, and any contractual or economic penalties.

Certain of the Company’s leases also provide for percentage rent, which are variable lease costs determined as a percentage of gross sales in excess of specified, minimum sales targets, as well as other lease costs to reimburse the lessor for real estate tax and insurance expenses, and certain non-lease components that transfer a distinct service to the Company, such as common area maintenance services. These percentage rents and other variable lease costs are not included in the calculation of lease payments when classifying a lease and in the measurement of the lease liability as they do not meet the definition of in-substance, fixed-lease payments under ASC Topic 842, Leases.

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”) that vest on the passage of time are valued using the closing stock price on the date of grant. For performance stock units (“PSUs”) with both a market condition and time element, the fair value was calculated using the Monte Carlo Simulation.

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. Additionally, the Company’s current PSUs that have been granted, were awarded with both a market condition and time element, as such for these performance stock units, the Company recognizes compensation cost over the requisite service period. 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.

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and income available to common stockholders. Diluted earnings 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, PSUs and RSUs. The two-class method for computing earnings per share will be utilized when applicable. Refer to Note 11 for the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share.

Segment Reporting

The Company has identified the following three reportable operating segments: STK, Benihana and Grill Concepts. Refer to Note 15 for additional details and certain financial information regarding the Company’s operating segments relating to the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

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 a loss of approximately $0.1 million during 2024 and 2023.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income consists of two components: net income and other comprehensive income (loss). The Company’s other comprehensive 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

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosure.” The ASU updates reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through requiring enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and information used to assess segment performance. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, with early adoption permitted. The Company has incorporated this ASU into this Annual Report Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.

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In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures.” The ASU includes amendments requiring enhanced income tax disclosures, primarily related to standardization and disaggregation of rate reconciliation categories and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on its disclosures.

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In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-03, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income-Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses, which requires detailed disclosure amounts for purchases of inventory, employee compensation, depreciation, intangible asset amortization, and depreciation, depletion and amortization as part of oil and gas producing activities in each relevant expense caption on the income statement. The ASU requires companies to include amounts already required by GAAP in the same disclosure, provide a qualitative description of remaining amounts not separately disaggregated, and disclose the total selling expenses along with the definition of selling expenses in annual reports. The amendment is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, with early adoption is permitted. The amendment should be applied prospectively; however retrospective application is permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of adopting this ASU on its disclosures.