Note 10 – Nonconsolidated Variable Interest Entities

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company owned interests in the following companies, which directly or indirectly operate restaurants:

Bagatelle Investors is a holding company that has an interest in Bagatelle NY. Both entities were formed in 2011. In the second quarter of 2019, Bagatelle NY notified the Company that it had no intent to renew its sublease with the Company for the restaurant space. As a result, the Company determined that it no longer had the ability to exercise significant influence over its investees, Bagatelle Investors and Bagatelle NY. On June 30, 2019, the Company recorded its retained interests in Bagatelle Investors and Bagatelle NY as cost method investments, with the initial basis being the previous carrying amounts of the investments. Prior to June 30, 2019, the Company had accounted for its investments in these entities under the equity method of accounting based on management’s assessment that it was not the primary beneficiary of these entities because it did not have the power to direct their day to day activities.

On December 31, 2019, the Company determined that, because of the short term remaining on the lease (November 2020) and current market conditions, it was unable to recover the carrying amount of the investments in Bagatelle Investors and Bagatelle NY. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash write down of $2.7 million related to its cost method investments for the year ended December 31, 2019.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying values of these investments were (in thousands):

 

There was no equity in income of investee companies for the year ended December 31, 2019. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the equity in income of investee companies for the investments discussed above was $0.2 million. Summarized financial data for 2018 when these investments were accounted for under the equity method is presented below (in thousands):

 

 

Additionally, the Company entered into a management agreement with Bagatelle NY. Under this agreement, the Company recorded management fee revenue of $0.4 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company also receives rental income from Bagatelle NY for restaurant space that it subleases to Bagatelle NY. Rental income of $0.5 million and $0.6 million was recorded from this entity for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Net receivables from the Bagatelle Entities included in due from related parties, net were approximately $0.3 million and less than $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. These receivables, combined with the Company’s carrying value in each of these investments, represent the Company’s maximum exposure to loss. The Company has provided no additional types of support to these entities other than what is contractually required.

In the first quarter of 2018, the Company sold its 10% interest in a cost method investment, One 29 Park, LLC, for $0.6 million, resulting in a gain of $0.2 million. The gain is included as a component of other income, net on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for year ended December 31, 2018. The investment was accounted for under the cost method of accounting. The Company had also entered into a management agreement with One 29 Park, LLC, under which the Company recorded management fee revenue of $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The management agreement with One 29 Park, LLC terminated on September 30, 2018.