ARK RESTAURANTS CORP 10-K

Item 1. Business COVID-19 Pandemic On March 11, 2020, in light of the rapid spread of the novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19” or “Coronavirus”), the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be a global pandemic and the United States declared a National Public Health Emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted consumer demand, as well as the Company’s restaurant operations. Following the pandemic declaration in March 2020, federal, state and local governments began to respond to the public health crisis by requiring social distancing, "stay at home" directives, and mandatory closure of all of our locations. As a result of state and local governments lifting “stay at home” orders and mandatory shut-down requirements from May through August 2020, the Company has reopened all of its properties, with the exception of Thunder Grill in Washington, D.C., at varying levels of limited capacity as allowed by federal, state and local governments. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, during the year ended October 3, 2020, subsequent to reopening after initial shut-downs, the Company has temporarily closed several restaurants, typically for three to seven days. The Coronavirus has caused unprecedented business disruptions, especially in the hospitality industry. Although we have experienced some recovery from the initial impact of COVID-19, the long-term impact of COVID-19 on the economy and on our business remains uncertain, the duration and scope of which cannot currently be predicted. As a result of these developments, the Company is experiencing a significant negative impact on its revenues, results of operations and cash flows, and has a working capital deficiency of $3,234,000 as of October 3, 2020, all of which could negatively impact its ability to meet its obligations over the next 12 months. However, we believe that our existing cash balances, which include the proceeds from Paycheck Protection Program loans (see Note 10 - Notes Payable of the consolidated financial statements) and actions taken by management, set out below and otherwise, will be sufficient to meet our liquidity and capital spending requirements through December 23, 2021. In response to the business disruption and liquidity concerns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has taken the following actions, which management expects will enable it to meet its obligations over the next 12 months: • While restaurants were closed or continue to be closed, we furloughed all hourly employees and approximately 95% of salaried restaurant management personnel, while enacting salary reductions for all remaining restaurant management personnel. • As restaurants re-opened, restaurant management salaries were restored to 70% of pre-pandemic amounts. If a location produced sustained cash flow, restaurant management salaries were restored to 100% of pre-pandemic amounts. • Initially reduced the pay of all corporate and administrative staff by 50% to 75% and senior management salaries by 75% to 95%. As of October 3, 2020, most corporate salaries have been restored to 65% of pre-pandemic levels. In addition, the Board waived its fees for the balance of 2020. • Entered into a Payment Suspension Agreement with our bank which deferred aggregate principal payments of $675,000 due on June 1, 2020 to the respective loan maturity dates and an agreement to extend the maturity dates of our revolving credit agreement (see Note 10 - Notes Payable of the consolidated financial statements). In addition, the bank agreed to relaxed financial covenants through fiscal Q3 2021. • Canceled the payment of the $0.25 dividend declared on March 2, 2020. • Suspended future dividend payments until such time as the Board deems appropriate to reinstate. • Canceled or delayed all non-essential capital expenditures. • Suspended the vast majority of lease payments while our restaurants were closed as a result of government mandated shutdowns, and attempted to negotiate rent concessions, abatements and deferrals with these landlords to reduce the lease payments. While some landlords have agreed to concessions, several negotiations are still ongoing as of the date of this filing and we will attempt to obtain further concessions through April 2021 at many of our leased properties. However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining the relief it is seeking. • Certain Company subsidiaries applied for and received a total of approximately $15.0 million of loans under the Paycheck Protection Program of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), which was enacted March 27, 2020. 5 • Utilized additional provisions of the CARES Act to obtain tax savings as well as the deferral of our portion of social security taxes to future years. Due to the rapid development and fluidity of this situation, management cannot determine the ultimate impact that the COVID-19 pandemic will have on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, liquidity, future results of operations, suppliers, industry, and workforce and therefore any prediction as to the ultimate material adverse impact on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, liquidity, and future results of operations is uncertain. The disruption in operations has led the Company to consider the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its liquidity, debt covenant compliance, and recoverability of long-lived and ROU assets, goodwill and intangible assets, among others. In addition, we cannot predict how soon we will be able to reopen any or all of our restaurants at full capacity or whether they will be required to close again in the future, as these decisions will depend primarily on the actions of a number of governmental bodies over which we have no control. Moreover, once restrictions are lifted, it is unclear how quickly customers will return to our restaurants, which may be a function of continued concerns over safety and/or depressed consumer sentiment due to adverse economic conditions, including job losses. If these disruptions continue, the Company expects a continued material negative impact on its consolidated financial condition, future results of operations and liquidity. The extent of such negative impact will be determined, in part, by the longevity and severity of the pandemic. Overview We are a New York corporation formed in 1983. As of the fiscal year ended October 3, 2020, we owned and/or operated 20 restaurants and bars, 17 fast food concepts and catering operations through our subsidiaries. Initially our facilities were located only in New York City. As of the fiscal year ended October 3, 2020, five of our restaurant and bar facilities are located in New York City, two are located in Washington, D.C., five are located in Las Vegas, Nevada, three are located in Atlantic City, New Jersey, three are located on the east coast of Florida and two are located on the gulf coast of Alabama. In addition to the shift from a Manhattan-based operation to a multi-city operation, the nature of the facilities operated by us has shifted from smaller, neighborhood restaurants to larger, destination properties intended to benefit from high patron traffic attributable to the uniqueness of the location and catered events. Most of our properties which have been opened in recent years are of the latter description. As of the fiscal year ended October 3, 2020, these include the operations at the 12 fast food facilities in Tampa, Florida and Hollywood, Florida (2004); the Gallagher’s Steakhouse and Gallagher’s Burger Bar in the Resorts Atlantic City Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey (2005); Yolos at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada (2007); Robert at the Museum of Arts & Design at Columbus Circle in Manhattan (2010); Broadway Burger Bar and Grill at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada (2011); Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine in Manhattan (2012); Broadway Burger Bar and Grill in the Quarter at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey (2013); The Rustic Inn in Dania Beach, Florida (2014); Shuckers in Jensen Beach, Florida (2016); two Original Oyster Houses , one in Gulf Shores, Alabama and one in Spanish Fort, Alabama (2017) and JB's on the Beach in Deerfield Beach, Florida (2019). The names and themes of each of our restaurants are different except for our two Gallagher’s Steakhouse restaurants, two Broadway Burger Bar and Grill restaurants, and two Original Oyster House restaurants. The menus in our restaurants are extensive, offering a wide variety of high-quality foods at generally moderate prices. The atmosphere at many of the restaurants is lively and extremely casual. Most of the restaurants have separate bar areas, are open seven days a week and most serve lunch as well as dinner. A majority of our net sales are derived from dinner as opposed to lunch service. While decor differs from restaurant to restaurant, interiors are marked by distinctive architectural and design elements which often incorporate dramatic interior open spaces and extensive glass exteriors. The wall treatments, lighting and decorations are typically vivid, unusual and, in some cases, highly theatrical. 6 The following table sets forth the restaurant properties we lease, own and operate as of October 3, 2020: Name Location Year Opened(1) Restaurant Size (Square Feet) Seating Capacity(2) Indoor- (Outdoor) Lease Expiration(3) Sequoia Washington Harbour Washington, D.C. 1990 26,000 600 (400) 2032 Bryant Park Grill & Café Bryant Park New York, New York 1995 25,000 180 (820) 2025 America(4) New York-New York Hotel and Casino Las Vegas, Nevada 1997 20,000 450 2023 Gallagher’s Steakhouse(4) New York-New York Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, Nevada 1997 5,500 260 2023 Gonzalez y Gonzalez(4) New York-New York Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, Nevada 1997 2,000 120 2023 Village Eateries (4)(5) New York-New York Hotel & Casino Las Vegas, Nevada 1997 6,300 400 (*) 2023 Robert Museum of Arts & Design New York, New York 2009 5,530 150 2035 Thunder Grill (6) Union Station Washington, D.C. 1999 10,000 500 2019 Gallagher’s Steakhouse (7) Resorts Atlantic City Hotel and Casino Atlantic City, New Jersey 2005 6,280 196 2020 Gallagher’s Burger Bar (7) Resorts Atlantic City Hotel and Casino Atlantic City, New Jersey 2005 2,270 114 2020 Yolos Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino Las Vegas, Nevada 2007 4,100 206 2026 Clyde Frazier’s Wine and Dine Tenth Avenue (between 37 th and 38 th Streets) New York, New York 2012 10,000 250 2032 Broadway Burger Bar and Grill Tropicana Hotel and Casino Atlantic City, New Jersey 2013 6,825 225 2033 The Rustic Inn Dania Beach, Florida 2014 16,150 575 (75) Owned Southwest Porch (8) Bryant Park New York, New York 2015 2,240 — (160) 2025 Shuckers Jensen Beach, Florida 2016 7,310 220 (170) Owned The Original Oyster House Gulf Shores, Alabama 2017 9,230 300 Owned The Original Oyster House Spanish Fort, Alabama 2017 10,500 420 Owned JB's on the Beach Deerfield Beach, Florida 2019 10,000 365 (100) 2044 __________________________________ (1) Restaurants are, from time to time, renovated, renamed and/or converted from or to managed or owned facilities. “Year Opened” refers to the year in which we, or an affiliated predecessor of us, first opened, acquired or began managing a restaurant at the applicable location, notwithstanding that the restaurant may have been renovated, renamed and/or converted from or to a managed or owned facility since that date. (2) Seating capacity refers to the seating capacity of the indoor part of a restaurant available for dining in all seasons and weather conditions. Outdoor seating capacity, if applicable, is set forth in parentheses and refers to the seating capacity of terraces and sidewalk cafes which are available for dining only in the warm seasons and then only inclement weather. 7 (3) Assumes the exercise of all of our available lease renewal options. (4) Under the America lease, the sales goal is $6.0 million. Under the Gallagher’s Steakhouse lease, the sales goal is $3.0 million. Under the lease for Gonzalez y Gonzalez and the Village Eateries , the combined sales goal is $10.0 million. Each of the restaurants is currently operating at a level in excess of the minimum sales level required to exercise the renewal option for each respective restaurant. (5) We operate six small food court restaurants and one full-service restaurant in the Village Eateries food court at the New York-New York Hotel & Casino. We also operate that hotel’s room service, banquet facilities and employee cafeteria. (6) The lease for this location expired in January 2019 and has been operating on a month-to-month basis with the consent of the landlord. (7) On November 13, 2020, the Company was advised by the landlord that it would have to vacate Gallagher’s Steakhouse and Gallagher’s Burger Bar at the Resorts Casino Hotel located in Atlantic City, NJ. which were on a month-to-month, no rent lease. The Company expects that the closure of this property will occur on January 4, 2021 and will not result in a material charge to the Company’s operations. (8) This location is for a kiosk located at Bryant Park, New York, NY and all seating is outdoors. (*) Represents common area seating. The following table sets forth our less than wholly-owned properties that are managed by us, which have been consolidated as of October 3, 2020 – see Notes 1 and 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements: Name Location Year Opened(1) Restaurant Size (Square Feet) Seating Capacity(2) Indoor- (Outdoor) Lease Expiration(3) El Rio Grande (4)(5) Third Avenue (between 38th and 39th Streets) New York, New York 1987 4,000 220 (60) 2029 Tampa Food Court(6)(7) Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa, Florida 2004 4,000 250 (*) 2029 Hollywood Food Court(6)(7) Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Hollywood, Florida 2004 9,000 250 (*) 2029 Lucky Seven(6) Foxwoods Resort Casino Ledyard, Connecticut 2006 4,825 1,000 (**) 2026 __________________________________ (1) Restaurants are, from time to time, renovated, renamed and/or converted from or to managed or owned facilities. “Year Opened” refers to the year in which we, or an affiliated predecessor of us, first opened, acquired or began managing a restaurant at the applicable location, notwithstanding that the restaurant may have been renovated, renamed and/or converted from or to a managed or owned facility since that date. (2) Seating capacity refers to the seating capacity of the indoor part of a restaurant available for dining in all seasons and weather conditions. Outdoor seating capacity, if applicable, is set forth in parentheses and refers to the seating capacity of terraces and sidewalk cafes which are available for dining only in the warm seasons and then only inclement weather. (3) Assumes the exercise of all our available lease renewal options. (4) Management fees earned, which have been eliminated in consolidation, are based on a percentage of cash flow of the restaurant. (5) We own a 19.2% interest in the partnership that owns El Rio Grande . (6) Management fees earned, which have been eliminated in consolidation, are based on a percentage of gross sales of the restaurant. (7) We own a 64.4% interest in the partnership that owns the Tampa and Hollywood Food Courts . 8 (*) Represents common area seating (**) Represents number of seats in the Bingo Hall at the Foxwoods Resort and Casino where our restaurant is located. Leases We are not currently committed to any significant development projects, except for the acquisition of Blue Moon Fish Company discussed below; however, we may take advantage of opportunities we consider to be favorable, when they occur, depending upon the availability of financing and other factors. Restaurant Expansion and Other Developments On May 15, 2019, the Company, through a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired the assets of JB's on the Beach , a restaurant and bar located in Deerfield Beach, Florida for $7,036,000. The acquisition is accounted for as a business combination and was financed with a bank loan from the Company’s existing lender in the amount of $7,000,000 and cash from operations. Concurrent with the acquisition, the Company entered into a 20 year lease (with a five year option) for the restaurant facility and parking lot with the former owner of JB's on the Beach , who is also the owner of the underlying real estate. Rent payments under the lease are $600,000 per year with 10% increases every five years. During 2019, the Company was advised by the landlord of our food court at the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Hollywood, Florida that they were exercising their right to relocate our space, at their sole cost, as contractually agreed to in the original lease. The new facilities were completed on September 16, 2019, on which date we closed our existing location and opened the new facilities. The Company recorded the value of the renovations made by the landlord, which includes leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment, in the amount of $5,474,000 with a corresponding increase in deferred rent. The net book value of the existing leasehold improvements relating to the original location in the amount of $918,000 was reflected as a reduction of deferred rent on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease term. During 2019, the Company was advised by the landlord of our food court at the Hard Rock Casino and Hotel in Tampa, Florida that they were exercising their right to renovate the front of the house space, at their sole cost, as contractually agreed to in the original lease. In connection with this renovation, we closed our existing facilities on June 2, 2019 and re-opened the renovated facilities on September 28, 2019. The Company recorded the value of the renovations made by the landlord, which includes leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment, in the amount of $3,179,000 with a corresponding increase in deferred rent. The net book value of the existing leasehold improvements relating to the original location in the amount of $459,000 was reflected as a reduction of deferred rent on a straight-line basis over the remaining lease term. On September 29, 2019, upon the adoption of Accounting Standard Codification Topic 842 (“ASC 842”), the unamortized Hollywood and Tampa balances of leasehold improvements and deferred rent in the amounts of $8,269,000 and $7,198,000, respectively, were reclassified as right-of-use assets in the net amount of $1,071,000 and are being amortized to lease expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining terms of the respective leases. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company was in the process of developing three restaurants at a large outdoor mall in Easton, Ohio in partnership with the landlord. In connection therewith, the Company had capitalized costs of approximately $400,000, of which $200,000 was reimbursed by the landlord in October 2020. The Company does not expect this project to continue. Accordingly, the balance of the unreimbursed costs have been expensed to general and administrative expense as of October 3, 2020. On October 2, 2020, the Company, through a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary, entered into an agreement to acquire the assets of Bear Ice, Inc. and File Gumbo Inc., which collectively operate a restaurant and bar named Blue Moon Fish Company located in Lauderdale by the Sea, FL. The transaction closed on December 1, 2020 with the total purchase price being $2,750,000 plus inventory and was paid with cash in the amount of $1,750,000 and a four year note held by the sellers in the amount of $1,000,000 payable monthly with 5% interest. The acquisition will be accounted for as a business combination. Concurrent with the acquisition, the Company assumed the related lease which expires in 2026 and has four, five-year extension options. Rent payments under the lease are approximately $360,000 per year and increase by approximately 15% as each option is exercised. The opening of a new restaurant is invariably accompanied by substantial pre-opening expenses and early operating losses associated with the training of personnel, excess kitchen costs, costs of supervision and other expenses during the pre-opening period and during a post-opening “shake out” period until operations can be considered to be functioning normally. The amount of such pre-opening expenses and early operating losses can generally be expected to depend upon the size and complexity of the facility being opened. 9 Our restaurants generally do not achieve substantial increases in revenue from year to year, which we consider to be typical of the restaurant industry. To achieve significant increases in revenue or to replace revenue of restaurants that lose customer favor or which close because of lease expirations or other reasons, we would have to open additional restaurant facilities or expand existing restaurants. There can be no assurance that a restaurant will be successful after it is opened, particularly since in many instances we do not operate our new restaurants under a trade name currently used by us, thereby requiring new restaurants to establish their own identity. Recent Restaurant Dispositions As of December 29, 2018, the Company determined that it would not be able to operate Durgin-Park profitably due to decreased traffic at the Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston, MA, where it was located, and rising labor costs. As a result, included in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended September 28, 2019 are losses on closure in the amount of $1,106,000 consisting of: (i) impairment of trademarks in the amount of $721,000, (ii) accelerated depreciation of fixed assets in the amount of $333,000, and (iii) write-offs of prepaid and other expenses in the amount of $52,000. The restaurant closed on January 12, 2019. On April 2, 2020, the Company advised the landlord of a catering space in New York, NY that we would be terminating the lease. In connection with this notification, the Company recorded a loss of $364,000 during the year ended October 3, 2020 consisting of (i) rent accrued in accordance with the termination provisions of the lease, (ii) the write-off of the unamortized balance of purchased leasehold rights, (iii) the write-off of our security deposit, (iv) the write-off of ROU assets and related lease liabilities, and (v) the write-off of the net book value of fixed assets. On November 13, 2020, the Company was advised by the landlord that it would have to vacate Gallagher’s Steakhouse and Gallagher’s Burger Bar at the Resorts Casino Hotel located in Atlantic City, NJ. which were on a month-to-month, no rent lease. The closure of this property will occur on January 4, 2020 and will not result in a material charge to the Company’s operations. Investment in New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC On March 12, 2013, the Company made a $4,200,000 investment in the New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC (“NMR”) through its purchase of a membership interest in Meadowlands Newmark, LLC, an existing member of NMR. On November 19, 2013, the Company invested an additional $464,000 in NMR through a purchase of an additional membership interest in Meadowlands Newmark, LLC resulting in a total ownership of 11.6% of Meadowlands Newmark, LLC, and an effective ownership interest in NMR of 7.4%, subject to dilution. In 2015, the Company invested an additional $222,000 in NMR and in February 2017 the Company invested an additional $222,000 in NMR, both as a result of capital calls, bringing its total investment to $5,108,000 with no change in ownership. In addition to the Company’s ownership interest in NMR, if casino gaming is approved at the Meadowlands and NMR is granted the right to conduct said gaming, the Company shall be granted the exclusive right to operate the food and beverage concessions in the gaming facility with the exception of one restaurant. In conjunction with this investment, the Company, through a 97% owned subsidiary, Ark Meadowlands LLC (“AM VIE”), also entered into a long-term agreement with NMR for the exclusive right to operate food and beverage concessions serving the new raceway facilities (the “Racing F&B Concessions”) located in the new raceway grandstand constructed at the Meadowlands Racetrack in northern New Jersey. Under the agreement, NMR is responsible to pay for the costs and expenses incurred in the operation of the Racing F&B Concessions, and all revenues and profits thereof inure to the benefit of NMR. AM VIE receives an annual fee equal to 5% of the net profits received by NMR from the Racing F&B Concessions during each calendar year. On April 25, 2014, the Company loaned $1,500,000 to Meadowlands Newmark, LLC. The note bears interest at 3%, compounded monthly and added to the principal, and is due in its entirety on January 31, 2024. The note may be prepaid, in whole or in part, at any time without penalty or premium. On July 13, 2016, the Company made an additional loan to Meadowlands Newmark, LLC in the amount of $200,000. Such amount is subject to the same terms and conditions as the original loan discussed above. The principal and accrued interest related to this note in the amounts of $1,766,000 and $1,713,000, are included in Investment In and Receivable From New Meadowlands Racetrack in the consolidated balance sheets at October 3, 2020 and September 28, 2019, respectively. On June 7, 2018, the New Jersey State Legislature voted to legalize sports betting at casinos and racetracks in the state. Pursuant to this legislation, NMR opened a sports book in partnership with FanDuel, a leading provider of daily fantasy sports, in June 2018. 10 Restaurant Management Each restaurant is managed by its own manager and has its own chef. Food products and other supplies are purchased primarily from various unaffiliated suppliers, in most cases by our headquarters' personnel. Each of our restaurants has two or more assistant managers and sous chefs (assistant chefs). Financial and management control is maintained at the corporate level through the use of automated systems that include centralized accounting and reporting. Purchasing and Distribution We strive to obtain quality menu ingredients, raw materials and other supplies and services for our operations from reliable sources at competitive prices. Substantially all menu items are prepared on each restaurant’s premises daily from scratch, using fresh ingredients. Each restaurant’s management determines the quantities of food and supplies required and then orders the items from local, regional and national suppliers on terms negotiated by our centralized purchasing staff. Restaurant-level inventories are maintained at a minimum dollar-value level in relation to sales due to the relatively rapid turnover of the perishable produce, poultry, meat, fish and dairy commodities that are used in operations. We attempt to negotiate short-term and long-term supply agreements depending on market conditions and expected demand. However, we do not contract for long periods of time for our fresh commodities such as produce, poultry, meat, fish and dairy items and, consequently, such commodities can be subject to unforeseen supply and cost fluctuations. Independent food service distributors deliver most food and supply items daily to restaurants. The financial impact of the termination of any such supply agreements would not have a material adverse effect on our financial position. Competition The hospitality industry is highly competitive and is often affected by changes in taste and entertainment trends among the public, by local, national and economic conditions affecting spending habits, and by population and traffic patterns. We believe that the principal means of competition among restaurants include the location, type and quality of facilities and the type, quality and price of beverage and food served. Our restaurants compete directly or indirectly with many well-established competitors, both nationally and locally owned, some with substantially greater financial resources than we have. Their resources and market presence may provide advantages in marketing, purchasing and negotiating leases. We compete with other restaurant and retail establishments for sites and finding management personnel. Employees At November 30, 2020, we employed 1,262 persons (including employees at managed facilities), 786 of whom were full-time employees, and 476 of whom were part-time employees; 44 of whom were headquarters personnel, 167 of whom were restaurant management personnel, 449 of whom were kitchen personnel and 440 of whom were restaurant service personnel. A number of our restaurant service personnel are employed on a part-time basis. Changes in minimum wage levels may adversely affect our labor costs and the restaurant industry generally because a large percentage of restaurant personnel are paid at or slightly above the minimum wage. Our employees are not covered by any collective bargaining agreements. Government Regulation We are subject to various federal, state and local laws affecting our business. Each restaurant is subject to licensing and regulation by a number of governmental authorities that may include alcoholic beverage control, health, sanitation, environmental, zoning and public safety agencies in the state or municipality in which the restaurant is located. Difficulties in obtaining or failures to obtain the required licenses or approvals could delay or prevent the development and openings of new restaurants, or could disrupt the operations of existing restaurants. Alcoholic beverage control regulations require each of our restaurants to apply to a state authority and, in certain locations, county and municipal authorities for licenses and permits to sell alcoholic beverages on the premises. Typically, licenses must be renewed annually and may be subject to penalties, temporary suspension or revocation for cause at any time. Alcoholic beverage control regulations impact many aspects of the daily operations of our restaurants, including the minimum ages of patrons and employees consuming or serving such beverages; employee alcoholic beverages training and certification requirements; hours of operation; advertising; wholesale purchasing and inventory control of such beverages; seating of minors and the service of food within our bar areas; and the storage and dispensing of alcoholic beverages. State and local authorities in many jurisdictions routinely monitor compliance with alcoholic beverage laws. The failure to receive or retain, or a delay in obtaining, a liquor 11 license for a particular restaurant could adversely affect our ability to obtain such licenses in jurisdictions where the failure to receive or retain, or a delay in obtaining, a liquor license occurred. We are subject to “dram-shop” statutes in most of the states in which we have operations, which generally provide a person injured by an intoxicated person the right to recover damages from an establishment that wrongfully served alcoholic beverages to such person. We carry liquor liability coverage as part of our existing comprehensive general liability insurance. A settlement or judgment against us under a “dram-shop” statute in excess of liability coverage could have a material adverse effect on our operations. Various federal and state labor laws govern our operations and our relationship with employees, including such matters as minimum wages, breaks, overtime, fringe benefits, safety, working conditions and citizenship requirements. We are also subject to the regulations of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. If our employees do not meet federal citizenship or residency requirements, their deportation could lead to a disruption in our work force. Significant government-imposed increases in minimum wages, paid leaves of absence and mandated health benefits, or increased tax reporting, assessment or payment requirements related to employees who receive gratuities could be detrimental to our profitability. Our facilities must comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 (“ADA”) and related state statutes. The ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability with respect to public accommodations and employment. Under the ADA and related state laws, when constructing new restaurants or undertaking significant remodeling of existing restaurants, we must make them more readily accessible to disabled persons. The New York State Liquor Authority must approve any transaction in which a shareholder of the licensee increases his holdings to 10% or more of the outstanding capital stock of the licensee and any transaction involving 10% or more of the outstanding capital stock of the licensee. Seasonal Nature of Business Our business is highly seasonal; however, our broader geographical reach as a result of recent acquisitions mitigates some of the risk. For instance, the second quarter of our fiscal year, consisting of the non-holiday portion of the cold weather season in New York and Washington (January, February and March), is the poorest performing quarter; however, in recent years this has been partially offset by our locations in Florida as they experience increased results in the winter months. We achieve our best results during the warm weather, attributable to our extensive outdoor dining availability, particularly at Bryant Park in New York and Sequoia in Washington, D.C. (our largest restaurants) and our outdoor cafes. However, even during summer months these facilities can be adversely affected by unusually cool or rainy weather conditions. Our facilities in Las Vegas are indoor and generally operate on a more consistent basis throughout the year. Available Information We make available free of charge through our Internet website, www.arkrestaurants.com , our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, statements of beneficial ownership of securities on Forms 3, 4 and 5 and amendments to these reports and statements filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) and Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. The above information is also available at the SEC’s Office of Investor Education and Advocacy at United States Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549-0213 or obtainable by calling the SEC at (800) 732-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains an Internet website at www.sec.gov , where the above information can be viewed. Our principal executive offices are located at 85 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10003, and our telephone number is (212) 206-8800. Unless the context specifically requires otherwise, the terms the “Company,” “Ark,” “we,” “us” and “our” mean Ark Restaurants Corp., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries. Item 1A . Risk Factors Not applicable. Item 1B . Unresolved Staff Comments Not applicable. 12