FLANIGANS ENTERPRISES INC 10-K

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. Except for the historical information contained herein, the following discussion contains forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. We discuss such risks, uncertainties and other factors throughout this report and specifically under the captions “Risk Factors”. In addition, the following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the 2024 and 2023 Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this report. 30 OVERVIEW Financial Information Concerning Industry Segments Our business is conducted principally in two segments: the restaurant segment and the package liquor store segment. Financial information broken into these two principal industry segments for the two fiscal years ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 is set forth in the Consolidated Financial Statements which are attached hereto. General As of September 28, 2024, we (i) operated 32 units, consisting of restaurants, sports bar, package liquor stores and combination restaurants/package liquor stores that we either own or have operational control over and partial ownership in; and (ii) franchises an additional five units, consisting of two restaurants (one of which we operate) and three combination restaurants/package liquor stores. Franchised Units . In exchange for our providing management and related services to our franchisees and granting them the right to use our service marks "Flanigan's Seafood Bar and Grill" and "Big Daddy's Liquors", our franchisees (four of which are franchised to members of the family of our Chairman of the Board, officers and/or directors), are required to (i) pay to us a royalty equal to 1% of gross package liquor sales and 3% of gross restaurant sales; and (ii) make advertising expenditures equal to between 1.5% to 3% of all gross sales based upon our actual advertising costs allocated between stores, pro-rata, based upon gross sales. Affiliated Limited Partnership Owned Units . We manage and control the operations of ten of the eleven restaurants owned by limited partnerships, except the Fort Lauderdale, Florida restaurant which is managed and controlled by a related franchisee. Accordingly, the results of operations of all limited partnership owned restaurants, except the Fort Lauderdale, Florida restaurant are consolidated with our results of operations for accounting purposes. The results of operations of the Fort Lauderdale, Florida restaurant are accounted for by us utilizing the equity method. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS REVENUES (in thousands): -----------------------For the Fiscal Year Ended----------------------- September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 Amount Amount (In thousands) Percent (In thousands) Percent Restaurant food sales $ 114,795 61.95 $ 107,238 62.56 Restaurant bar sales 30,010 16.20 29,000 16.92 Package store sales 40,497 21.85 35,187 20.52 Total Sales $ 185,302 100.00 $ 171,425 100.00 Franchise related revenues 1,693 1,857 Rental income 1,105 951 Other revenues 221 163 Total Revenue $ 188,321 $ 174,396 31 Comparison of Fiscal Years Ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 Revenues. Total revenue for our fiscal year 2024 increased $13,925,000 or 7.98% to $188,321,000 from $174,396,000 for our fiscal year 2023 due primarily to increased package liquor store and restaurant sales, increased menu prices, revenue generated from the opening of our corporate owned restaurant in Hollywood, Florida (Store #19R) in March 2024, the operation of our limited partnership owned restaurant in Miramar, Florida (Store #25) and our package liquor stores in Miramar, Florida (Store #24) and Hollywood, Florida (Store #19P) for our entire fiscal year 2024 as opposed to a part of our fiscal year 2023. Effective August 25, 2024, we increased menu prices for our bar offerings to target an increase to our bar revenues of approximately 5.63% annually to offset higher food and liquor costs. Effective March 26, 2023 we increased menu prices for our food offerings to target an increase to our food revenues of approximately 2.06% and effective March 20, 2023 we increased menu prices for our bar offerings to target an increase to our bar revenues of approximately 5.65% annually, to offset higher food costs and higher overall expenses (collectively the “Recent Price Increases”). Prior to these increases, we previously raised menu prices in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2022. Restaurant Food Sales . Restaurant revenue generated from the sale of food, including non-alcoholic beverages, at restaurants totaled $114,795,000 for our fiscal year 2024 as compared to $107,238,000 for our fiscal year 2023. The increase in restaurant food sales is attributable to the Recent Price Increases and food sales generated from the opening of corporate owned restaurant in Hollywood, Florida (Store #19R) during the second quarter of our fiscal year 2024 and the operation of our limited partnership owned restaurant in Miramar, Florida (Store #25) for our entire fiscal year 2024 as opposed to a part of our fiscal year 2023. Comparable weekly restaurant food sales for restaurants open for all of our fiscal years 2024 and 2023, which consists of ten restaurants owned by us (excluding our Hollywood, Florida location (Store #19R) which opened for business during the second quarter of our fiscal year 2024) and nine restaurants owned by affiliated limited partnerships, (excluding our Miramar, Florida location (Store #25) which opened for business during the third quarter of our fiscal year 2023) was $1,987,000 and $1,967,000 for our fiscal years 2024 and 2023 respectively, an increase of 1.02%. Comparable weekly restaurant food sales for Company-owned restaurants only (excluding our Hollywood, Florida location (Store #19R) which opened for business during the second quarter of our fiscal year 2024) was $938,000 and $923,000 for our fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively, an increase of 1.63%. Comparable weekly restaurant food sales for affiliated limited partnership owned restaurants only, (excluding our Miramar, Florida location (Store #25) which opened for business during the third quarter of our fiscal year 2023), was $1,049,000 and $1,044,000 for our fiscal years 2024 and 2023 respectively, an increase of 0.48%. We expect that restaurant food sales, including non-alcoholic beverages, for our fiscal year 2025 will increase due to increased restaurant traffic and the operation of our Company-owned Store #19R for our entire fiscal year 2025. Restaurant Bar Sales . Restaurant revenue generated from the sale of alcoholic beverages at restaurants totaled $30,010,000 for our fiscal year 2024 as compared to $29,000,000 for our fiscal year 2023. The increase in restaurant bar sales is attributable to the Recent Price Increases and food sales generated from the opening of corporate owned restaurant in Hollywood, Florida (Store #19R) during the second quarter of our fiscal year 2024 and the operation of our limited partnership owned restaurant in Miramar, Florida (Store #25) for our entire fiscal year 2024 as opposed to a part of our fiscal year 2023. Comparable weekly restaurant bar sales for restaurants open for all of our fiscal years 2024 and 2023 respectively, which consists of ten restaurants owned by us (excluding our Hollywood, Florida location (Store #19R) which opened for business during the second quarter of our fiscal year 2024) and nine restaurants owned by affiliated limited partnerships, (excluding our Miramar, Florida location (Store #25), which opened for business during the third quarter of our fiscal year 2023) was $526,000 for our fiscal year 2024 and $539,000 for our fiscal year 2023, a decrease of 2.41%. Comparable weekly restaurant bar sales for Company-owned restaurants only (excluding our Hollywood, Florida location (Store #19R) which opened for business during the second quarter of our fiscal year 2024) was $234,000 and $231,000 for our fiscal years 2024 and 2023 respectively, an increase of 1.30%. Comparable weekly restaurant bar sales for affiliated limited partnership owned restaurants only (excluding our Miramar, Florida location (Store #25) which opened for business during the third quarter of our fiscal year 2023) was $292,000 and $307,000 for our fiscal years 2024 and 2023 respectively, a decrease of 4.89%. We expect that restaurant bar sales for our fiscal year 2025 will increase due to the operation of our Company-owned Store #19R for our entire fiscal year 2025. Package Liquor Store Sales . Revenue generated from sales of liquor and related items at package liquor stores totaled $40,497,000 for our fiscal year 2024 as compared to $35,187,000 for our fiscal year 2023, an increase of $5,310,000. This increase was primarily due to increased package liquor store traffic and the package liquor sales generated from the operation of our package liquor stores in Hollywood, Florida (Store #19P) and Miramar, Florida (Store #24), for our entire fiscal year 2024 as opposed to a part of our fiscal year 2023. The weekly average of same store package liquor store sales, which includes nine (9) Company-owned package liquor stores, (excluding Store #19P which reopened during the first quarter of fiscal year 2023, and Store #24 which opened for business during the second quarter of our fiscal year 2023), was $674,000 and $631,000 for our fiscal years 2024 and 2023 respectively, an increase of 6.81%. We expect that package liquor store sales for our fiscal year 2025 will increase due to increased package liquor store traffic. 32 Costs and Expenses . Costs and expenses (consisting of cost of merchandise sold, payroll and related costs, operating expenses, occupancy costs, selling, general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization), for our fiscal year 2024 increased $14,553,000 or 8.70% to $181,925,000 from $167,372,000 for our fiscal year 2023. The increase was primarily due to increased payroll, increased consultant fees to improve our accounting process, an expected general increase in food costs, costs and expenses incurred from the opening of our Company-owned restaurant in Hollywood Florida (Store #19R) in March 2024, the operation of our limited partnership owned restaurant in Miramar, Florida (Store #25), and our package liquor stores in Miramar, Florida (Store #24) and Hollywood, Florida (Store #19P), for our entire fiscal year 2024 as opposed to a part of our fiscal year 2023, partially offset by actions taken by management to reduce and/or control costs. We anticipate that our operating costs and expenses will continue to increase through our fiscal year 2025. Operating costs and expenses increased as a percentage of total revenue to approximately 96.60% in our fiscal year 2024 from 95.97% in our fiscal year 2023. Gross Profit . Gross profit is calculated by subtracting the cost of merchandise sold from sales. Restaurant Food and Bar Sales . Gross profit for food and bar sales for our fiscal year 2024 increased to $94,943,000 from $90,750,000 for our fiscal year 2023. Gross profit margin for the restaurant food and bar sales decreased during our fiscal year 2024 when compared to our fiscal year 2023 due to higher food costs partially offset by, among other things, the Recent Price Increases. Our gross profit margin for restaurant food and bar sales (calculated as gross profit reflected as a percentage of restaurant food and bar sales), was 65.57% for our fiscal year 2024 and 66.61% for our fiscal year 2023. Package Store Sales . Gross profit for package store sales for our fiscal year 2024 increased to $10,369,000 from $9,377,000 for our fiscal year 2023. Our gross profit margin, (calculated as gross profit reflected as a percentage of package liquor store sales), for package store sales was 25.60% for our fiscal year 2024 and 26.65% for our fiscal year 2023. We anticipate that the gross profit margin for package liquor store merchandise will decrease for our fiscal year 2025 due to higher costs and a reduction in pricing of certain package store merchandise to be more competitive. Payroll and Related Costs . Payroll and related costs for our fiscal year 2024 increased $2,742,000 or 4.84% to $59,349,000 from $56,607,000 for our fiscal year 2023. Payroll and related costs for our fiscal year 2024 were higher due primarily to the opening of our corporate owned restaurant in Hollywood, Florida (Store #19R) in March 2024, the operation of our limited partnership owned restaurant in Miramar, Florida (Store #25) and our package liquor stores in Miramar, Florida (Store #24) and Hollywood, Florida (Store #19P) for our entire fiscal year 2024 as opposed to a part of our fiscal year 2023 and the increase to the Florida minimum wage. Payroll and related costs as a percentage of total revenue was 31.51% for our fiscal year 2024 and 32.46% of total revenue for our fiscal year 2023. Operating Expenses . Operating expenses (including but not limited to utilities, insurance, cleaning, credit card fees, supplies, security, and other costs closely related to running restaurant and package operations) for our fiscal year 2024 increased $1,234,000 or 5.22% to $24,892,000 from $23,658,000 for our fiscal year 2023 due primarily to the opening of our corporate owned restaurant in Hollywood, Florida (Store #19R) in March 2024, the operation of our limited partnership owned restaurant in Miramar, Florida (Store #25) and our package liquor stores in Miramar, Florida (Store #24) and Hollywood, Florida (Store #19P) for our entire fiscal year 2024 as opposed to a part of our fiscal year 2023, inflation and otherwise due to increases in expenses across all categories. Occupancy Costs . Occupancy costs (consisting of percentage rent, common area maintenance, repairs, real property taxes, amortization of leasehold purchases and rent expense associated with operating lease liabilities under ASC 842) for our fiscal year 2024 increased $520,000 or 6.87% to $8,086,000 from $7,566,000 for our fiscal year 2023. The increase in occupancy costs was primarily due to an increase in real property taxes. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses . Selling, general and administrative expenses (consisting of general corporate expenses, including but not limited to advertising, professional costs, clerical and administrative overhead) for our fiscal year 2024 increased $658,000 or 14.05% to $5,340,000 from $4,682,000 for our fiscal year 2023 due primarily to increased consultant fees to improve our accounting process and otherwise to increases in expenses across all categories. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased as a percentage of total revenue for our fiscal year 2024 to 2.84% as compared to 2.68% for our fiscal year 2023. Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense for our fiscal year 2024 increased $707,000 or 19.85% to $4,268,000 from $3,561,000 for our fiscal year 2023. This increase is driven by the opening of our corporate owned restaurant in Hollywood, Florida (Store #19R) in March 2024, the operation of our limited partnership owned restaurant in Miramar, Florida (Store #25) and our package liquor stores in Miramar, Florida (Store #24) and Hollywood, Florida (Store #19P) for our entire fiscal year 2024 as opposed to a part of our fiscal year 2023. Depreciation and amortization expense increased as a percentage of total revenue for our fiscal year 2024 to 2.27% as compared to 2.04% for our fiscal year 2023. Interest Expense, Net . Interest expense, net, for our fiscal year 2024 decreased $48,000 to $1,019,000 from $1,067,000 for our fiscal year 2023. Income Taxes. Income tax for our fiscal year 2024 was an expense of $286,000, as compared to an expense of $649,000 for our fiscal year 2023. Income taxes as a percentage of income before provision for our fiscal year 2024 is 5.12% as compared to 10.70% in our fiscal year 2023. 33 Net Income. Net income for our fiscal year 2024 decreased $116,000 or 2.14% to $5,300,000 from $5,416,000 for our fiscal year 2023 due primarily to higher food costs and overall increased expenses, including but not limited to, increased consultant fees to improve our accounting process. As a percentage of total revenue, net income for our fiscal year 2024 is 2.81%, as compared to 3.11% for our fiscal year 2023. Net Income Attributable to Flanigan’s Enterprise, Inc.’s Stockholders. Net income attributable to stockholders for our fiscal year 2024 decreased $643,000 or 16.08% to $3,356,000 from $3,999,000 for our fiscal year 2023 due primarily to higher food costs and overall increased expenses, including but not limited to, increased consultant fees to improve our accounting process and a higher portion of our net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (specifically the operation of our Miramar location for our entire fiscal year 2024 as opposed to a part of our fiscal year 2023). As a percentage of revenue, net income attributable to stockholders for our fiscal year 2024 is 1.78%, as compared to 2.29% for our fiscal year 2023. New Limited Partnership Restaurants As new limited partnership restaurants open, our income from operations will be adversely affected due to our obligation to advance pre-opening costs, including but not limited to pre-opening rent for the new limited partnership locations. During our fiscal year 2024 we did not open any new limited partnership restaurants, nor did we have any in the development stage. During our fiscal year 2023, we opened one new limited partnership restaurant location in Miramar, Florida as a “Flanigan’s”. Menu Price Increases During our fiscal year 2024, we increased menu prices for our bar offerings (effective August 25, 2024) to target an increase to our bar revenues of approximately 5.63% annually to offset higher food and liquor costs and higher overall expenses. During our fiscal year 2023, we increased menu prices for our food offerings (effective March 26, 2023) to target an aggregate increase to our food revenues of approximately 2.06% annually and we increased menu prices for our bar offerings (effective March 20, 2023) to target an increase to our bar revenues of approximately 5.65% annually to offset higher food and liquor costs and higher overall expenses. Prior to these increases, we previously raised menu prices in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2022. Subsequent to the end of our fiscal year 2024, we increased our menu prices for our bar offerings (effective December 4, 2024) to target an increase to our bar revenues of approximately 4.90% annually and we increased our menu prices for our food offerings (effective November 17, 2024) to target an increase to our food revenues of approximately 4.14% annually to offset higher food and liquor costs and higher overall expenses. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES We fund our operations through cash from operations and borrowings from third parties. As of September 28, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $21,402,000, a decrease of $4,130,000 from our cash balance of $25,532,000 as of September 30, 2023. The decrease is primarily due to the completion of the construction of our Store #19R ($2,106,000). Inflation is affecting all aspects of our operations, including but not limited to food, beverage, fuel and labor costs. Inflation is having a material impact on our operating results. We believe that our current cash availability from our cash on hand, positive cash flow from operations and borrowed funds will be sufficient to fund our operations and planned capital expenditures for at least the next twelve months. CASH FLOWS The following table is a summary of our cash flows for our fiscal years 2024 and 2023. ---------Fiscal Years-------- 2024 2023 (in thousands) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 6,630 $ 8,489 Net cash used in investing activities (5,141 ) (18,559 ) Net cash used in financing activities (5,619 ) (6,536 ) Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents (4,130 ) (16,606 ) Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning 25,532 42,138 Cash and Cash Equivalents, Ending $ 21,402 $ 25,532 34 Capital Expenditures In addition to using cash for our operating expenses, we use cash generated from operations and borrowings to fund the development and construction of new restaurants and to fund capitalized property improvements for our existing restaurants. During the fiscal year 2024, we acquired property and equipment and construction in progress of $6,047,000, (of which $289,000 was purchase deposits transferred to property and equipment, $715,000 was purchase deposits transferred to CIP, and $4,000 was property and equipment in accounts payable), including $528,000 for renovations to three (3) Company-owned restaurants and $135,000 for one (1) limited partnership owned restaurant. During the fiscal year 2023, we acquired property and equipment and construction in progress of $20,574,000, (including non-cash items which include $2,390,000 of purchase deposits transferred to property and equipment and $545,000 of purchase deposits transferred to construction in progress and $931,000 of construction in progress in accounts payable) including $367,000 for renovations to three (3) existing limited partnership owned restaurants and $378,000 for renovations to three (3) Company-owned restaurants. Debt As of September 28, 2024, we had long term debt (including the current portion) of $21,912,000, as compared to $23,128,000 as of September 30, 2023. In February 2023, we determined that as of December 31, 2022, we did not meet the required Post-Distribution Basic Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (the “Post-Distribution/Fixed Charge Covenant”) contained in each of our six (6) loans (the “Institutional Loans”) with our unrelated third party institutional lender (the “Institutional Lender’). On February 23, 2023, we received from the Institutional Lender, a written waiver of the non-compliance with the Post-Distribution/Fixed Charge Covenant (the “Covenant Non-Compliance”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Institutional Lender waived (1) the non-compliance as of December 31, 2022 and (2) their right to exercise certain remedies under the Institutional Loans, including the right to accelerate the indebtedness owed by us thereunder, resulting in the indebtedness under the Institutional Loans to be immediately due and payable, which would have had a material adverse effect on the Company. The Post-Distribution/Fixed Charge Covenant requires we maintain a ratio of at least 1.15 to 1.00 and for the twelve (12) months ended September 28, 2024 our ratio was calculated to be 1.62 to 1.00. As a result, our classification of debt is appropriate as of September 28, 2024. We repaid long term debt, including auto loans and mortgages in the amount of $1,251,000 and $2,299,000 in our fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively. Construction Contracts (a) 2505 N. University Drive, Hollywood, Florida (Store #19 – “Flanigan’s”) During the first quarter of our fiscal year 2022, we entered into an agreement with a third party unaffiliated general contractor to re-build our restaurant located at 2505 N. University Drive, Building B, Hollywood, Florida (Store #19R), which had been closed since October 2, 2018 due to damage caused by a fire and re-opened March 26, 2024. The contract totaled $2,515,000 and through our fiscal year 2024 we agreed to change orders increasing the total contract price by $1,512,000 to $4,027,000, of which $3,905,000 has been paid through September 28, 2024. Subsequent to the end of our fiscal year 2024, we agreed to final change orders increasing the total contract price by $3,000 to $4,030,000 and the balance of the contract price of $125,000 has been paid subsequent to the end of our fiscal year 2024. Purchase Commitments/Supply In order to fix the cost and ensure adequate supply of baby back ribs for our restaurants for calendar year 2025, we entered into a purchase agreement with a new rib supplier, whereby we agreed to purchase approximately $7.8 million of “2.5 & Down Baby Back Ribs” (weight range in which baby back ribs are sold) during calendar year 2025, at a prescribed cost, which we believe is competitive. For calendar year 2024, we entered into a purchase agreement with our current rib supplier, whereby we agreed to purchase approximately $7.0 million of “2.25 & Down Baby Back Ribs” during calendar year 2024, at a prescribed cost, which we also believe is competitive. The increase in our cost of baby back ribs for calendar year 2025 compared to calendar year 2024 is due to our purchase of larger sized baby back ribs and the purchase of baby back ribs for Store #19R, Hollywood, Florida for the entire calendar year, offset by a decrease in market price. While we anticipate purchasing all of our rib supply from this vendor, we believe there are several other alternative vendors available, if needed. 35 Flanigan’s Fish Company, LLC As of September 28, 2024, Flanigan’s Fish Company, LLC, a Florida limited liability company (“FFC”), supplies certain fish to all of our restaurants. Since we hold the controlling interest in FFC, the balance sheet and operating results of this entity are consolidated into the accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company. Sales and purchases of fish are recognized in restaurant food sales and restaurant (cost of merchandise sold), respectively, in the consolidated statements of income at the time of sale to the restaurant. In addition, the 49% of FFC owned by the unrelated third party is recognized as a noncontrolling interest in our consolidated financial statements. Working Capital The table below summarizes the current assets, current liabilities, and working capital as of the end of our fiscal years 2024 and 2023. Item September 28, 2024 September 30, 2023 (in Thousands) Current Assets $ 31,529 $ 35,294 Current Liabilities 19,924 22,371 Working Capital $ 11,605 $ 12,923 While there can be no assurance due to, among other things, unanticipated expenses or unanticipated decline in revenues, or both, we believe that our cash on hand and positive cash flow from operations will adequately fund operations, debt reductions and planned capital expenditures throughout our fiscal year 2025. Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We do not have off-balance sheet arrangements. Recently Adopted and Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Adopted The FASB issued guidance, Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-13 Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which provides a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset(s) to present the net carrying value at the amount expected to be collected on the financial asset. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. This guidance was effective for the Company in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2024; however, after performing a thorough analysis the Company concluded there was no material impact from the adoption of this ASU. In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,” which updates reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through requiring enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses and information used to assess segment performance. We early adopted this ASU in the third quarter of our fiscal year 2024 and this ASU affected the expense presentation of our Consolidated Statements of Income and our Business Segments footnote. For further information regarding the Company’s Business Segments, please refer to our Consolidated Statements of Income and Business Segments footnote. Recently Issued In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which requires enhanced income tax disclosures, primarily related to standardization and disaggregation of rate reconciliation categories and income taxes paid by jurisdiction. This ASU will be effective for the Company in our fiscal year 2026, with the guidance applied either prospectively or retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact the adoption of the new accounting guidance will have on our tax disclosures. There are no other recently issued accounting pronouncements that we have not yet adopted that we believe will have a material effect on our financial statements. 36 Critical Accounting Policies Our significant accounting policies are more fully described in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements located in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, and the related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We believe that the following critical accounting policies are subject to estimates and judgments used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements: Estimated Useful Lives of Property and Equipment The estimates of useful lives for property and equipment are significant estimates. Expenditures for the leasehold improvements and equipment when a restaurant is first constructed are material. In addition, periodic refurbishing takes place and those expenditures can be material. We estimate the useful life of those assets by considering, among other things, expected use, life of the lease on the building, and warranty period, if applicable. The assets are then depreciated using a straight-line method over those estimated lives. These estimated lives are reviewed periodically and adjusted if necessary. Any necessary adjustment to depreciation expense is made in the income statement of the period in which the adjustment is determined to be necessary. Consolidation of Limited Partnerships As of September 28, 2024, we operate ten (10) restaurants as general partner of the limited partnerships that own the operations of these restaurants. We expect that any expansion which takes place in opening new restaurants will also result in us operating the restaurants as general partner. In addition to the general partnership interest we also purchased limited partnership units ranging from 0% to 49% of the total units outstanding. As a result of these controlling interests, we consolidate the operations of these limited partnerships with ours despite the fact that we do not own in excess of 50% of the equity interests. All intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The non-controlling interests in the earnings of these limited partnerships are removed from net income and are not included in the calculation of earnings per share. Income Taxes We account for our income taxes using FASB ASC Topic 740, “ Income Taxes ”, which requires among other things, recognition of future tax benefits measured at enacted rates attributable to deductible temporary differences between financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities and tax credits to the extent that realization of said tax benefits is more likely than not. For discussion regarding our carryforwards refer to Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for our fiscal year 2024. Leases Under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 842, Leases (“ASC 842”), lease arrangements must be presented on the lessee’s balance sheet by recording a right-of-use asset and a lease liability equal to the present value of the related future minimum lease payments. We adopted the standard in the first quarter of our fiscal 2020, using the modified retrospective approach. Estimates associated with leases include lease classification, discount rate and lease term. Loyalty Programs We offer loyalty programs to customers of our restaurants and package liquor stores. The gift cards distributed as a part of our loyalty programs have expiration dates and we estimate breakage for such gift cards. Other Matters Impact of Inflation The primary inflationary factors affecting our operations are food, beverage and labor costs. A large number of restaurant personnel are paid at rates based upon applicable minimum wage and increases in minimum wage directly affect labor costs. Inflation is having a material impact on our operating results, especially rising food, fuel and labor costs.