Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Biglari Holdings Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Biglari Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the related consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2025, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2025, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 28, 2026, expressed an adverse opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting because of a material weakness.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Emphasis of a Matter
As discussed in Note 3 and Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company and its subsidiaries have invested in investment partnerships in the form of limited partnership interests. These investment partnerships represent related parties, and such investments are subject to a rolling five-year lock-up period under the terms of the respective partnership agreements for the investment partnerships. The value of these investments reported in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2025 and 2024 totals $154,275,000 and $201,727,000, respectively. Our opinion is not modified with respect to this matter.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
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Oil and Gas properties - Determination of Impairment Indicators and Recoverability Test - Refer to Notes 1 and 5 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The successful efforts method is used for crude oil and natural gas exploration and production activities. All costs for development wells, related plant and equipment, proved mineral interests in crude oil and natural gas properties, and related asset retirement obligation assets are capitalized. Management tests property, plant and equipment, including oil and gas properties, for impairment whenever there are indicators that the carrying amount of property, plant and equipment might not be recoverable. If there is an indication that the carrying amount of the Company’s oil and gas properties may not be recoverable, management compares the estimated undiscounted future cash flows from oil and gas properties to the carrying values of those properties. Oil and gas properties that have carrying amounts in excess of estimated undiscounted cash flows are written down to fair value.
We have identified elements of the Company’s recoverability test for oil and gas properties as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgments management makes when determining future cash flows. Auditing management’s judgments related to these matters involved especially challenging auditor judgment due to the nature and extent of audit effort required, including the need to involve our fair value specialists.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to management’s significant judgments and assumptions related to the determination of impairment indicators and elements of the Company’s recoverability analysis for oil and gas properties included the following, among others:
• We evaluated the recoverability test analysis, including the estimation of oil and gas properties’ reserves quantities, by:
◦ Testing the effectiveness of controls related to the Company's recoverability test analysis, its estimation of oil and gas properties’ reserve quantities, and prices.
◦ Assessing the reasonableness of the Company's recoverability test analysis, including its estimation of oil and gas properties’ reserve quantities, and prices.
• With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we assessed the key assumptions and estimates, including oil and gas prices and risk factors, by:
◦ Understanding the methodology used by management for development of the oil and gas prices and comparing estimated prices to an independently determined range of prices, including published forward pricing indices and third-party industry sources.
◦ Evaluating the risk factors applied to the cash flows for probable and possible oil and gas reserves by comparing them to industry surveys.
• We evaluated the experience, qualifications, and objectivity of management's specialist, an independent reservoir engineering firm, including the methodologies and calculation procedures used to estimate oil and gas reserves and performing analytical procedures on the reserve quantities.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Austin, Texas
February 28, 2026
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2003.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Biglari Holdings Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Biglari Holdings Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, because of the effect of the material weakness identified below on the achievement of objectives of the control criteria, the Company has not maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2025, of the Company and our report dated February 28, 2026, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and included an emphasis of matter paragraph relating to the Company’s investment in related party investment partnerships.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying management’s report. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
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Material Weakness
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of the company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. The following material weakness has been identified and included in management’s assessment:
The Company lacks effectively designed and implemented controls related to the review and approval of insurance losses due to insufficient segregation of duties within the related process.
This material weakness was considered in determining the nature, timing, and extent of audit tests applied in our audit of the consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, of the Company, and this report does not affect our report on such financial statements.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Austin, Texas
February 28, 2026
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BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(dollars in thousands)
December 31,
2025 2024
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 268,782 $ 30,709
Investments 69,050 102,975
Receivables 23,283 25,184
Inventories 3,769 4,031
Other current assets 13,642 7,716
Total current assets 378,526 170,615
Property and equipment 366,607 376,155
Operating lease assets 40,052 34,011
Goodwill 52,568 52,496
Other intangible assets 23,674 22,820
Investment partnerships 154,275 201,727
Other assets 9,681 8,309
Total assets $ 1,025,383 $ 866,133
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Liabilities
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 72,946 $ 63,381
Loss and loss adjustment expenses 18,220 17,250
Unearned premiums 17,813 17,236
Current portion of lease obligations 13,946 14,449
Current portion of note payable and lines of credit 33,070 35,000
Total current liabilities 155,995 147,316
Lease obligations 97,701 90,739
Note payable and lines of credit 213,920 10,000
Deferred taxes 18,029 29,393
Asset retirement obligations 15,542 15,218
Other liabilities 767 506
Total liabilities 501,954 293,172
Shareholders’ equity
Common stock 1,138 1,138
Additional paid-in capital 385,594 385,594
Retained earnings 590,211 627,699
Accumulated other comprehensive loss ( 1,350 ) ( 2,872 )
Treasury stock, at cost ( 452,164 ) ( 438,598 )
Biglari Holdings Inc. shareholders’ equity 523,429 572,961
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity $ 1,025,383 $ 866,133
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(dollars in thousands except per-share amounts)
Year Ended December 31,
2025 2024 2023
Revenues
Restaurant operations $ 280,870 $ 251,447 $ 250,857
Insurance premiums and other 76,463 72,693 67,272
Oil and gas 30,211 36,945 45,071
Licensing and media 7,717 1,029 2,118
Total revenues 395,261 362,114 365,318
Costs and expenses
Restaurant cost of sales 161,321 143,449 137,986
Insurance losses and underwriting expenses 62,937 61,371 52,771
Oil and gas production costs 12,548 16,636 17,365
Licensing and media costs 9,040 2,036 1,840
Selling, general and administrative 86,838 75,671 77,002
Gain on sale of oil and gas properties ( 11,877 ) ( 16,700 ) ( 13,563 )
Impairments 1,251 1,107 3,947
Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 40,779 39,843 38,979
Interest expense on leases 5,421 5,361 5,114
Interest expense on debt 8,221 771 681
Total cost and expenses 376,479 329,545 322,122
Other income
Investment gains 528 335 2,211
Investment partnership gains (losses) ( 67,001 ) ( 41,058 ) 19,440
Total other income (expenses) ( 66,473 ) ( 40,723 ) 21,651
Earnings (loss) before income taxes ( 47,691 ) ( 8,154 ) 64,847
Income tax expense (benefit) ( 10,203 ) ( 4,395 ) 9,308
Net earnings (loss) ( 37,488 ) ( 3,759 ) 55,539
Earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest — — 591
Net earnings (loss) attributable to Biglari Holdings Inc. shareholders $ ( 37,488 ) $ ( 3,759 ) $ 54,948
Net earnings (loss) per equivalent Class A share * $ ( 143.86 ) $ ( 13.45 ) $ 189.49
* Net earnings (loss) per equivalent Class B share outstanding are one-fifth of the equivalent Class A share or $( 28.77 ) for 2025, $( 2.69 ) for 2024, and $ 37.90 for 2023.
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2025 2024 2023
Net earnings (loss) $ ( 37,488 ) $ ( 3,759 ) $ 55,539
Foreign currency translation 1,522 ( 354 ) 272
Comprehensive income (loss) ( 35,966 ) ( 4,113 ) 55,811
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest — — 591
Total comprehensive income (loss) attributable to
Biglari Holdings Inc. shareholders $ ( 35,966 ) $ ( 4,113 ) $ 55,220
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
2025 2024 2023
Operating activities
Net earnings (loss) $ ( 37,488 ) $ ( 3,759 ) $ 55,539
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to operating cash flows:
Depreciation and amortization 40,779 39,843 38,979
Provision for deferred income taxes ( 11,483 ) ( 8,489 ) 6,567
Asset impairments and other non-cash expenses 1,489 1,107 3,947
Gains on sale of assets ( 15,615 ) ( 22,796 ) ( 21,241 )
Investment gains ( 528 ) ( 335 ) ( 2,211 )
Investment partnership (gains) losses 67,001 41,058 ( 19,440 )
Distributions from investment partnerships 56,000 10,000 14,500
Changes in receivables and inventories 3,460 ( 5,243 ) 5,783
Changes in other assets ( 6,814 ) ( 2,094 ) 2,810
Changes in accounts payable and accrued expenses 10,158 368 ( 12,231 )
Net cash provided by operating activities 106,959 49,660 73,002
Investing activities
Capital expenditures ( 30,353 ) ( 30,594 ) ( 23,405 )
Proceeds from property and equipment disposals 20,979 29,138 24,627
Purchases of noncontrolling interests — — ( 5,387 )
Purchases of interests in limited partnerships ( 89,115 ) ( 75,938 ) ( 45,030 )
Purchases of investments ( 57,843 ) ( 67,445 ) ( 107,866 )
Sales of investments and redemptions of fixed maturity securities 90,862 57,451 90,981
Net cash used in investing activities ( 65,470 ) ( 87,388 ) ( 66,080 )
Financing activities
Payments on line of credit ( 73,000 ) ( 16,050 ) ( 41,600 )
Proceeds from line of credit 55,250 61,050 31,600
Debt issuance costs ( 1,867 ) — —
Payments on note payable ( 1,125 ) — —
Proceeds from note payable, net 223,000 — —
Principal payments on direct financing lease obligations ( 5,725 ) ( 5,516 ) ( 6,132 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 196,533 39,484 ( 16,132 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 39 22 59
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash 238,061 1,778 ( 9,151 )
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period 31,432 29,654 38,805
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 269,493 $ 31,432 $ 29,654
Year Ended December 31,
2025 2024 2023
Cash and cash equivalents $ 268,782 $ 30,709 $ 28,066
Restricted cash included in other long-term assets 711 723 1,588
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period $ 269,493 $ 31,432 $ 29,654
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(dollars in thousands)
Biglari Holdings Inc. Shareholder’s Equity
Common Stock Additional Paid-
In Capital Retained
Earnings Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss) Treasury Stock Non-controlling interest Total
Balance at December 31, 2022 $ 1,138 $ 381,788 $ 576,510 $ ( 2,790 ) $ ( 409,680 ) $ 8,602 $ 555,568
Net earnings (loss) 54,948 591 55,539
Other comprehensive income, net 272 272
Adjustment for holdings in investment partnerships ( 6,662 ) ( 6,662 )
Transactions with noncontrolling interests 3,806 ( 9,193 ) ( 5,387 )
Balance at December 31, 2023 $ 1,138 $ 385,594 $ 631,458 $ ( 2,518 ) $ ( 416,342 ) $ — $ 599,330
Net earnings (loss) ( 3,759 ) ( 3,759 )
Other comprehensive income, net ( 354 ) ( 354 )
Adjustment for holdings in investment partnerships ( 22,256 ) ( 22,256 )
Balance at December 31, 2024 $ 1,138 $ 385,594 $ 627,699 $ ( 2,872 ) $ ( 438,598 ) $ — $ 572,961
Net earnings (loss) ( 37,488 ) ( 37,488 )
Other comprehensive income, net 1,522 1,522
Adjustment for holdings in investment partnerships ( 13,566 ) ( 13,566 )
Balance at December 31, 2025 $ 1,138 $ 385,594 $ 590,211 $ ( 1,350 ) $ ( 452,164 ) $ — $ 523,429
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
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BIGLARI HOLDINGS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Years Ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023)
(dollars in thousands, except per-share data)
Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
Biglari Holdings Inc. is a holding company owning subsidiaries engaged in a number of diverse business activities, including property and casualty insurance and reinsurance, licensing and media, restaurants, and oil and gas. The Company’s largest operating subsidiaries are involved in the franchising and operating of restaurants. Biglari Holdings is founded and led by Sardar Biglari, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Biglari Holdings’ management system combines decentralized operations with centralized financial decision-making. Operating decisions for the various business units are made by their respective managers. All major investment and capital allocation decisions are made for the Company and its subsidiaries by Mr. Biglari.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Steak n Shake Inc., Western Sizzlin Corporation, First Guard Insurance Company, Maxim Inc., Southern Pioneer Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Biglari Reinsurance Ltd., Southern Oil Company, and Abraxas Petroleum Corporation. Intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
Cash equivalents primarily consist of U.S. Government securities and money market accounts, all of which have original maturities of three months or less. Cash equivalents are carried at fair value. The statement of cash flows includes restricted cash with cash and cash equivalents.
Investments
We classify investments in fixed maturity securities at the acquisition date as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity and re-evaluate the classification at each balance sheet date. Securities classified as held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost, reflecting the ability and intent to hold the securities to maturity. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, all investments were classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value with net unrealized gains or losses reported in the statements of earnings. Realized gains and losses on disposals of investments are determined by the specific identification of the cost of investments sold. Dividends earned on investments are reported as investment income by our insurance companies. We consider investment income as a component of our aggregate insurance operating results. However, we consider investment gains and losses, whether realized or unrealized, as non-operating.
Investment Partnerships
The Company holds a limited interest in The Lion Fund, L.P., and The Lion Fund II, L.P. (collectively the “investment partnerships”). Biglari Capital Corp. (“Biglari Capital”), an entity solely owned by Mr. Biglari, is the general partner of the investment partnerships. Our interests in the investment partnerships are accounted as equity method investments because of our retained limited partner interests. The Company records investment partnership gains (inclusive of the investment partnerships’ unrealized gains and losses on their securities) as a component of other income based on our proportional ownership interest in the partnerships. The investment partnerships are, for purposes of generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), investment companies under the AICPA Audit and Accounting Guide Investment Companies.
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Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Concentration of Equity Price Risk
The majority of our investments are conducted through investment partnerships that generally hold common stocks. We also hold marketable securities directly. We concentrate a high percentage of the investments in a small number of equity securities. A significant decline in the general stock market or in the prices of our major investments may have a materially adverse effect on our earnings and on consolidated shareholders’ equity.
Receivables
Our accounts receivable balance consists primarily of franchisee, customer, and other receivables. We carry our accounts receivable at cost less an allowance for doubtful accounts, which is based on a history of past write-offs and collections and current credit conditions. Allowance for doubtful accounts was $ 2,346 and $ 2,578 at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market, and consist primarily of restaurant food items and supply inventory.
Capitalized Software
Other assets include internal-use software development costs that are capitalized during the application development stage. These costs are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the related software, generally ranging from three to seven years . Costs related to planning, training, and maintenance are expensed as incurred.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are recognized on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ( 10 to 30 years for buildings and land improvements, and 3 to 10 years for equipment). Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the term of the related leases. Interest costs associated with the construction of new restaurants are capitalized. Major improvements are also capitalized, while repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. We review our long-lived restaurant assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable. For purposes of this assessment, assets are evaluated at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows, which is generally at the individual restaurant level. Assets included in the impairment assessment generally consist of property, equipment, and leasehold improvements directly associated with an individual restaurant as well as any related finance or operating lease assets. If the future undiscounted cash flows of an asset are less than the recorded value, an impairment is recorded for the difference between the carrying value and the estimated fair value of the asset.
Oil and Gas Properties
The successful efforts method is used for crude oil and natural gas exploration and production activities. All costs for development wells, related plant and equipment, proved mineral interests in crude oil and natural gas properties, and related asset retirement obligation assets are capitalized. Costs of exploratory wells are capitalized pending determination of whether the wells found proved reserves. Costs of wells that are assigned proved reserves remain capitalized. Costs are also capitalized for exploratory wells that have found crude oil and natural gas reserves, even if the reserves cannot be classified as proved when the drilling is completed, provided the exploratory well has found a sufficient quantity of reserves to justify its completion as a producing well and the company is making sufficient progress assessing the reserves and the economic and operating viability of the project. All other exploratory wells and costs are expensed. We did not have any property acquisition or exploration activities during 2025 and development costs were nominal. We did not have any property acquisition or exploration activities during 2024; however, we did have $ 11,636 of development costs.
Asset Retirement Obligations
Asset retirement obligations relate to future costs associated with the plugging and abandonment of oil and gas wells, the removal of equipment and facilities from leased acreage, and the return of such land to its original condition. The Company determines its asset retirement obligation amounts by calculating the present value of the estimated future cash outflows associated with its plug and abandonment obligations. The fair value of a liability for an asset retirement obligation is recorded in the period in which it is incurred, and the cost of such liability increases the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset by the same amount. The liability is accreted each period through charges to depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense, and the capitalized cost is depleted on a unit-of-production basis over the proved developed reserves of the related asset. If an asset retirement obligation is settled for an amount other than the recorded amount, a gain or loss is recognized.
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Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets are not amortized, but are tested for potential impairment on an annual basis using either a qualitative or quantitative approach, or more often if events or circumstances change that could cause goodwill or indefinite life intangible assets to become impaired. Other purchased intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, generally on a straight-line basis. We perform reviews for impairment of intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition are less than its carrying value. When an impairment is identified, we reduce the carrying value of the asset to its estimated fair value. During 2025, no impairment was recorded to goodwill. During 2024, a $ 1,000 impairment was recorded to goodwill at the Western Sizzlin reporting unit. During 2025 and 2024, no impairment was recorded to other intangible assets. Refer to Note 7 for information regarding our goodwill and other intangible assets.
Dual Class Common Stock
The Company has two classes of common stock, designated Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Each Class A common share is entitled to one vote. Class B common stock possesses economic rights equal to one-fifth (1/5th) of such rights of Class A common stock; however, Class B common stock has no voting rights.
The following table presents shares authorized, issued, and outstanding.
December 31, 2025 December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Class A Class B Class A Class B Class A Class B
Common stock authorized 500,000 10,000,000 500,000 10,000,000 500,000 10,000,000
Common stock issued and outstanding 206,864 2,068,640 206,864 2,068,640 206,864 2,068,640
Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share of common stock is based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding during the year. The shares of Company stock attributable to our limited partner interest in the investment partnerships — based on our proportional ownership during this period — are considered treasury stock on the consolidated balance sheet and thereby deemed not to be included in the calculation of weighted-average common shares outstanding. However, these shares are legally outstanding.
The Company has applied the “two-class method” of computing earnings per share as prescribed in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 260, “ Earnings Per Share .” The equivalent Class A common stock applied for computing earnings per share excludes the proportional shares of Biglari Holdings’ stock held by the investment partnerships. In the tabulation below is the equivalent Class A common stock for earnings per share. There are no dilutive securities outstanding.
2025 2024 2023
Equivalent Class A common stock outstanding 620,592 620,592 620,592
Proportional ownership of Company stock held by investment partnerships 360,006 341,211 330,606
Equivalent Class A common stock for earnings per share 260,586 279,381 289,986
Revenue Recognition
Restaurant operations
Restaurant operations revenues were disaggregated as follows.
2025 2024 2023
Net sales $ 181,884 $ 159,213 $ 152,545
Franchise partner fees 77,001 70,616 72,552
Franchise royalties and fees 13,587 13,632 16,443
Other 8,398 7,986 9,317
$ 280,870 $ 251,447 $ 250,857
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Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Net Sales
Net sales are composed of retail sales of food through company-operated stores. Company-operated store revenues are recognized, net of discounts and sales taxes, when our obligation to perform is satisfied at the point of sale. Sales taxes related to these sales are collected from customers and remitted to the appropriate taxing authority and are not reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings as revenue.
Franchise Partner Fees
Franchise partner fees are composed of up to 15 % of sales as well as 50 % of profits. We are therefore fully affected by the operating results of the business, unlike in a traditional franchising arrangement, where the franchisor obtains a royalty fee based on sales only. We generate the majority of our revenue from our share of the franchise partners’ profits. An initial franchise fee of ten thousand dollars is recognized when the operator becomes a franchise partner. The Company recognizes franchise partner fees monthly as underlying restaurant sales occur.
The Company leases or subleases property and equipment to franchisees under lease arrangements. Both real estate and equipment rental payments are charged to franchisees and are recognized in accordance with ASC 842, “ Leases. ” During the years ended 2025, 2024, and 2023, restaurant operations recognized $ 23,428 , $ 22,884 , and $ 22,687 , respectively, in franchise partner fees related to rental income.
Franchise Royalties and Fees
Franchise royalties and fees from Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin franchisees are based upon a percentage of sales of the franchise restaurant and are recognized as earned. Franchise royalties are billed on a weekly or monthly basis. Initial franchise fees when a new restaurant opens or at the start of a new franchise term are recorded as deferred revenue when received and recognized as revenue over the term of the franchise agreement.
During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, restaurant operations recognized $ 330 , $ 463 , and $ 1,207 , respectively, in revenue related to initial franchise fees. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, restaurant operations had deferred revenue recorded in accrued expenses related to franchise fees of $ 1,762 and $ 1,756 , respectively. Restaurant operations expect to recognize approximately $ 520 of deferred revenue during 2026.
Our advertising arrangements with franchisees are reported in franchise royalties and fees. During the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, restaurant operations recognized $ 3,448 , $ 3,290 , and $ 4,479 , respectively, in revenue related to franchisee advertising fees. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, restaurant operations had deferred revenue recorded in accrued expenses related to franchisee advertising fees of $ 891 and $ 1,441 , respectively. Restaurant operations expect to recognize approximately $ 780 of deferred revenue during 2026.
Other Revenue
Restaurant operations sells gift cards to customers which can be redeemed in our stores. Gift cards are recorded as deferred revenue when issued and are subsequently recorded as net sales upon redemption. Restaurant operations estimates breakage related to gift cards when the likelihood of redemption is remote. This estimate utilizes historical trends based on the vintage of the gift card. Breakage on gift cards is recorded as other revenue in proportion to the rate of gift card redemptions by vintage.
For the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, restaurant operations recognized $ 4,657 , $ 4,224 , and $ 5,276 , respectively, of revenue from gift card redemptions. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, restaurant operations had deferred revenue recorded in accrued expenses related to unredeemed gift cards of $ 4,973 and $ 5,214 , respectively. Restaurant operations expect to recognize approximately $ 2,413 of deferred revenue during 2026.
Insurance Premiums and Commissions
Insurance premiums are earned over the terms of the related policies. Expenses incurred in connection with acquiring new insurance business, including acquisition costs, are charged to operations as incurred. Premiums earned are stated net of amounts ceded to reinsurer.
Oil and Gas
Revenues are derived from the sale of produced oil and natural gas. Revenue is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied, which typically occurs at the point in time when control of the product transfers to the customer. Payment is generally due within 30 days of delivery.
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Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Licensing Revenue and Other
Licensing revenue is recognized when earned. We derive value and revenues from intellectual property assets through a range of licensing and business activities, including licensing and syndication of our trademarks and copyrights in the United States and internationally. Magazine subscription and advertising revenues are recognized at the magazine cover date. The unearned portion of magazine subscriptions is deferred until the magazine’s cover date, at which time a proportionate share of the gross subscription price is recognized as revenue.
Restaurant Cost of Sales
Cost of sales includes the cost of food, restaurant operating costs, and restaurant occupancy costs. Cost of sales excludes depreciation and amortization, which is presented as a separate line item on the consolidated statement of earnings.
Insurance Losses and Underwriting Expenses
Liabilities for estimated unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses with respect to claims occurring on or before the balance sheet date are established under insurance contracts issued by our insurance subsidiaries. Such estimates include provisions for reported claims or case estimates, provisions for incurred but not reported claims, and legal and administrative costs to settle claims. The estimates of unpaid losses and amounts recoverable under reinsurance are established and continually reviewed by using a variety of actuarial, statistical, and analytical techniques. Reinsurance contracts do not relieve the ceding company of its obligations to indemnify policyholders with respect to the underlying insurance contracts.
Oil and Gas Production Costs
Oil and gas production costs are costs incurred to operate and maintain wells and related equipment and facilities, including lease operating expenses and production taxes.
Marketing Expense
Advertising costs are charged to expense at the later of the date the expenditure is incurred or the date the promotional item is first communicated. Marketing expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statement of earnings.
Savings Plans
Several of our subsidiaries also sponsor defined contribution retirement plans, such as 401(k) or profit-sharing plans. Employee contributions to the plans are subject to regulatory limitations and the specific plan provisions. Some of the plans allow for discretionary contributions as determined by management. Employer contributions expensed with respect to these plans were not material.
Foreign Currency Translation
The Company has certain subsidiaries located in foreign jurisdictions. For subsidiaries whose functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, the translation of functional currency statements to U.S. dollar statements uses end-of-period exchange rates for assets and liabilities, weighted-average exchange rates for revenue and expenses, and historical rates for equity. The resulting currency translation adjustment is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, as a component of equity.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from the estimates.
New Accounting Standards
In December 2023, the FASB issued authoritative guidance modifying the disclosure requirements for income tax. Notable changes in the new guidance include disaggregation of income tax information by jurisdiction and changes to the presentation of information for the reconciliation of effective tax rates. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company adopted this standard prospectively, with such disclosures included in Note 10 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
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Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
In November 2024, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2024-03, “Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses” (“ASU 2024-03”), which requires detailed disclosure in the notes to the financial statements of specific categories underlying certain expense captions on the income statement. ASU 2024-03 may be adopted on a prospective or retrospective basis and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the impact of the new guidance on our disclosures.
Note 2. Investments
Investments were $ 69,050 and $ 102,975 as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. We classify investments in fixed maturity securities at the acquisition date as available-for-sale. Realized gains and losses on disposals of investments are determined on a specific identification basis. Dividends and interest earned on investments held by our insurance companies are reported as investment income. We consider investment income as a component of our aggregate insurance operating results. However, we consider investment gains and losses, whether realized or unrealized, as non-operating.
Investment gains in 2025 and 2024 were $ 528 and $ 335 , respectively.
Note 3. Investment Partnerships
The Company reports on the limited partnership interests in investment partnerships under the equity method of accounting. We record our proportional share of equity in the investment partnerships but exclude Company common stock held by said partnerships. The Company’s pro-rata share of its common stock held by the investment partnerships is recorded as treasury stock even though these shares are legally outstanding. The Company records gains/losses from investment partnerships (inclusive of the investment partnerships’ unrealized gains and losses on their securities) in the consolidated statements of earnings based on our carrying value of these partnerships. The fair value is calculated net of the general partner’s accrued incentive fees. Gains and losses on Company common stock included in the earnings of these partnerships are eliminated because they are recorded as treasury stock.
Biglari Capital Corp. is the general partner of the investment partnerships. Biglari Capital Corp. is solely owned by Mr. Biglari. Under the terms of their partnership agreements, each contribution made by the Company to the investment partnerships is subject to a rolling five-year lock-up period. The lock-up period can be waived by the general partner in its sole discretion.
The fair value and adjustment for Company common stock held by the investment partnerships to determine the carrying value of our partnership interest are presented below.
Fair Value Company Common Stock Carrying
Value
Partnership interest at December 31, 2022 $ 383,004 $ 227,210 $ 155,794
Investment partnership gains (losses) 59,238 39,797 19,441
Contributions (net of distributions) 30,530 30,530
Increase in proportionate share of Company stock held 6,662 ( 6,662 )
Partnership interest at December 31, 2023 $ 472,772 $ 273,669 $ 199,103
Investment partnership gains (losses) 117,556 158,614 ( 41,058 )
Contributions (net of distributions) 65,938 65,938
Increase in proportionate share of Company stock held 22,256 ( 22,256 )
Partnership interest at December 31, 2024 $ 656,266 $ 454,539 $ 201,727
Investment partnership gains (losses) 83,204 150,205 ( 67,001 )
Contributions (net of distributions) 33,115 33,115
Increase in proportionate share of Company stock held 13,566 ( 13,566 )
Partnership interest at December 31, 2025 $ 772,585 $ 618,310 $ 154,275
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Note 3. Investment Partnerships (continued)
The carrying value of the investment partnerships net of deferred taxes is presented below.
December 31,
2025 2024
Carrying value of investment partnerships $ 154,275 $ 201,727
Deferred tax liability related to investment partnerships ( 20,004 ) ( 17,255 )
Carrying value of investment partnerships net of deferred taxes $ 134,271 $ 184,472
Because of a transaction that occurred between The Lion Fund, L.P., and The Lion Fund II, L.P., in 2022, we expect that a majority of the $ 20,004 deferred tax liability enumerated above will not become due until the dissolution of the investment partnerships. In effect, the tax-basis cost increased for the common stock of certain unaffiliated securities held by the investment partnerships.
The Company’s proportionate share of Company stock held by the investment partnerships at cost was $ 452,164 and $ 438,598 at December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
The carrying value of the partnership interest approximates fair value adjusted by the value of held Company stock. Fair value of our partnership interest is assessed according to our proportional ownership interest of the fair value of investments held by the investment partnerships. Unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities held by the investment partnerships affect our net earnings.
Gains/losses from investment partnerships recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of earnings are presented below.
2025 2024 2023
Gains (losses) from investment partnerships $ ( 67,001 ) $ ( 41,058 ) $ 19,440
Tax expense (benefit) ( 15,005 ) ( 12,939 ) 4,794
Contribution to net earnings $ ( 51,996 ) $ ( 28,119 ) $ 14,646
On December 31 of each year, the general partner of the investment partnerships, Biglari Capital, will earn an incentive reallocation fee for the Company’s investments equal to 25 % of the net profits above an annual hurdle rate of 6 % over the previous high-water mark. Our policy is to accrue an estimated incentive fee throughout the year. An incentive reallocation from Biglari Holdings to Biglari Capital would include gains on the Company’s common stock. Gains and losses on the Company’s common stock and the related incentive reallocations are eliminated in our financial statements.
There were no incentive reallocations from Biglari Holdings to Biglari Capital during 2025, 2024, or 2023.
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Note 3. Investment Partnerships (continued)
Summarized financial information for The Lion Fund, L.P., and The Lion Fund II, L.P., is presented below.
Equity in Investment Partnerships
Lion Fund Lion Fund II
Total assets as of December 31, 2025 $ 750,172 $ 293,051
Total liabilities as of December 31, 2025 $ 16,742 $ 163,900
Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2025 $ 152,330 $ ( 53,868 )
Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2025 $ 151,327 $ ( 63,437 )
Biglari Holdings’ average ownership interest during 2025 91.4 % 88.6 %
Total assets as of December 31, 2024 $ 567,387 $ 367,630
Total liabilities as of December 31, 2024 $ 20,609 $ 188,202
Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 $ 156,463 $ ( 14,421 )
Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2024 $ 154,805 $ ( 25,779 )
Biglari Holdings’ average ownership interest during 2024 90.1 % 87.2 %
Total assets as of December 31, 2023 $ 371,365 $ 373,302
Total liabilities as of December 31, 2023 $ 26,594 $ 185,024
Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 $ 48,242 $ 31,157
Earnings for the year ended December 31, 2023 $ 47,154 $ 21,135
Biglari Holdings’ average ownership interest during 2023 89.0 % 86.4 %
Revenue in the financial information of the investment partnerships, summarized above, includes investment income and unrealized gains and losses on investments.
Note 4. Other Current Assets
Other current assets include the following.
December 31,
2025 2024
Deferred commissions on gift cards sold by third parties $ 1,044 $ 1,136
Assets held for sale 1,134 1,081
Deferred acquisition costs 2,830 394
Prepaid contractual obligations 8,634 5,105
Other current assets $ 13,642 $ 7,716
The assets classified as held for sale at December 31, 2025 and 2024, include properties which were previously company-operated restaurants.
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Note 5. Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are composed of the following.
December 31,
2025 2024
Land $ 133,516 $ 134,738
Buildings 169,307 160,282
Land and leasehold improvements 155,817 152,091
Equipment 213,395 213,800
Oil and gas properties 157,960 156,849
Construction in progress 2,195 672
832,190 818,432
Less accumulated depreciation, depletion, and amortization ( 465,583 ) ( 442,277 )
Property and equipment, net $ 366,607 $ 376,155
The depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment for 2025, 2024, and 2023 was $ 29,183 , $ 28,840 , and $ 28,751 , respectively. The depletion expense related to oil and gas properties was $ 10,899 , $ 10,232 , and $ 9,533 during 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. The accretion expense of the Company’s asset retirement obligations was $ 697 , $ 771 , and $ 695 during 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively. Accretion expense is included in depreciation, depletion, and amortization expense within the consolidated statement of earnings. Accumulated depreciation, depletion, and accretion on oil and gas properties was $ 65,570 and $ 54,838 as of December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
The Company recorded impairments to restaurant long-lived assets of $ 1,251 and $ 107 during 2025 and 2024, respectively. The fair value of the long-lived assets was determined based on Level 3 inputs using a discounted cash flow model and quoted prices for the properties.
We did not record any impairments to our oil and gas assets during 2025 and 2024. However, if commodity prices fall below current levels, we may be required to record impairments in future periods and such impairments could be material. Further, if commodity prices decrease, our production, proved reserves, and cash flows will be adversely impacted.
Abraxas Petroleum recorded gains of $ 11,877 , $ 16,700 , and $ 13,563 during 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively, as a result of selling undeveloped reserves. Abraxas may receive future royalties for each of these transactions as the reserves are developed by the respective unaffiliated parties.
Also during 2025, 2024, and 2023, the Company recognized net gains of $ 3,685 , $ 6,394 , and $ 7,918 , respectively, in connection with property sales, lease terminations, and asset disposals which are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of earnings.
The property and equipment cost related to finance obligations as of December 31, 2025, is as follows: $ 50,721 of buildings, $ 42,002 of land, $ 30,346 of land and leasehold improvements, and $ 65,160 of accumulated depreciation.
Note 6. Asset Retirement Obligations
A reconciliation of the ending aggregate carrying amount of asset retirement obligations is as follows.
December 31
2025 2024
Beginning balance $ 15,754 $ 15,046
Liabilities settled ( 604 ) ( 63 )
Accretion expense 697 771
Asset retirement obligation $ 15,847 $ 15,754
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, $ 305 and $ 536 , respectively, is classified as current asset retirement obligations and is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheets.
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Note 7. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Goodwill consists of the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired in connection with business acquisitions.
A reconciliation of the change in the carrying value of goodwill is as follows.
Restaurants Insurance Total
Balance as of December 31, 2023
Goodwill $ 28,117 $ 25,713 $ 53,830
Accumulated impairment losses ( 1,300 ) — ( 1,300 )
$ 26,817 $ 25,713 $ 52,530
Change in foreign exchange rates during 2024 ( 34 ) — ( 34 )
Balance as of December 31, 2024 $ 26,783 $ 25,713 $ 52,496
Change in foreign exchange rates during 2025 72 — 72
Balance as of December 31, 2025 $ 26,855 $ 25,713 $ 52,568
We evaluate goodwill and any indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred. Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment evaluations include determining the estimated fair values of our reporting units and indefinite-lived intangible assets. The key assumptions and inputs used in such determinations may include forecasting revenue and expenses, cash flows, and capital expenditures, as well as an appropriate discount rate and other inputs. Significant judgment by management is required in estimating the fair value of a reporting unit and in performing impairment reviews. Due to the inherent subjectivity and uncertainty in forecasting future cash flows and earnings over long periods of time, actual results may differ materially from the forecasts. If the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds fair value, the excess is charged to earnings as an impairment loss. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, then the excess, limited to the carrying amount of goodwill, will be charged to earnings as an impairment loss. GAAP allows entities testing for impairment the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of a reporting unit for the goodwill impairment test. For our 2025 annual goodwill impairment testing, we elected to perform qualitative assessments for our reporting units. No indicators of impairment were noted in our insurance reporting units. During the second quarter of 2025, we performed our annual assessment of our recoverability of goodwill related to the Western Sizzlin reporting unit and no impairment was recorded. During the second quarter of 2024, $ 1,000 of impairment was recorded related to the Western Sizzlin reporting unit. There was no impairment recorded by Steak n Shake in 2025 and 2024.
Other Intangible Assets
Intangible assets with indefinite lives are composed of the following.
Trade Names Lease Rights Total
Balance as of December 31, 2023
Intangibles $ 15,876 $ 11,102 $ 26,978
Accumulated impairment losses — ( 3,748 ) ( 3,748 )
$ 15,876 $ 7,354 $ 23,230
Change in foreign exchange rates during 2024 — ( 410 ) ( 410 )
Balance as of December 31, 2024 $ 15,876 $ 6,944 $ 22,820
Change in foreign exchange rates during 2025 — 854 854
Balance as of December 31, 2025 $ 15,876 $ 7,798 $ 23,674
Intangible assets with indefinite lives consist of trade names and lease rights. No impairment was recorded in 2025 and 2024.
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Note 8. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Accounts payable and accrued expenses include the following.
December 31,
2025 2024
Accounts payable $ 34,173 $ 28,542
Gift cards and other marketing 5,865 6,655
Insurance accruals 1,221 1,746
Compensation 5,975 4,911
Deferred revenue 3,517 3,723
Taxes payable 10,084 8,134
Oil and gas payable 1,253 1,912
Professional fees 4,226 3,052
Due to broker 4,343 3,517
Other 2,289 1,189
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 72,946 $ 63,381
Note 9. Unpaid Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Other liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses (also referred to as “claim liabilities”) under insurance contracts are based upon estimates of the ultimate claim costs associated with claim occurrences as of the balance sheet date and include estimates for incurred-but-not-reported (“IBNR”) claims. A reconciliation of the changes in claim liabilities, net of reinsurance, for each of the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, follows.
2025 2024
Balance at beginning of year:
Gross liabilities $ 18,028 $ 16,105
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses ( 778 ) ( 937 )
Net liabilities 17,250 15,168
Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year 45,383 45,445
Prior accident years ( 421 ) ( 1,802 )
Total 44,962 43,643
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses:
Current accident year 36,640 35,052
Prior accident years 7,352 6,509
Total 43,992 41,561
Balance at December 31:
Net liabilities 18,220 17,250
Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses 1,126 778
Gross liabilities $ 19,346 $ 18,028
We recorded net reductions of estimated ultimate liabilities for prior accident years of $ 421 in 2025 and $ 1,802 in 2024. These reductions, as a percentage of net liabilities at the beginning of each year, were 2.4 % in 2025 and 11.9 % in 2024.
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Note 9. Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses (continued)
Our net incurred and paid liability losses and loss adjustment expenses are summarized by accident year below. IBNR and case development liabilities are as of December 31, 2025.
Incurred Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses through December 31,
Accident Year 2018* 2019* 2020* 2021* 2022* 2023* 2024* 2025 IBNR and Case Development Liabilities Cumulative Number of Reported Claims
2018 $ 26,576 $ 26,650 $ 26,452 $ 26,386 $ 26,327 $ 26,193 $ 26,187 $ 26,165 $ 109 3,362
2019 27,331 26,746 26,446 26,322 25,971 25,223 25,237 13 3,129
2020 26,415 25,141 24,314 23,804 23,827 23,896 36 3,090
2021 26,554 26,527 26,267 26,597 26,567 452 3,204
2022 34,356 32,137 31,674 31,301 660 3,192
2023 35,449 34,695 34,719 2,053 3,319
2024 41,195 40,868 4,812 4,316
2025 40,854 8,588 3,783
$ 249,607
Cumulative Paid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses through December 31,
Accident Year 2018* 2019* 2020* 2021* 2022* 2023* 2024* 2025
2018 $ 20,246 $ 23,796 $ 24,844 $ 25,590 $ 25,974 $ 26,048 $ 26,078 $ 26,056
2019 20,755 23,787 24,649 25,358 25,820 25,211 25,224
2020 20,481 22,614 23,386 23,490 23,772 23,861
2021 19,648 22,799 24,365 25,903 26,115
2022 24,774 28,738 29,789 30,641
2023 27,251 31,118 32,665
2024 30,206 36,056
2025 32,266
Paid losses and loss adjustment expenses 232,884
Incurred less paid losses and loss adjustment expenses 16,723
Unpaid loss adjustment expenses 1,497
Net unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses $ 18,220
*Unaudited required supplemental information
Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves include an amount for reported losses and an amount for losses incurred but not reported. We establish average liabilities based on expected severities for newly reported claims prior to establishing individual case reserves when insufficient time or information is available for specific claim estimates and for large volumes of minor physical damage claims that, once reported, are quickly settled. We establish case loss estimates for claims, including estimates for loss adjustment expenses, as the facts and merits of the claim are evaluated. Such reserves are necessarily based upon estimates, and while management, based on past experience, believes that the amount is adequate, the ultimate liability may be more or less than the amounts provided. We may record supplemental IBNR liabilities in certain situations when actuarial techniques are difficult to apply. The methods for making such estimates and for establishing the resulting reserves are continually reviewed, and any adjustments are reflected in operations annually.
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Note 9. Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses (continued)
First Guard
First Guard’s claim liabilities predominately relate to commercial truck claims. For such claims, we establish and evaluate unpaid claim liabilities using historical claims data and other data as necessary to determine our best estimate, with an annual review by certified actuaries and certified public accountants. Claim liabilities include average case, case development, and IBNR estimates.
Southern Pioneer
Southern Pioneer’s claim liabilities predominately relate to liquor liability, garage liability, and commercial property as well as homeowners and dwelling fire claims. For such claims, we establish and evaluate unpaid claim liabilities using standard actuarial methods and techniques. The actuarial methods utilize historical claims data, adjusted when deemed appropriate to reflect perceived changes in loss patterns. Claim liabilities include average case, case development, and IBNR estimates.
Note 10. Income Taxes
The components of the provision for income taxes consist of the following.
2025
Current:
Federal $ 194
State 1,086
Total current 1,280
Deferred:
Federal ( 10,727 )
State ( 756 )
Total deferred ( 11,483 )
Income tax expense (benefit) $ ( 10,203 )
2024 2023
Current:
Federal $ 2,702 $ 2,197
State 1,392 544
Deferred ( 8,489 ) 6,567
Income tax expense (benefit) $ ( 4,395 ) $ 9,308
We did not have a net tax expense or benefit on income from international operations.
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Note 10. Income Taxes (continued)
2025
Reconciliation of effective income tax:
Tax at U.S. statutory rates $ ( 10,015 ) 21.0 %
State income taxes, net of federal benefit (1)
( 47 ) 0.1 %
Foreign tax effects:
Foreign tax rate differences ( 184 ) 0.4 %
Changes in valuation allowance 1,213 ( 2.5 ) %
Federal income tax credits ( 220 ) 0.4 %
Nontaxable or nondeductible
Dividends received deduction ( 502 ) 1.0 %
Excess percentage depletion ( 518 ) 1.1 %
Other nontaxable or nondeductible 236 ( 0.5 ) %
Changes in unrecognized tax benefits 204 ( 0.4 ) %
Other ( 370 ) 0.8 %
Income tax expense (benefit) $ ( 10,203 ) 21.4 %
(1) State taxes in Indiana and Illinois made up the majority of the tax effect in this category.
There were no material effects from changes in tax laws or rates enacted in the current period or cross-border tax laws.
2024 2023
Reconciliation of effective income tax:
Tax at U.S. statutory rates $ ( 1,711 ) $ 13,618
State income taxes, net of federal benefit ( 2,485 ) 1,572
Federal income tax credits ( 144 ) ( 1,309 )
Dividends received deduction ( 910 ) ( 1,169 )
Valuation allowance 788 709
162(m) compensation limitation 91 1,506
Foreign tax rate differences ( 118 ) ( 97 )
Abraxas tax attributes — ( 5,660 )
Other 94 138
Income tax expense (benefit) $ ( 4,395 ) $ 9,308
During 2023, the Company recognized tax benefits associated with the tax attributes of Abraxas Petroleum’s oil and gas properties.
Income (losses) before income taxes includes the following components.
2025 2024 2023
Domestic $ ( 42,792 ) $ ( 4,955 ) $ 67,736
Foreign ( 4,899 ) ( 3,199 ) ( 2,889 )
$ ( 47,691 ) $ ( 8,154 ) $ 64,847
As of December 31, 2025, we had $ 767 of unrecognized tax benefits, including $ 150 of interest and penalties, which are included in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2024, we had $ 506 of unrecognized tax benefits, including $ 91 of interest and penalties, which is included in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. Our continuing practice is to recognize interest expense and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. The unrecognized tax benefits of $ 767 would impact the effective income tax rate if recognized. Adjustments to the Company’s unrecognized tax benefit for gross increases for the current period tax position, gross decreases for prior period tax positions, and the lapse of statutes of limitations during 2025, 2024, and 2023 were not significant.
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Note 10. Income Taxes (continued)
We file income tax returns which are periodically audited by various foreign, federal, state, and local jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to tax examinations for fiscal years prior to 2021. We believe we have certain state income tax exposures related to fiscal years 2021 through 2025.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and the tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the currently enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
Our deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following.
December 31,
2025 2024
Deferred tax assets:
Insurance reserves $ 509 $ 1,572
Compensation accruals 346 308
Gift card accruals 169 214
Net operating loss credit carryforward 21,243 20,898
Valuation allowance on net operating losses ( 15,970 ) ( 15,477 )
Deferred income 250 272
Bad debt reserve 920 743
Capital loss carryforward 14,565 —
Asset retirement obligation 1,563 573
Other 156 820
Total deferred tax assets 23,751 9,923
Deferred tax liabilities:
Investment partnerships 20,004 17,255
Investments ( 150 ) 557
Goodwill and intangibles 18,726 19,068
Fixed assets and depletable assets basis difference 3,200 2,436
Total deferred tax liabilities 41,780 39,316
Net deferred tax liability $ ( 18,029 ) $ ( 29,393 )
We have foreign, U.S. federal and state net operating loss carryforwards. The foreign net operating loss carryforwards do not expire. The U.S. federal net operating loss carryforwards were acquired as part of the Abraxas acquisition. These net operating loss carryforwards are limited to $ 1,001 annually. The majority of the state net operating loss carryforwards expire in 2035 through 2037, and others do not expire.
We made federal tax payments of $ 2,474 and state tax payments of $ 262 during 2025. No individual state jurisdictions made up more than 5% of the total payments.
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Note 11. Note Payable and Lines of Credit
Note payable and lines of credit include the following.
Current portion of note payable and lines of credit December 31,
2025 December 31,
2024
Steak n Shake note payable $ 5,820 $ —
Biglari Holdings lines of credit 27,250 35,000
Total current portion of note payable and lines of credit $ 33,070 $ 35,000
Long-term portion of note payable and lines of credit
Steak n Shake note payable $ 213,920 $ —
Biglari Holdings lines of credit — 10,000
Total long-term portion of note payable and lines of credit $ 213,920 $ 10,000
Biglari Holdings’ Line of Credit
Biglari Holdings’ line of credit is 35,000 and matures on September 13, 2026. The line of credit includes customary covenants as well as financial maintenance covenants. There was a $ 27,250 and $ 35,000 balance of the line of credit on December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Our interest rate was 6.7 % and 7.1 % on December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
On November 8, 2024, Biglari Holdings entered into a line of credit in an aggregate principal amount of up to $ 75,000 . The line of credit was terminated on September 29, 2025.
Steak n Shake Note Payable
On September 30, 2025, Steak n Shake obtained a loan of $ 225,000 . The term of the loan is five years , with an interest rate fixed at 8.8 % per annum, and the loan will be amortized at a rate of 3.0 % per annum. The loan includes customary covenants as well as financial maintenance covenants and customary events of default. The debt is an obligation of Steak n Shake and the proceeds from the loan were distributed to Biglari Holdings. All of the debt is secured by real estate owned by Steak n Shake.
Expected principal payments for the Steak n Shake note payable as of December 31, 2025, are as follows.
Year
2026 $ 6,750
2027 6,750
2028 6,750
2029 6,750
2030 196,875
Total Steak n Shake note payable 223,875
Less unamortized debt issuance costs 4,135
Total Steak n Shake note payable, net $ 219,740
Western Sizzlin Revolver
Western Sizzlin’s available line of credit is $ 500 . As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, Western Sizzlin had no debt outstanding under its revolver.
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Note 12. Lease Assets and Obligations
Lease obligations include the following.
December 31,
2025 2024
Current portion of lease obligations
Finance lease liabilities $ 1,233 $ 1,250
Finance obligations 4,486 4,664
Operating lease liabilities 8,227 8,535
Total current portion of lease obligations $ 13,946 $ 14,449
Long-term lease obligations
Finance lease liabilities $ 6,157 $ 2,747
Finance obligations 57,881 60,386
Operating lease liabilities 33,663 27,606
Total long-term lease obligations $ 97,701 $ 90,739
Nature of Leases
Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin operate restaurants that are located on sites owned by us and leased from third parties. In addition, they own sites and lease sites from third parties that are leased and/or subleased to franchisees.
Lease Costs
A significant portion of our operating and finance lease portfolio includes restaurant locations. We recognize fixed lease expense for operating leases on a straight-line basis over the lease term. For finance leases, we recognize amortization expense on the right-of-use asset and interest expense on the lease liability over the lease term.
Total lease costs consist of the following.
2025 2024 2023
Finance lease costs:
Amortization of right-of-use assets $ 1,057 $ 918 $ 949
Interest on lease liabilities 537 318 345
Operating and variable lease costs 11,720 11,531 12,158
Sublease income ( 10,682 ) ( 11,895 ) ( 11,874 )
Total lease costs $ 2,632 $ 872 $ 1,578
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows.
Year Ended December 31,
2025 2024
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Financing cash flows from finance leases $ 1,213 $ 1,226
Operating cash flows from finance leases $ 537 $ 318
Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 10,988 $ 10,831
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows.
December 31,
2025 2024
Finance leases:
Property and equipment, net $ 6,420 $ 2,980
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Note 12. Lease Assets and Obligations (continued)
Weighted-average lease terms and discount rates are as follows.
2025
Weighted-average remaining lease terms:
Finance leases 13.50 years
Operating leases 6.86 years
Weighted-average discount rates:
Finance leases 7.0 %
Operating leases 7.0 %
Maturities of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2025, are as follows.
Year Operating Leases Finance
Leases
2026 $ 10,795 $ 1,703
2027 8,698 1,422
2028 7,606 1,010
2029 6,217 755
2030 4,988 621
After 2030 14,129 6,204
Total lease payments 52,433 11,715
Less interest 10,543 4,325
Total lease liabilities $ 41,890 $ 7,390
Rent expense is presented below.
2025 2024 2023
Minimum rent $ 12,658 $ 12,284 $ 12,712
Contingent rent 72 8 73
Rent expense $ 12,730 $ 12,292 $ 12,785
Lease Income
The components of lease income are as follows.
2025 2024 2023
Operating lease income $ 15,861 $ 16,863 $ 16,343
Variable lease income 8,850 7,115 7,349
Total lease income $ 24,711 $ 23,978 $ 23,692
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Note 12. Lease Assets and Obligations (continued)
The following table displays the Company’s future minimum rental receipts for non-cancelable leases and subleases as of December 31, 2025. Franchise partner leases and subleases are short-term leases and have been excluded from the table.
Operating Leases
Year Subleases Owned Properties
2026 $ 622 $ 649
2027 544 660
2028 424 672
2029 338 687
2030 338 697
After 2030 19 2,857
Total future minimum receipts $ 2,285 $ 6,222
Note 13. Related Party Transactions
Services Agreement
During 2017, the Company entered into a services agreement with Biglari Enterprises LLC and Biglari Capital Corp. (collectively, the “Biglari Entities”) under which the Biglari Entities provide business and administrative related services to the Company. The Biglari Entities are owned by Mr. Biglari. The services agreement has a rolling five-year term, with annual adjustments to the fixed fee.
The Company paid Biglari Enterprises $ 11,400 in service fees during 2025 and $ 9,900 during 2024. The services agreement does not alter the Company’s hurdle rate connected with the incentive reallocation paid to Biglari Capital Corp.
Investments in The Lion Fund, L.P., and The Lion Fund II, L.P.
As of December 31, 2025, the Company’s investments in The Lion Fund, L.P., and The Lion Fund II, L.P., had a fair value of $ 772,585 .
Contributions to and distributions from The Lion Fund, L.P., and The Lion Fund II, L.P., were as follows.
2025 2024 2023
Contributions $ 89,115 $ 75,938 $ 45,030
Distributions ( 56,000 ) ( 10,000 ) ( 14,500 )
$ 33,115 $ 65,938 $ 30,530
The investments are subject to a rolling five-year lock-up period under the terms of the respective partnership agreements. The lock-up period can be waived by the general partner in its sole discretion.
As the general partner of the investment partnerships, Biglari Capital will earn an incentive reallocation fee, on December 31 of each year, for the Company’s investments equal to 25 % of the net profits above a hurdle rate of 6 % over the previous high-water mark. There were no incentive reallocations in 2025, 2024, or 2023. Gains on the Company’s common stock and the related incentive reallocations are eliminated in our financial statements.
Incentive Agreement
The Incentive Agreement establishes a performance-based annual incentive payment for Mr. Biglari contingent upon the growth in adjusted equity in each year attributable to our operating businesses. In order for Mr. Biglari to receive any incentive, our operating businesses must achieve an annual increase in shareholders’ equity in excess of 6 % (the “hurdle rate”) above the previous highest level (the “high-water mark”). Mr. Biglari will receive 25 % of any incremental book value created above the high-water mark plus the hurdle rate. Mr. Biglari did not earn an incentive fee during 2025. Mr. Biglari earned an incentive fee of $ 455 during 2024. The 2024 incentive fee was paid during 2025.
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Note 14. Commitments and Contingencies
We are involved in various legal proceedings and have certain unresolved claims pending. We believe, based on examination of these matters and experiences to date, that the ultimate liability, if any, in excess of amounts already provided in our consolidated financial statements, is not likely to have a material effect on our results of operations, financial position, or cash flow.
Note 15. Fair Value of Financial Assets
The fair values of substantially all of our financial instruments were measured using market or income approaches. Considerable judgment may be required in interpreting the market data used to develop the estimates of fair value. Accordingly, the fair values presented are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in an actual current market exchange. The use of alternative market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value.
The hierarchy for measuring fair value consists of Levels 1 through 3, which are described below.
• Level 1 – Inputs represent unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in active markets.
• Level 2 – Inputs include directly or indirectly observable inputs (other than Level 1 inputs), such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities exchanged in active or inactive markets; quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities exchanged in inactive markets; other inputs that may be considered in fair value determinations of the assets or liabilities, such as interest rates and yield curves, volatilities, prepayment speeds, loss severities, credit risks, and default rates; and inputs that are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data by correlation or other means. Pricing evaluations generally reflect discounted expected future cash flows, which incorporate yield curves for instruments with similar characteristics, such as credit ratings, estimated durations, and yields for other instruments of the issuer or entities in the same industry sector.
• Level 3 – Inputs include unobservable inputs used in the measurement of assets and liabilities. Management is required to use its own assumptions regarding unobservable inputs because there is little, if any, market activity in the assets or liabilities and we may be unable to corroborate the related observable inputs. Unobservable inputs require management to make certain projections and assumptions about the information that would be used by market participants in pricing assets or liabilities.
The following methods and assumptions were used to determine the fair value of each class of the following assets recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets:
Cash equivalents: Cash equivalents primarily consist of money market funds, which are classified within Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.
Equity securities: The Company’s investments in equity securities are classified within Level 1 or Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Bonds: The Company’s investments in bonds consist of both corporate and government debt. Bonds may be classified as Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
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Note 15. Fair Value of Financial Assets (continued)
As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, the fair values of financial assets were as follows.
December 31,
2025 2024
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Total
Assets
Cash equivalents $ 249,825 $ — $ — $ 249,825 $ 11,684 $ — $ — $ 11,684
Equity securities:
Consumer goods 42,891 — — 42,891 39,706 — — 39,706
Other 6,777 — 4,000 10,777 5,569 — — 5,569
Bonds:
Government 12,835 2,142 — 14,977 52,328 5,245 — 57,573
Corporate — 554 — 554 — 750 — 750
Total assets at fair value $ 312,328 $ 2,696 $ 4,000 $ 319,024 $ 109,287 $ 5,995 $ — $ 115,282
There were no changes in the valuation techniques used to measure fair values on a recurring basis.
Note 16. Business Segment Reporting
Our reportable business segments are organized in a manner that reflects how management views those business activities. Biglari Holdings’ diverse businesses are managed on an unusually decentralized basis. Our restaurant operations include Steak n Shake and Western Sizzlin. Our insurance operations include First Guard, Southern Pioneer, and Biglari Reinsurance. Our oil and gas operations include Southern Oil and Abraxas Petroleum. The Company also reports segment information for Maxim. Other business activities not specifically identified with reportable business segments are presented under corporate and other. We report our earnings from investment partnerships separately. The Company’s chief operating decision-maker is the Chief Executive Officer, who is ultimately responsible for significant capital allocation decisions, evaluating operating performance, and selecting the chief executive to head each of the operating segments. The cost and expense information provided is based on the information regularly provided to the chief operating decision-maker. Given the varied operating segments and the differences in revenue streams and cost structures, there are wide variances in the form, content, and levels of such expense information significant to the business. With respect to insurance underwriting, the chief operating decision-maker considers pre-tax underwriting earnings. Typically, there are no budgeted or forecasted premiums. For most non-insurance businesses, pre-tax earnings are considered in allocating resources and capital.
A disaggregation of our consolidated data for each of the three most recent years is presented in the tables that follow.
Restaurant
2025
Steak n Shake Western Sizzlin Total Restaurants
Revenue $ 270,578 $ 10,292 $ 280,870
Cost and expenses:
Cost of food 52,663 3,542 56,205
Labor costs 53,654 2,521 56,175
Occupancy and other 50,963 3,399 54,362
Selling, general and administrative 62,791 185 62,976
Depreciation, amortization and impairment 27,937 73 28,010
Total costs and expenses 248,008 9,720 257,728
Earnings before income taxes $ 22,570 $ 572 $ 23,142
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Note 16. Business Segment Reporting (continued)
2024
Steak n Shake Western Sizzlin Total Restaurants
Revenue $ 240,846 $ 10,601 $ 251,447
Cost and expenses:
Cost of food 44,440 3,451 47,891
Labor costs 47,884 2,547 50,431
Occupancy and other 47,511 2,977 50,488
Selling, general and administrative 53,870 44 53,914
Depreciation, amortization and impairment 27,042 67 27,109
Total costs and expenses 220,747 9,086 229,833
Earnings before income taxes $ 20,099 $ 1,515 $ 21,614
2023
Steak n Shake Western Sizzlin Total Restaurants
Revenue $ 239,956 $ 10,901 $ 250,857
Cost and expenses:
Cost of food 41,562 3,431 44,993
Labor costs 44,663 2,427 47,090
Occupancy and other 48,092 2,925 51,017
Selling, general and administrative 48,558 258 48,816
Depreciation, amortization and impairment 30,911 67 30,978
Total costs and expenses 213,786 9,108 222,894
Earnings before income taxes $ 26,170 $ 1,793 $ 27,963
Insurance
2025
First Guard Southern Pioneer Total Underwriting Investment Income Other Total Insurance
Revenue $ 36,674 $ 33,473 $ 70,147 $ 3,339 $ 2,977 $ 76,463
Cost and expenses:
Insurance losses 23,028 20,114 43,142 — — 43,142
Underwriting expenses 7,631 12,164 19,795 — — 19,795
Other segment items — — — — 810 810
Total costs and expenses 30,659 32,278 62,937 — 810 63,747
Earnings before income taxes $ 6,015 $ 1,195 $ 7,210 $ 3,339 $ 2,167 $ 12,716
2024
First Guard Southern Pioneer Total Underwriting Investment Income Other Total Insurance
Revenue $ 37,691 $ 28,118 $ 65,809 $ 3,928 $ 2,956 $ 72,693
Cost and expenses:
Insurance losses 27,236 16,407 43,643 — — 43,643
Underwriting expenses 6,417 11,311 17,728 — — 17,728
Other segment items — — — — 2,232 2,232
Total costs and expenses 33,653 27,718 61,371 — 2,232 63,603
Earnings before income taxes $ 4,038 $ 400 $ 4,438 $ 3,928 $ 724 $ 9,090
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Note 16. Business Segment Reporting (continued)
2023
First Guard Southern Pioneer Total Underwriting Investment Income Other Total Insurance
Revenue $ 36,917 $ 24,308 $ 61,225 $ 3,074 $ 2,973 $ 67,272
Cost and expenses:
Insurance losses 20,861 14,807 35,668 — — 35,668
Underwriting expenses 6,564 10,539 17,103 — — 17,103
Other segment items — — — — 1,418 1,418
Total costs and expenses 27,425 25,346 52,771 — 1,418 54,189
Earnings before income taxes $ 9,492 $ ( 1,038 ) $ 8,454 $ 3,074 $ 1,555 $ 13,083
Other segment items include general and administrative costs, depreciation, and other income.
Oil and Gas
2025
Abraxas Petroleum Southern Oil Total
Oil and Gas
Revenue $ 16,998 $ 13,213 $ 30,211
Cost and expenses:
Production costs 8,839 3,709 12,548
Depreciation and depletion 6,011 5,663 11,674
General and administrative 2,889 2,079 4,968
Total costs and expenses 17,739 11,451 29,190
Gains on sales of properties 11,877 — 11,877
Earnings before income taxes $ 11,136 $ 1,762 $ 12,898
2024
Abraxas Petroleum Southern Oil Total
Oil and Gas
Revenue $ 22,590 $ 14,355 $ 36,945
Cost and expenses:
Production costs 9,517 7,119 16,636
Depreciation and depletion 6,202 4,900 11,102
General and administrative 3,718 2,417 6,135
Total costs and expenses 19,437 14,436 33,873
Gains on sales of properties 16,700 — 16,700
Earnings before income taxes $ 19,853 $ ( 81 ) $ 19,772
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Note 16. Business Segment Reporting (continued)
2023
Abraxas Petroleum Southern Oil Total
Oil and Gas
Revenue $ 27,576 $ 17,495 $ 45,071
Cost and expenses:
Production costs 9,605 7,760 17,365
Depreciation and depletion 6,359 3,980 10,339
General and administrative 2,765 2,399 5,164
Total costs and expenses 18,729 14,139 32,868
Gains on sales of properties 13,563 — 13,563
Earnings before income taxes $ 22,410 $ 3,356 $ 25,766
Brand Licensing
Maxim
2025 2024 2023
Revenue $ 7,717 $ 1,029 $ 2,118
Cost and expenses:
Licensing and media cost 9,040 2,036 1,840
General and administrative 598 173 267
Total costs and expenses 9,638 2,209 2,107
Earnings before income taxes $ ( 1,921 ) $ ( 1,180 ) $ 11
Capital Expenditures
2025 2024 2023
Operating Businesses:
Restaurant $ 26,690 $ 21,812 $ 21,294
Insurance 257 152 309
Oil and gas 1,261 11,783 544
Brand licensing 1,776 — —
Operating businesses 29,984 33,747 22,147
Corporate and other 313 36 1,258
$ 30,297 $ 33,783 $ 23,405
Depreciation, Depletion, and Amortization
2025 2024 2023
Operating Businesses:
Restaurant $ 26,759 $ 27,002 $ 27,031
Insurance 368 341 339
Oil and gas 11,674 11,102 10,339
Brand licensing 446 — —
Operating businesses 39,247 38,445 37,709
Corporate and other 1,532 1,398 1,270
$ 40,779 $ 39,843 $ 38,979
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Note 16. Business Segment Reporting (continued)
Reconciliation of revenues and earnings (loss) before income taxes of our business segments to the consolidated amounts for each of the three years ended December 31 follows.
Revenues
2025 2024 2023
Total operating businesses $ 395,261 $ 362,114 $ 365,318
Investment partnership gains (losses) — — —
Investment gains — — —
Interest expenses not allocated to segments — — —
Corporate and other — — —
Revenues $ 395,261 $ 362,114 $ 365,318
Earnings (losses) before income taxes
2025 2024 2023
Total operating businesses $ 46,835 $ 49,296 $ 66,823
Investment partnership gains (losses) ( 67,001 ) ( 41,058 ) 19,440
Investment gains 528 335 2,211
Interest expenses not allocated to segments ( 8,221 ) ( 771 ) ( 681 )
Corporate and other ( 19,832 ) ( 15,956 ) ( 22,946 )
Earnings before income taxes $ ( 47,691 ) $ ( 8,154 ) $ 64,847
A disaggregation of our consolidated assets is presented in the table that follows.
Identifiable Assets
December 31,
2025 2024
Reportable segments:
Restaurant Operations:
Steak n Shake $ 417,147 $ 322,918
Western Sizzlin 23,927 20,534
Total Restaurant Operations 441,074 343,452
Insurance Operations:
First Guard 55,584 52,726
Southern Pioneer 77,739 67,808
Biglari Reinsurance 11,079 9,042
Total Insurance Operations 144,402 129,576
Oil and Gas Operations:
Abraxas Petroleum 54,923 58,992
Southern Oil 43,213 49,259
Total Oil and Gas Operations 98,136 108,251
Maxim 18,442 17,098
Corporate and other 169,054 66,029
Investment partnerships 154,275 201,727
$ 1,025,383 $ 866,133
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Note 17. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information
A summary of supplemental cash flow information for each of the three years ending December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, is presented in the following table.
2025 2024 2023
Cash paid during the year for:
Interest on debt $ 6,225 $ 528 $ 710
Interest on obligations under leases 5,421 5,361 5,114
Income taxes 2,736 5,938 5,677
Non-cash investing and financing activities
Capital expenditures in accounts payable 3,001 2,857 2,077
Finance lease additions 1,230 383 694
Note 18. Subsequent Events
On January 16, 2026, we entered into an At the Market Offering Agreement with a third party (the “Sales Agent”) providing for the sale by the Company of up to $ 500,000 of our Class A Common Stock, no par value, and Class B Common Stock, no par value. Through February 24, 2026, the Company sold 4,312 shares of Class A Common Stock for $ 9,080 and 14,500 shares of Class B Common Stock for $ 5,993 . We intend to use the net proceeds from these offerings to support our business and investment activities and build a stronger capital position at the holding company for the acquisition of businesses, for augmenting the capital of insurance subsidiaries, or for other general corporate purposes.
Note 19. Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited)
The Company has determined it had significant oil and gas producing activities during the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, in accordance with ASC 932 “ Extractive Activities — Oil and Gas. ”
Estimated Quantities of Proved Oil and Natural Gas Reserves
The Company classifies recoverable hydrocarbons based on their status at the time of reporting. Within the commercial classification are proved reserves and two categories of unproved reserves: probable and possible. The potentially recoverable categories are also referred to as contingent resources. For reserve estimates to be classified as proved, they must meet all SEC and Company standards.
Proved oil and gas reserves are the estimated quantities that geoscience and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty to be economically producible from known reservoirs under existing economic conditions, operating methods, and government regulations. Net proved reserves exclude royalties and interests owned by others and reflect contractual arrangements and royalty obligations in effect at the time of the estimate. Proved reserves are classified as either developed or undeveloped. Proved developed reserves are the quantities expected to be recovered through existing wells with existing equipment and operating methods. Proved undeveloped reserves are the quantities expected to be recovered from new wells on undrilled acreage or from existing wells where a relatively major expenditure is required for recompletion. Due to the inherent uncertainties and the limited nature of reservoir data, estimates of reserves are subject to change as additional information becomes available.
We engaged Netherland, Sewell & Associates, Inc., to prepare our reserve estimates for all of our estimated proved reserves at December 31, 2025. All proved oil and natural gas reserves are located in the United States, primarily offshore in Louisiana state waters and in the Permian Basin.
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Note 19. Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) (continued)
The following table sets forth our estimate of the net proved oil and gas reserves for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Oil (MBbl) Gas (MMcf) Liquids (MBbl) MBOE
Total proved reserves at December 31, 2023 4,136 23,604 1,421 9,491
Revisions ( 113 ) ( 2,355 ) 10 ( 495 )
Production ( 480 ) ( 1,775 ) ( 128 ) ( 904 )
Total proved reserves at December 31, 2024 3,543 19,474 1,303 8,092
Revisions ( 330 ) ( 6,204 ) ( 428 ) ( 1,792 )
Extensions 463 1,942 193 981
Production ( 438 ) ( 1,288 ) ( 78 ) ( 731 )
Total proved reserves at December 31, 2025 3,238 13,924 990 6,550
Proved developed reserves
December 31, 2025 3,147 13,516 950 6,350
December 31, 2024 3,413 19,206 1,264 7,878
Proved undeveloped reserves
December 31, 2025 91 408 40 200
December 31, 2024 130 269 39 214
Revisions are affected by commodity prices as well as changes to previous proved reserve estimates based on the evaluation of production and operating performance data.
Bbl — One stock tank barrel, or 42 United States gallons liquid volume.
MBbl — Thousand barrels.
MMcf — Million cubic feet of natural gas.
MBOE — Thousand barrels of oil equivalent.
Natural gas is converted to an oil equivalent basis at six thousand cubic feet per one barrel of oil.
Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows Relating to Proved Oil and Natural Gas Reserves
The standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows presented in the following table was computed using the 12-month unweighted average of the first-day-of-the-month commodity prices, the costs in effect at December 31, 2025 and 2024, and a 10 percent discount factor. The Company cautions that actual future net cash flows may vary considerably from these estimates. Although the Company’s estimates of total proved reserves, development costs, and production rates were based on the best available information, the development and production of the crude oil and natural gas reserves may not occur in the periods assumed. Actual prices realized, costs incurred, and production quantities may vary significantly from those used. Therefore, the estimated future net cash flow computations should not be considered to represent the Company’s estimate of the expected revenues or the current value of proved reserves.
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Note 19. Supplemental Oil and Gas Disclosures (Unaudited) (continued)
The following table sets forth the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows attributable to proved crude oil and natural gas reserves as of December 31, 2025 and 2024.
December 31, 2025 December 31, 2024
Future cash inflows $ 225,243 $ 294,708
Future production costs ( 108,354 ) ( 148,105 )
Future development and abandonment costs ( 19,810 ) ( 19,419 )
Future income tax expense ( 10,672 ) ( 18,160 )
Future net cash flows 86,407 109,024
10 % annual discount for estimated timing of cash flows
( 28,025 ) ( 37,098 )
Standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows $ 58,382 $ 71,926
Changes in Standardized Measure of Discounted Future Net Cash Flows
Principle changes in the standardized measure of discounted future net cash flows attributable to the Company’s proved oil and natural gas reserves are as follows.
Standardized measure at December 31, 2023 $ 92,449
Net change in prices and production costs ( 11,150 )
Net change in future development costs ( 674 )
Sales of oil and natural gas, net of production expenses ( 20,290 )
Revisions of previous quantity estimates ( 7,529 )
Previously estimated development costs incurred 10,343
Net change in taxes 2,738
Accretion of discount 10,897
Changes in timing and other ( 4,858 )
Standardized measure at December 31, 2024 $ 71,926
Net change in prices and production costs 493
Net change in future development costs ( 180 )
Sales of oil and natural gas, net of production expenses ( 17,628 )
Extensions 17,523
Revisions of previous quantity estimates ( 23,844 )
Net change in taxes 5,771
Accretion of discount 8,571
Changes in timing and other ( 4,250 )
Standardized measure at December 31, 2025 $ 58,382
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Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
Not applicable.