Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
The following discussion of market risks contains forward-looking statements and should be read in conjunction with our interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes in Part I, Item 1 of this report and with the following items in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2021: the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes in Part IV, Item 15; the “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A; the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7; and the cautionary statements included throughout the report. Actual results may differ materially from the following discussion based on general conditions in the commodity and financial markets.
We purchase food and other commodities for use in our operations based on market prices established with our suppliers. Many of these commodities can be subject to market volatility driven by supply and demand factors outside of our control, including the relative availability of labor and distribution, weather, natural disasters, inventory levels, and political and economic conditions. Climate change may further exacerbate a number of these factors. During fiscal 2021, we began to experience certain supply shortages and transportation delays largely attributable to impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. These shortages have continued and have been exacerbated by the geopolitical unrest in fiscal 2022. The aggregate impact of these and other factors have contributed to significant cost inflation.
We negotiate short-term and long-term agreements for some of our principal commodity, supply and equipment requirements, such as certain dairy products and poultry, depending on market conditions and expected demand. We continue to evaluate the possibility of entering into similar arrangements for other commodities and periodically evaluate hedging vehicles, such as direct financial instruments, to assist us in managing risk and variability associated with such commodities. As of September 27, 2022, we had no hedging contracts in place. Commodities not subject to fixed price and volume agreements can be subject to unforeseen supply and cost fluctuations, which at times may be significant. Additionally, the cost of commodities subject to governmental regulation, such as dairy and corn, can be especially susceptible to price fluctuation. Commodities we purchase on the international market may be subject to even greater fluctuations in cost and availability, which could result from a variety of factors, including the value of the U.S. dollar relative to other currencies, international trade disputes, tariffs, varying global demand and the geopolitical environment. We may or may not have the ability to increase menu prices or vary menu items in response to food commodity price increases. For the third quarters of fiscal 2022 and 2021, a hypothetical increase of 1% in food costs would have negatively impacted cost of sales by $2.0 million and $1.7 million, respectively.
We are exposed to market risk from interest rate changes on our funded debt. This exposure relates to the component of the interest rate on our Revolving Facility that is indexed to market rates. Based on outstanding borrowings at both September 27, 2022 and December 28, 2021, a hypothetical 1% rise in interest rates would have increased interest expense by $1.3 million, on an annual basis. (See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 of this report for further discussion of our long-term debt.)
We are also subject to market risk related to our investments in variable life insurance contracts used to support our non-qualified executive deferred compensation plan to the extent these investments are not equivalent to the related liability. In addition, because changes in these investments are not taxable, gains and losses result in tax benefit and tax expense, respectively, and directly affect net (loss)/income through the income tax (benefit)/provision. Based on balances at September 27, 2022 and December 28, 2021, a hypothetical 10% decline in the market value of our deferred compensation asset and related liability would not have impacted income before income taxes. However, under such a scenario, net (loss)/income would have declined by $1.9 million and $2.3 million at September 27, 2022 and December 28, 2021, respectively.
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