El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. 10-Q

Item 1. Financial Statements. EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ April 1, ​ ​ ​ December 31, ​ ​ ​ ​ 2026 ​ ​ ​ 2025 ASSETS Current assets: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash and cash equivalents ​ $ 3,900 ​ $ 6,228 Accounts and other receivables, net ​ 13,724 ​ 11,210 Inventories ​ 1,693 ​ 1,810 Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ 6,561 ​ 6,369 Total current assets ​ 25,878 ​ 25,617 Property and equipment, net ​ 97,165 ​ 97,043 Property and equipment held under finance lease, net ​ 1,232 ​ 1,303 Operating lease right-of-use assets ​ 168,377 ​ 167,972 Goodwill ​ 248,674 ​ 248,674 Trademarks ​ 61,888 ​ 61,888 Deferred tax assets ​ 227 ​ 187 Other assets ​ 5,680 ​ 3,964 Total assets ​ $ 609,121 ​ $ 606,648 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ Current portion of obligations under finance leases ​ $ 117 ​ $ 142 Current portion of obligations under operating leases ​ 16,379 ​ 17,616 Accounts payable ​ 9,598 ​ 15,668 Other accrued expenses and current liabilities ​ 49,508 ​ 45,653 Total current liabilities ​ 75,602 ​ 79,079 Revolver loan ​ 44,000 ​ 51,000 Obligations under finance leases, net of current portion ​ 1,378 ​ 1,436 Obligations under operating leases, net of current portion ​ 171,099 ​ 170,812 Deferred tax liabilities, net ​ 8,910 ​ 7,611 Other noncurrent liabilities ​ 5,634 ​ 5,633 Total liabilities ​ 306,623 ​ 315,571 Commitments and contingencies (Note 8) ​ ​ ​ ​ Stockholders' equity: ​ ​ ​ ​ Preferred stock, $ 0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 100,000 shares designated as Series A Preferred Stock; none issued or outstanding ​ — ​ — Common stock, $ 0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized; 30,455,298 and 29,957,385 shares issued and outstanding as of April 1, 2026 and December 31, 2025, respectively ​ 304 ​ 299 Additional paid-in-capital ​ 250,483 ​ 247,224 Retained earnings ​ 51,711 ​ 43,554 Total stockholders' equity ​ 302,498 ​ 291,077 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ​ $ 609,121 ​ $ 606,648 ​ See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited). ​ 3 Table of Contents EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED) (Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ March 26, 2025 Revenue ​ ​ ​ ​ Company-operated restaurant revenue ​ $ 105,915 ​ $ 98,365 Franchise revenue ​ 12,028 ​ 13,183 Franchise advertising fee revenue ​ 8,239 ​ 7,629 Total revenue ​ 126,182 ​ 119,177 Cost of operations ​ ​ ​ ​ Food and paper cost ​ 26,389 ​ 24,739 Labor and related expenses ​ 31,839 ​ 32,179 Occupancy and other operating expenses ​ 27,330 ​ 25,673 Company restaurant expenses ​ 85,558 ​ 82,591 General and administrative expenses ​ 12,794 ​ 11,263 Franchise expenses ​ 11,189 ​ 12,442 Depreciation and amortization ​ 4,314 ​ 3,887 Loss on disposal of assets ​ 96 ​ 11 Impairment and closed-store reserves ​ 14 ​ 11 Total expenses ​ 113,965 ​ 110,205 Income from operations ​ 12,217 ​ 8,972 Interest expense, net ​ 731 ​ 1,176 Income before provision for income taxes ​ 11,486 ​ 7,796 Provision for income taxes ​ 3,329 ​ 2,315 Net income ​ $ 8,157 ​ $ 5,481 Net income per share ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic ​ $ 0.28 ​ $ 0.19 Diluted ​ $ 0.27 ​ $ 0.19 Weighted-average shares used in computing net income per share ​ ​ ​ ​ Basic ​ 29,407,496 ​ 29,085,836 Diluted ​ 29,691,297 ​ 29,337,906 ​ See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited). ​ 4 Table of Contents EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED) (Amounts in thousands, except share data) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended April 1, 2026 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Accumulated ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Additional ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Other ​ ​ ​ Total ​ ​ Common Stock ​ Paid-in ​ Retained ​ Comprehensive ​ Stockholders’ ​ ​ ​ ​ Shares ​ ​ ​ Amount ​ ​ ​ Capital ​ ​ ​ Earnings ​ ​ ​ (Loss) Income ​ ​ ​ Equity Balance, December 31, 2025 ​ 29,957,385 ​ $ 299 ​ $ 247,224 ​ $ 43,554 ​ $ — ​ $ 291,077 Stock-based compensation expense ​ — ​ — ​ 1,288 ​ — ​ — ​ 1,288 Issuance of common stock related to restricted shares ​ 320,644 ​ ​ 3 ​ ​ ( 3 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, net ​ 201,106 ​ ​ 2 ​ ​ 2,184 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 2,186 Shares repurchased for employee tax withholdings ​ ( 19,524 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 210 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 210 ) Forfeiture of common stock related to restricted shares ​ ( 4,313 ) ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ ​ — Net income ​ — ​ — ​ — ​ 8,157 ​ — ​ 8,157 Balance, April 1, 2026 ​ 30,455,298 ​ $ 304 ​ $ 250,483 ​ $ 51,711 ​ $ — ​ $ 302,498 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended March 26, 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Accumulated ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Additional ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Other ​ ​ ​ Total ​ ​ Common Stock ​ Paid-in ​ Retained ​ Comprehensive ​ Stockholders’ ​ ​ ​ ​ Shares ​ ​ ​ Amount ​ ​ ​ Capital ​ ​ ​ Earnings ​ ​ ​ (Loss) Income ​ ​ ​ Equity Balance, December 25, 2024 ​ 29,839,721 ​ $ 298 ​ $ 241,462 ​ $ 18,909 ​ $ — ​ $ 260,669 Stock-based compensation expense ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,047 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 1,047 Issuance of common stock related to restricted shares ​ 369,879 ​ ​ 4 ​ ​ ( 4 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, net ​ 42,736 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 426 ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 426 Shares repurchased for employee tax withholdings ​ ( 9,609 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 101 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 101 ) Repurchase of common stock ​ ( 159,750 ) ​ ​ ( 2 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 1,805 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 1,807 ) Repurchase of common stock - excise tax ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 14 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ ( 14 ) Forfeiture of common stock related to restricted shares ​ ( 23,492 ) ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — Net income ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ — ​ ​ 5,481 ​ ​ — ​ ​ 5,481 Balance, March 26, 2025 ​ 30,059,485 ​ $ 300 ​ $ 242,830 ​ $ 22,571 ​ $ — ​ $ 265,701 ​ See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited). ​ 5 Table of Contents EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) (Amounts in thousands) ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended ​ ​ ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ March 26, 2025 Cash flows from operating activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net income ​ $ 8,157 ​ $ 5,481 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ Depreciation and amortization ​ 4,314 ​ 3,887 Stock-based compensation expense ​ 1,288 ​ 1,047 Loss on disposal of assets ​ 96 ​ 11 Amortization of deferred financing costs ​ 48 ​ 48 Deferred income taxes, net ​ 1,259 ​ ( 1,413 ) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ Accounts and other receivables ​ ( 2,401 ) ​ ( 3,055 ) Inventories ​ 117 ​ 88 Prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ ( 192 ) ​ 365 Income taxes receivable/payable ​ 2,030 ​ 4,240 Operating lease assets ​ ​ 4,941 ​ ​ 4,825 Other assets ​ ( 16 ) ​ ( 55 ) Accounts payable ​ ( 6,422 ) ​ 173 Operating lease liabilities ​ ​ ( 6,297 ) ​ ​ ( 4,850 ) Other accrued expenses and current liabilities ​ 6,086 ​ ( 6,057 ) Net cash flows provided by operating activities ​ 13,008 ​ 4,735 Cash flows from investing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Purchase of property and equipment ​ ( 10,248 ) ​ ( 3,389 ) Net cash flows used in investing activities ​ ( 10,248 ) ​ ( 3,389 ) Cash flows from financing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ Proceeds from borrowings on revolver and swingline loans ​ — ​ 6,000 Payments on revolver and swingline loan ​ ( 7,000 ) ​ ( 4,000 ) Minimum tax withholdings related to net share settlements ​ ( 210 ) ​ ( 101 ) Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, net of expenses ​ ​ 2,186 ​ ​ 426 Payment of obligations under finance leases ​ ( 64 ) ​ ( 57 ) Repurchases of common stock ​ — ​ ( 1,775 ) Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities ​ ( 5,088 ) ​ 493 Increase in cash and cash equivalents ​ ( 2,328 ) ​ 1,839 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period ​ 6,228 ​ 2,484 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period ​ $ 3,900 ​ $ 4,323 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ March 26, 2025 Supplemental cash flow information ​ ​ ​ ​ Cash paid during the period for interest ​ $ 726 ​ $ 1,068 Cash paid during the period for income taxes ​ $ — ​ $ — Unpaid purchases of property and equipment ​ $ 5,247 ​ $ 2,709 Unpaid repurchases of common stock and excise tax ​ $ — ​ $ 220 ​ See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited). ​ 6 Table of Contents EL POLLO LOCO HOLDINGS, INC. NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Overview El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (“Holdings” or the Company) is a Delaware corporation headquartered in Costa Mesa, California. Holdings and its direct and indirect subsidiaries are collectively referred to herein as the “Company.” The Company’s activities are conducted principally through its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, El Pollo Loco, Inc. (“EPL”), which develops, franchises, licenses, and operates quick-service restaurants under the name El Pollo Loco®. The Company’s restaurants, which are located principally in California but also in Arizona, Colorado, Louisiana, Nevada, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Washington, specialize in fire-grilling citrus-marinated chicken in a wide variety of contemporary Mexican and LA-inspired entrees, including specialty chicken burritos, chicken quesadillas, chicken tostada salads, chicken tortilla soup, variations on the Company’s Pollo Bowl®, Pollo Salads, and Pollo Fit entrees. As of April 1, 2026, the Company operated 176 and franchised 329 El Pollo Loco restaurants in the United States. In addition, as of April 1, 2026, the Company licensed eight restaurants in the Philippines. Holdings has no material assets or operations. Holdings and Holdings’ direct subsidiary, EPL Intermediate, Inc. (“Intermediate”), guarantee EPL’s 2022 Revolver (See Note 5, Long-Term Debt, below) on a full and unconditional basis and Intermediate has no subsidiaries other than EPL. EPL is a separate and distinct legal entity, and has no obligation to make funds available to Intermediate. EPL and Intermediate may pay dividends to Intermediate and to Holdings, respectively. The Company operates as one operating segment. All significant revenues relate to retail sales of food and beverages through either company-operated or franchised-operated restaurants. Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial statements and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. Interim results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full year. The condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes do not include all information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for annual reports. This quarterly report should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025. The Company uses a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Wednesday of each calendar year. In a 52-week fiscal year, each quarter includes 13 weeks of operations. In a 53-week fiscal year, the first, second and third quarters each include 13 weeks of operations, and the fourth quarter includes 14 weeks of operations. Approximately every five or six years, a 53-week fiscal year occurs. Fiscal 2026 is a 52-week year ending on December 30, 2026. Fiscal 2025 was a 53-week year that ended on December 31, 2025. 53-week years may cause revenues, expenses, and other results of operations to be higher due to the additional week of operations. Principles of Consolidation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Holdings and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 7 Table of Contents Use of Estimates The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and revenue and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. The Company’s significant estimates include estimates for impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and property and equipment, insurance reserves, lease accounting matters, contingent liabilities, and income tax valuation allowances. Liquidity The Company’s principal liquidity and capital requirements are new restaurants, existing restaurant capital investments (remodels and maintenance), interest payments on its debt, lease obligations and working capital and general corporate needs. As of April 1, 2026, the Company’s total outstanding balance on its Revolver was $ 44.0 million. The Company’s ability to make payments on its indebtedness and to fund planned capital expenditures depends on available cash and its ability to generate adequate cash flows in the future, which, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, and other factors that are beyond the Company’s control. Based on current operations, the Company believes that its cash flow from operations, available cash of $ 3.9 million at April 1, 2026, and the outstanding borrowing availability under the 2022 Revolver will be adequate to meet the Company’s liquidity needs for the next twelve months from the date of filing of these condensed consolidated financial statements. Subsequent Events Subsequent to the quarter-end, the Company borrowed $ 5.0 million and paid down $ 3.0 million on its 2022 Revolver, resulting in outstanding borrowings of $ 46.0 million as of May 7, 2026 . Concentration of Risk Cash and cash equivalents are maintained at financial institutions and, at times, these balances may exceed federally-insured limits. The Company has never experienced any losses related to these balances. The Company had no suppliers for which amounts due totaled more than 10% of the Company’s accounts payable as of April 1, 2026. The Company had one supplier to whom amounts due totaled 10.9 % of the Company’s accounts payable as of December 31, 2025. Purchases from the Company’s largest supplier totaled 29.7 % of total expenses for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026, and 15.1 % of total expenses for the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2025. Company-operated and franchise-operated restaurants in the greater Los Angeles area generated, in the aggregate, approximately 71.9 % of total revenue for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026, and 71.6 % of total revenue for the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2025. Non-financial instruments The Company’s non-financial instruments, which primarily consist of property and equipment, operating lease right-of-use assets, goodwill and intangible assets, are reported at carrying value and are not required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. However, on an annual basis, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable, non-financial instruments are assessed for impairment. If applicable, the carrying values are written down to fair value. The Company determined that there were no indicators of potential impairment for its non-financial assets during the thirteen weeks ended April 2, 2026 or during the thirteen weeks ended March 13, 2025. 8 Table of Contents Income Taxes For the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $ 3.3 million, reflecting an estimated effective tax rate of 29.0 %. For the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2025, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $ 2.3 million, reflecting an estimated effective tax rate of approximately 29.7 %. The difference between the 21.0 % statutory rate and the effective tax rate of 29.0 % for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 is primarily a result of state tax rates based on apportioned income and the impact of non-tax deductible executive compensation, partially offset by the impact of higher stock compensation expense deductible for tax related to vesting of restricted stock awards as compared to the cumulative amount recorded as stock-based compensation expense, and federal targeted job credits. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies There have been no changes to our significant accounting policies described in the 2025 Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 13, 2026 that have had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related notes. Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In December 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures (“ASU 2023-09”). This ASU amends income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information, as well as certain other amendments to improve the effectiveness of income tax disclosures. These changes help investors better: (1) understand on an entity’s exposure to potential changes in jurisdictional tax legislation and the ensuing risks and opportunities, (2) assess income tax information that affects cash flow forecasts and capital allocation decisions, and (3) identify potential opportunities to increase future cash flows. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2023-09 during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements In November 2024, the FASB issued ASU No. 2024-03, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income—Expense Disaggregation Disclosures (Subtopic 220-40): Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses . This ASU requires new disclosures, in the notes to the financial statements, related to the disaggregation of certain expenses within the income statement. Additionally, a qualitative description is required of the amounts remaining in relevant expense captions that are not separately disaggregated quantitatively. Annually, an entity is also required to define and quantify its selling expenses. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this guidance on its condensed consolidated financial statements. In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU No. 2025-11, Interim Reporting (Topic 270): Narrow-Scope Improvements . This ASU improves the guidance in Topic 270 by improving the navigability of the required interim disclosures from other topics and clarifying when existing guidance is applicable. The purpose of this ASU is not to expand or change previous interim reporting guidance; however, an added principle requires entities to disclose events since the end of the last annual reporting period that have material impact on the entity. The amendments are effective for interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. The Company reviewed all other recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they were either not applicable or not expected to have a significant impact to the condensed consolidated financial statements. ​ ​ 9 Table of Contents 2. PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2025 Prepaid insurance ​ $ 1,935 ​ $ 2,634 Prepaid service fees ​ 3,767 ​ 2,953 Other current assets ​ ​ 859 ​ ​ 782 Total prepaid expenses and other current assets ​ $ 6,561 ​ $ 6,369 ​ ​ 3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT The costs and related accumulated depreciation and amortization of major classes of property and equipment are as follows (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2025 Land ​ $ 12,323 ​ $ 12,323 Buildings and improvements ​ 166,545 ​ 153,049 Other property and equipment ​ 85,069 ​ 77,802 Construction in progress ​ 5,066 ​ 22,799 ​ ​ 269,003 ​ 265,973 Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization ​ ( 171,838 ) ​ ( 168,930 ) Total property and equipment, net ​ $ 97,165 ​ $ 97,043 ​ Depreciation and amortization expense was $ 4.3 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 and $ 3.9 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2025. Based on the Company’s review of its property and equipment assets for impairment, the Company did no t record any non-cash impairment charges for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 and March 26, 2025. 4. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Pursuant to the Company’s 2018 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (as amended, the “Incentive Plan”), the Company grants stock options, restricted stock units, performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) and restricted stock to the Company’s employees, officers, directors, and other eligible participants. As of April 1, 2026, 2,061,677 shares of common stock remained available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. Total stock-based compensation expense was $ 1.3 million and $ 1.0 million for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 and March 26, 2025, respectively. Stock Options As of April 1, 2026, options to purchase 1,411,481 shares of common stock were outstanding, including 374,653 vested and 1,036,828 unvested options. Unvested options vest over time; however, pursuant to the Incentive Plan, upon a change in control, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) may accelerate vesting. A summary of stock option activity at April 1, 2026 and changes during the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 is as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted-Average Aggregate ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted-Average Contractual Life Intrinsic Value ​ ​ Shares ​ Exercise Price Life (Years) (in thousands) Outstanding – December 31, 2025 1,233,984 ​ $ 10.46 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Grants 378,603 ​ 13.32 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Exercised ( 201,106 ) ​ ​ 10.87 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Forfeited, cancelled or expired — ​ ​ — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Outstanding – April 1, 2026 1,411,481 ​ $ 11.17 ​ ​ 8.64 ​ $ 3,873 Vested and expected to vest at April 1, 2026 1,395,891 ​ $ 11.16 ​ ​ 8.63 ​ $ 3,841 Exercisable at April 1, 2026 374,653 ​ $ 10.50 ​ ​ 7.60 ​ $ 1,335 ​ 10 Table of Contents The fair value of each stock option was estimated on the grant date using an exercise price of the closing stock price on the day prior to date of grant and the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ ​ ​ March 26, 2025 Expected volatility ​ 41.4 % 42.8 % Risk-free interest rate 3.9 % 4.1 % Expected term (years) 6.00 6.00 ​ Expected dividends — — ​ ​ At April 1, 2026, the Company had total unrecognized compensation expense of $ 5.0 million related to unvested stock options, which it expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.45 years. ​ Restricted Shares ​ A summary of restricted share activity as of April 1, 2026 and changes during the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 is as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted-Average ​ ​ Shares ​ Fair Value Unvested shares at December 31, 2025 617,037 ​ $ 10.22 Granted 320,644 ​ $ 13.32 Released ( 154,973 ) ​ $ 10.31 Forfeited and cancelled ( 4,313 ) ​ $ 10.43 Unvested shares at April 1, 2026 778,395 ​ $ 11.48 ​ At April 1, 2026, the Company had unrecognized compensation expense of $ 7.8 million related to unvested restricted shares, which it expects to recognize over a weighted-average period of 2.29 years. Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units A summary of performance share activity as of April 1, 2026 and changes during the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 is as follows: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted-Average ​ ​ Shares ​ Fair Value Unvested shares at December 31, 2025 137,805 ​ $ 10.34 Granted ​ 132,007 ​ $ 13.32 Released ​ — ​ $ — Forfeited and cancelled ​ — ​ $ — Unvested shares at April 1, 2026 ​ 269,812 ​ $ 11.80 ​ ​ 5. LONG-TERM DEBT On July 27, 2022, the Company entered into a credit agreement (the “2022 Credit Agreement”) among EPL, as borrower, the Company and Intermediate, as guarantors, Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, swingline lender, and letter of credit issuer, the lenders party thereto, and the other parties thereto, to refinance its $ 150.0 million five-year senior secured revolving credit facility (the “2022 Revolver”). The 2022 Revolver includes a sub limit of $ 15.0 million for letters of credit and a sub limit of $ 15.0 million for swingline loans. The obligations under the 2022 Credit Agreement and related loan documents are guaranteed by Holdings and Intermediate. The obligations of Holdings, EPL and Intermediate under the 2022 Credit Agreement and related loan documents are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of their respective assets subject to certain customary exceptions. Under the 2022 Revolver, Holdings is restricted from making certain payments such as cash dividends or share repurchases, except that it may, inter alia, (i) pay up to $ 1.0 million per year to repurchase or redeem qualified equity interests of Holdings held by past or present officers, directors, or employees (or their estates) of the Company upon 11 Table of Contents death, disability, or termination of employment, and (ii) so long as no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, (a) make non-cash repurchases of equity interests in connection with the exercise of stock options by directors, officers and management, provided that those equity interests represent a portion of the consideration of the exercise price of those stock options, (b) pay up to $ 0.5 million in any 12-month consecutive period to redeem, repurchase or otherwise acquire equity interests of any subsidiary that is not a wholly-owned subsidiary from any holder of equity interest in such subsidiary, (c) pay up to $ 2.5 million per year pursuant to stock option plans, employment agreements, or incentive plans, (d) make up to $ 5.0 million in other restricted payments per year, and (e) make other restricted payments, subject to its compliance, on a pro forma basis, with (x) a lease-adjusted consolidated leverage ratio not to exceed 4.25 times and (y) the financial covenants applicable to the 2022 Revolver. Borrowings under the 2022 Credit Agreement (other than any swingline loans) bear interest, at the borrower’s option, at rates based upon either the secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”) or a base rate, plus, for each rate, a margin determined in accordance with a lease-adjusted consolidated leverage ratio-based pricing grid. The base rate is calculated as the highest of (a) the federal funds rate plus 0.50 %, (b) the published Bank of America prime rate, or (c) Term SOFR with a term of one-month SOFR plus 1.00 %. For Term SOFR loans, the margin is in the range of 1.25 % to 2.25 %, and for base rate loans the margin is in a range of 0.25 % to 1.25 %. Borrowings under the 2022 Revolver may be repaid and reborrowed. The interest rate range under the 2022 Revolver was 5.01 % to 7.00 % for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 , and 5.65 % to 7.75 % for the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2025 . The 2022 Credit Agreement contains certain customary financial covenants, subject to certain exceptions. The Company was in compliance with the financial covenants as of April 1, 2026. At April 1, 2026, the Company had $ 44.0 million in outstanding borrowing under the 2022 Revolver and one letter of credit in the amount of $ 10.3 million outstanding, and as a result, the Company had $ 95.7 million in borrowing availability. Maturities During the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026, the Company had no borrowings, and paid down $ 7.0 million, on the 2022 Revolver. During the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2025, the Company borrowed $ 6.0 million and paid down $ 4.0 million, respectively, on the 2022 Revolver. 6. OTHER ACCRUED EXPENSES AND CURRENT LIABILITIES Other accrued expenses and current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2025 Accrued insurance ​ $ 11,946 ​ $ 11,987 Accrued salaries and vacation ​ ​ 11,126 ​ ​ 11,070 Accrued sales and property taxes ​ ​ 6,341 ​ ​ 6,408 Gift card liability ​ ​ 5,160 ​ ​ 5,559 Accrued advertising ​ ​ 4,349 ​ ​ 2,438 Accrued income taxes payable ​ 3,597 ​ 1,567 Loyalty rewards program liability ​ ​ 1,181 ​ ​ 1,106 Deferred franchise and development fees ​ ​ 546 ​ ​ 546 Accrued legal settlements and professional fees ​ 451 ​ 902 Accrued interest ​ 32 ​ 44 Other ​ 4,779 ​ 4,026 Total other accrued expenses and current liabilities ​ $ 49,508 ​ $ 45,653 ​ ​ 12 Table of Contents 7. OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES Other noncurrent liabilities consist of the following (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2025 Deferred franchise and development fees ​ $ 5,608 ​ $ 5,607 Other ​ 26 ​ 26 Total other noncurrent liabilities ​ $ 5,634 ​ $ 5,633 ​ ​ 8. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES Legal Matters From time to time, the Company is involved in various claims such as wage and hour and other legal actions that arise in the ordinary course of business. The outcomes of these actions are not predictable but the Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these actions will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, liquidity, or capital resources. A significant increase in the number of claims, or an increase in amounts owing under successful claims, could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, consolidated financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows. Purchase Commitments The Company has long-term beverage supply agreements with certain major beverage vendors. Pursuant to the terms of these arrangements, volume and marketing rebates are provided to the Company and its franchisees from the beverage vendors based upon the dollar volume of purchases for system-wide restaurants which will vary according to their demand for beverage syrup and fluctuations in the market rates for beverage syrup. These contracts have terms extending through the end of 2032. As of April 1, 2026, the Company’s total estimated commitment to purchase chicken was $ 16.6 million. Contingent Lease Obligations As a result of assigning the Company’s interest in obligations under real estate leases in connection with the sale of company-operated restaurants to some of the Company’s franchisees, the Company is contingently liable on these lease agreements. These leases have various terms, the latest of which expires in 2038 . As of April 1, 2026, the potential amount of undiscounted payments the Company could be required to make in the event of non-payment by the primary lessees was $ 10.4 million. The present value of these potential payments discounted at the Company’s estimated pre-tax cost of debt at April 1, 2026 was $ 8.1 million. The Company’s franchisees are primarily liable on the leases. The Company has cross-default and indemnification provisions with these franchisees that would put them in default of their franchise agreements and require payment to the Company in the event of non-payment under the leases. The Company believes that these cross-default and indemnification provisions reduce the risk that payments will be required to be made by the Company under these leases. Employment Agreements As of April 1, 2026, the Company had employment agreements with three of the officers of the Company. These agreements provide for minimum salary levels, possible annual adjustments for cost-of-living changes, and incentive bonuses that are payable under certain business conditions. Indemnification Agreements The Company has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its current directors and officers. These agreements require the Company to indemnify these individuals to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law against liabilities that may arise by reason of their service to the Company and to advance expenses incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. The Company also intends to enter into indemnification agreements with future directors and officers. 13 Table of Contents 9. EARNINGS PER SHARE Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is calculated using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 and March 26, 2025. Diluted EPS is calculated using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding and potentially dilutive during the period, using the treasury stock method. Below are basic and diluted EPS data for the periods indicated (in thousands except for share and per share data): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ ​ ​ March 26, 2025 Numerator: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Net income ​ $ 8,157 ​ $ 5,481 Denominator: ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic ​ 29,407,496 ​ 29,085,836 Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted ​ 29,691,297 ​ 29,337,906 Net income per share—basic ​ $ 0.28 ​ $ 0.19 Net income per share—diluted ​ $ 0.27 ​ $ 0.19 Anti-dilutive securities not considered in diluted EPS calculation ​ 1,084,767 ​ 806,534 ​ Below is a reconciliation of basic and diluted share counts: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ March 26, 2025 Weighted-average shares outstanding—basic 29,407,496 29,085,836 Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares 283,801 252,070 Weighted-average shares outstanding—diluted 29,691,297 29,337,906 ​ ​ 10. REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS The Company has two revenue streams, company-operated restaurant revenue and franchise-related revenue. Company-operated restaurant revenue Revenue from company-operated restaurants are recognized as food and beverage products are delivered to customers and payment is tendered at the time of sale. The Company presents revenue, net of sales-related taxes and promotional allowances. The following table presents the Company-operated restaurant revenue disaggregated by geographic market: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ ​ ​ March 26, 2025 Greater Los Angeles area market ​ 71.9 % ​ 71.6 % Other markets ​ 28.1 % ​ 28.4 % Total ​ 100.0 % ​ 100.0 % ​ 14 Table of Contents The Company offers a loyalty rewards program, which awards a customer points for dollars spent. Customers earn points for each dollar spent and points can be redeemed for multiple redemption options. Points earned prior to January 26, 2026 expire 365 days after a customer completes an eligible transaction to earn them and points earned after January 26, 2026 expire 6 months after a customer completes an eligible transaction to earn them. When a customer is part of the rewards program, the obligation to provide future discounts related to points earned is considered a separate performance obligation, to which a portion of the transaction price is allocated and recorded as deferred revenue on the balance sheet. The performance obligation related to loyalty points is deemed to have been satisfied, and the amount deferred in the balance sheet is recognized as revenue, when the points are transferred to a reward and redeemed, the reward or points have expired, or the likelihood of redemption is remote. A portion of the transaction price is then allocated to loyalty points, if necessary, on a pro-rata basis, based on stand-alone selling price, as determined by menu pricing and loyalty points terms. As of April 1, 2026 and December 31, 2025, the revenue allocated to loyalty points that have not been redeemed was $ 1.2 million and $ 1.1 million, respectively, which is reflected in the Company’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets within other accrued expenses and current liabilities. Changes in the loyalty rewards program liability included in deferred revenue within other accrued expenses and current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets were as follows (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2025 Loyalty rewards liability, beginning balance ​ $ 1,106 ​ $ 844 Revenue deferred ​ 763 ​ 2,667 Revenue recognized ​ ( 688 ) ​ ( 2,405 ) Loyalty rewards liability, ending balance ​ $ 1,181 ​ $ 1,106 ​ The Company expects all loyalty points revenue related to performance obligations that were unsatisfied as of April 1, 2026 to be recognized over a period exceeding six months but less than one year. The Company sells gift cards to its customers in the restaurants and through selected third parties. The gift cards sold to customers have no stated expiration dates and are subject to actual and/or potential escheatment rights in several of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates. Furthermore, due to these escheatment rights, the Company does not recognize breakage related to the sale of gift cards due to the immateriality of the amount remaining after escheatment. The Company recognizes income from gift cards when redeemed by the customer. Unredeemed gift card balances are deferred and recorded within other accrued expenses and current liabilitites on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The gift card liability included in other accrued expenses and current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets was as follows (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ December 31, 2025 Gift card liability ​ $ 5,160 ​ $ 5,559 ​ Revenue recognized from the redemption of gift cards that was included in other accrued expenses and current liabilities at the beginning of the year was as follows (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended ​ ​ ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ March 26, 2025 Revenue recognized from gift card liability balance at the beginning of the year ​ $ 295 ​ $ 375 ​ Franchise revenue and franchise advertising fee revenue Franchise revenue consists of franchise royalties, initial franchise fees, license fees due from franchisees, IT support services, and rental income for subleases to franchisees. Franchise advertising fee revenue consists of advertising contributions received from franchisees. These revenue streams are made up of the following performance obligations: ● Franchise license - inclusive of advertising services, development agreements, training, access to restaurant development plans and help desk services; 15 Table of Contents ● Discounted renewal option; and ● Hardware services. The Company satisfies the performance obligation related to the franchise license over the term of the franchise agreement, which is typically 20 years . Payment for the franchise license consists of three components, a fixed-fee related to the franchise/development agreement, a revenue-based royalty fee and a revenue-based advertising fee. The fixed fee, as determined by the signed development and/or franchise agreement, is due at the time the development agreement is entered into, and/or when the franchise agreement is signed, and does not include a finance component. The revenue-based royalty fee and revenue-based advertising fee are considered variable consideration and are recognized as franchise revenue as such revenue are earned by the franchisees. Both revenue-based fees qualify under the royalty constraint exception, and do not require an estimate of future transaction price. Additionally, the Company is utilizing the practical expedient available under ASC Topic 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“Topic 606”) regarding disclosure of the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are unsatisfied for revenue-based royalties. In certain franchise agreements, the Company offers a discounted renewal to incentivize future renewals after the end of the initial franchise term. As this is considered a separate performance obligation, the Company allocated a portion of the initial franchise fee to this discounted renewal, on a pro-rata basis, assuming a 20-year renewal. This performance obligation is satisfied over the renewal term, which is typically 10 or 20 years , while payment is fixed and due at the time the renewal is signed. The Company purchases hardware, such as scanners, printers, point-of-sale systems, kiosks, and tablets, from third party vendors, which it then sells to franchisees. As the Company is considered the principal in this relationship, payment received for the hardware is considered revenue, and is received upon transfer of the goods from the Company to the franchisee. As of April 1, 2026, there were no performance obligations related to hardware services that were unsatisfied or partially satisfied. ​ Contract balances The Company’s franchise contract liability includes development fees, initial franchise and license fees, franchise renewal fees, lease subsidies and royalty discounts and is included within other accrued expenses and current liabilities and other noncurrent liabilities within the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company receives area development fees from franchisees when they execute multi-unit area development agreements. Initial franchise and license fees, or franchise renewal fees, are received from franchisees upon the execution of, or renewal of, a franchise agreement. Revenue is recognized from these agreements as the underlying performance obligation is satisfied, which is over the term of the agreement. The following table provides information about the change in the franchise contract liability balances during the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 and March 26, 2025 (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ December 31, 2025 ​ $ 6,153 Revenue recognized ​ ( 239 ) Additional contract liability ​ 240 April 1, 2026 ​ $ 6,154 ​ ​ ​ ​ December 25, 2024 ​ $ 6,730 Revenue recognized ​ ( 154 ) Additional contract liability ​ 66 March 26, 2025 ​ $ 6,642 ​ 16 Table of Contents ​ The following table illustrates the estimated revenue to be recognized in future periods related to performance obligations under the applicable contracts that are unsatisfied as of April 1, 2026 (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Franchise revenues: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2026 ​ $ 414 2027 ​ 542 2028 ​ 525 2029 ​ 497 2030 ​ 472 Thereafter ​ 3,704 Total ​ $ 6,154 ​ Contract Costs The Company does not currently incur costs to obtain or fulfill a contract that would be considered contract assets under Topic 606. 11. LEASES Nature of Leases The Company’s operations utilize property, facilities, equipment and vehicles leased from others. Additionally, the Company has various contracts with vendors that have been determined to contain an embedded lease in accordance with Topic 842. Significant Assumptions and Judgments In applying the requirements of Topic 842, the Company made significant assumptions and judgments related to determination of whether a contract contains a lease and the discount rate used for the lease. In determining if any of the Company’s contracts contain a lease, the Company made assumptions and judgments related to its ability to direct the use of any assets stated in the contract and the likelihood of renewing any short-term contracts for a period extending past twelve months. The Company also made significant assumptions and judgments in determining an appropriate discount rate for property leases. These included using a consistent discount rate for a portfolio of leases entered into at varying dates, using the full 20-year term of the lease, excluding any options, and using the total minimum lease payments. The Company utilizes a third-party valuation firm in determining the discount rate, based on the above assumptions. For all other leases, the Company uses the discount rate implicit in the lease, or the Company’s incremental borrowing rate. As the Company has adopted the practical expedient not to separate lease and non-lease components, no significant assumptions or judgments were necessary in allocating consideration between these components, for all classes of underlying assets. Building and Facility Leases The majority of the Company’s building and facilities leases are classified as operating leases; however, the Company currently has one facility and 21 equipment leases that are classified as finance leases. Restaurants are operated under lease arrangements that generally provide for a fixed base rent and, in some instances, contingent rent based on a percentage of restaurant revenue in excess of a defined amount. Additionally, a number of the Company’s leases have payments that increase at pre-determined dates based on the change in the consumer price index. For all leases, the Company also reimburses the landlord for non-lease components, or items that are not considered components of a contract, such as common area maintenance, property tax and insurance costs. While the Company determined not to separate lease and non-lease components, these payments are based on actual costs, making them variable consideration and therefore excludes them from the calculations of the ROU asset and lease liability. 17 Table of Contents The initial terms of land and restaurant building leases are generally 20 years , exclusive of options to renew. These leases typically have four 5-year renewal options , which have generally been excluded in the calculation of the ROU asset and lease liability, as they are not considered reasonably certain to be exercised, unless there have been significant leasehold improvements that have a useful life that extend past the original lease term. Furthermore, there are no residual value guarantees and no restrictions imposed by the lease. During the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 and March 26, 2025, the Company reassessed the lease terms on six restaurants and two restaurants, respectively, due to certain triggering events, such as the addition of significant leasehold improvements with useful lives that extend past the current lease expiration, the decision to terminate a lease, or the decision to renew or exercise an option. As a result of the reassessment, an additional $ 4.6 million and $ 1.4 million, respectively, of ROU asset and lease liabilities were recognized for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 and March 26, 2025, respectively. During the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026, the Company had one lease commencement resulting in $ 0.8 million of ROU asset and lease liabilities recognized. For the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2025, the Company had no lease commencements. The Company also subleases facilities to certain franchisees and other non-related parties which are also considered operating leases. Sublease income also includes contingent rental income based on net revenues. The vast majority of these leases have rights to extend terms via fixed rental increases. However, none of these leases have early termination rights, the right to purchase the premises or any residual value guarantees. The Company does not have any related party leases. The Company did no t record any non-cash impairment charges during either the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 or March 26, 2025. Equipment Leases of equipment primarily consist of restaurant equipment and vehicles. These leases are fixed payments with no variable component. Additionally, no optional renewal periods have been included in the calculation of the ROU asset, and there are no residual value guarantees and no restrictions imposed. Lease Cost and Lease Activities The following table presents the Company’s total lease cost, disaggregated by underlying asset (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended ​ ​ ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ March 26, 2025 ​ ​ ​ ​ Property ​ ​ ​ Equipment ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Property ​ Equipment ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Leases ​ Leases ​ Total ​ Leases ​ Leases ​ Total Finance lease cost: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Amortization of right-of-use assets ​ $ 17 ​ $ 21 ​ $ 38 ​ $ 19 ​ $ 30 ​ $ 49 Interest on lease liabilities ​ ​ 9 ​ ​ 3 ​ ​ 12 ​ ​ 9 ​ ​ 5 ​ ​ 14 Operating lease cost: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Fixed rent cost ​ ​ 7,333 ​ ​ 80 ​ ​ 7,413 ​ ​ 7,184 ​ ​ 103 ​ ​ 7,287 Short-term lease cost ​ — ​ 3 ​ 3 ​ — ​ 28 ​ 28 Variable lease cost ​ 103 ​ 432 ​ 535 ​ 139 ​ 334 ​ 473 Sublease income ​ ( 1,687 ) ​ — ​ ( 1,687 ) ​ ( 1,715 ) ​ — ​ ( 1,715 ) Total lease cost ​ $ 5,775 ​ $ 539 ​ $ 6,314 ​ $ 5,636 ​ $ 500 ​ $ 6,136 ​ 18 Table of Contents The following table presents the Company’s total lease cost on the condensed consolidated statements of income (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended ​ ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ March 26, 2025 Lease cost – Occupancy and other operating expenses ​ ​ $ 6,054 ​ $ 5,965 Lease cost – General & administrative ​ ​ 210 ​ ​ 108 Lease cost – Depreciation and amortization ​ ​ 38 ​ ​ 49 Lease cost – Interest expense ​ ​ 12 ​ ​ 14 Total lease cost ​ ​ $ 6,314 ​ $ 6,136 ​ During the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 and March 26, 2025, the Company had the following cash and non-cash activities associated with its leases (dollars in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended April 1, 2026 ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended March 26, 2025 ​ ​ Property ​ Equipment ​ ​ ​ ​ Property ​ Equipment ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Leases ​ Leases ​ Total ​ Leases ​ Leases ​ Total Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating cash flows used for operating leases ​ $ 8,724 ​ $ 119 $ 8,843 ​ $ 7,246 ​ $ 93 ​ $ 7,339 Financing cash flows used for finance leases ​ $ 34 ​ $ 30 $ 64 ​ $ 23 ​ $ 34 ​ $ 57 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Non-cash investing and financing activities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating lease ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Operating lease ROU assets ​ $ 5,397 ​ $ ( 51 ) $ 5,346 ​ $ 1,414 ​ $ — ​ $ 1,414 Finance lease ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Finance lease ROU assets ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — Derecognition of ROU assets due to terminations, impairment or modifications ​ $ — ​ $ — $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ $ — ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Other Information ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Weighted-average remaining years in lease term—finance leases ​ 14.61 ​ 2.59 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 15.63 ​ ​ 3.08 ​ ​ ​ Weighted-average remaining years in lease term—operating leases ​ 9.63 ​ 2.41 ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 9.99 ​ ​ 3.54 ​ ​ ​ Weighted-average discount rate—finance leases ​ 2.57 % 7.87 % ​ ​ ​ ​ 2.57 % ​ 6.66 % ​ ​ Weighted-average discount rate—operating leases ​ 5.53 % 6.85 % ​ ​ ​ ​ 5.32 % ​ 6.84 % ​ ​ ​ Information regarding the Company’s minimum future lease obligations as of April 1, 2026 is as follows (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Finance Leases ​ Operating Leases ​ ​ ​ ​ Minimum ​ ​ ​ Minimum ​ ​ ​ Minimum ​ ​ Lease ​ Lease ​ Sublease For the Years Ending ​ Payments ​ Payments ​ Income December 30, 2026 ​ $ 111 ​ $ 18,559 ​ $ 5,642 December 29, 2027 ​ 167 ​ 30,430 ​ 5,553 December 27, 2028 ​ 124 ​ 28,337 ​ 5,258 December 26, 2029 ​ 108 ​ 26,282 ​ 4,682 December 25, 2030 ​ 104 ​ 23,930 ​ 4,333 Thereafter ​ 1,169 ​ 119,805 ​ 27,233 Total ​ $ 1,783 ​ $ 247,343 ​ $ 52,701 Less: imputed interest ( 2.57 % - 7.87 %) ​ ( 288 ) ​ ( 59,865 ) ​ ​ Present value of lease obligations ​ 1,495 ​ 187,478 ​ ​ Less: current maturities ​ ( 117 ) ​ ( 16,379 ) ​ ​ Noncurrent portion ​ $ 1,378 ​ $ 171,099 ​ ​ ​ 19 Table of Contents Short-Term Leases The Company has multiple short-term leases, which have terms of less than 12 months, and thus were excluded from the recognition requirements of Topic 842. The Company has recognized these lease payments in its condensed consolidated statements of income on a straight-line basis over the lease term and variable lease payments in the period in which the obligation for those payments was incurred. Lessor The Company is a lessor for certain property and facilities owned by the Company and leased to others, principally franchisees, under non-cancelable leases with initial terms ranging from three to 20 years . These lease agreements generally provide for a fixed base rent and, in some instances, contingent rent based on a percentage of gross operating profit or net revenues. All leases are considered operating leases. For the leases in which the Company is the lessor, there are options to extend the lease. However, there are no terms and conditions to terminate the lease, no right to purchase premises and no residual value guarantees. Additionally, there are no related party leases. The Company received $ 0.3 million and $ 0.1 million of lease income from company-owned locations for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 and March 26, 2025. ​ 12. SEGMENT REPORTING Operating segments are defined as components of a company that engage in business activities from which it may earn revenue and incur expenses, and for which separate financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker ( " CODM " ) to assess the performance of the individual segments and make decisions about company resources such as personnel and working capital to be allocated to the segments. The Company derives revenue from three primary sources: (1) company-operated restaurant revenue, (2) franchise revenue, which is comprised primarily of franchise royalties and, to a lesser extent, franchise fees and sublease rental income, and (3) franchise advertising fee revenue. All significant revenues relate to retail sales of food and beverages through either company-operated or franchise-operated restaurants. The Company determined that it has one operating segment and one reportable segment which is reflected in the Company’s current organizational and management structure. The Company’s CODM is the Chief Executive Officer who manages the Company’s operations on a reportable segment basis. The Company’s CODM reviews its operations and financial performance at a consolidated level by comparing actual results to budgeted figures and prior year results. This approach allows the CODM to assess whether the Company’s operating segment is meeting its financial goals, identify trends and make more informed decisions about resource allocation and performance targets. When evaluating the Company’s financial performance, the CODM regularly reviews total revenue, segment expenses and consolidated net income as reported on the Consolidated Statements of Income as well as non-GAAP measures such as restaurant contribution margin and Adjusted EBITDA to allocate Company resources and assess the performance of the Company. Segment asset information is not used by the CODM to assess performance and allocate resources. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 20 Table of Contents The table below is a summary of the segment net income, including significant segment expenses for the thirteen weeks ended April 1, 2026 and March 26, 2025 (in thousands): ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Thirteen Weeks Ended ​ ​ ​ ​ April 1, 2026 ​ March 26, 2025 Total revenue ​ $ 126,182 ​ $ 119,177 Less: ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Food and paper costs ​ ​ 26,389 ​ ​ 24,739 Labor and related expenses ​ ​ 31,839 ​ ​ 32,179 General and administrative expenses ​ ​ 12,794 ​ ​ 11,263 Franchise expenses ​ ​ 11,189 ​ ​ 12,442 Occupancy expenses ​ ​ 8,083 ​ ​ 7,929 Other operating expenses (1) ​ ​ 19,247 ​ ​ 17,744 Depreciation and amortization ​ ​ 4,314 ​ ​ 3,887 Other segment expenses (2) ​ ​ 110 ​ ​ 22 Total operating expenses ​ ​ 113,965 ​ ​ 110,205 Income from operations ​ ​ 12,217 ​ ​ 8,972 Interest expenses, net ​ ​ 731 ​ ​ 1,176 Provision for income taxes ​ ​ 3,329 ​ ​ 2,315 Total segment net income ​ $ 8,157 ​ $ 5,481 ​ (1) Other operating expenses are comprised of utilities, repairs and maintenance, advertising, credit card processing fees, delivery service provider fees, restaurant supplies and other restaurant operating costs. (2) Other segment expenses include loss on disposal of assets, and impairment and closed-store reserves. 21 Table of Contents