FIESTA RESTAURANT GROUP, INC., 8-K/A filed on 12/10/2021
Amended Current report filing
v3.21.2
Document and Entity Information
Dec. 09, 2021
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]  
Document Type 8-K/A
Document Period End Date Dec. 09, 2021
Entity Registrant Name Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE
Entity File Number 001-35373
Entity Tax Identification Number 90-0712224
Entity Address, Address Line One 14800 Landmark Boulevard, Suite 500
Entity Address, City or Town Dallas
Entity Address, State or Province TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 75254
City Area Code 972
Local Phone Number 702-9300
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol FRGI
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ
Written Communications false
Soliciting Material false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer false
Entity Emerging Growth Company false
Entity Central Index Key 0001534992
Amendment Flag true
Amendment Description Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (the "Company") is filing this Amendment No. 1 (the "Amendment") to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K (the "Form 8-K") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 9, 2021 solely to make technical corrections to the iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language) exhibits which were included with the original Form 8-K filing. The remainder of the original Form 8-K is unchanged. The Amendment does not reflect events that may have occurred subsequent to the filing date of the original Form 8-K and does not modify or update in any way disclosures made in the original Form 8-K.
v3.21.2
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Current assets:    
Cash $ 49,778 $ 13,089
Restricted cash 3,584 0
Accounts receivable 4,933 4,411
Inventories 2,101 1,459
Prepaid rent 107 101
Income tax receivable 9,399 3,821
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 5,646 6,845
Current assets held for sale 8,478 9,557
Total current assets 84,026 39,283
Property and equipment, net 97,867 131,890
Operating lease ROU assets 164,665 146,190
Goodwill 56,307 56,307
Other assets 5,855 9,624
Non-current assets held for sale 160,023 185,347
Total assets 568,743 568,641
Current liabilities:    
Current portion of long-term debt 816 44
Accounts payable 8,325 9,183
Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits 9,738 6,327
Accrued real estate taxes 1,735 1,071
Other current liabilities 17,070 16,036
Current liabilities held for sale 27,225 30,959
Total current liabilities 64,909 63,620
Long-term debt, net of current portion 71,588 75,894
Operating lease liabilities 174,116 153,647
Deferred tax liabilities 2,269 4,371
Other non-current liabilities 9,757 8,312
Non-current liabilities held for sale 98,323 104,561
Total liabilities 420,962 410,405
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:    
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued 0 0
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 28,278,320 and 27,461,697 shares issued, respectively, and 25,293,149 and 25,612,597 shares outstanding, respectively 273 271
Additional paid-in capital 176,614 173,132
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) (8,327) 1,884
Treasury stock, at cost; 1,993,495 and 1,493,495 shares, respectively (20,779) (17,051)
Total stockholders' equity 147,781 158,236
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 568,743 $ 568,641
v3.21.2
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]    
Preferred stock, par value (usd per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized 20,000,000 20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued 0 0
Common stock, par value (usd per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized 100,000,000 100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued 28,278,320 27,461,697
Common stock, shares outstanding 25,293,149 25,612,597
Treasury stock, shares 1,993,495 1,493,495
v3.21.2
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Costs and expenses:      
Depreciation and amortization $ 22,000 $ 22,200 $ 22,500
Impairment and other lease charges 9,139 13,101 21,144
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (10,430) 9,835 6,601
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (7,044) 11,830 (290)
Income (loss) from continuing operations (3,386) (1,995) 6,891
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (6,825) (82,391) 896
Net income (loss) $ (10,211) $ (84,386) $ 7,787
Earnings (loss) per common share:      
Continuing operations – basic $ (0.13) $ (0.07) $ 0.26
Discontinued operations – basic (0.27) (3.11) 0.03
Basic (usd per share) (0.40) (3.18) 0.29
Continuing operations – diluted (0.13) (0.07) 0.26
Discontinued operations – diluted (0.27) (3.11) 0.03
Diluted (usd per share) $ (0.40) $ (3.18) $ 0.29
Weighted average common shares outstanding:      
Basic (in shares) 25,341,415 26,500,356 26,890,577
Diluted (in shares) 25,341,415 26,500,356 26,894,083
Continuing Operations      
Revenues:      
Revenues $ 315,358 $ 363,473 $ 376,196
Costs and expenses:      
Cost of sales 100,080 115,119 123,042
Restaurant wages and related expenses (including stock-based compensation expense of $73, $70, and $34, respectively) 74,328 84,909 87,025
Restaurant rent expense 22,773 22,050 17,457
Other restaurant operating expenses 47,823 50,274 52,144
Advertising expense 8,379 12,353 13,068
General and administrative (including stock-based compensation expense of $2,681, $2,320, and $3,011, respectively) 39,848 41,905 40,832
Depreciation and amortization 22,009 22,186 22,457
Pre-opening costs 0 380 933
Impairment and other lease charges 8,023 15 13,587
Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income 4,331 3,260 0
Other expense (income), net (2,098) 862 (1,225)
Total operating expenses 325,496 353,313 369,320
Income (loss) from operations (10,138) 10,160 6,876
Interest expense 292 325 275
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (10,430) 9,835 6,601
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (7,044) 11,830 (290)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (6,825) (82,391) 896
Net income (loss) (10,211) (84,386) 7,787
Restaurant sales | Continuing Operations      
Revenues:      
Revenues 314,112 361,693 374,381
Franchise royalty revenues and fees | Continuing Operations      
Revenues:      
Revenues $ 1,246 $ 1,780 $ 1,815
v3.21.2
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Parenthetical) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Stock-based compensation expense $ 2,800 $ 2,400 $ 3,000
Restaurant Wages And Related Expenses | Continuing Operations      
Stock-based compensation expense 73 70 34
General and Administrative Expense [Member] | Continuing Operations      
Stock-based compensation expense $ 2,681 $ 2,320 $ 3,011
v3.21.2
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Total
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]
Common Stock
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Retained Earnings [Member]
Retained Earnings [Member]
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]
Treasury Stock
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2017 $ 231,516   $ 268 $ 166,823 $ 64,425    
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017     26,847,458        
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity              
Stock-based compensation 3,469     3,469      
Vesting of restricted shares (in shares)     123,888        
Vesting of restricted shares 0   $ 2 (2)      
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares)     (112,358)        
Purchase of treasury stock (2,769)           $ (2,769)
Net income (loss) 7,787       7,787    
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 30, 2018     26,858,988        
Ending balance at Dec. 30, 2018 240,059   $ 270 170,290 72,268   (2,769)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity              
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)   $ 56       $ 56  
Stock-based compensation 2,844     2,844      
Vesting of restricted shares (in shares)     134,746        
Vesting of restricted shares $ (1)   $ 1 (2)      
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares) (1,381,137)   (1,381,137)        
Purchase of treasury stock $ (14,282)           (14,282)
Net income (loss) $ (84,386)       (84,386)    
Ending balance (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2019 25,612,597   25,612,597        
Ending balance at Dec. 29, 2019 $ 158,236   $ 271 173,132 1,884   (17,051)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity              
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) 1,884 $ 14,002       $ 14,002  
Stock-based compensation 3,484     3,484      
Vesting of restricted shares (in shares)     180,552        
Vesting of restricted shares $ 0   $ 2 (2)      
Purchase of treasury stock (in shares) (500,000)   (500,000)        
Purchase of treasury stock $ (3,728)           (3,728)
Net income (loss) $ (10,211)       (10,211)    
Ending balance (in shares) at Jan. 03, 2021 25,293,149   25,293,149        
Ending balance at Jan. 03, 2021 $ 147,781   $ 273 $ 176,614 $ (8,327)   $ (20,779)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity              
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) $ (8,327)            
v3.21.2
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Operating activities:      
Net income (loss) $ (10,211) $ (84,386) $ 7,787
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Gain on disposals of property and equipment, net (3,267) (6) (757)
Stock-based compensation 3,484 2,844 3,469
Impairment and other lease charges 9,139 13,101 21,144
Goodwill impairment 0 67,909 0
Loss on extinguishment of debt 1,241 0 0
Depreciation and amortization 38,206 39,195 37,604
Amortization of deferred financing costs 437 270 270
Amortization of deferred gains from sale-leaseback transactions 0 0 (3,564)
Deferred income taxes (650) 10,888 6,830
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable (951) 640 805
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 340 364 894
Operating lease right-of-use assets 24,213 23,780 0
Other non-current assets 3,396 (1,360) (1,491)
Accounts payable 1,309 504 (1,797)
Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits 4,370 (220) (1,690)
Accrued real estate taxes 103 626 11
Other current liabilities (3,396) (2,618) (10,583)
Operating lease liabilities (23,264) (19,765) 0
Other non-current liabilities 2,166 (162) 1,358
Income tax receivable/payable (5,578) 14,036 (6,523)
Other (815) (608) 36
Net cash provided by operating activities 40,272 65,032 53,803
Capital expenditures:      
New restaurant development (1,863) (11,390) (21,445)
Restaurant remodeling (1,103) (2,573) (582)
Other restaurant capital expenditures (11,270) (19,335) (27,464)
Corporate and restaurant information systems (4,133) (7,949) (8,359)
Total capital expenditures (18,369) (41,247) (57,850)
Proceeds from disposals of properties 9,559 1,774 4,743
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions 17,222 0 0
Proceeds from insurance recoveries 0 42 983
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 8,412 (39,431) (52,124)
Financing activities:      
Borrowings on revolving credit facility 154,143 32,000 26,000
Repayments on revolving credit facility (229,143) (35,000) (23,000)
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt 15,000 0 0
Repayments of unsecured debt (15,000) 0 0
Proceeds from Issuance of Secured Debt 73,500 0 0
Principal payments on finance/capital leases (237) (164) (101)
Financing costs associated with debt (3,013) 0 (150)
Payments to purchase treasury stock (3,728) (14,282) (2,769)
Net cash used in financing activities (8,478) (17,446) (20)
Net change in cash and restricted cash 40,206 8,155 1,659
Cash and restricted cash, beginning of year 13,089 4,940 3,277
Cash and restricted cash of discontinued operations, beginning of year 324 318 322
Cash and restricted cash of discontinued operations, end of year (257) (324) (318)
Cash and restricted cash, end of year $ 53,362 $ 13,089 $ 4,940
v3.21.2
Basis of Presentation
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation Basis of Presentation
Business Description. Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Fiesta Restaurant Group" or "Fiesta") owns, operates and franchises two fast-casual restaurant brands through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Pollo Operations, Inc., and its subsidiaries, and Pollo Franchise, Inc., (collectively "Pollo Tropical") and Taco Cabana, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively "Taco Cabana"). Unless the context otherwise requires, Fiesta and its subsidiaries, Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana, are collectively referred to as the "Company." At January 3, 2021, the Company owned and operated 138 Pollo Tropical® restaurants and 143 Taco Cabana® restaurants. All of the Company-owned Pollo Tropical restaurants are located in Florida, and all of the Company-owned Taco Cabana restaurants are located in Texas. At January 3, 2021, Fiesta franchised a total of 29 Pollo Tropical restaurants and six Taco Cabana restaurants. The franchised Pollo Tropical restaurants include 17 in Puerto Rico, two in Panama, one in Guyana, two in Ecuador, one in the Bahamas, and five on college campuses and one at a hospital in Florida. The franchised Taco Cabana restaurants include six in New Mexico.
Discontinued Operations. On July 1, 2021, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement for the sale of Taco Cabana. The Company has classified the revenues, costs and expenses and income taxes attributable to the Taco Cabana business segment within loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, on the consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. See Note 2—Dispositions. Unless otherwise noted, amounts and disclosures throughout these notes to the consolidated financial statements relate to the Company's continuing operations.
Basis of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Fiesta and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Fiscal Year. The Company uses a 52–53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. The fiscal years ended December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, each contained 52 weeks. The fiscal year ended January 3, 2021 contained 53 weeks.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements. Estimates also affect the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include: insurance liabilities, evaluation for impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets, lease accounting matters, and deferred income tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Due to the uncertainty associated with the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it will have on the Company's operations and future cash flows, it is reasonably possible that the estimates of future cash flows used in impairment assessments will change in the near term and the effect of the change could be material. The Company's current estimates assume that operating restrictions, regulations and directives for restaurants and other changes related to COVID-19 will continue to have a significant impact through at least the first half of 2021 with the greatest impact in the near term.
Concentrations of Risk. Food and supplies are ordered from approved suppliers and are shipped to the restaurants via distributors. Performance Food Group, Inc. is the primary distributor of food and beverage products and supplies for Pollo Tropical. In the twelve months ended January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, Performance Food Group, Inc. accounted for approximately 98% and 73%, respectively, of the food and supplies delivered to restaurants. The Company's limited distributor relationships could have an adverse effect on the Company's operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash. The Company's restricted cash is comprised of certain cash balances that are reserved as cash collateral for the Company's existing letters of credit.
Inventories. Inventories, primarily consisting of food and paper, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.
Property and Equipment. The Company capitalizes all direct costs incurred to construct and substantially improve its restaurants. These costs are depreciated and charged to expense based upon their property classification when placed in service. Property and equipment is recorded at cost. Application development stage costs for significant internally developed software
projects are capitalized and amortized. Repairs and maintenance activities are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization is provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Buildings and improvements5to30 years
Equipment3to7 years
Computer hardware and software3to7 years
Assets subject to finance leaseShorter of useful life or lease term
Leasehold improvements, including new buildings constructed on leased land, are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the underlying lease term. In circumstances where an economic penalty would be presumed by the non-exercise of one or more renewal options under the lease, the Company includes those renewal option periods when determining the lease term for depreciation purposes. For significant leasehold improvements made during the latter part of the lease term, the Company amortizes those improvements over the shorter of their useful life or an extended lease term. The extended lease term would consider the exercise of renewal options if the value of the improvements would imply that an economic penalty would be incurred without the renewal of the option. For significant leasehold improvements made during the latter part of the lease term prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASC 842"), this extended term may differ from the lease term used to determine lease assets and liabilities. Building costs incurred for new restaurants on leased land are depreciated over the lease term, which is generally a 20-year period.
Cloud-Based Computing Arrangements. The Company defers and amortizes application development stage costs for cloud-based computing arrangements over the life of the related service (subscription) agreement.
Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired by Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Carrols"), Fiesta's former parent company, from the acquisition of Pollo Tropical in 1998. Goodwill is not amortized but is assessed for impairment at least annually as of the last day of the fiscal year or more frequently if impairment indicators exist. See Note 5—Goodwill.
Long-Lived Assets. The Company assesses the recoverability of property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets, including right-of-use ("ROU") lease assets, by determining whether the carrying value of these assets can be recovered over their respective remaining lives through undiscounted future operating cash flows. Impairment is reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be fully recoverable. See Note 6—Impairment of Long-Lived Assets.
Deferred Financing Costs. Financing costs incurred and the original issue discount recognized in obtaining revolving credit facilities are capitalized and included within other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over the life of the related credit facility as interest expense on a straight-line basis. Financing costs incurred and original issue discount recognized in obtaining long-term debt are capitalized and amortized over the term of the associated debt agreement as interest expense using the effective interest method. These financing costs and the original issue discount are presented as a reduction from the carrying amount of the related long-term debt balance on the consolidated balance sheets.
Leases. The Company assesses whether an agreement contains a lease at inception. Subsequent to the adoption of ASC 842, all leases are reviewed for finance or operating classification once control is obtained. The majority of the Company's leases are operating leases. Operating leases are included within operating lease ROU assets, other current liabilities, and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included within property and equipment, net, current portion of long-term debt, and long-term debt, net of current portion on the consolidated balance sheets.
ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made in advance and is reduced by lease incentives received. As most leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Lease terms include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company assumes options are reasonably certain to be exercised when such options are required to achieve a minimum 20-year lease term for new restaurant properties, and subsequent to the adoption of ASC 842, when it incurs significant leasehold improvement costs near the end of a lease term. The Company uses judgment and available data to allocate consideration in a contract when it leases land and a building. The Company also uses judgment in determining its
incremental borrowing rate, which includes selecting a yield curve based on a synthetic credit rating determined using a valuation model. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term unless the related ROU asset has been adjusted for an impairment charge. The Company has real estate lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for as a single lease component. See Note 8—Leases.
Upon adoption of ASC 842 at the beginning of fiscal year 2019, the Company recognized lease liabilities and corresponding ROU lease assets for substantially all of the leases it previously accounted for as operating leases, including leases related to closed restaurant properties. The initial ROU assets were calculated as the present value of the remaining operating lease payments using the Company's incremental borrowing rate as of December 31, 2018, reduced by accrued occupancy costs such as certain closed-restaurant lease reserves, accrued rent (including accruals to expense operating lease payments on a straight-line basis), unamortized lease incentives and any unamortized sale-leaseback gains that resulted from off-market terms and increased by unamortized lease acquisition costs. Upon the adoption of ASC 842, the Company no longer records closed restaurant lease reserves, and ROU lease assets are reviewed for impairment with the Company's long-lived assets.
The Company elected the practical expedient to combine lease and non-lease components of real estate contracts, which resulted in classification of certain occupancy related expenses that are included in other restaurant operating expenses for periods prior to the adoption of ASC 842 as restaurant rent expenses in the consolidated statement of operations for periods subsequent to the adoption of ASC 842. The Company separately presents rent expense related to its closed restaurant locations and any sublease income related to these closed restaurant locations within closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income in the consolidated statement of operations for periods subsequent to the adoption of ASC 842.
The Company recorded an initial adjustment, on a consolidated basis, to the opening balance of retained earnings of $14.0 million associated with previously deferred gains on sale-leaseback transactions and impairment of operating lease right-of-use assets as of the date of adoption. This adjustment consisted of $18.6 million in deferred gains on sale-leaseback transactions, net of a related deferred tax asset of $4.3 million and $0.2 million in impairment charges, net of tax. Gains or losses (adjusted for any off-market terms) from sale-leaseback transactions subsequent to the adoption of ASC 842 are recognized immediately.
Income Taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured by the tax rates that are anticipated to be in effect when those differences reverse. The deferred tax provision generally represents the net change in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the period. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established when it is necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts for which realization is more likely than not. The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.
Advertising Costs. All advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Cost of Sales. The Company includes the cost of food, beverage and paper, net of any discounts, in cost of sales. Cost of sales excludes depreciation and amortization expense, which are presented separately on the consolidated statement of operations.
Pre-opening Costs. The Company's pre-opening costs are generally incurred beginning four to six months prior to a restaurant opening and generally include restaurant employee wages and related expenses, travel expenditures, recruiting, training, promotional costs associated with the restaurant opening and rent, including any non-cash rent expense recognized during the construction period.
Insurance. The Company is insured for workers' compensation, general liability and medical insurance claims under policies where it pays all claims, subject to stop-loss limitations both for individual claims and for general liability, medical insurance and certain workers' compensation claims in the aggregate. Losses are accrued based upon estimates of the aggregate liability for claims based on the Company's experience and certain actuarial methods used to measure such estimates. The Company does not discount any of its self-insurance obligations.
 Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date under current market conditions. In determining fair value, the accounting standards establish a three-level hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable and reflect management's own assumptions. The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate the fair value:
•Current Assets and Liabilities. The carrying values reported on the consolidated balance sheets of cash and restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those financial instruments.
•Revolving Credit Borrowings. The fair value of outstanding revolving credit borrowings under the Company's former senior credit facility, which was considered Level 2, was based on current LIBOR rates. The fair value of the Company's former senior credit facility was approximately $75.0 million at December 29, 2019. The carrying value of the Company's former senior credit facility was $75.0 million at December 29, 2019.
•Term Loan Borrowings. The fair value of outstanding term loan borrowings under the Company's new senior credit facility, which is considered Level 2, is based on current LIBOR rates. The fair value of the Company's senior credit facility was approximately $74.4 million at January 3, 2021. The carrying value of Company's new senior credit facility was $71.5 million at January 3, 2021.
See Note 6 for discussion of the fair value measurement of non-financial assets.
Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized upon transfer of promised products or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company received in exchange for those products or services. Revenues from the Company's owned and operated restaurants are recognized when payment is tendered at the time of sale. Franchise royalty revenues are based on a percent of gross sales and are recorded as income when earned. Initial franchise fees and area development fees associated with new franchise agreements are not distinct from the continuing rights and services offered by the Company during the term of the related franchise agreements and are recognized as income over the term of the related franchise agreements. A portion of the initial franchise fee is allocated to training services and is recognized as revenue when the Company completes the training services. See Note 12—Business Segment Information.
Gift Cards. The Company sells gift cards to its customers in its restaurants and through select third parties. The Company recognizes revenue from gift cards upon redemption by the customer. For unredeemed gift cards that the Company expects to be entitled to breakage, the Company recognizes expected breakage as revenue in proportion to the pattern of redemption by the customers. The gift cards have no stated expiration dates. Revenues from unredeemed gift cards and gift card liabilities, which are recorded in other current liabilities, are not material to the Company's financial statements.
Loyalty Programs. The Company's loyalty program for Pollo Tropical (My Pollo™) allows eligible customers who enroll in the program to earn points for every dollar spent. After accumulating a certain number of points, the customer earns a reward that can be used for future purchases at the Company's respective restaurants. Earned rewards expire 90 days after they are issued. Earned points that have not been converted to rewards do not currently expire.
The Company defers revenue associated with the estimated standalone selling price of points earned by customers as each point is earned, net of points the Company does not expect to be redeemed. The estimated standalone selling price of each point earned is based on the estimated value of the reward which is expected to be redeemed.
Loyalty revenue is recognized when a customer redeems an earned reward. For unredeemed rewards that the Company expects to be entitled to breakage, the Company recognizes expected breakage as revenue in proportion to the pattern of redemption of the rewards by the customers. The costs associated with rewards are recorded when they are redeemed and are included within cost of sales on the consolidated statements of operations. Deferred revenue associated with the rewards is included within other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Guidance Adopted in 2020. In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2018-15, Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The Company adopted this new accounting standard as of December 30, 2019 and applied it prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The
standard did not have a material effect on the Company's financial statements. The Company deferred and amortized application development stage costs for cloud-based computing arrangements over the life of the related service (subscription) agreement in the same line item that the fees associated with the subscription arrangement were presented prior to adoption of the new standard.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) ("ASU No. 2019-12"), which is a part of the Simplification Initiative being undertaken by the FASB to reduce complexity of accounting standards. The amendments in this update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions, the most notable for the Company being the exception to the general methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period when the year-to-date loss exceeds the anticipated loss for the full year. The guidance will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted and any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the annual period of adoption. Amendments relevant to the Company should be applied on a prospective basis. The impact of the standard is largely dependent on interim and anticipated profit or loss in a given period, however the Company does not expect ASU No. 2019-12 to have a significant impact on its financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) ("ASU No. 2020-04"), which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in this update are effective as of March 12, 2020, through December 31, 2022. As of January 3, 2021, the Company's only exposure to LIBOR rates was its new senior credit facility. Upon cessation of the LIBOR, the new senior credit facility will use a benchmark replacement rate. According to ASU No. 2020-04, modifications of contracts within the scope of Topic 470 Debt should be accounted for by prospectively adjusting the effective interest rate. The Company does not expect ASU No. 2020-04 to have a significant impact on its financial statements.
v3.21.2
Dispositions
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]  
Dispositions Dispositions
On June 30, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock purchase agreement, which was subsequently entered into by the Company on July 1, 2021, for the sale of all of the outstanding capital stock of Taco Cabana, Inc., including nearly all related assets and liabilities, for a cash purchase price of $85.0 million subject to reduction for (i) closing adjustments of approximately $4.6 million and (ii) certain other working capital adjustments as set forth in the stock purchase agreement. The transaction was completed August 16, 2021.
The assets and liabilities of Taco Cabana that were sold are classified as current assets held for sale, non-current assets held for sale, current liabilities held for sale, and non-current liabilities held for sale, respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019. Taco Cabana assets and liabilities that are retained by the Company are not classified as held for sale.
All revenues, costs and expenses and income taxes attributable to Taco Cabana have been aggregated within loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, in the consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. No amounts for shared general and administrative operating support expense were allocated to discontinued operations. As required by the terms of the new senior credit facility, the proceeds from the sale were used to fully repay Fiesta's outstanding term loan borrowings. The early repayment was subject to a 103% loan prepayment premium. The interest expense and the amortization of discount and debt issuance costs of the term loan portion of the new senior credit facility are included within loss from discontinued operations, net of tax.
Upon completion of the sale of Taco Cabana, the Company began providing certain services to Taco Cabana subject to a transition service agreement which is expected to continue for up to 120 days. The Company retained certain closed Taco Cabana restaurant leases, including the associated operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities. The Company also retained liability for Taco Cabana's accrued worker's compensation and general liability claims for periods prior to the sale. These liabilities are recognized in other current liabilities and other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. As there are estimates and assumptions inherent in recording these insurance liabilities, including the ability to estimate the future development of incurred claims based on historical trends or the severity of the claims, differences between actual future events and prior estimates and assumptions could result in adjustments to these liabilities.
A summary of assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations is as follows:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Carrying amount of major classes of assets included as part of discontinued operations:
Accounts receivable$3,951 $3,522 
Inventories2,104 1,935 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets2,423 4,100 
Total current assets of the disposal group classified as held for sale8,478 9,557 
Property and equipment, net63,214 80,054 
Operating lease right-of-use assets96,639 105,082 
Other assets170 211 
Total non-current assets of the disposal group classified as held for sale160,023 185,347 
Total assets of the disposal group classified as held for sale$168,501 $194,904 
Carrying amount of major classes of liabilities included as part of discontinued operations:
Current portion of long-term debt$199 $168 
Accounts payable5,014 5,593 
Accrued liabilities9,363 8,965 
Other current liabilities12,649 16,233 
Total current liabilities of the disposal group classified as held for sale27,225 30,959 
Long-term debt, net of current portion740 929 
Operating lease liabilities93,970 103,151 
Deferred tax liabilities1,840 388 
Other non-current liabilities1,773 93 
Total non-current liabilities of the disposal group classified as held for sale98,323 104,561 
Total liabilities of the disposal group classified as held for sale$125,548 $135,520 
A summary of the results of the discontinued operations is as follows:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Major classes of line items constituting pretax loss of discontinued operations:
Revenues:
Total revenues$239,445 $297,470 $312,401 
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales70,433 92,334 95,904 
Restaurant wages and related expenses (including stock-based compensation expense of $127, $125, and $56, respectively)
74,817 94,269 101,106 
Restaurant rent expense22,588 25,755 18,577 
Other restaurant operating expenses34,357 41,623 48,684 
General and administrative (including stock-based compensation expense of $603, $329, and $368, respectively)
13,229 14,290 13,693 
Depreciation and amortization16,197 17,009 15,147 
Pre-opening costs69 592 783 
Goodwill impairment— 67,909 — 
Other income and expense items that are not major10,133 24,994 16,402 
Total operating expenses241,823 378,775 310,296 
Income (loss) from operations(2,378)(81,305)2,105 
Interest expense4,464 3,547 3,691 
Loss on extinguishment of debt1,241 — — 
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes(8,083)(84,852)(1,586)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes(1,258)(2,461)(2,482)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax$(6,825)$(82,391)$896 
A summary of significant investing activity and non-cash operating, investing, and financing activity of the discontinued operations from the consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Non-cash operating activities:
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, net$(551)$21 $(742)
Stock-based compensation730 454 424 
Impairment and other lease charges1,116 13,086 7,557 
Goodwill impairment— 67,909 — 
Loss on extinguishment of debt1,241 — — 
Depreciation and amortization16,197 17,009 15,147 
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures:
New restaurant development$(854)$(4,065)$(9,105)
Restaurant remodeling(745)(919)(531)
Other restaurant capital expenditures(4,728)(9,266)(15,307)
Corporate and restaurant information systems(1,559)(3,875)(3,943)
Total capital expenditures(7,886)(18,125)(28,886)
Proceeds from disposals of properties4,305 — 1,388 
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions3,966 — — 
Proceeds from insurance recoveries— — 983 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities – discontinued operations$385 $(18,125)$(26,515)
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Interest paid on long-term debt (including capitalized interest of $57, $247 and $377, respectively)
$4,001 $4,198 $3,348 
Supplemental cash flow disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Accruals for capital expenditures$1,027 $1,510 $1,067 
Accruals for financing costs associated with debt277 — — 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating lease ROU assets18,466 6,456 — 
Finance lease ROU assets/capital lease obligations incurred33 304 — 
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities reduced for terminated leases:
Operating lease ROU assets953 794 — 
Operating lease liabilities1,217 1,054 — 
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained and lease liabilities incurred as a result of adoption of ASC 842:
Operating lease ROU assets— 112,905 — 
Operating lease liabilities— 122,441 — 
v3.21.2
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, consist of the following:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Prepaid contract expenses$4,138 $4,144 
Assets held for sale(1)
— 1,622 
Other1,508 1,079 
$5,646 $6,845 
(1)     As of December 29, 2019, one closed Pollo Tropical restaurant property owned by the Company was classified as held for sale within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
v3.21.2
Property and Equipment
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Property and Equipment Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Land and land improvements$1,264 $12,851 
Owned buildings— 8,385 
Leasehold improvements (1)
128,918 123,172 
Equipment118,988 119,594 
Assets subject to finance leases1,159 1,172 
250,329 265,174 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(152,462)(133,284)
$97,867 $131,890 
(1)    Leasehold improvements include the cost of new buildings constructed on leased land.
Assets subject to finance leases primarily pertain to buildings leased for certain restaurant locations and fleet vehicles, and had accumulated amortization at January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, of $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively.
During the year ended January 3, 2021, the Company sold eight properties, including five properties as a part of sale-leaseback transactions. The net proceeds of the sales were $18.5 million and resulted in a net gain of $(3.3) million, which is included within other expense (income), net on the consolidated statement of operations.
Depreciation and amortization expense for all property and equipment for the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, was $22.0 million, $22.2 million, and $22.5 million, respectively.
v3.21.2
Goodwill
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Goodwill Goodwill
The Company is required to review goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. If the determined fair value of goodwill is less than the related carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment as of the last day of the fiscal year and has determined its reporting unit to be its operating segment, Pollo Tropical.
There were no changes in goodwill or goodwill impairment losses recorded for the Pollo Tropical reporting unit during the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018.
In performing its goodwill impairment test as of December 30, 2018, the Company compared the net book values of its reporting unit to its estimated fair value, the latter determined by employing an income-based discounted cash flow analysis approach and a market-based approach, which was corroborated with other value indicators where available, such as comparable company earnings multiples.
As of June 30, 2019, the Company determined that a triggering event had occurred due to a sustained decrease in the market price of the Company's common stock. In response to the triggering event, the Company performed a quantitative impairment test for the Pollo Tropical reporting unit. Fair value for the reporting unit was determined using a combination of the income-based approach and two market-based approaches. Based on the impairment test analysis, the fair value of the Pollo Tropical reporting unit substantially exceeded its carrying amount. In the second quarter of 2019, the Company early adopted ASU 2017-04, which eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test, and requires recognition of an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value, limited to the carrying value of the reporting unit's goodwill.
In addition, in response to a further decrease in the market price of the Company's common stock and lower than expected profitability in the third quarter of 2019, the Company performed a quantitative impairment test for the Pollo Tropical reporting unit as of September 29, 2019. Based on the impairment test analysis, which utilized the same approach used in the second quarter of 2019, the fair value of the Pollo Tropical reporting unit continued to substantially exceed its carrying amount.
The Company's annual goodwill impairment assessments as of January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, were performed using a qualitative assessment, which included examining key events and circumstances affecting fair value and indicated that it is more likely than not that the Pollo Tropical reporting unit's fair value is greater than its carrying value. There were no changes in goodwill or goodwill impairment losses for the Pollo Tropical reporting unit recorded during the years ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019.
A summary of changes in goodwill during the twelve months ended January 3, 2021, is as follows:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Goodwill, gross$56,307 $56,307 $56,307 
Accumulated impairment losses— — — 
Goodwill$56,307 $56,307 $56,307 
v3.21.2
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease ChargesThe Company reviews its long-lived assets, principally property and equipment and lease ROU assets, for impairment at the restaurant level. The Company has elected to exclude operating lease payments and liabilities from future cash flows and carrying values, respectively, in its impairment review. In addition to considering management's plans, known regulatory or governmental actions and damage due to acts of God (hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.), the Company considers a triggering event to have occurred related to a specific restaurant if the restaurant's cash flows, exclusive of operating lease payments, for the last twelve months are less than a minimum threshold or if consistent levels of cash flows for the remaining lease period are less than the carrying value of the restaurant's assets. If an indicator of impairment exists for any of its assets, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows, exclusive of operating lease payments, over the life of the primary asset for each restaurant is compared to that long-lived asset group's carrying value, excluding operating lease liabilities. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flow, the Company then determines the fair value of the asset and if an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. There is uncertainty in the projected undiscounted future cash flows used in the Company's impairment review analysis. If actual performance does not achieve the projections, the Company may recognize impairment charges in future periods, and such charges could be material. Prior to the adoption of ASC 842 on December 31, 2018, for closed restaurant locations, the Company reviewed the future minimum lease payments and related ancillary costs from the date of the restaurant closure to the end of the remaining lease term and recorded a lease charge for the lease liabilities to be incurred, net of any estimated sublease recoveries.
A summary of impairment on long-lived assets and other lease charges (recoveries) is as follows:
 Year Ended
 January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Impairment of long-lived assets$7,318 $775 $13,094 
Other lease charges (recoveries)705 (760)493 
$8,023 $15 $13,587 
In December 2018, based on a restaurant portfolio examination, the Company closed 14 Pollo Tropical restaurants. Additionally, the Company closed one Pollo Tropical restaurant in the first quarter of 2020 as a result of a lease termination, one Pollo Tropical restaurant as the result of the sale of a property and two Pollo Tropical restaurants as a result of a limited restaurant portfolio review in the third quarter of 2020.
Impairment charges in 2020, which also included right-of-use asset impairment, were related primarily to three underperforming Pollo Tropical restaurants, two of which were closed in the third quarter of 2020, for which continued sales declines coupled with the impact of expected sales declines resulted in a decrease in the estimated future cash flows. Additionally, impairment charges consisted of the write-down of saucing islands and self-service soda machines that were removed from Pollo Tropical dining rooms as a result of COVID-19 and the write-down of assets held for sale to their fair value less costs to sell. Other lease charges in 2020 related primarily to lease termination charges of $0.9 million for Pollo Tropical restaurant locations the Company decided not to develop, net of a gain from lease terminations of $(0.2) million.
Impairment charges in 2019, which also included right-of-use asset impairment, were related primarily to previously closed Pollo Tropical restaurants. Net lease charge recoveries in 2019 were related primarily to lease terminations for previously closed restaurants.
Impairment charges in 2018 were related primarily to 14 Pollo Tropical restaurants that were closed in 2018, two of which were initially impaired in 2017, and one Pollo Topical restaurant the Company continued to operate. Other lease charges, net of recoveries, in 2018 were related primarily to restaurants that were closed in 2018 as well as previously closed restaurants.
The Company determined the fair value of restaurant equipment, for those restaurants reviewed for impairment, based on current economic conditions, the Company's history of using these assets in the operation of its business and the Company's expectation of how a market participant would value the assets. In addition, for those restaurants reviewed for impairment where the Company owns the land and building, the Company utilized third-party information such as a broker quoted value to determine the fair value of the property. The Company also utilized discounted future cash flows to determine the fair value of assets for certain leased restaurants with positive discounted projected future cash flows. The Company utilized current market lease rent and discount rates to determine the fair value of right-of-use lease assets. These fair value asset measurements rely on significant unobservable inputs and are considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. The Level 3 assets measured at fair value associated with impairment charges recorded during the twelve months ended January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, totaled $2.2 million and less than $0.1 million, respectively.
v3.21.2
Other Liabilities
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]  
Other Liabilities Other Liabilities
Other current liabilities consist of the following:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Operating lease liabilities$9,715 $9,203 
Accrued workers' compensation and general liability claims3,619 4,354 
Sales and property taxes1,209 909 
Accrued occupancy costs269 630 
Other2,258 940 
$17,070 $16,036 
Other non-current liabilities consist of the following:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Accrued workers' compensation and general liability claims$6,791 $7,348 
Accrued payroll taxes(1)
1,318 — 
Deferred compensation491 424 
Other1,157 540 
$9,757 $8,312 
(1) Includes employer Social Security payroll tax deferred as a result of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act").

The following table presents the activity in the closed restaurant reserve, which is included within other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019.
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Balance, beginning of period$528 $6,152 
Payments, net(178)(1,242)
Other adjustments(1)
(187)(4,382)
Balance, end of period$163 $528 
(1)     As a result of adopting ASC 842 on December 31, 2018, the portion of the closed restaurant reserve related to operating lease rental payments totaling $3.9 million was reclassified and included as a component of the related ROU assets during the twelve months ended December 29, 2019. The portion of the closed restaurant reserve related to variable ancillary lease costs was not reclassified and was not included as a reduction to ROU assets.
v3.21.2
Leases
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Leases [Abstract]  
Leases Leases
The Company utilizes land and buildings in its operations under various operating and finance lease agreements. The Company does not consider any one of these individual leases material to the Company's operations. Initial lease terms are generally for 20 years and, in many cases, provide for renewal options and in most cases rent escalations. As of January 3, 2021, the Company's leases have remaining lease terms of 0.9 years to 21.4 years. Some of the Company's leases include options to extend the lease for up to 40 years. Certain leases require contingent rent, determined as a percentage of sales as defined by the terms of the applicable lease agreement. For most locations, the Company is obligated for occupancy related costs including payment of property taxes, insurance and utilities. Variable lease payments included in rent expense consist of such contingent rent, certain rent payments based on changes in an index and certain occupancy related costs, such as variable common area maintenance expense and property taxes. The Company is not subject to residual value guarantees under any of the lease agreements. Many of the Company's real estate leases contain usage restrictions, but its leases do not contain financial covenants and restrictions.
During fiscal 2020, the Company completed five sale-leaseback transactions with third parties, with transactions for two Pollo Tropical properties occurring in the third quarter of 2020 and transactions for three Pollo Tropical properties occurring in the fourth quarter of 2020. The sale-leaseback transactions do not provide for any continuing involvement by the Company other than normal leases where the Company intends to use the property during the lease term. The net proceeds of the sales were $13.3 million which resulted in a net gain of $2.7 million which is included within other expense (income), net on the consolidated statement of operations. The leases have initial terms of 20 years plus renewal options and have been accounted for as operating leases.
Lease expense consisted of the following:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Operating lease cost$26,026 $23,803 
Finance lease costs:
Amortization of right-of-use assets$98 $67 
Interest on lease liabilities136 137 
Total finance lease costs$234 $204 
Variable lease costs$6,999 $6,074 
Sublease income(4,853)(3,499)
Total lease costs$28,406 $26,582 
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Operating Leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets$164,665 $146,190 
Other current liabilities$9,715 $9,203 
Operating lease liabilities174,116 153,647 
Total operating lease liabilities$183,831 $162,850 
Finance Leases
Property and equipment, gross$1,159 $1,172 
Accumulated amortization(496)(461)
Property and equipment, net$663 $711 
Current portion of long-term debt$66 $44 
Long-term debt, net of current portion853 894 
Total finance lease liabilities$919 $938 
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (in Years)
Operating leases12.013.2
Finance leases9.09.7
Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases7.71 %7.75 %
Finance leases14.62 %13.65 %
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases$26,078 $20,802 
Operating cash flows for finance leases136 137 
Financing cash flows for finance leases60 26 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating lease ROU assets19,150 6,198 
Finance lease ROU assets— 191 
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities reduced for terminated leases:
Operating lease ROU assets1,773 3,578 
Operating lease liabilities1,971 4,072 
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of adoption of ASC 842:
Operating lease ROU assets— 154,838 
Operating lease liabilities— 168,932 
Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
Operating LeasesFinance Leases
2021$23,367 $187 
202225,130 200 
202323,769 194 
202422,461 158 
202521,714 162 
Thereafter182,300 713 
Total lease payments298,741 1,614 
Less amount representing interest(114,910)(695)
Total discounted lease liabilities183,831 919 
Less current portion(9,715)(66)
Long-term portion of lease liabilities$174,116 $853 
The Company subleases land and buildings related to closed restaurant locations and a closed office location under various operating sublease agreements. Initial sublease terms are generally for the period of time remaining on the head lease term and, in some cases, subleases provide for renewal options and in most cases rent escalations. As of January 3, 2021, the Company's subleases have remaining sublease terms of 1.3 years to 16.5 years. Some of the Company's subleases include options to extend the lease for up to 25 years. Variable lease payments included in sublease income consist of certain occupancy related costs, such as variable common area maintenance expense and property taxes where the Company makes the real estate payment and is reimbursed by the lessee. The sublease agreements do not include residual value guarantees. Consistent with the Company's real estate leases, many of the subleases contain usage restrictions, but its subleases do not contain financial covenants and restrictions.
The undiscounted cash flows to be received under operating subleases were as follows:
Operating Leases
2021$4,564 
20224,531 
20234,527 
20244,560 
20254,663 
Thereafter38,389 
Total $61,234 
Total rent expense on operating leases, including contingent rentals, prior to the adoption of ASC 842 was as follows:
Year Ended
December 30, 2018
Minimum rent on real property, excluding rent included in pre-opening costs$17,320 
Additional rent based on percentage of sales137 
Restaurant rent expense17,457 
Rent included in pre-opening costs507 
Administrative and equipment rent543 
$18,507 
Leases Leases
The Company utilizes land and buildings in its operations under various operating and finance lease agreements. The Company does not consider any one of these individual leases material to the Company's operations. Initial lease terms are generally for 20 years and, in many cases, provide for renewal options and in most cases rent escalations. As of January 3, 2021, the Company's leases have remaining lease terms of 0.9 years to 21.4 years. Some of the Company's leases include options to extend the lease for up to 40 years. Certain leases require contingent rent, determined as a percentage of sales as defined by the terms of the applicable lease agreement. For most locations, the Company is obligated for occupancy related costs including payment of property taxes, insurance and utilities. Variable lease payments included in rent expense consist of such contingent rent, certain rent payments based on changes in an index and certain occupancy related costs, such as variable common area maintenance expense and property taxes. The Company is not subject to residual value guarantees under any of the lease agreements. Many of the Company's real estate leases contain usage restrictions, but its leases do not contain financial covenants and restrictions.
During fiscal 2020, the Company completed five sale-leaseback transactions with third parties, with transactions for two Pollo Tropical properties occurring in the third quarter of 2020 and transactions for three Pollo Tropical properties occurring in the fourth quarter of 2020. The sale-leaseback transactions do not provide for any continuing involvement by the Company other than normal leases where the Company intends to use the property during the lease term. The net proceeds of the sales were $13.3 million which resulted in a net gain of $2.7 million which is included within other expense (income), net on the consolidated statement of operations. The leases have initial terms of 20 years plus renewal options and have been accounted for as operating leases.
Lease expense consisted of the following:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Operating lease cost$26,026 $23,803 
Finance lease costs:
Amortization of right-of-use assets$98 $67 
Interest on lease liabilities136 137 
Total finance lease costs$234 $204 
Variable lease costs$6,999 $6,074 
Sublease income(4,853)(3,499)
Total lease costs$28,406 $26,582 
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Operating Leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets$164,665 $146,190 
Other current liabilities$9,715 $9,203 
Operating lease liabilities174,116 153,647 
Total operating lease liabilities$183,831 $162,850 
Finance Leases
Property and equipment, gross$1,159 $1,172 
Accumulated amortization(496)(461)
Property and equipment, net$663 $711 
Current portion of long-term debt$66 $44 
Long-term debt, net of current portion853 894 
Total finance lease liabilities$919 $938 
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (in Years)
Operating leases12.013.2
Finance leases9.09.7
Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases7.71 %7.75 %
Finance leases14.62 %13.65 %
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases$26,078 $20,802 
Operating cash flows for finance leases136 137 
Financing cash flows for finance leases60 26 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating lease ROU assets19,150 6,198 
Finance lease ROU assets— 191 
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities reduced for terminated leases:
Operating lease ROU assets1,773 3,578 
Operating lease liabilities1,971 4,072 
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of adoption of ASC 842:
Operating lease ROU assets— 154,838 
Operating lease liabilities— 168,932 
Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
Operating LeasesFinance Leases
2021$23,367 $187 
202225,130 200 
202323,769 194 
202422,461 158 
202521,714 162 
Thereafter182,300 713 
Total lease payments298,741 1,614 
Less amount representing interest(114,910)(695)
Total discounted lease liabilities183,831 919 
Less current portion(9,715)(66)
Long-term portion of lease liabilities$174,116 $853 
The Company subleases land and buildings related to closed restaurant locations and a closed office location under various operating sublease agreements. Initial sublease terms are generally for the period of time remaining on the head lease term and, in some cases, subleases provide for renewal options and in most cases rent escalations. As of January 3, 2021, the Company's subleases have remaining sublease terms of 1.3 years to 16.5 years. Some of the Company's subleases include options to extend the lease for up to 25 years. Variable lease payments included in sublease income consist of certain occupancy related costs, such as variable common area maintenance expense and property taxes where the Company makes the real estate payment and is reimbursed by the lessee. The sublease agreements do not include residual value guarantees. Consistent with the Company's real estate leases, many of the subleases contain usage restrictions, but its subleases do not contain financial covenants and restrictions.
The undiscounted cash flows to be received under operating subleases were as follows:
Operating Leases
2021$4,564 
20224,531 
20234,527 
20244,560 
20254,663 
Thereafter38,389 
Total $61,234 
Total rent expense on operating leases, including contingent rentals, prior to the adoption of ASC 842 was as follows:
Year Ended
December 30, 2018
Minimum rent on real property, excluding rent included in pre-opening costs$17,320 
Additional rent based on percentage of sales137 
Restaurant rent expense17,457 
Rent included in pre-opening costs507 
Administrative and equipment rent543 
$18,507 
Leases Leases
The Company utilizes land and buildings in its operations under various operating and finance lease agreements. The Company does not consider any one of these individual leases material to the Company's operations. Initial lease terms are generally for 20 years and, in many cases, provide for renewal options and in most cases rent escalations. As of January 3, 2021, the Company's leases have remaining lease terms of 0.9 years to 21.4 years. Some of the Company's leases include options to extend the lease for up to 40 years. Certain leases require contingent rent, determined as a percentage of sales as defined by the terms of the applicable lease agreement. For most locations, the Company is obligated for occupancy related costs including payment of property taxes, insurance and utilities. Variable lease payments included in rent expense consist of such contingent rent, certain rent payments based on changes in an index and certain occupancy related costs, such as variable common area maintenance expense and property taxes. The Company is not subject to residual value guarantees under any of the lease agreements. Many of the Company's real estate leases contain usage restrictions, but its leases do not contain financial covenants and restrictions.
During fiscal 2020, the Company completed five sale-leaseback transactions with third parties, with transactions for two Pollo Tropical properties occurring in the third quarter of 2020 and transactions for three Pollo Tropical properties occurring in the fourth quarter of 2020. The sale-leaseback transactions do not provide for any continuing involvement by the Company other than normal leases where the Company intends to use the property during the lease term. The net proceeds of the sales were $13.3 million which resulted in a net gain of $2.7 million which is included within other expense (income), net on the consolidated statement of operations. The leases have initial terms of 20 years plus renewal options and have been accounted for as operating leases.
Lease expense consisted of the following:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Operating lease cost$26,026 $23,803 
Finance lease costs:
Amortization of right-of-use assets$98 $67 
Interest on lease liabilities136 137 
Total finance lease costs$234 $204 
Variable lease costs$6,999 $6,074 
Sublease income(4,853)(3,499)
Total lease costs$28,406 $26,582 
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Operating Leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets$164,665 $146,190 
Other current liabilities$9,715 $9,203 
Operating lease liabilities174,116 153,647 
Total operating lease liabilities$183,831 $162,850 
Finance Leases
Property and equipment, gross$1,159 $1,172 
Accumulated amortization(496)(461)
Property and equipment, net$663 $711 
Current portion of long-term debt$66 $44 
Long-term debt, net of current portion853 894 
Total finance lease liabilities$919 $938 
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (in Years)
Operating leases12.013.2
Finance leases9.09.7
Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases7.71 %7.75 %
Finance leases14.62 %13.65 %
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases$26,078 $20,802 
Operating cash flows for finance leases136 137 
Financing cash flows for finance leases60 26 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating lease ROU assets19,150 6,198 
Finance lease ROU assets— 191 
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities reduced for terminated leases:
Operating lease ROU assets1,773 3,578 
Operating lease liabilities1,971 4,072 
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of adoption of ASC 842:
Operating lease ROU assets— 154,838 
Operating lease liabilities— 168,932 
Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
Operating LeasesFinance Leases
2021$23,367 $187 
202225,130 200 
202323,769 194 
202422,461 158 
202521,714 162 
Thereafter182,300 713 
Total lease payments298,741 1,614 
Less amount representing interest(114,910)(695)
Total discounted lease liabilities183,831 919 
Less current portion(9,715)(66)
Long-term portion of lease liabilities$174,116 $853 
The Company subleases land and buildings related to closed restaurant locations and a closed office location under various operating sublease agreements. Initial sublease terms are generally for the period of time remaining on the head lease term and, in some cases, subleases provide for renewal options and in most cases rent escalations. As of January 3, 2021, the Company's subleases have remaining sublease terms of 1.3 years to 16.5 years. Some of the Company's subleases include options to extend the lease for up to 25 years. Variable lease payments included in sublease income consist of certain occupancy related costs, such as variable common area maintenance expense and property taxes where the Company makes the real estate payment and is reimbursed by the lessee. The sublease agreements do not include residual value guarantees. Consistent with the Company's real estate leases, many of the subleases contain usage restrictions, but its subleases do not contain financial covenants and restrictions.
The undiscounted cash flows to be received under operating subleases were as follows:
Operating Leases
2021$4,564 
20224,531 
20234,527 
20244,560 
20254,663 
Thereafter38,389 
Total $61,234 
Total rent expense on operating leases, including contingent rentals, prior to the adoption of ASC 842 was as follows:
Year Ended
December 30, 2018
Minimum rent on real property, excluding rent included in pre-opening costs$17,320 
Additional rent based on percentage of sales137 
Restaurant rent expense17,457 
Rent included in pre-opening costs507 
Administrative and equipment rent543 
$18,507 
v3.21.2
Long-Term Debt
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, consisted of the following:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Term loan facility$75,000 $— 
Revolving credit facility— 75,000 
Finance leases919 938 
75,919 75,938 
Less: current portion of long-term debt(816)(44)
Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs(3,515)— 
$71,588 $75,894 
New Senior Credit Facility. On November 23, 2020, the Company terminated its former senior secured revolving credit facility, referred to as the "former senior credit facility," and entered into a new senior secured credit facility among the Company and the lenders, which is referred to as the "new senior credit facility." The new senior credit facility is comprised of a term loan facility (the "term loan facility") of $75.0 million and a revolving credit facility (the "revolving credit facility") of up to $10.0 million and matures on November 23, 2025. The new senior credit facility also provides for potential incremental
term loan borrowing increases of up to $37.5 million in the aggregate, subject to, among other items, compliance with a minimum Total Leverage Ratio and other terms specified in the new senior credit facility. On January 3, 2021, there were $75.0 million in outstanding borrowings, subject to an original issue discount, under the term loan facility and no borrowings under the revolving credit facility.
Under the new senior credit facility, the Company must repay the unpaid principal amount of the term loan facility quarterly which commences on March 31, 2021, in an amount equal to 0.25% of the aggregate principal amount of the term loan facility on the effective date of the new senior credit facility, resulting in annual mandatory principal repayments of $0.8 million.
The new senior credit facility provides that the Company must maintain minimum Liquidity (as defined in the new senior credit facility) of $20.0 million (the "Liquidity Threshold") until January 3, 2022. The new senior credit facility also provides that the Company is not required to be in compliance with the Total Leverage Ratio under the new senior credit facility until January 3, 2022, or the date in which Liquidity is less than the Liquidity Threshold. The Company will be permitted to exercise equity cure rights with respect to compliance with the Total Leverage Ratio subject to certain restrictions as set forth in the new senior credit facility.
Borrowings under the new senior credit facility bear interest at a rate per annum, at the Company's option, equal to either (all terms as defined in the new senior credit facility):
1)    the Base Rate plus the Applicable Margin of 6.75% with a minimum Base Rate of 2.00%, or
2)    the LIBOR (or Benchmark Replacement) Rate plus the Applicable Margin of 7.75%, with a minimum LIBOR (or Benchmark Replacement) Rate of 1.00%.
In addition, the new senior credit facility requires the Company to pay a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the daily amount of the unused portion of the revolving credit facility.
The outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility are prepayable without penalty or premium (other than customary breakage costs). The outstanding borrowings under the term loan facility are voluntarily prepayable by the Company, and the new senior credit facility requires that proceeds received when certain prepayment events (as defined in the new senior credit facility) occur must be used to reduce the outstanding revolver and term loan borrowings under the new senior credit facility. Voluntary and mandatory prepayments of the term loan facility are subject to payment of an Applicable Premium as defined under the new senior credit facility.
The Company's new senior credit facility contains customary default provisions, including without limitation, a cross default provision pursuant to which it is an event of default under this facility if there is a default under any of the Company's indebtedness having an outstanding principal amount in excess of $5.0 million which results in the acceleration of such indebtedness prior to its stated maturity or is caused by a failure to pay principal when due.
The new senior credit facility contains certain covenants, including, without limitation, those limiting the Company's ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the character of its business in any material respects, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments, make certain restricted payments or pay dividends.
The Company's obligations under the new senior credit facility are secured by all of the Company's and its subsidiaries assets (including a pledge of all of the capital stock and equity interests of our subsidiaries).
Under the new senior credit facility, the lenders may terminate their obligation to advance and may declare the unpaid balance of borrowings, or any part thereof, immediately due and payable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of customary defaults which include, without limitation, payment default, covenant defaults, bankruptcy type defaults, defaults on other indebtedness, certain judgments or upon the occurrence of a change of control (as specified in the new senior credit facility).
As of January 3, 2021, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants under its new senior credit facility. At January 3, 2021, $10.0 million was available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility.
At January 3, 2021, principal payments required on borrowings under the new senior credit facility over each of the following five years are as follows:
Term Loan
2021$750 
2022750 
2023750 
2024750 
202572,000 
Total$75,000 
Interest expense on the Company's long-term debt, was $4.7 million, $3.7 million and $3.9 million, of which $4.5 million, $3.5 million, and $3.7 million was included in income (loss) from discontinued operations, for the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, respectively.
Former Amended Senior Credit Facility. On July 10, 2020, the Company entered into the Second Amendment to Credit Agreement (the former credit agreement as amended, the "former amended senior credit facility") among the Company and a syndicate of lenders. The former amended senior credit facility was scheduled to mature on November 30, 2022. The former amended senior credit facility included adjustments to the Adjusted Leverage Ratio and Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio (each as amended and defined in the former amended senior credit facility) that were more reflective of the then-current sales and profit trends. Until its termination in November 2020, the only applicable financial covenants under the Company's former amended senior credit facility that required compliance were a minimum liquidity covenant and a maximum capital expenditure covenant discussed below. The former amended senior credit facility reduced the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under the former amended senior credit facility from $150.0 million to $95.0 million in a phased reduction beginning with a $30.0 million permanent reduction that occurred on July 10, 2020. The former amended senior credit facility was terminated on November 23, 2020 and replaced with the new senior credit facility discussed above.
The former amended senior credit facility provided that the Company was not required to be in compliance with the Adjusted Leverage Ratio and Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio under the former amended senior credit facility from July 10, 2020 through April 3, 2021. The former amended senior credit facility also provided that the Company maintain minimum liquidity (as defined and provided in the former amended senior credit facility, generally unrestricted cash plus available borrowings under the former amended senior credit facility).
Borrowings under the former amended senior credit facility bore interest at a rate per annum, at the Company's option, equal to either (all terms as defined in the former amended senior credit facility):
1)    the Alternate Base Rate plus the Applicable Rate of 4.00% with a minimum Alternate Base Rate of 2.00%, or
2)    the Adjusted LIBOR Rate plus the Applicable Rate of 5.00% with a minimum Adjusted LIBOR Rate of 1.00%.
In addition, the former amended senior credit facility required the Company to pay (i) a commitment fee of 0.50% per annum on the daily amount of the unused portion of the facility and (ii) a letter of credit participation fee based on the applicable LIBOR margin and the dollar amount of outstanding letters of credit.
Former Senior Credit Facility. The former senior credit facility was entered into in November 2017, provided for aggregate revolving credit borrowings of up to $150.0 million (including up to $15.0 million available for letters of credit) and was scheduled to mature on November 30, 2022. The former senior credit facility also provided for potential incremental increases of up to $50.0 million to the revolving credit borrowings available under the former senior credit facility. The former senior secured credit facility was amended on July 10, 2020 before being terminated on November 23, 2020 and replaced with the new senior credit facility discussed above.
Borrowings under the former senior credit facility bore interest at a per annum rate, at the Company's option, equal to either (all terms as defined in the former senior credit facility agreement):
1)     the Alternate Base Rate plus the applicable margin of 0.75% to 1.50% based on the Company's Adjusted Leverage Ratio, or
2)     the LIBOR Rate plus the applicable margin of 1.75% to 2.50% based on the Company's Adjusted Leverage Ratio.
In addition, the former senior credit facility required the Company to pay (i) a commitment fee based on the applicable Commitment Fee rate of 0.25% to 0.35%, based on the Company's Adjusted Leverage Ratio and the unused portion of the facility and (ii) a letter of credit participation fee based on the applicable LIBOR margin and the dollar amount of outstanding letters of credit.
The Company recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt totaling $1.2 million for unamortized deferred financing costs related to the capacity reduction and termination of its former senior credit facility included in income (loss) from discontinued operations for the year ended January 3, 2021.
v3.21.2
Income Taxes
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
The Company's income tax provision (benefit) was comprised of the following:
 Year Ended
 January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Current:
Federal$(8,092)$(1,581)$(4,770)
Foreign278 336 355 
State137 19 16 
(7,677)(1,226)(4,399)
Deferred:
Federal2,259 2,617 3,812 
State(582)767 355 
1,677 3,384 4,167 
Valuation allowance(1,044)9,672 (58)
$(7,044)$11,830 $(290)
Deferred income taxes reflect the effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities at January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, were as follows:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Deferred income tax assets:
  Accrued vacation benefits$471 $482 
  Incentive compensation1,266 894 
  Other accruals2,124 2,285 
  Operating lease liabilities46,462 40,721 
  Occupancy costs41 132 
  Tax credit carryforwards1,105 1,227 
  Other2,024 679 
        Gross deferred income tax assets53,493 46,420 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
  Right-of-use operating lease assets(41,038)(36,434)
  Property and equipment depreciation(3,115)(3,123)
  Amortization of other intangibles, net(52)(53)
  Cloud-based software deferred costs(1,159)(1,059)
  Other(237)(220)
        Gross deferred income tax liabilities(45,601)(40,889)
  Less: Valuation allowance(10,161)(9,902)
Net deferred income tax liabilities$(2,269)$(4,371)
The Company establishes a valuation allowance to reduce the carrying amount of deferred income tax assets when it is more likely than not that it will not realize some portion or all of the tax benefit of its deferred tax assets. The Company evaluates whether its deferred income tax assets are probable of realization on a quarterly basis. In performing this analysis, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence including historical operating results, the estimated timing of future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences and, when appropriate, estimated future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards. In 2019, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that its deferred tax assets would not be fully realized in future periods and established a valuation allowance of $6.2 million against federal deferred tax assets and $3.1 million against state deferred tax assets. At January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, the Company had a valuation allowance of $10.2 million and $9.9 million, respectively, against deferred income tax assets where it was determined to be more likely than not that the deferred income tax assets will not be realized through the reversal of existing deferred tax liabilities. The valuation allowance increased $0.3 million in 2020 as a result of changes in the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities and $9.3 million in 2019 as a result of establishing a valuation allowance in the fourth quarter of 2019. The Company's income tax provision (benefit) also includes a $(0.7) million benefit in 2020 and a $0.4 million provision in 2019 resulting from changes in tax laws or rates and changes in judgement about the realization of deferred tax assets related to discontinued operations. The Company's ability to utilize deferred income tax assets and estimate future taxable income for federal and state purposes can significantly change based on future events and operating results.
The Company's effective tax rate was 67.5%, 120.3%, and (4.4)% for the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, respectively. A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax provision (benefit) to the effective tax provision (benefit) was as follows:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Statutory federal income tax provision (benefit)$(2,190)$2,065 $1,386 
State income taxes, net of federal benefit(351)621 293 
Change in valuation allowance(1,044)9,672 (58)
Change in federal income tax rate and tax methods(3,846)(716)(1,869)
Net share-based compensation-tax benefit deficiencies276 201 129 
Non-deductible expenses122 124 32 
Foreign taxes278 336 355 
Employment tax credits(158)(176)(534)
Foreign tax credits/deductions(241)(71)(75)
Other110 (226)51 
$(7,044)$11,830 $(290)
Tax Law Changes. In 2018, in conjunction with a cost segregation study conducted prior to filing its 2017 federal income tax return, the Company changed the depreciation method for certain assets for federal income tax purposes to accelerate tax deductions. Changes in the Company's 2017 federal income tax return from the amounts recorded as of December 31, 2017 were primarily the result of changing the depreciable lives of assets for federal income tax purposes. These changes allowed the Company to record an incremental benefit of $1.9 million during the twelve months ended December 30, 2018.
On March 27, 2020, the CARES Act was signed into law. The CARES Act includes provisions that allow net operating losses in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back for up to five years and eliminates the 80% taxable income limitation on net operating loss deductions for 2018 through 2020. The CARES Act also includes technical amendments that are retroactive to 2018 which permit certain assets to be classified as qualified improvement property and expensed immediately. These changes allowed the Company to record an incremental benefit of $3.8 million, which represents the impact of carrying net operating losses from 2018 and 2019 back to years with a higher federal corporate income tax rate as well as reclassifying certain assets as qualified improvement property and other changes to depreciation methods for certain assets made in conjunction with a cost segregation study conducted prior to filing the Company's 2019 federal income tax return in 2020.
The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. As of January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits and no accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions.
The Company has deferred tax benefits of $0.6 million related to employment tax credits which, if unutilized after various times beginning in 2038, will have a reduced value of $0.1 million. The Company also has a deferred tax benefit of $0.2 million (for which a valuation allowance has been established) related to a Florida net operating loss carryforward that has no expiration date.
The Company is currently under examination by the Internal Revenue Service for the tax years 2015–2017. It is not currently under examination by any other taxing jurisdictions. The tax years 2013–2020 remain open to examination by the taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. Although it is not reasonably possible to estimate the amount by which unrecognized tax benefits may increase within the next twelve months due to uncertainties regarding the timing of any examinations, the Company does not expect unrecognized tax benefits to significantly change in the next twelve months.
v3.21.2
Stockholders' Equity
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Stockholders' Equity Stockholders' Equity
Purchase of Treasury Stock
In 2018, the Company's board of directors approved a share repurchase program for up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock. In 2019, the Company's board of directors approved increases to the share repurchase program of an additional 1,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock for an aggregate approval of 3,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Under the share repurchase program, shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The share repurchase program has no time limit and may be modified, suspended, superseded or terminated at any time by the Company's board of directors. The Company repurchased 500,000 shares of common stock valued at approximately $3.7 million and 1,381,137 shares of common stock valued at approximately $14.3 million during the twelve months ended January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, respectively. The shares repurchased in 2020 were purchased on or before March 12, 2020. The repurchased shares are held as treasury stock at cost. The Company's new senior credit facility prohibits share repurchases, and the Company currently does not intend to repurchase additional shares of its common stock for the foreseeable future.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company established the Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. 2012 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Fiesta Plan") in order to be able to compensate its employees and directors by issuing stock options, stock appreciation rights, or stock awards to them under this plan. The aggregate number of shares of stock authorized for grants or awards under the Fiesta Plan is 3,300,000. As of January 3, 2021, there were 676,853 shares available for future grants or awards under the Fiesta Plan.
During the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, the Company granted certain employees, and in 2019 and 2018 a consultant, in the aggregate 422,446, 243,948, and 161,791 non-vested restricted shares, respectively, under the Fiesta Plan. Shares granted to employees during the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, vest and become non-forfeitable over a four-year vesting period. The shares granted to the consultant vest over a three-year vesting period. Additionally, during the year ended January 3, 2021, the Company granted certain employees 366,445 non-vested restricted shares that fully vest and become non-forfeitable after two years. The weighted average fair value at the grant date for restricted non-vested shares issued during the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, was $9.33 per share, $13.06 per share, and $18.70 per share, respectively.
During the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, the Company granted non-employee directors 79,260, 43,054, and 31,146 non-vested restricted shares, respectively, under the Fiesta Plan. The weighted average fair value at the grant date for restricted non-vested shares issued to directors during the twelve months ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, was $8.16 per share, $12.66 per share, and $20.71 per share, respectively. These shares vest and become non-forfeitable over a one-year vesting period, or for certain grants to new directors, over a five-year vesting period.
During the years ended December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, the Company also granted certain employees 15,348 and 112,169 restricted stock units, respectively, under the Fiesta Plan subject to continued service requirements and market performance conditions.
•During the year ended and December 30, 2018, the Company granted certain executives 112,169 restricted stock units which vest in three tranches over a three-year vesting period subject to continued service and attainment of specified share price of the Company's common stock. Each tranche vests by the end of a one-year period if the specified target stock price condition for that year is met. If the specified target stock price condition for any tranche is not met for the year, the cumulative unearned units will be rolled over to subsequent tranches on a pro rata basis. The number of shares into which these restricted stock units convert ranges from no shares, if the service and market performance conditions are not met, to 112,169 shares, if the service and market performance conditions are met in the third year. The weighted average fair value at grant date for the restricted stock units granted to executives in the year ended December 30, 2018 was $6.96 per share.
•During the year ended December 29, 2019, the Company granted a certain executive 15,348 restricted stock units, which vest in two tranches over a two-year vesting period subject to continued service and attainment of specified share price of the Company's common stock. Each tranche vests by the end of a one-year period if the specified target stock price condition for that year is met. If the specified target stock price condition for the first tranche is not met for the year, the cumulative unearned units will be rolled over to the subsequent tranche. The number of shares into which
these restricted stock units convert ranges from no shares, if the service and market performance conditions are not met, to 15,348 shares, if the service and market performance conditions are met in the last vesting period. The weighted average fair value at grant date for the restricted stock units granted in the year ended December 29, 2019 was $1.76 per share.
Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the applicable requisite service period of the award (the vesting period) using the straight-line method, or for restricted stock units subject to market performance conditions using the accelerated method. Stock-based compensation expense from continuing operations for the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, was $2.8 million, $2.4 million, and $3.0 million, respectively. Stock-based compensation expense from discontinued operations for the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, was $0.7 million, $0.5 million, and $0.4 million, respectively. As of January 3, 2021, the total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested shares and restricted stock units was approximately $7.9 million. At January 3, 2021, the remaining weighted average vesting period for non-vested restricted shares was 2.3 years and restricted stock units was 0.2 years.
A summary of all non-vested restricted shares and restricted stock units activity for the year ended January 3, 2021, is as follows:
Non-Vested SharesRestricted Stock Units
 Shares Weighted Average Grant Date
Fair Value		UnitsWeighted Average Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding at December 29, 2019355,605 $15.47 176,362 $9.42 
Granted868,151 9.22 — — 
Vested/Released(179,805)15.22 (747)32.44 
Forfeited(52,275)11.86 (25,030)8.33 
Outstanding at January 3, 2021991,676  $10.26 150,585  $9.49 
The fair value of the non-vested restricted shares and all other restricted stock units is based on the closing price on the date of grant. The fair value of the restricted stock units subject to market conditions was estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation method. The assumptions used to value grant restricted stock units subject to market conditions are detailed below:
20192018
Non-CEO GrantNon-CEO Grant
Grant date stock price$14.66 $18.70 
Fair value at grant date$1.76 $6.96 
Risk free interest rate2.53 %2.40 %
Expected term (in years)23
Dividend yield— %— %
Expected volatility43.18 %41.49 %
The fair value of the shares vested and released during the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, was $1.2 million, $1.8 million, and $2.5 million, respectively.
v3.21.2
Business Segment Information
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Business Segment Information Business Segment Information
The Company owns, operates and franchises two restaurant brands, Pollo Tropical® and Taco Cabana®, each of which is an operating segment. Pollo Tropical restaurants feature fire-grilled and crispy citrus marinated chicken and other freshly prepared tropical-inspired menu items, while Taco Cabana restaurants specialize in Mexican-inspired food. The Taco Cabana operating segment is included in discontinued operations in the consolidated financial statements for all periods presented and is excluded from the segment information below.
Each segment's accounting policies are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1. The primary measure of segment profit or loss used by the chief operating decision maker to assess performance and allocate resources is Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as earnings attributable to the applicable operating segments before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment and other lease charges, goodwill impairment, closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income, stock-based compensation expense, other expense (income), net, and certain significant items for each segment that management believes are related to strategic changes and/or are not related to the ongoing operation of the Company's restaurants as set forth in the reconciliation table below. The Company has included the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA for all periods presented.
The "Other" column includes corporate-related items not allocated to reportable segments and consists primarily of corporate-owned property and equipment, lease assets, miscellaneous prepaid costs, capitalized costs associated with the issuance of indebtedness, corporate cash accounts, and a current income tax receivable. The "Other" column also includes corporate costs that were previously allocated to Taco Cabana and are not included in discontinued operations.
Year EndedPollo TropicalOtherContinuing Operations
January 3, 2021:
Restaurant sales$314,112 $— $314,112 
Franchise revenue1,246 — 1,246 
Cost of sales100,080 — 100,080 
Restaurant wages and related expenses(1)
74,328 — 74,328 
Restaurant rent expense22,773 — 22,773 
Other restaurant operating expenses47,354 469 47,823 
Advertising expense8,384 (5)8,379 
General and administrative expense(2)
28,622 11,226 39,848 
Adjusted EBITDA36,517 (10,526)25,991 
Depreciation and amortization21,112 897 22,009 
Capital expenditures9,163 1,320 10,483 
December 29, 2019:
Restaurant sales$361,693 $— $361,693 
Franchise revenue1,780 — 1,780 
Cost of sales115,119 — 115,119 
Restaurant wages and related expenses(1)
84,909 — 84,909 
Restaurant rent expense22,050 — 22,050 
Other restaurant operating expenses49,768 506 50,274 
Advertising expense12,358 (5)12,353 
General and administrative expense(2)
31,023 10,882 41,905 
Adjusted EBITDA50,560 (10,589)39,971 
Depreciation and amortization21,476 710 22,186 
Capital expenditures21,921 1,201 23,122 
December 30, 2018:
Restaurant sales$374,381 $— $374,381 
Franchise revenue1,815 — 1,815 
Cost of sales123,042 — 123,042 
Restaurant wages and related expenses(1)
87,025 — 87,025 
Restaurant rent expense17,457 — 17,457 
Other restaurant operating expenses51,757 387 52,144 
Advertising expense13,068 — 13,068 
General and administrative expense(2)
29,621 11,211 40,832 
Adjusted EBITDA54,903 (10,579)44,324 
Depreciation and amortization21,372 1,085 22,457 
Capital expenditures27,667 1,297 28,964 
Identifiable Assets:
January 3, 2021$311,905 $88,337 $400,242 
December 29, 2019340,012 33,725 373,737 
(1)     Includes stock-based compensation expense of $73, $70 and $34 for the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, respectively.
(2) Includes stock-based compensation expense of $2,681, $2,320 and $3,011 for the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, respectively.
A reconciliation of consolidated net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA follows:
Year EndedPollo TropicalOther
Continuing Operations
January 3, 2021:
Net loss$(10,211)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax6,825 
Benefit from income taxes(7,044)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes$2,557 $(12,987)$(10,430)
Add:
     Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
          Depreciation and amortization21,112 897 22,009 
          Impairment and other lease charges8,023 — 8,023 
          Interest expense2,405 (2,113)292 
          Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income2,093 2,238 4,331 
          Other expense (income), net(2,373)275 (2,098)
          Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages73 — 73 
                Total non-general and administrative expense adjustments31,333 1,297 32,630 
     General and administrative expense adjustments:
          Stock-based compensation expense1,652 1,029 2,681 
          Restructuring costs and retention bonuses551 135 686 
          Digital and brand repositioning costs424 — 424 
               Total general and administrative expense adjustments2,627 1,164 3,791 
Adjusted EBITDA$36,517 $(10,526)$25,991 
December 29, 2019:
Net loss$(84,386)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax82,391 
Provision for income taxes11,830 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes$20,300 $(10,465)$9,835 
Add:
     Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
          Depreciation and amortization21,476 710 22,186 
          Impairment and other lease charges15 — 15 
          Interest expense1,953 (1,628)325 
          Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income3,260 — 3,260 
          Other expense (income), net862 — 862 
          Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages70 — 70 
                Total non-general and administrative expense adjustments27,636 (918)26,718 
     General and administrative expense adjustments:
          Stock-based compensation expense1,590 730 2,320 
          Restructuring costs and retention bonuses827 64 891 
          Digital and brand repositioning costs207 — 207 
               Total general and administrative expense adjustments2,624 794 3,418 
Adjusted EBITDA$50,560 $(10,589)$39,971 
Year Ended:Pollo TropicalOtherContinuing Operations
December 30, 2018:
Net income$7,787 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax(896)
Benefit from income taxes(290)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes$17,639 $(11,038)$6,601 
Add:
     Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
          Depreciation and amortization21,372 1,085 22,457 
          Impairment and other lease charges13,587 — 13,587 
          Interest expense1,920 (1,645)275 
          Other expense (income), net(1,225)— (1,225)
          Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages34 — 34 
                Total non-general and administrative expense adjustments35,688 (560)35,128 
     General and administrative expense adjustments:
          Stock-based compensation expense1,885 1,126 3,011 
          Board and shareholder matter costs(328)(269)(597)
          Restructuring costs and retention bonuses196 162 358 
          Legal settlements and related costs(177)— (177)
               Total general and administrative expense adjustments1,576 1,019 2,595 
Adjusted EBITDA$54,903 $(10,579)$44,324 
v3.21.2
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Earnings (Loss) Per Share Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Non-vested restricted shares contain a non-forfeitable right to receive dividends on a one-to-one per share ratio to common shares and are thus considered participating securities. The impact of the participating securities is included in the computation of basic EPS pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method of computing EPS is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings attributable to common shares and participating securities according to dividends declared (whether paid or unpaid) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. EPS is computed by dividing undistributed earnings allocated to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In applying the two-class method, undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and non-vested restricted shares based on the weighted average shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if the restricted stock units were to be converted into common shares. Restricted stock units with performance conditions are only included in the diluted EPS calculation to the extent that performance conditions have been met at the measurement date. Diluted EPS is computed by adjusting the basic weighted average number of common shares by the dilutive effect of the restricted stock units, determined using the treasury stock method.
Weighted average outstanding restricted stock units totaling 560 shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the twelve months ended December 30, 2018, because including these restricted stock units would have been antidilutive. For the twelve months ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, all restricted stock units outstanding were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because including restricted stock units would have been antidilutive as a result of the loss from continuing operations in the period.
The computation of basic and diluted EPS is as follows:
 Year Ended
 January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Basic and diluted EPS:
Income (loss) from continuing operations$(3,386)$(1,995)$6,891 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax(6,825)(82,391)896 
Net income (loss)(10,211)(84,386)7,787 
Less: income allocated to participating securities— — 85 
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders$(10,211)$(84,386)$7,702 
Weighted average common shares—basic25,341,415 26,500,356 26,890,577 
Restricted stock units— — 3,506 
Weighted average common shares—diluted25,341,415 26,500,356 26,894,083 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share—basic$(0.13)$(0.07)$0.26 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per common share—basic(0.27)(3.11)0.03 
Earnings (loss) per common share—basic$(0.40)$(3.18)$0.29 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share—diluted$(0.13)$(0.07)$0.26 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per common share—diluted(0.27)(3.11)0.03 
Earnings (loss) per common share—diluted$(0.40)$(3.18)$0.29 
v3.21.2
Related Party Transactions
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Related Party Transactions Related Party Transactions The Company engaged Jefferies LLC ("Jefferies"), an affiliate of two of the members of Fiesta's board of directors and a subsidiary of Jefferies Financial Group, Inc, a holder of more than 20 percent of the total outstanding shares of Fiesta, in the third quarter of 2020 in connection with a refinancing of the Company's former amended senior credit facility and other advisory services, as previously disclosed. The engagement of Jefferies and the corresponding engagement letter was approved by the Audit Committee in accordance with the Company's Related Party Transaction Policy as disclosed in its most recent proxy statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The Company paid fees of $1.7 million to Jefferies and reimbursed Jefferies for reasonable out of pocket and ancillary expenses of less than $0.1 million when the refinancing was completed in the fourth quarter of 2020. These payments are accounted for as debt issuance costs and are recorded as a reduction from the carrying value of the related term loan within long-term debt and as deferred financing fees related to the revolving line of credit within other assets on the consolidated balance sheet as of January 3, 2021. As of January 3, 2021, there were no amounts due to the related party recognized on the consolidated balance sheet.
v3.21.2
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]  
Supplemental Cash Flow Information Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table details supplemental cash flow information and disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
 Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Interest paid on long-term debt$309 $197 $160 
Income tax payments (refunds), net(2,073)(15,557)(3,081)
Supplemental cash flow disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Accruals for capital expenditures$325 $2,587 $5,124 
Finance/capital lease obligations incurred— 191 322 
Cash and restricted cash reconciliation:
Cash$49,778 $13,089 $4,940 
Restricted cash3,584 — — 
Cash and restricted cash, end of year$53,362 $13,089 $4,940 
v3.21.2
Commitments and Contingencies
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
Lease Assignments. Pollo Tropical assigned one lease to a third party on a property where it no longer operates with a lease term expiring in 2033. Although the assignee is responsible for making the payments required by the lease, the Company is a guarantor under the lease.
The maximum potential liability for future rental payments that the Company could be required to make under this lease at January 3, 2021, was $2.1 million. The Company could also be obligated to pay property taxes and other lease-related costs. The obligations under this lease will generally continue to decrease over time as the operating lease expires. The Company does not believe it is probable that it will be ultimately responsible for the obligations under this lease.
Legal Matters. The Company is a party to various legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of business. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any of these matters will have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements. The Company records accruals for outstanding legal matters when it believes it is probable that a loss will be incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis, developments in legal matters that could affect the amount of any accrual and developments that would make a loss contingency both probable and reasonably estimable. If a loss contingency is not both probable and estimable, the Company does not establish an accrued liability.
Contingency Related to Insurance Recoveries. During the third quarter of 2017, Texas and Florida were struck by Hurricane Harvey and Irma (the "Hurricanes"). Two Pollo Tropical restaurants in the Houston metropolitan area and all Pollo Tropical restaurants in Florida and the Atlanta metropolitan area were temporarily closed and affected by the Hurricanes to varying degrees. In the twelve months ended December 30, 2018, the Company received business interruption and property damage insurance settlement proceeds of $2.8 million and recognized other income of $2.1 million for Pollo Tropical related to the Hurricanes. The Company received a final settlement related to the Hurricanes as of December 30, 2018.
v3.21.2
Retirement Plans
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Retirement Plans Retirement Plans
Fiesta offers certain of the Company's salaried employees the option to participate in the Fiesta Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (the "Retirement Plan"). The Retirement Plan includes a savings option pursuant to section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code in addition to a post-tax savings option. Fiesta may elect to contribute to the Retirement Plan on an annual basis. Contributions made by Fiesta to the Retirement Plan for the Company's employees are made after the end of each plan year. For 2019 and 2018, Fiesta's discretionary annual contribution is equal to 50% of the employee's contribution up to the first 6% of eligible compensation for a maximum Fiesta contribution of 3% of eligible compensation per participating employee. Under the Retirement Plan, Fiesta contributions prior to 2020 begin to vest after one year and fully vest after five years of service. A year of service is defined as a plan year during which an employee completes at least 1,000 hours of service. For 2020, Fiesta's discretionary contribution is equal to 100% of the first 3% of eligible compensation plus 50% of the next 2% of eligible compensation through the second quarter of 2020. On July 1, 2020, the Company suspended its employer matching contribution through the end of the year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fiesta contributions for 2020 will vest immediately. Participating employees may contribute up to 50% of their salary annually to either of the savings options, subject to other limitations. The employees have various investment options available under a trust established by the Retirement Plan. Retirement Plan employer matching expense for the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, was $0.2 million, $0.3 million, and $0.3 million, respectively.
Fiesta also has a Deferred Compensation Plan which permits employees not eligible to participate in the Retirement Plan because they have been excluded as "highly compensated" employees (as so defined in the Retirement Plan) to voluntarily defer portions of their base salary and annual bonus. All amounts deferred by the participants earn interest at 8% per annum. There is no Company matching on any portion of the funds. At January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, a total of $0.5 million and $0.4 million, respectively, was deferred by the Company's employees under the Deferred Compensation Plan, including accrued interest.
v3.21.2
SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
SEC Schedule, 12-09, Valuation and Qualifying Accounts [Abstract]  
SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
(In thousands of dollars)

Amounts and disclosures within this schedule relate to the Company's continuing operations.
Column BColumn CColumn DColumn E
DescriptionBalance at
beginning of period		Charged to
costs and
expenses		Charged to
other
accounts		DeductionBalance
at end of
period
Year ended January 3, 2021:
Deferred income tax valuation allowance$9,902 $259 $— $— $10,161 
Year ended December 29, 2019:
Deferred income tax valuation allowance678 9,224 — — 9,902 
Year ended December 30, 2018:
Deferred income tax valuation allowance736 (58)— — 678 
v3.21.2
Basis of Presentation (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Discontinued operations Discontinued Operations. On July 1, 2021, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement for the sale of Taco Cabana. The Company has classified the revenues, costs and expenses and income taxes attributable to the Taco Cabana business segment within loss from discontinued operations, net of tax, on the consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented.
Basis of Consolidation Basis of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of Fiesta and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Fiscal Year Fiscal Year. The Company uses a 52–53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. The fiscal years ended December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, each contained 52 weeks. The fiscal year ended January 3, 2021 contained 53 weeks.
Use of Estimates Use of Estimates. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements. Estimates also affect the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include: insurance liabilities, evaluation for impairment of goodwill and long-lived assets, lease accounting matters, and deferred income tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Due to the uncertainty associated with the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it will have on the Company's operations and future cash flows, it is reasonably possible that the estimates of future cash flows used in impairment assessments will change in the near term and the effect of the change could be material. The Company's current estimates assume that operating restrictions, regulations and directives for restaurants and other changes related to COVID-19 will continue to have a significant impact through at least the first half of 2021 with the greatest impact in the near term.
Concentrations of Risk Concentrations of Risk. Food and supplies are ordered from approved suppliers and are shipped to the restaurants via distributors. Performance Food Group, Inc. is the primary distributor of food and beverage products and supplies for Pollo Tropical. In the twelve months ended January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, Performance Food Group, Inc. accounted for approximately 98% and 73%, respectively, of the food and supplies delivered to restaurants. The Company's limited distributor relationships could have an adverse effect on the Company's operations.
Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash Restricted Cash. The Company's restricted cash is comprised of certain cash balances that are reserved as cash collateral for the Company's existing letters of credit.
Inventories Inventories. Inventories, primarily consisting of food and paper, are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market.
Property and Equipment Property and Equipment. The Company capitalizes all direct costs incurred to construct and substantially improve its restaurants. These costs are depreciated and charged to expense based upon their property classification when placed in service. Property and equipment is recorded at cost. Application development stage costs for significant internally developed software
projects are capitalized and amortized. Repairs and maintenance activities are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization is provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Buildings and improvements5to30 years
Equipment3to7 years
Computer hardware and software3to7 years
Assets subject to finance leaseShorter of useful life or lease term
Leasehold improvements, including new buildings constructed on leased land, are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the underlying lease term. In circumstances where an economic penalty would be presumed by the non-exercise of one or more renewal options under the lease, the Company includes those renewal option periods when determining the lease term for depreciation purposes. For significant leasehold improvements made during the latter part of the lease term, the Company amortizes those improvements over the shorter of their useful life or an extended lease term. The extended lease term would consider the exercise of renewal options if the value of the improvements would imply that an economic penalty would be incurred without the renewal of the option. For significant leasehold improvements made during the latter part of the lease term prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASC 842"), this extended term may differ from the lease term used to determine lease assets and liabilities. Building costs incurred for new restaurants on leased land are depreciated over the lease term, which is generally a 20-year period.
Cloud-Based Computing Arrangements Cloud-Based Computing Arrangements. The Company defers and amortizes application development stage costs for cloud-based computing arrangements over the life of the related service (subscription) agreement.
Goodwill Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess purchase price and related costs over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired by Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Carrols"), Fiesta's former parent company, from the acquisition of Pollo Tropical in 1998. Goodwill is not amortized but is assessed for impairment at least annually as of the last day of the fiscal year or more frequently if impairment indicators exist.
Long-Lived Assets Long-Lived Assets. The Company assesses the recoverability of property and equipment and definite-lived intangible assets, including right-of-use ("ROU") lease assets, by determining whether the carrying value of these assets can be recovered over their respective remaining lives through undiscounted future operating cash flows. Impairment is reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be fully recoverable.
Deferred Financing Costs Deferred Financing Costs. Financing costs incurred and the original issue discount recognized in obtaining revolving credit facilities are capitalized and included within other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over the life of the related credit facility as interest expense on a straight-line basis. Financing costs incurred and original issue discount recognized in obtaining long-term debt are capitalized and amortized over the term of the associated debt agreement as interest expense using the effective interest method. These financing costs and the original issue discount are presented as a reduction from the carrying amount of the related long-term debt balance on the consolidated balance sheets.
Leases
Leases. The Company assesses whether an agreement contains a lease at inception. Subsequent to the adoption of ASC 842, all leases are reviewed for finance or operating classification once control is obtained. The majority of the Company's leases are operating leases. Operating leases are included within operating lease ROU assets, other current liabilities, and operating lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included within property and equipment, net, current portion of long-term debt, and long-term debt, net of current portion on the consolidated balance sheets.
ROU assets represent the Company's right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made in advance and is reduced by lease incentives received. As most leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Lease terms include options to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. The Company assumes options are reasonably certain to be exercised when such options are required to achieve a minimum 20-year lease term for new restaurant properties, and subsequent to the adoption of ASC 842, when it incurs significant leasehold improvement costs near the end of a lease term. The Company uses judgment and available data to allocate consideration in a contract when it leases land and a building. The Company also uses judgment in determining its
incremental borrowing rate, which includes selecting a yield curve based on a synthetic credit rating determined using a valuation model. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term unless the related ROU asset has been adjusted for an impairment charge. The Company has real estate lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for as a single lease component.
Income Taxes Income Taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities as measured by the tax rates that are anticipated to be in effect when those differences reverse. The deferred tax provision generally represents the net change in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the period. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established when it is necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts for which realization is more likely than not. The Company recognizes the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position.
Advertising Costs Advertising Costs. All advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Cost of Sales Cost of Sales. The Company includes the cost of food, beverage and paper, net of any discounts, in cost of sales. Cost of sales excludes depreciation and amortization expense, which are presented separately on the consolidated statement of operations.
Pre-opening Costs Pre-opening Costs. The Company's pre-opening costs are generally incurred beginning four to six months prior to a restaurant opening and generally include restaurant employee wages and related expenses, travel expenditures, recruiting, training, promotional costs associated with the restaurant opening and rent, including any non-cash rent expense recognized during the construction period.
Insurance Insurance. The Company is insured for workers' compensation, general liability and medical insurance claims under policies where it pays all claims, subject to stop-loss limitations both for individual claims and for general liability, medical insurance and certain workers' compensation claims in the aggregate. Losses are accrued based upon estimates of the aggregate liability for claims based on the Company's experience and certain actuarial methods used to measure such estimates. The Company does not discount any of its self-insurance obligations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date under current market conditions. In determining fair value, the accounting standards establish a three-level hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable and reflect management's own assumptions. The following methods were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate the fair value:
•Current Assets and Liabilities. The carrying values reported on the consolidated balance sheets of cash and restricted cash, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short maturity of those financial instruments.
•Revolving Credit Borrowings. The fair value of outstanding revolving credit borrowings under the Company's former senior credit facility, which was considered Level 2, was based on current LIBOR rates. The fair value of the Company's former senior credit facility was approximately $75.0 million at December 29, 2019. The carrying value of the Company's former senior credit facility was $75.0 million at December 29, 2019.
•Term Loan Borrowings. The fair value of outstanding term loan borrowings under the Company's new senior credit facility, which is considered Level 2, is based on current LIBOR rates. The fair value of the Company's senior credit facility was approximately $74.4 million at January 3, 2021. The carrying value of Company's new senior credit facility was $71.5 million at January 3, 2021.
Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition. Revenue is recognized upon transfer of promised products or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company received in exchange for those products or services. Revenues from the Company's owned and operated restaurants are recognized when payment is tendered at the time of sale. Franchise royalty revenues are based on a percent of gross sales and are recorded as income when earned. Initial franchise fees and area development fees associated with new franchise agreements are not distinct from the continuing rights and services offered by the Company during the term of the related franchise agreements and are recognized as income over the term of the related franchise agreements. A portion of the initial franchise fee is allocated to training services and is recognized as revenue when the Company completes the training services.
Gift Cards. The Company sells gift cards to its customers in its restaurants and through select third parties. The Company recognizes revenue from gift cards upon redemption by the customer. For unredeemed gift cards that the Company expects to be entitled to breakage, the Company recognizes expected breakage as revenue in proportion to the pattern of redemption by the customers. The gift cards have no stated expiration dates. Revenues from unredeemed gift cards and gift card liabilities, which are recorded in other current liabilities, are not material to the Company's financial statements.
Loyalty Programs. The Company's loyalty program for Pollo Tropical (My Pollo™) allows eligible customers who enroll in the program to earn points for every dollar spent. After accumulating a certain number of points, the customer earns a reward that can be used for future purchases at the Company's respective restaurants. Earned rewards expire 90 days after they are issued. Earned points that have not been converted to rewards do not currently expire.
The Company defers revenue associated with the estimated standalone selling price of points earned by customers as each point is earned, net of points the Company does not expect to be redeemed. The estimated standalone selling price of each point earned is based on the estimated value of the reward which is expected to be redeemed.
Loyalty revenue is recognized when a customer redeems an earned reward. For unredeemed rewards that the Company expects to be entitled to breakage, the Company recognizes expected breakage as revenue in proportion to the pattern of redemption of the rewards by the customers. The costs associated with rewards are recorded when they are redeemed and are included within cost of sales on the consolidated statements of operations. Deferred revenue associated with the rewards is included within other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Guidance Adopted in 2020 and Recent Accounting Pronouncements Guidance Adopted in 2020. In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU No. 2018-15, Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). The Company adopted this new accounting standard as of December 30, 2019 and applied it prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The
standard did not have a material effect on the Company's financial statements. The Company deferred and amortized application development stage costs for cloud-based computing arrangements over the life of the related service (subscription) agreement in the same line item that the fees associated with the subscription arrangement were presented prior to adoption of the new standard.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) ("ASU No. 2019-12"), which is a part of the Simplification Initiative being undertaken by the FASB to reduce complexity of accounting standards. The amendments in this update simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions, the most notable for the Company being the exception to the general methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period when the year-to-date loss exceeds the anticipated loss for the full year. The guidance will be effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted and any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the annual period of adoption. Amendments relevant to the Company should be applied on a prospective basis. The impact of the standard is largely dependent on interim and anticipated profit or loss in a given period, however the Company does not expect ASU No. 2019-12 to have a significant impact on its financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) ("ASU No. 2020-04"), which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments in this update are effective as of March 12, 2020, through December 31, 2022. As of January 3, 2021, the Company's only exposure to LIBOR rates was its new senior credit facility. Upon cessation of the LIBOR, the new senior credit facility will use a benchmark replacement rate. According to ASU No. 2020-04, modifications of contracts within the scope of Topic 470 Debt should be accounted for by prospectively adjusting the effective interest rate. The Company does not expect ASU No. 2020-04 to have a significant impact on its financial statements.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company reviews its long-lived assets, principally property and equipment and lease ROU assets, for impairment at the restaurant level. The Company has elected to exclude operating lease payments and liabilities from future cash flows and carrying values, respectively, in its impairment review. In addition to considering management's plans, known regulatory or governmental actions and damage due to acts of God (hurricanes, tornadoes, etc.), the Company considers a triggering event to have occurred related to a specific restaurant if the restaurant's cash flows, exclusive of operating lease payments, for the last twelve months are less than a minimum threshold or if consistent levels of cash flows for the remaining lease period are less than the carrying value of the restaurant's assets. If an indicator of impairment exists for any of its assets, an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows, exclusive of operating lease payments, over the life of the primary asset for each restaurant is compared to that long-lived asset group's carrying value, excluding operating lease liabilities. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flow, the Company then determines the fair value of the asset and if an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. There is uncertainty in the projected undiscounted future cash flows used in the Company's impairment review analysis. If actual performance does not achieve the projections, the Company may recognize impairment charges in future periods, and such charges could be material. Prior to the adoption of ASC 842 on December 31, 2018, for closed restaurant locations, the Company reviewed the future minimum lease payments and related ancillary costs from the date of the restaurant closure to the end of the remaining lease term and recorded a lease charge for the lease liabilities to be incurred, net of any estimated sublease recoveries.
Purchase of Treasury Stock
Purchase of Treasury Stock
In 2018, the Company's board of directors approved a share repurchase program for up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock. In 2019, the Company's board of directors approved increases to the share repurchase program of an additional 1,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock for an aggregate approval of 3,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Under the share repurchase program, shares may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices, in privately negotiated transactions or by other means in accordance with federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The share repurchase program has no time limit and may be modified, suspended, superseded or terminated at any time by the Company's board of directors. The Company repurchased 500,000 shares of common stock valued at approximately $3.7 million and 1,381,137 shares of common stock valued at approximately $14.3 million during the twelve months ended January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, respectively. The shares repurchased in 2020 were purchased on or before March 12, 2020. The repurchased shares are held as treasury stock at cost. The Company's new senior credit facility prohibits share repurchases, and the Company currently does not intend to repurchase additional shares of its common stock for the foreseeable future.
Segment Reporting Each segment's accounting policies are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1. The primary measure of segment profit or loss used by the chief operating decision maker to assess performance and allocate resources is Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as earnings attributable to the applicable operating segments before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment and other lease charges, goodwill impairment, closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income, stock-based compensation expense, other expense (income), net, and certain significant items for each segment that management believes are related to strategic changes and/or are not related to the ongoing operation of the Company's restaurants
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Non-vested restricted shares contain a non-forfeitable right to receive dividends on a one-to-one per share ratio to common shares and are thus considered participating securities. The impact of the participating securities is included in the computation of basic EPS pursuant to the two-class method. The two-class method of computing EPS is an earnings allocation formula that determines earnings attributable to common shares and participating securities according to dividends declared (whether paid or unpaid) and participation rights in undistributed earnings. EPS is computed by dividing undistributed earnings allocated to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. In applying the two-class method, undistributed earnings are allocated to both common shares and non-vested restricted shares based on the weighted average shares outstanding during the period.
Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if the restricted stock units were to be converted into common shares. Restricted stock units with performance conditions are only included in the diluted EPS calculation to the extent that performance conditions have been met at the measurement date. Diluted EPS is computed by adjusting the basic weighted average number of common shares by the dilutive effect of the restricted stock units, determined using the treasury stock method.
v3.21.2
Basis of Presentation (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Schedule of Property and Equipment Useful Lives Depreciation and amortization is provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Buildings and improvements5to30 years
Equipment3to7 years
Computer hardware and software3to7 years
Assets subject to finance leaseShorter of useful life or lease term
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Land and land improvements$1,264 $12,851 
Owned buildings— 8,385 
Leasehold improvements (1)
128,918 123,172 
Equipment118,988 119,594 
Assets subject to finance leases1,159 1,172 
250,329 265,174 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(152,462)(133,284)
$97,867 $131,890 
(1)    Leasehold improvements include the cost of new buildings constructed on leased land.
v3.21.2
Dispositions (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]  
Dispositions
A summary of assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations is as follows:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Carrying amount of major classes of assets included as part of discontinued operations:
Accounts receivable$3,951 $3,522 
Inventories2,104 1,935 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets2,423 4,100 
Total current assets of the disposal group classified as held for sale8,478 9,557 
Property and equipment, net63,214 80,054 
Operating lease right-of-use assets96,639 105,082 
Other assets170 211 
Total non-current assets of the disposal group classified as held for sale160,023 185,347 
Total assets of the disposal group classified as held for sale$168,501 $194,904 
Carrying amount of major classes of liabilities included as part of discontinued operations:
Current portion of long-term debt$199 $168 
Accounts payable5,014 5,593 
Accrued liabilities9,363 8,965 
Other current liabilities12,649 16,233 
Total current liabilities of the disposal group classified as held for sale27,225 30,959 
Long-term debt, net of current portion740 929 
Operating lease liabilities93,970 103,151 
Deferred tax liabilities1,840 388 
Other non-current liabilities1,773 93 
Total non-current liabilities of the disposal group classified as held for sale98,323 104,561 
Total liabilities of the disposal group classified as held for sale$125,548 $135,520 
A summary of the results of the discontinued operations is as follows:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Major classes of line items constituting pretax loss of discontinued operations:
Revenues:
Total revenues$239,445 $297,470 $312,401 
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales70,433 92,334 95,904 
Restaurant wages and related expenses (including stock-based compensation expense of $127, $125, and $56, respectively)
74,817 94,269 101,106 
Restaurant rent expense22,588 25,755 18,577 
Other restaurant operating expenses34,357 41,623 48,684 
General and administrative (including stock-based compensation expense of $603, $329, and $368, respectively)
13,229 14,290 13,693 
Depreciation and amortization16,197 17,009 15,147 
Pre-opening costs69 592 783 
Goodwill impairment— 67,909 — 
Other income and expense items that are not major10,133 24,994 16,402 
Total operating expenses241,823 378,775 310,296 
Income (loss) from operations(2,378)(81,305)2,105 
Interest expense4,464 3,547 3,691 
Loss on extinguishment of debt1,241 — — 
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes(8,083)(84,852)(1,586)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes(1,258)(2,461)(2,482)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax$(6,825)$(82,391)$896 
A summary of significant investing activity and non-cash operating, investing, and financing activity of the discontinued operations from the consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Non-cash operating activities:
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, net$(551)$21 $(742)
Stock-based compensation730 454 424 
Impairment and other lease charges1,116 13,086 7,557 
Goodwill impairment— 67,909 — 
Loss on extinguishment of debt1,241 — — 
Depreciation and amortization16,197 17,009 15,147 
Investing activities:
Capital expenditures:
New restaurant development$(854)$(4,065)$(9,105)
Restaurant remodeling(745)(919)(531)
Other restaurant capital expenditures(4,728)(9,266)(15,307)
Corporate and restaurant information systems(1,559)(3,875)(3,943)
Total capital expenditures(7,886)(18,125)(28,886)
Proceeds from disposals of properties4,305 — 1,388 
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions3,966 — — 
Proceeds from insurance recoveries— — 983 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities – discontinued operations$385 $(18,125)$(26,515)
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Interest paid on long-term debt (including capitalized interest of $57, $247 and $377, respectively)
$4,001 $4,198 $3,348 
Supplemental cash flow disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Accruals for capital expenditures$1,027 $1,510 $1,067 
Accruals for financing costs associated with debt277 — — 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating lease ROU assets18,466 6,456 — 
Finance lease ROU assets/capital lease obligations incurred33 304 — 
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities reduced for terminated leases:
Operating lease ROU assets953 794 — 
Operating lease liabilities1,217 1,054 — 
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained and lease liabilities incurred as a result of adoption of ASC 842:
Operating lease ROU assets— 112,905 — 
Operating lease liabilities— 122,441 — 
v3.21.2
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Prepaid expenses and other current assets, consist of the following:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Prepaid contract expenses$4,138 $4,144 
Assets held for sale(1)
— 1,622 
Other1,508 1,079 
$5,646 $6,845 
(1)     As of December 29, 2019, one closed Pollo Tropical restaurant property owned by the Company was classified as held for sale within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
v3.21.2
Property and Equipment (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Schedule of Property and Equipment Depreciation and amortization is provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Buildings and improvements5to30 years
Equipment3to7 years
Computer hardware and software3to7 years
Assets subject to finance leaseShorter of useful life or lease term
Property and equipment consisted of the following:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Land and land improvements$1,264 $12,851 
Owned buildings— 8,385 
Leasehold improvements (1)
128,918 123,172 
Equipment118,988 119,594 
Assets subject to finance leases1,159 1,172 
250,329 265,174 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization(152,462)(133,284)
$97,867 $131,890 
(1)    Leasehold improvements include the cost of new buildings constructed on leased land.
v3.21.2
Goodwill (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Goodwill
A summary of changes in goodwill during the twelve months ended January 3, 2021, is as follows:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Goodwill, gross$56,307 $56,307 $56,307 
Accumulated impairment losses— — — 
Goodwill$56,307 $56,307 $56,307 
v3.21.2
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
A summary of impairment on long-lived assets and other lease charges (recoveries) is as follows:
 Year Ended
 January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Impairment of long-lived assets$7,318 $775 $13,094 
Other lease charges (recoveries)705 (760)493 
$8,023 $15 $13,587 
Other Lease Charges (Recoveries)
A summary of impairment on long-lived assets and other lease charges (recoveries) is as follows:
 Year Ended
 January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Impairment of long-lived assets$7,318 $775 $13,094 
Other lease charges (recoveries)705 (760)493 
$8,023 $15 $13,587 
v3.21.2
Other Liabilities (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]  
Other Current Liabilities
Other current liabilities consist of the following:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Operating lease liabilities$9,715 $9,203 
Accrued workers' compensation and general liability claims3,619 4,354 
Sales and property taxes1,209 909 
Accrued occupancy costs269 630 
Other2,258 940 
$17,070 $16,036 
Other Non-current Liabilities
Other non-current liabilities consist of the following:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Accrued workers' compensation and general liability claims$6,791 $7,348 
Accrued payroll taxes(1)
1,318 — 
Deferred compensation491 424 
Other1,157 540 
$9,757 $8,312 
Activity in the Closed-Store Reserve
The following table presents the activity in the closed restaurant reserve, which is included within other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019.
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Balance, beginning of period$528 $6,152 
Payments, net(178)(1,242)
Other adjustments(1)
(187)(4,382)
Balance, end of period$163 $528 
(1)     As a result of adopting ASC 842 on December 31, 2018, the portion of the closed restaurant reserve related to operating lease rental payments totaling $3.9 million was reclassified and included as a component of the related ROU assets during the twelve months ended December 29, 2019. The portion of the closed restaurant reserve related to variable ancillary lease costs was not reclassified and was not included as a reduction to ROU assets.
v3.21.2
Leases (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Leases [Abstract]  
Lease Expense
Lease expense consisted of the following:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Operating lease cost$26,026 $23,803 
Finance lease costs:
Amortization of right-of-use assets$98 $67 
Interest on lease liabilities136 137 
Total finance lease costs$234 $204 
Variable lease costs$6,999 $6,074 
Sublease income(4,853)(3,499)
Total lease costs$28,406 $26,582 
Supplemental Balance Sheet Information
Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Operating Leases
Operating lease right-of-use assets$164,665 $146,190 
Other current liabilities$9,715 $9,203 
Operating lease liabilities174,116 153,647 
Total operating lease liabilities$183,831 $162,850 
Finance Leases
Property and equipment, gross$1,159 $1,172 
Accumulated amortization(496)(461)
Property and equipment, net$663 $711 
Current portion of long-term debt$66 $44 
Long-term debt, net of current portion853 894 
Total finance lease liabilities$919 $938 
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (in Years)
Operating leases12.013.2
Finance leases9.09.7
Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases7.71 %7.75 %
Finance leases14.62 %13.65 %
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows for operating leases$26,078 $20,802 
Operating cash flows for finance leases136 137 
Financing cash flows for finance leases60 26 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:
Operating lease ROU assets19,150 6,198 
Finance lease ROU assets— 191 
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities reduced for terminated leases:
Operating lease ROU assets1,773 3,578 
Operating lease liabilities1,971 4,072 
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of adoption of ASC 842:
Operating lease ROU assets— 154,838 
Operating lease liabilities— 168,932 
Maturities of Operating Lease Liabilities
Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
Operating LeasesFinance Leases
2021$23,367 $187 
202225,130 200 
202323,769 194 
202422,461 158 
202521,714 162 
Thereafter182,300 713 
Total lease payments298,741 1,614 
Less amount representing interest(114,910)(695)
Total discounted lease liabilities183,831 919 
Less current portion(9,715)(66)
Long-term portion of lease liabilities$174,116 $853 
Maturities of Finance Lease Liabilities
Maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
Operating LeasesFinance Leases
2021$23,367 $187 
202225,130 200 
202323,769 194 
202422,461 158 
202521,714 162 
Thereafter182,300 713 
Total lease payments298,741 1,614 
Less amount representing interest(114,910)(695)
Total discounted lease liabilities183,831 919 
Less current portion(9,715)(66)
Long-term portion of lease liabilities$174,116 $853 
Undiscounted Cash Flows to be Received Under Operating Subleases
The undiscounted cash flows to be received under operating subleases were as follows:
Operating Leases
2021$4,564 
20224,531 
20234,527 
20244,560 
20254,663 
Thereafter38,389 
Total $61,234 
Total Rent Expense on Operating Leases, Including Contingent Rentals
Total rent expense on operating leases, including contingent rentals, prior to the adoption of ASC 842 was as follows:
Year Ended
December 30, 2018
Minimum rent on real property, excluding rent included in pre-opening costs$17,320 
Additional rent based on percentage of sales137 
Restaurant rent expense17,457 
Rent included in pre-opening costs507 
Administrative and equipment rent543 
$18,507 
v3.21.2
Long-Term Debt (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Long-term Debt
Long-term debt at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, consisted of the following:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Term loan facility$75,000 $— 
Revolving credit facility— 75,000 
Finance leases919 938 
75,919 75,938 
Less: current portion of long-term debt(816)(44)
Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs(3,515)— 
$71,588 $75,894 
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt [Table Text Block]
At January 3, 2021, principal payments required on borrowings under the new senior credit facility over each of the following five years are as follows:
Term Loan
2021$750 
2022750 
2023750 
2024750 
202572,000 
Total$75,000 
v3.21.2
Income Taxes (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of the Company’s Income Tax Provision (Benefit)
The Company's income tax provision (benefit) was comprised of the following:
 Year Ended
 January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Current:
Federal$(8,092)$(1,581)$(4,770)
Foreign278 336 355 
State137 19 16 
(7,677)(1,226)(4,399)
Deferred:
Federal2,259 2,617 3,812 
State(582)767 355 
1,677 3,384 4,167 
Valuation allowance(1,044)9,672 (58)
$(7,044)$11,830 $(290)
Components of Deferred Income Tax Assets and Liabilities The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities at January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, were as follows:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Deferred income tax assets:
  Accrued vacation benefits$471 $482 
  Incentive compensation1,266 894 
  Other accruals2,124 2,285 
  Operating lease liabilities46,462 40,721 
  Occupancy costs41 132 
  Tax credit carryforwards1,105 1,227 
  Other2,024 679 
        Gross deferred income tax assets53,493 46,420 
Deferred income tax liabilities:
  Right-of-use operating lease assets(41,038)(36,434)
  Property and equipment depreciation(3,115)(3,123)
  Amortization of other intangibles, net(52)(53)
  Cloud-based software deferred costs(1,159)(1,059)
  Other(237)(220)
        Gross deferred income tax liabilities(45,601)(40,889)
  Less: Valuation allowance(10,161)(9,902)
Net deferred income tax liabilities$(2,269)$(4,371)
Reconciliation of the Statutory Federal Income Tax Provision (Benefit) to the Effective Tax Provision (Benefit) A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax provision (benefit) to the effective tax provision (benefit) was as follows:
Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Statutory federal income tax provision (benefit)$(2,190)$2,065 $1,386 
State income taxes, net of federal benefit(351)621 293 
Change in valuation allowance(1,044)9,672 (58)
Change in federal income tax rate and tax methods(3,846)(716)(1,869)
Net share-based compensation-tax benefit deficiencies276 201 129 
Non-deductible expenses122 124 32 
Foreign taxes278 336 355 
Employment tax credits(158)(176)(534)
Foreign tax credits/deductions(241)(71)(75)
Other110 (226)51 
$(7,044)$11,830 $(290)
v3.21.2
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Schedule of Non-Vested Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units Activity
A summary of all non-vested restricted shares and restricted stock units activity for the year ended January 3, 2021, is as follows:
Non-Vested SharesRestricted Stock Units
 Shares Weighted Average Grant Date
Fair Value		UnitsWeighted Average Grant Date
Fair Value
Outstanding at December 29, 2019355,605 $15.47 176,362 $9.42 
Granted868,151 9.22 — — 
Vested/Released(179,805)15.22 (747)32.44 
Forfeited(52,275)11.86 (25,030)8.33 
Outstanding at January 3, 2021991,676  $10.26 150,585  $9.49 
Restricted Stock Units Subject to Market Conditions Assumptions The assumptions used to value grant restricted stock units subject to market conditions are detailed below:
20192018
Non-CEO GrantNon-CEO Grant
Grant date stock price$14.66 $18.70 
Fair value at grant date$1.76 $6.96 
Risk free interest rate2.53 %2.40 %
Expected term (in years)23
Dividend yield— %— %
Expected volatility43.18 %41.49 %
v3.21.2
Business Segment Information (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment
Year EndedPollo TropicalOtherContinuing Operations
January 3, 2021:
Restaurant sales$314,112 $— $314,112 
Franchise revenue1,246 — 1,246 
Cost of sales100,080 — 100,080 
Restaurant wages and related expenses(1)
74,328 — 74,328 
Restaurant rent expense22,773 — 22,773 
Other restaurant operating expenses47,354 469 47,823 
Advertising expense8,384 (5)8,379 
General and administrative expense(2)
28,622 11,226 39,848 
Adjusted EBITDA36,517 (10,526)25,991 
Depreciation and amortization21,112 897 22,009 
Capital expenditures9,163 1,320 10,483 
December 29, 2019:
Restaurant sales$361,693 $— $361,693 
Franchise revenue1,780 — 1,780 
Cost of sales115,119 — 115,119 
Restaurant wages and related expenses(1)
84,909 — 84,909 
Restaurant rent expense22,050 — 22,050 
Other restaurant operating expenses49,768 506 50,274 
Advertising expense12,358 (5)12,353 
General and administrative expense(2)
31,023 10,882 41,905 
Adjusted EBITDA50,560 (10,589)39,971 
Depreciation and amortization21,476 710 22,186 
Capital expenditures21,921 1,201 23,122 
December 30, 2018:
Restaurant sales$374,381 $— $374,381 
Franchise revenue1,815 — 1,815 
Cost of sales123,042 — 123,042 
Restaurant wages and related expenses(1)
87,025 — 87,025 
Restaurant rent expense17,457 — 17,457 
Other restaurant operating expenses51,757 387 52,144 
Advertising expense13,068 — 13,068 
General and administrative expense(2)
29,621 11,211 40,832 
Adjusted EBITDA54,903 (10,579)44,324 
Depreciation and amortization21,372 1,085 22,457 
Capital expenditures27,667 1,297 28,964 
Identifiable Assets:
January 3, 2021$311,905 $88,337 $400,242 
December 29, 2019340,012 33,725 373,737 
(1)     Includes stock-based compensation expense of $73, $70 and $34 for the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, respectively.
(2) Includes stock-based compensation expense of $2,681, $2,320 and $3,011 for the years ended January 3, 2021; December 29, 2019; and December 30, 2018, respectively.
Reconciliation Of Consolidated Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA
A reconciliation of consolidated net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA follows:
Year EndedPollo TropicalOther
Continuing Operations
January 3, 2021:
Net loss$(10,211)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax6,825 
Benefit from income taxes(7,044)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes$2,557 $(12,987)$(10,430)
Add:
     Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
          Depreciation and amortization21,112 897 22,009 
          Impairment and other lease charges8,023 — 8,023 
          Interest expense2,405 (2,113)292 
          Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income2,093 2,238 4,331 
          Other expense (income), net(2,373)275 (2,098)
          Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages73 — 73 
                Total non-general and administrative expense adjustments31,333 1,297 32,630 
     General and administrative expense adjustments:
          Stock-based compensation expense1,652 1,029 2,681 
          Restructuring costs and retention bonuses551 135 686 
          Digital and brand repositioning costs424 — 424 
               Total general and administrative expense adjustments2,627 1,164 3,791 
Adjusted EBITDA$36,517 $(10,526)$25,991 
December 29, 2019:
Net loss$(84,386)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax82,391 
Provision for income taxes11,830 
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes$20,300 $(10,465)$9,835 
Add:
     Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
          Depreciation and amortization21,476 710 22,186 
          Impairment and other lease charges15 — 15 
          Interest expense1,953 (1,628)325 
          Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income3,260 — 3,260 
          Other expense (income), net862 — 862 
          Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages70 — 70 
                Total non-general and administrative expense adjustments27,636 (918)26,718 
     General and administrative expense adjustments:
          Stock-based compensation expense1,590 730 2,320 
          Restructuring costs and retention bonuses827 64 891 
          Digital and brand repositioning costs207 — 207 
               Total general and administrative expense adjustments2,624 794 3,418 
Adjusted EBITDA$50,560 $(10,589)$39,971 
Year Ended:Pollo TropicalOtherContinuing Operations
December 30, 2018:
Net income$7,787 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax(896)
Benefit from income taxes(290)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes$17,639 $(11,038)$6,601 
Add:
     Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:
          Depreciation and amortization21,372 1,085 22,457 
          Impairment and other lease charges13,587 — 13,587 
          Interest expense1,920 (1,645)275 
          Other expense (income), net(1,225)— (1,225)
          Stock-based compensation expense in restaurant wages34 — 34 
                Total non-general and administrative expense adjustments35,688 (560)35,128 
     General and administrative expense adjustments:
          Stock-based compensation expense1,885 1,126 3,011 
          Board and shareholder matter costs(328)(269)(597)
          Restructuring costs and retention bonuses196 162 358 
          Legal settlements and related costs(177)— (177)
               Total general and administrative expense adjustments1,576 1,019 2,595 
Adjusted EBITDA$54,903 $(10,579)$44,324 
v3.21.2
Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Schedule of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share The computation of basic and diluted EPS is as follows:
 Year Ended
 January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Basic and diluted EPS:
Income (loss) from continuing operations$(3,386)$(1,995)$6,891 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax(6,825)(82,391)896 
Net income (loss)(10,211)(84,386)7,787 
Less: income allocated to participating securities— — 85 
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders$(10,211)$(84,386)$7,702 
Weighted average common shares—basic25,341,415 26,500,356 26,890,577 
Restricted stock units— — 3,506 
Weighted average common shares—diluted25,341,415 26,500,356 26,894,083 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share—basic$(0.13)$(0.07)$0.26 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per common share—basic(0.27)(3.11)0.03 
Earnings (loss) per common share—basic$(0.40)$(3.18)$0.29 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share—diluted$(0.13)$(0.07)$0.26 
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per common share—diluted(0.27)(3.11)0.03 
Earnings (loss) per common share—diluted$(0.40)$(3.18)$0.29 
v3.21.2
Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]  
Schedule of Cash Flow, Supplemental Disclosures
The following table details supplemental cash flow information and disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
 Year Ended
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019December 30, 2018
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Interest paid on long-term debt$309 $197 $160 
Income tax payments (refunds), net(2,073)(15,557)(3,081)
Supplemental cash flow disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Accruals for capital expenditures$325 $2,587 $5,124 
Finance/capital lease obligations incurred— 191 322 
Cash and restricted cash reconciliation:
Cash$49,778 $13,089 $4,940 
Restricted cash3,584 — — 
Cash and restricted cash, end of year$53,362 $13,089 $4,940 
v3.21.2
Basis of Presentation - Narrative (Details)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
restaurant
segment
Dec. 29, 2019
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Number of fast-casual restaurant brands | segment 2  
Lease term, new restaurants 20 years  
Minimum    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Lease term, new restaurants 20 years  
Period prior to restaurant opening when pre-opening costs are incurred 4 months  
Maximum    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Lease term, new restaurants 40 years  
Period prior to restaurant opening when pre-opening costs are incurred 6 months  
Supplier Concentration Risk | Cost of Sales    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Percentage of supplies delivered to restaurants provided by one vendor 98.00% 73.00%
Entity Operated Units | Pollo Tropical    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants 138  
Entity Operated Units | Taco Cabana    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants 143  
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants 29  
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Puerto Rico    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants 17  
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Panama    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants 2  
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Guyana    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants 1  
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Ecuador    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants 2  
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Bahamas    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants 1  
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Florida | College Campus    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants 5  
Franchised Units | Pollo Tropical | Florida | Hospital    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants 1  
Franchised Units | Taco Cabana    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants 6  
Franchised Units | Taco Cabana | New Mexico    
Entity Information [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants 6  
v3.21.2
Basis of Presentation - Property Disclosures (Details)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Lease term, new restaurants 20 years
Minimum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Lease term, new restaurants 20 years
Maximum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Lease term, new restaurants 40 years
Buildings and improvements | Minimum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Property, plant and equipment, useful life 5 years
Buildings and improvements | Maximum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Property, plant and equipment, useful life 30 years
Equipment | Minimum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Property, plant and equipment, useful life 3 years
Equipment | Maximum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Property, plant and equipment, useful life 7 years
Computer hardware and software | Minimum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Property, plant and equipment, useful life 3 years
Computer hardware and software | Maximum  
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]  
Property, plant and equipment, useful life 7 years
v3.21.2
Basis of Presentation - Fair Value Disclosures (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Carrying value of senior credit facility $ 0 $ 75,000
Term loan facility 75,000 0
Secured Debt    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Term loan facility 71,500  
Level 2    
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]    
Fair value of senior credit facility   $ 75,000
Term loan facility $ 74,400  
v3.21.2
Basis of Presentation - Guidance Adopted in 2019 (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]      
Cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings $ (8,327) $ 1,884  
ASU 2016-02      
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]      
Cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings     $ 14,000
Deferred gains on sale-leaseback transactions     18,600
Deferred tax asset related to sale-leaseback transactions     4,300
Impairment charges related to sale-leaseback transactions     $ 200
v3.21.2
Dispositions - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Jul. 04, 2021
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]    
Description and timing of disposal On June 30, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock purchase agreement, which was subsequently entered into by the Company on July 1, 2021, for the sale of all of the outstanding capital stock of Taco Cabana, Inc., including nearly all related assets and liabilities, for a cash purchase price of $85.0 million subject to reduction for (i) closing adjustments of approximately $4.6 million and (ii) certain other working capital adjustments as set forth in the stock purchase agreement. The transaction was completed August 16, 2021.  
Cash purchase price of disposition   $ 85.0
Closing adjustments   $ 4.6
v3.21.2
Dispositions - Tabular (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Carrying amount of major classes of assets included as part of discontinued operations:      
Accounts receivable $ 3,951 $ 3,522  
Inventories 2,104 1,935  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 2,423 4,100  
Total current assets of the disposal group classified as held for sale 8,478 9,557  
Property and equipment, net 63,214 80,054  
Operating lease right-of-use assets 96,639 105,082  
Other assets 170 211  
Total non-current assets of the disposal group classified as held for sale 160,023 185,347  
Total assets of the disposal group classified as held for sale 168,501 194,904  
Carrying amount of major classes of liabilities included as part of discontinued operations:      
Current portion of long-term debt 199 168  
Accounts payable 5,014 5,593  
Accrued liabilities 9,363 8,965  
Other current liabilities 12,649 16,233  
Total current liabilities of the disposal group classified as held for sale 27,225 30,959  
Long-term debt, net of current portion 740 929  
Operating lease liabilities 93,970 103,151  
Deferred tax liabilities 1,840 388  
Other non-current liabilities 1,773 93  
Total non-current liabilities of the disposal group classified as held for sale 98,323 104,561  
Total liabilities of the disposal group classified as held for sale 125,548 135,520  
Revenues:      
Total revenues 239,445 297,470 $ 312,401
Costs and expenses:      
Cost of sales 70,433 92,334 95,904
Restaurant wages and related expenses (including stock-based compensation expense of $127, $125, and $56, respectively) 74,817 94,269 101,106
Stock-based compensation expense 2,800 2,400 3,000
Restaurant rent expense 22,588 25,755 18,577
Other restaurant operating expenses 34,357 41,623 48,684
General and administrative (including stock-based compensation expense of $603, $329, and $368, respectively) 13,229 14,290 13,693
Depreciation and amortization 16,197 17,009 15,147
Pre-opening costs 69 592 783
Goodwill impairment 0 67,909 0
Other income and expense items that are not major 10,133 24,994 16,402
Total operating expenses 241,823 378,775 310,296
Income (loss) from operations (2,378) (81,305) 2,105
Interest expense 4,464 3,547 3,691
Loss on extinguishment of debt 1,241 0 0
Loss from discontinued operations before income taxes (8,083) (84,852) (1,586)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (1,258) (2,461) (2,482)
Loss from discontinued operations (6,825) (82,391) 896
Non-cash Operating Activities [Abstract]      
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, net (3,267) (6) (757)
Stock-based compensation 3,484 2,844 3,469
Impairment and other lease charges 9,139 13,101 21,144
Goodwill impairment 0 67,909 0
Loss on extinguishment of debt 1,241 0 0
Depreciation and amortization 38,206 39,195 37,604
Investing activities:      
New restaurant development (1,863) (11,390) (21,445)
Restaurant remodeling (1,103) (2,573) (582)
Other restaurant capital expenditures (11,270) (19,335) (27,464)
Corporate and restaurant information systems (4,133) (7,949) (8,359)
Total capital expenditures (18,369) (41,247) (57,850)
Proceeds from disposals of properties 9,559 1,774 4,743
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions 17,222 0 0
Proceeds from insurance recoveries 0 42 983
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities – discontinued operations 385 (18,125) (26,515)
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained and lease liabilities incurred as a result of adoption of ASC 842:      
Operating lease ROU assets 164,665 146,190  
Operating lease liabilities 183,831 162,850  
Discontinued Operations      
Costs and expenses:      
Stock-based compensation expense 700 500 400
Non-cash Operating Activities [Abstract]      
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, net (551) 21 (742)
Stock-based compensation 730 454 424
Impairment and other lease charges 1,116 13,086 7,557
Goodwill impairment 0 67,909 0
Loss on extinguishment of debt 1,241 0 0
Depreciation and amortization 16,197 17,009 15,147
Investing activities:      
New restaurant development (854) (4,065) (9,105)
Restaurant remodeling (745) (919) (531)
Other restaurant capital expenditures (4,728) (9,266) (15,307)
Corporate and restaurant information systems (1,559) (3,875) (3,943)
Total capital expenditures (7,886) (18,125) (28,886)
Proceeds from disposals of properties 4,305 0 1,388
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions 3,966 0 0
Proceeds from insurance recoveries 0 0 983
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:      
Interest paid on long-term debt (including capitalized interest of $57, $247 and $377, respectively) 4,001 4,198 3,348
Capitalized interest included in interest paid 57 247 377
Supplemental cash flow disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities:      
Accruals for capital expenditures 1,027 1,510 1,067
Accruals for financing costs associated with debt 277 0 0
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:      
Operating lease ROU assets 18,466 6,456 0
Finance/capital lease obligations incurred 33 304 0
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities reduced for terminated leases:      
Operating lease ROU assets 953 794 0
Operating lease liabilities 1,217 1,054 0
Discontinued Operations | ASU 2016-02      
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained and lease liabilities incurred as a result of adoption of ASC 842:      
Operating lease ROU assets 0 112,905 0
Operating lease liabilities 0 122,441 0
Discontinued Operations | Restaurant Wages And Related Expenses      
Costs and expenses:      
Stock-based compensation expense 127 125 56
Discontinued Operations | General and Administrative Expense [Member]      
Costs and expenses:      
Stock-based compensation expense $ 603 $ 329 $ 368
v3.21.2
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
restaurant
Deferred Costs, Capitalized, Prepaid, and Other Assets Disclosure [Abstract]    
Prepaid contract expenses $ 4,138 $ 4,144
Assets held for sale 0 1,622
Other 1,508 1,079
Prepaid expenses and other current assets $ 5,646 $ 6,845
Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Pollo Tropical    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants | restaurant   1
v3.21.2
Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property and Equipment (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 250,329 $ 265,174
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization (152,462) (133,284)
Property and equipment, net 97,867 131,890
Land and land improvements    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross 1,264 12,851
Owned buildings    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross 0 8,385
Leasehold improvements    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross 128,918 123,172
Equipment    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross 118,988 119,594
Assets subject to finance leases    
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]    
Property and equipment, gross $ 1,159 $ 1,172
v3.21.2
Property and Equipment - Narrative (Details)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
restaurant
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Assets subject to finance leases, accumulated amortization $ 500 $ 500  
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, net (3,267) (6) $ (757)
Depreciation and amortization $ 22,000 $ 22,200 $ 22,500
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Number of restaurants | restaurant 8    
Proceeds from Sale of Buildings $ 18,500    
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, net $ (3,300)    
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Sale-leaseback transaction      
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]      
Number of restaurants | restaurant 5    
v3.21.2
Goodwill - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Goodwill [Line Items]      
Changes in goodwill $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
Goodwill impairment $ 0 67,909 $ 0
Pollo Tropical      
Goodwill [Line Items]      
Changes in goodwill   0  
Goodwill impairment   $ 0  
v3.21.2
Goodwill - Summary of Changes in Goodwill (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Goodwill      
Goodwill $ 56,307 $ 56,307  
Impairment charges 0 (67,909) $ 0
Impairment charges 0 (67,909) 0
Pollo Tropical      
Goodwill      
Goodwill, Gross 56,307 56,307 56,307
Accumulated impairment loss 0 0 0
Goodwill $ 56,307 56,307 $ 56,307
Impairment charges   0  
Impairment charges   $ 0  
v3.21.2
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges - Schedule of Impairment and Other Lease Charges (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Impairment and other lease charges $ 9,139 $ 13,101 $ 21,144
Continuing Operations      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]      
Impairment of long-lived assets 7,318 775 13,094
Other lease charges (recoveries) 705 (760) 493
Impairment and other lease charges $ 8,023 $ 15 $ 13,587
v3.21.2
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges - Narrative (Details)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
restaurant
Dec. 30, 2018
restaurant
Sep. 27, 2020
restaurant
Mar. 29, 2020
restaurant
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
Lease Termination Charges          
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]          
Loss (gain) on termination of lease | $ $ 0.9        
Gain from Lease Termination          
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]          
Loss (gain) on termination of lease | $ (0.2)        
Level 3          
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]          
Level 3 assets measured at fair value | $ $ 2.2       $ 0.1
Pollo Tropical          
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]          
Number of closed restaurants   14 2 1  
Number of closed restaurants, impaired in prior period   2      
Number of impaired restaurants the company continues to operate 3 1      
Number of impaired restaurants   14      
Pollo Tropical | Disposal Group, Held-for-sale or Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations          
Impairment and Other Lease Charges [Line Items]          
Number of closed restaurants     1    
v3.21.2
Other Liabilities - Current (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]    
Operating lease liabilities $ 9,715 $ 9,203
Accrued workers' compensation and general liability claims 3,619 4,354
Sales and property taxes 1,209 909
Accrued occupancy costs 269 630
Other 2,258 940
Other liabilities, current $ 17,070 $ 16,036
v3.21.2
Other Liabilities - Noncurrent (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Other Liabilities Disclosure [Abstract]    
Accrued workers' compensation and general liability claims $ 6,791 $ 7,348
Accrued payroll taxes 1,318 0
Deferred compensation 491 424
Other 1,157 540
Other liabilities, long-term $ 9,757 $ 8,312
v3.21.2
Other Liabilities - Restructuring Reserve (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Activity in the Closed-Store Reserve    
Operating lease cost $ 26,026 $ 23,803
Closed Stores    
Activity in the Closed-Store Reserve    
Balance, beginning of period 528 6,152
Payments, net (178) (1,242)
Other adjustments (187) (4,382)
Balance, end of period $ 163 528
Operating lease cost   $ 3,900
v3.21.2
Leases - Narrative (Details)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
restaurant
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Sep. 27, 2020
restaurant
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]        
Lease term 20 years      
Sublease includes options to extend sublease term, up to 25 years      
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions $ 17,222 $ 0 $ 0  
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, net (3,267) $ (6) $ (757)  
Continuing Operations        
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]        
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions $ 13,300      
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member]        
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]        
Number of restaurants | restaurant 8      
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, net $ (3,300)      
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Sale-leaseback transaction        
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]        
Number of restaurants | restaurant 5      
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Sale-leaseback transaction | Continuing Operations        
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]        
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, net $ 2,700      
Disposal Group, Disposed of by Sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] | Sale-leaseback transaction | Pollo Tropical        
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]        
Number of restaurants | restaurant 3     2
Minimum        
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]        
Lease term 20 years      
Remaining lease term 10 months 24 days      
Sublease, remaining lease term 1 year 3 months 18 days      
Maximum        
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]        
Lease term 40 years      
Remaining lease term 21 years 4 months 24 days      
Sublease, remaining lease term 16 years 6 months      
v3.21.2
Leases - Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Leases [Abstract]    
Operating lease cost $ 26,026 $ 23,803
Finance lease costs:    
Amortization of right-of-use assets 98 67
Interest on lease liabilities 136 137
Total finance lease costs 234 204
Variable lease costs 6,999 6,074
Sublease income (4,853) (3,499)
Total lease costs $ 28,406 $ 26,582
v3.21.2
Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Operating Leases    
Operating lease ROU assets $ 164,665 $ 146,190
Other current liabilities 9,715 9,203
Operating lease liabilities 174,116 153,647
Total operating lease liabilities 183,831 162,850
Finance Leases    
Property and equipment, gross 1,159 1,172
Accumulated amortization (496) (461)
Property and equipment, net 663 711
Current portion of long-term debt 66 44
Long-term debt, net of current portion 853 894
Total finance lease liabilities $ 919 $ 938
Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (in Years)    
Operating leases 12 years 13 years 2 months 12 days
Finance leases 9 years 9 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted Average Discount Rate    
Operating leases 7.71% 7.75%
Finance leases 14.62% 13.65%
v3.21.2
Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of adoption of ASC 842:    
Operating lease ROU assets $ 164,665 $ 146,190
Operating lease liabilities 183,831 162,850
Continuing Operations    
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:    
Operating cash flows for operating leases 26,078 20,802
Operating cash flows for finance leases 136 137
Financing cash flows for finance leases 60 26
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities:    
Operating lease ROU assets 19,150 6,198
Finance lease ROU assets 0 191
Right-of-use assets and lease liabilities reduced for terminated leases:    
Operating lease ROU assets 1,773 3,578
Operating lease liabilities 1,971 4,072
Continuing Operations | ASU 2016-02    
Operating lease right-of-use assets obtained and liabilities incurred as a result of adoption of ASC 842:    
Operating lease ROU assets 0 154,838
Operating lease liabilities $ 0 $ 168,932
v3.21.2
Leases - Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Operating Leases    
2021 $ 23,367  
2022 25,130  
2023 23,769  
2024 22,461  
2025 21,714  
Thereafter 182,300  
Total lease payments 298,741  
Less amount representing interest (114,910)  
Total operating lease liabilities 183,831 $ 162,850
Less current portion (9,715) (9,203)
Long-term portion of lease liabilities 174,116 153,647
Finance Leases    
2021 187  
2022 200  
2023 194  
2024 158  
2025 162  
Thereafter 713  
Total lease payments 1,614  
Less amount representing interest (695)  
Total finance lease liabilities 919 938
Less current portion (66) (44)
Long-term portion of lease liabilities $ 853 $ 894
v3.21.2
Leases - Operating Subleases (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Operating Leases  
2021 $ 4,564
2022 4,531
2023 4,527
2024 4,560
2025 4,663
Thereafter 38,389
Total $ 61,234
v3.21.2
Leases - Rent Expense, Operating Leases (Details)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]  
Total rent expense on operating leases $ 18,507
Operating Expense  
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]  
Minimum rent on real property 17,320
Additional rent based on percentage of sales 137
Restaurant rent expense 17,457
Pre-Opening Costs  
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]  
Minimum rent on real property 507
General and Administrative Expense  
Operating Leased Assets [Line Items]  
Minimum rent on real property $ 543
v3.21.2
Long-Term Debt - Schedule of Long-Term Debt (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Term loan facility $ 75,000 $ 0
Revolving credit facility 0 75,000
Finance leases 919 938
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations 75,919 75,938
Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation, Current (816) (44)
Less: unamortized discount and debt issuance costs (3,515) 0
Long-term Debt and Lease Obligation, Total 71,588 $ 75,894
Secured Debt    
Debt Instrument [Line Items]    
Term loan facility $ 71,500  
v3.21.2
New Senior Credit Facility (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Nov. 23, 2020
Nov. 30, 2017
Jan. 02, 2022
Jan. 03, 2021
Secured Debt        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Outstanding borrowings       $ 75,000
November 2020 Senior Credit Facility | Revolving Credit        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Outstanding borrowings       0
November 2020 Senior Credit Facility | Secured Debt        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Senior credit facility, issuance date Nov. 23, 2020      
Debt Instrument, Face Amount $ 75,000      
Senior credit facility, maturity date Nov. 23, 2025      
Senior credit facility, potential incremental increase $ 37,500      
Outstanding borrowings       $ 75,000
Debt Instrument, Annual Principal Payment Percentage 0.25%      
Debt Instrument Covenant Compliance Liquidity Threshold $ 20,000      
November 2020 Senior Credit Facility | Secured Debt | Forecast        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Debt Instrument, Annual Principal Payment     $ 800  
November 2020 Senior Credit Facility | LIBOR | Minimum | Secured Debt        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate 1.00%      
November 2020 Senior Credit Facility | Alternative Base Rate | Minimum | Secured Debt        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate 2.00%      
November 2017 Senior Credit Facility | Revolving Credit        
Debt Instrument [Line Items]        
Senior credit facility, issuance date   Nov. 30, 2017    
Senior credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity   $ 150,000    
Senior credit facility, maturity date   Nov. 30, 2022    
v3.21.2
Long-Term Debt - Senior Credit Facility (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Nov. 23, 2020
Jul. 10, 2020
Nov. 30, 2017
Apr. 04, 2021
Jan. 03, 2021
Jun. 28, 2020
Dec. 29, 2019
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Outstanding revolving credit borrowings         $ 0   $ 75,000
Revolving Credit              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Outstanding revolving credit borrowings             $ 75,000
Remaining borrowing capacity         $ 10,000    
Revolving Credit | November 2017 Senior Credit Facility              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Senior credit facility, issuance date     Nov. 30, 2017        
Senior credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity     $ 150,000        
Senior credit facility, maturity date     Nov. 30, 2022        
Revolving Credit | November 2017 Senior Credit Facility | Maximum              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Senior credit facility, potential incremental increase     $ 50,000        
Commitment fee margin     0.35%        
Revolving Credit | November 2017 Senior Credit Facility | Maximum | Alternative Base Rate              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Applicable margin     1.50%        
Revolving Credit | November 2017 Senior Credit Facility | Maximum | LIBOR              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Applicable margin     2.50%        
Revolving Credit | November 2017 Senior Credit Facility | Minimum              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Commitment fee margin     0.25%        
Revolving Credit | November 2017 Senior Credit Facility | Minimum | Alternative Base Rate              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Applicable margin     0.75%        
Revolving Credit | November 2017 Senior Credit Facility | Minimum | LIBOR              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Applicable margin     1.75%        
Revolving Credit | November 2020 Senior Credit Facility              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Commitment fee margin 0.50%            
Cross default provision, minimum debt principal amount $ 5,000            
Revolving Credit | November 2020 Senior Credit Facility | Maximum              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Senior credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity $ 10,000            
Revolving Credit | July 2020 Senior Credit Facility [Member]              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Senior credit facility, issuance date   Jul. 10, 2020          
Senior credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity           $ 150,000  
Senior credit facility, maturity date Nov. 23, 2020 Nov. 30, 2022          
Commitment fee margin   0.50%          
Line Of Credit Facility Decrease In Maximum Borrowing Capacity   $ 30,000          
Revolving Credit | July 2020 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Forecast              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Senior credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity       $ 95,000      
Revolving Credit | July 2020 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Alternative Base Rate              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Applicable margin   4.00%          
Revolving Credit | July 2020 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | LIBOR              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Applicable margin   5.00%          
Revolving Credit | July 2020 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum | Alternative Base Rate              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate   2.00%          
Revolving Credit | July 2020 Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Minimum | LIBOR              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate   1.00%          
Letters of Credit | November 2017 Senior Credit Facility              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Senior credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity     $ 15,000        
Secured Debt | November 2020 Senior Credit Facility              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Senior credit facility, issuance date Nov. 23, 2020            
Senior credit facility, maturity date Nov. 23, 2025            
Senior credit facility, potential incremental increase $ 37,500            
Secured Debt | November 2020 Senior Credit Facility | Alternative Base Rate              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Applicable margin 6.75%            
Secured Debt | November 2020 Senior Credit Facility | LIBOR              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Applicable margin 7.75%            
Secured Debt | November 2020 Senior Credit Facility | Minimum | Alternative Base Rate              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate 2.00%            
Secured Debt | November 2020 Senior Credit Facility | Minimum | LIBOR              
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]              
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Variable Interest, Percentage Rate 1.00%            
v3.21.2
Long-Term Debt - Other Disclosures (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest expense included in discontinued operations $ 4,464 $ 3,547 $ 3,691
Loss on extinguishment of debt included in discontinued operations (1,241) 0 0
Revolving Credit      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
Interest expense 4,700 $ 3,700 $ 3,900
Secured Debt      
Debt Instrument [Line Items]      
2021 750    
2022 750    
2023 750    
2024 750    
2025 72,000    
Total $ 75,000    
v3.21.2
Income Taxes - Income Tax Provision (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Current:      
Federal $ (8,092) $ (1,581) $ (4,770)
Foreign 278 336 355
State 137 19 16
Current (7,677) (1,226) (4,399)
Deferred:      
Federal 2,259 2,617 3,812
State (582) 767 355
Deferred 1,677 3,384 4,167
Valuation allowance (1,044) 9,672 (58)
Provision for income taxes $ (7,044) $ 11,830 $ (290)
v3.21.2
Income Taxes - Components of Deferred Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Deferred income tax assets:    
Accrued vacation benefits $ 471 $ 482
Incentive compensation 1,266 894
Other accruals 2,124 2,285
Operating lease liabilities 46,462 40,721
Occupancy costs 41 132
Tax credit carryforwards 1,105 1,227
Other 2,024 679
Gross deferred income tax assets 53,493 46,420
Deferred income tax liabilities:    
Right-of-use operating lease assets (41,038) (36,434)
Property and equipment depreciation (3,115) (3,123)
Amortization of other intangibles, net (52) (53)
Cloud-based software deferred costs (1,159) (1,059)
Other (237) (220)
Gross deferred income tax liabilities (45,601) (40,889)
Less: Valuation allowance (10,161) (9,902)
Net deferred tax liabilities $ (2,269) $ (4,371)
v3.21.2
Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]      
Change in valuation allowance $ (1,044) $ 9,672 $ (58)
Unrecognized tax benefits 0 0  
Accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions 0 0  
Valuation allowance $ 10,161 $ 9,902  
Effective income tax rate 67.50% 120.30% (4.40%)
Change in federal income tax rate and tax methods $ (3,846) $ (716) $ (1,869)
Net operating loss carryforwards, employment tax credits 600    
Reduced value of employment tax credits if unutilized after various times beginning 2038 100    
Deferred tax benefit related to state net operating loss carryforwards 200    
Continuing Operations      
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]      
Change in valuation allowance 300 9,300  
Discontinued Operations      
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]      
Change in valuation allowance $ (700) 400  
Federal      
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]      
Change in valuation allowance   6,200  
State      
Operating Loss Carryforwards [Line Items]      
Change in valuation allowance   $ 3,100  
v3.21.2
Income Taxes - Income Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]      
Statutory federal income tax provision (benefit) $ (2,190) $ 2,065 $ 1,386
State income taxes, net of federal benefit (351) 621 293
Change in valuation allowance (1,044) 9,672 (58)
Change in federal income tax rate and tax methods (3,846) (716) (1,869)
Net share-based compensation-tax benefit deficiencies 276 201 129
Non-deductible expenses 122 124 32
Foreign taxes 278 336 355
Employment tax credits (158) (176) (534)
Foreign tax credits/deductions (241) (71) (75)
Other 110 (226) 51
Provision for income taxes $ (7,044) $ 11,830 $ (290)
v3.21.2
Stockholders' Equity - Purchase of Treasury Stock (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Feb. 26, 2018
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]        
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased 3,000,000      
Treasury stock purchases (in shares) 500,000 1,381,137    
Treasury stock purchases $ 3,728 $ 14,282 $ 2,769  
Share Repurchase Program 2018        
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]        
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased       1,500,000
Share Repurchase Program 2019        
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]        
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased   1,500,000    
v3.21.2
Stockholders' Equity - Stock-Based Compensation (Details)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
$ / shares
shares
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
tranche
$ / shares
shares
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
tranche
$ / shares
shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Aggregate number of shares of stock authorized for distribution 3,300,000    
Number of shares available for future grants 676,853    
Stock-based compensation | $ $ 2.8 $ 2.4 $ 3.0
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense | $ 7.9    
Fair value of the shares vested and released | $ 1.2 1.8 2.5
Discontinued Operations      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation | $ $ 0.7 $ 0.5 $ 0.4
Nonvested Restricted Shares      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Aggregate number of shares granted in period 868,151    
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares $ 9.22    
Remaining weighted average vesting period 2 years 3 months 18 days    
Nonvested Restricted Shares | Employee      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Aggregate number of shares granted in period 422,446 243,948 161,791
Vesting period 4 years 4 years 4 years
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares $ 9.33 $ 13.06 $ 18.70
Nonvested Restricted Shares | Consultant      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Vesting period 3 years 3 years
Nonvested Restricted Shares | Director      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Aggregate number of shares granted in period 79,260 43,054 31,146
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares $ 8.16 $ 12.66 $ 20.71
Nonvested Restricted Shares | Director | Vesting 1      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Vesting period   1 year 1 year
Nonvested Restricted Shares | Director | Vesting 2      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Vesting period 1 year 5 years 5 years
Nonvested Restricted Shares | Executive Officer      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Aggregate number of shares granted in period 366,445    
Vesting period 2 years    
Restricted Stock Units      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Aggregate number of shares granted in period 0    
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares $ 0    
Remaining weighted average vesting period 2 months 12 days    
Restricted Stock Units | Employee      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Vesting period     0 years
Market Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Aggregate number of shares granted in period   15,348 112,169
Market Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Chief Executive Officer      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Vesting period     4 years
Market Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Executive Officer      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Aggregate number of shares granted in period   15,348 112,169
Vesting period 0 years   3 years
Weighted average grant date fair value, grants in period (usd per share) | $ / shares   $ 1.76 $ 6.96
Number of tranches | tranche   2 3
Market Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Executive Officer | Minimum      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Shares to be issued at end of performance period   0 0
Market Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Executive Officer | Maximum      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]      
Shares to be issued at end of performance period   15,348 112,169
v3.21.2
Stockholders' Equity - Nonvested Shares and Restricted Stock Units Activity Table (Details)
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
$ / shares
shares
Non-Vested Shares  
Non-Vested Shares and Restricted Stock Units  
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) | shares 355,605
Granted (in shares) | shares 868,151
Vested/Released (in shares) | shares (179,805)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares (52,275)
Outstanding at end of period (in shares) | shares 991,676
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value  
Outstanding at beginning of period (usd per share) | $ / shares $ 15.47
Granted (usd per share) | $ / shares 9.22
Vested/Released (usd per share) | $ / shares 15.22
Forfeited (usd per share) | $ / shares 11.86
Outstanding at end of period (usd per share) | $ / shares $ 10.26
Restricted Stock Units  
Non-Vested Shares and Restricted Stock Units  
Outstanding at beginning of period (in shares) | shares 176,362
Granted (in shares) | shares 0
Vested/Released (in shares) | shares (747)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares (25,030)
Outstanding at end of period (in shares) | shares 150,585
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value  
Outstanding at beginning of period (usd per share) | $ / shares $ 9.42
Granted (usd per share) | $ / shares 0
Vested/Released (usd per share) | $ / shares 32.44
Forfeited (usd per share) | $ / shares 8.33
Outstanding at end of period (usd per share) | $ / shares $ 9.49
v3.21.2
Stockholders' Equity - Restricted Stock Units Subject to Market Conditions (Details) - Market Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) - Executive Officer - $ / shares
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]    
Grant date stock price (usd per share) $ 14.66 $ 18.70
Fair value at grant date (usd per share) $ 1.76 $ 6.96
Risk free interest rate 2.53% 2.40%
Expected term (in years) 2 years 3 years
Dividend yield 0.00% 0.00%
Expected volatility 43.18% 41.49%
v3.21.2
Business Segment Information - Segment Reporting Information, by Segment (Details)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
segment
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]      
Number of operating segments | segment 2    
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Depreciation and amortization $ 22,000 $ 22,200 $ 22,500
Capital expenditures 18,369 41,247 57,850
Identifiable assets 568,743 568,641  
Stock-based compensation 2,800 2,400 3,000
Impairment and other lease charges 9,139 13,101 21,144
Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Revenues 315,358 363,473 376,196
Cost of sales 100,080 115,119 123,042
Restaurant wages and related expenses 74,328 84,909 87,025
Restaurant rent expense 22,773 22,050 17,457
Other restaurant operating expenses 47,823 50,274 52,144
Advertising expense 8,379 12,353 13,068
General and administrative expense 39,848 41,905 40,832
Adjusted EBITDA 25,991 39,971 44,324
Depreciation and amortization 22,009 22,186 22,457
Capital expenditures 10,483 23,122 28,964
Identifiable assets 400,242 373,737  
Impairment and other lease charges 8,023 15 13,587
Restaurant Wages And Related Expenses | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation 73 70 34
General and Administrative Expense | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation 2,681 2,320 3,011
Restaurant Sales | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Revenues 314,112 361,693 374,381
Franchise Revenue | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Revenues 1,246 1,780 1,815
Operating Segments | Pollo Tropical | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Cost of sales 100,080 115,119 123,042
Restaurant wages and related expenses 74,328 84,909 87,025
Restaurant rent expense 22,773 22,050 17,457
Other restaurant operating expenses 47,354 49,768 51,757
Advertising expense 8,384 12,358 13,068
General and administrative expense 28,622 31,023 29,621
Adjusted EBITDA 36,517 50,560 54,903
Depreciation and amortization 21,112 21,476 21,372
Capital expenditures 9,163 21,921 27,667
Identifiable assets 311,905 340,012  
Impairment and other lease charges 8,023 15 13,587
Operating Segments | Pollo Tropical | Restaurant Wages And Related Expenses | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation 73 70 34
Operating Segments | Pollo Tropical | General and Administrative Expense | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation 1,652 1,590 1,885
Operating Segments | Pollo Tropical | Restaurant Sales | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Revenues 314,112 361,693 374,381
Operating Segments | Pollo Tropical | Franchise Revenue | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Revenues 1,246 1,780 1,815
Other | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Cost of sales 0 0 0
Restaurant wages and related expenses 0 0 0
Restaurant rent expense 0 0 0
Other restaurant operating expenses 469 506 387
Advertising expense (5) (5) 0
General and administrative expense 11,226 10,882 11,211
Adjusted EBITDA (10,526) (10,589) (10,579)
Depreciation and amortization 897 710 1,085
Capital expenditures 1,320 1,201 1,297
Identifiable assets 88,337 33,725  
Impairment and other lease charges 0 0 0
Other | Restaurant Wages And Related Expenses | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation 0 0 0
Other | General and Administrative Expense | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Stock-based compensation 1,029 730 1,126
Other | Restaurant Sales | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Revenues 0 0 0
Other | Franchise Revenue | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Revenues $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
v3.21.2
Business Segment Information - Reconciliation of Consolidated Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Net income (loss) $ (10,211) $ (84,386) $ 7,787
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax 6,825 82,391 (896)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (7,044) 11,830 (290)
Income (loss) before income taxes (10,430) 9,835 6,601
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:      
Depreciation and amortization 22,000 22,200 22,500
Impairment and other lease charges 9,139 13,101 21,144
Stock-based compensation expense 2,800 2,400 3,000
General and administrative expense adjustments:      
Stock-based compensation expense 2,800 2,400 3,000
Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Net income (loss) (10,211) (84,386) 7,787
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of tax 6,825 82,391 (896)
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (7,044) 11,830 (290)
Income (loss) before income taxes (10,430) 9,835 6,601
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:      
Depreciation and amortization 22,009 22,186 22,457
Impairment and other lease charges 8,023 15 13,587
Interest expense 292 325 275
Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income 4,331 3,260 0
Other expense (income), net (2,098) 862 (1,225)
Total non-general and administrative expense adjustments 32,630 26,718 35,128
General and administrative expense adjustments:      
Board and shareholder matter costs     (597)
Restructuring, relocation and retentions costs 686 891  
Legal settlements and related costs     (177)
Digital and brand repositioning costs 424 207  
Total general and administrative expense adjustments 3,791 3,418 2,595
Adjusted EBITDA 25,991 39,971 44,324
Renewal Plan | Continuing Operations      
General and administrative expense adjustments:      
Restructuring, relocation and retentions costs     358
Restaurant Wages And Related Expenses | Continuing Operations      
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:      
Stock-based compensation expense 73 70 34
General and administrative expense adjustments:      
Stock-based compensation expense 73 70 34
General and Administrative Expense | Continuing Operations      
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:      
Stock-based compensation expense 2,681 2,320 3,011
General and administrative expense adjustments:      
Stock-based compensation expense 2,681 2,320 3,011
Operating Segments | Pollo Tropical | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Income (loss) before income taxes 2,557 20,300 17,639
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:      
Depreciation and amortization 21,112 21,476 21,372
Impairment and other lease charges 8,023 15 13,587
Interest expense 2,405 1,953 1,920
Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income 2,093 3,260  
Other expense (income), net (2,373) 862 (1,225)
Total non-general and administrative expense adjustments 31,333 27,636 35,688
General and administrative expense adjustments:      
Board and shareholder matter costs     (328)
Restructuring, relocation and retentions costs 551 827  
Legal settlements and related costs     (177)
Digital and brand repositioning costs 424 207  
Total general and administrative expense adjustments 2,627 2,624 1,576
Adjusted EBITDA 36,517 50,560 54,903
Operating Segments | Pollo Tropical | Renewal Plan | Continuing Operations      
General and administrative expense adjustments:      
Restructuring, relocation and retentions costs     196
Operating Segments | Pollo Tropical | Restaurant Wages And Related Expenses | Continuing Operations      
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:      
Stock-based compensation expense 73 70 34
General and administrative expense adjustments:      
Stock-based compensation expense 73 70 34
Operating Segments | Pollo Tropical | General and Administrative Expense | Continuing Operations      
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:      
Stock-based compensation expense 1,652 1,590 1,885
General and administrative expense adjustments:      
Stock-based compensation expense 1,652 1,590 1,885
Other | Continuing Operations      
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]      
Income (loss) before income taxes (12,987) (10,465) (11,038)
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:      
Depreciation and amortization 897 710 1,085
Impairment and other lease charges 0 0 0
Interest expense (2,113) (1,628) (1,645)
Closed restaurant rent expense, net of sublease income 2,238 0  
Other expense (income), net 275 0 0
Total non-general and administrative expense adjustments 1,297 (918) (560)
General and administrative expense adjustments:      
Board and shareholder matter costs     (269)
Restructuring, relocation and retentions costs 135 64  
Legal settlements and related costs     0
Digital and brand repositioning costs 0 0  
Total general and administrative expense adjustments 1,164 794 1,019
Adjusted EBITDA (10,526) (10,589) (10,579)
Other | Renewal Plan | Continuing Operations      
General and administrative expense adjustments:      
Restructuring, relocation and retentions costs     162
Other | Restaurant Wages And Related Expenses | Continuing Operations      
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:      
Stock-based compensation expense 0 0 0
General and administrative expense adjustments:      
Stock-based compensation expense 0 0 0
Other | General and Administrative Expense | Continuing Operations      
Non-general and administrative expense adjustments:      
Stock-based compensation expense 1,029 730 1,126
General and administrative expense adjustments:      
Stock-based compensation expense $ 1,029 $ 730 $ 1,126
v3.21.2
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Narrative (Details)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 30, 2018
shares
Jan. 03, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]    
Nonvested restricted shares right to receive dividends, per share ratio to common shares   1
Restricted Stock Units    
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]    
Weighted average antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares) 560  
v3.21.2
Earnings (Loss) Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Net Income per Share (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Basic and diluted EPS:      
Income (loss) from continuing operations $ (3,386) $ (1,995) $ 6,891
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax (6,825) (82,391) 896
Net income (loss) (10,211) (84,386) 7,787
Less: income allocated to participating securities 0 0 85
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders $ (10,211) $ (84,386) $ 7,702
Weighted average common shares—basic 25,341,415 26,500,356 26,890,577
Restricted stock units (in shares) 0 0 3,506
Weighted average common shares—diluted 25,341,415 26,500,356 26,894,083
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share—basic $ (0.13) $ (0.07) $ 0.26
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per common share—basic (0.27) (3.11) 0.03
Earnings (loss) per common share—basic (usd per share) (0.40) (3.18) 0.29
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations per common share—diluted (0.13) (0.07) 0.26
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations per common share—diluted (0.27) (3.11) 0.03
Earnings (loss) per common share—diluted (usd per share) $ (0.40) $ (3.18) $ 0.29
v3.21.2
Related Party Transactions (Details)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]  
Fees paid to related party $ 1,700
Amounts due to related party 0
Maximum  
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]  
Reimbursement to related party of ancillary costs $ 100
v3.21.2
Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]        
Cash $ 49,778 $ 13,089    
Restricted cash 3,584 0    
Cash and restricted cash, end of year 53,362 13,089 $ 4,940 $ 3,277
Continuing Operations        
Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items]        
Interest paid on long-term debt 309 197 160  
Income tax payments (refunds), net (2,073) (15,557) (3,081)  
Accruals for capital expenditures 325 2,587 5,124  
Finance/capital lease obligations incurred 0 191 322  
Cash 49,778 13,089 4,940  
Restricted cash 3,584 0 0  
Cash and restricted cash, end of year $ 53,362 $ 13,089 $ 4,940  
v3.21.2
Commitments and Contingencies - Lease Assignments (Details)
$ in Millions
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
restaurant
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Lease assignment maximum exposure | $ $ 2.1
Pollo Tropical  
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]  
Number of subleases | restaurant 1
v3.21.2
Commitments and Contingencies - Contingency Related to Insurance Recoveries (Details) - Pollo Tropical - Loss from the Hurricanes
$ in Millions
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
restaurant
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Insurance settlement proceeds   $ 2.8
Other income   $ 2.1
Houston    
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]    
Number of restaurants affected by the hurricanes | restaurant 2  
v3.21.2
Retirement Plans (Details)
$ in Millions
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
hour
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Maximum      
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Vesting period for employer match   5 years  
Minimum      
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Vesting period for employer match   1 year  
Required hours of service | hour 1,000    
401K | Retirement Plan      
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Maximum employer contribution, percentage of eligible employee compensation   3.00% 3.00%
Maximum annual contribution per employee, percent 50.00%    
Retirement Plan employer matching expense $ 0.2 $ 0.3 $ 0.3
Interest rate that can be earned by deferred amounts 8.00%    
Deferred compensation, current and non-current $ 0.5 $ 0.4  
401K | Retirement Plan | Maximum      
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Employer matching contribution, percent of match   50.00% 50.00%
Employer matching contribution, percentage of employee compensation   6.00% 6.00%
401K | Retirement Plan | First Tranche [Member] | Maximum      
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Employer matching contribution, percent of match 100.00%    
Employer matching contribution, percentage of employee compensation 3.00%    
401K | Retirement Plan | Second Tranche [Member] | Maximum      
Defined Contribution Plan Disclosure [Line Items]      
Employer matching contribution, percent of match 50.00%    
Employer matching contribution, percentage of employee compensation 2.00%    
v3.21.2
SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS (Details) - Deferred income tax valuation allowance - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Movement in Valuation Allowances and Reserves      
Balance at beginning of period $ 9,902 $ 678 $ 736
Charged to costs and expenses 259 9,224 (58)
Charged to other accounts 0 0 0
Deduction 0 0 0
Balance at end of period $ 10,161 $ 9,902 $ 678