First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc.
For the period ended Mar 29, 2026. Filed May 5, 2026.
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A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.
Mar 29, 2026 · Filed May 5, 2026
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Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
| MARCH 29, 2026 | DECEMBER 28, 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Assets | ||
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $23,565 | $21,246 |
| Accounts receivable | 6,031 | 6,859 |
| Inventory | 7,137 | 7,174 |
| Prepaid expenses | 12,370 | 7,945 |
| Deposits and other current assets | 2,463 | 5,856 |
| Total current assets | 51,566 | 49,080 |
| Goodwill | 420,208 | 420,208 |
| Intangible assets, net | 172,576 | 174,908 |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 631,458 | 614,548 |
| Property, fixtures and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $303,086 and $285,706, respectively | 493,246 | 478,451 |
| Other long-term assets | 5,001 | 4,834 |
| Total assets | $1,774,055 | $1,742,029 |
| Liabilities and Equity | ||
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Accounts payable | $9,766 | $8,701 |
| Accrued liabilities | 43,584 | 38,496 |
| Accrued compensation | 29,943 | 24,281 |
| Deferred revenues | 4,314 | 6,778 |
| Current portion of operating lease liabilities | 76,004 | 75,034 |
| Current portion of long-term debt | 13,359 | 13,309 |
| Interest rate swap liabilities, current | 520 | 900 |
| Total current liabilities | 177,490 | 167,499 |
| Operating lease liabilities | 672,562 | 651,254 |
| Long-term debt, net | 268,744 | 269,071 |
| Deferred income taxes | 20,782 | 21,972 |
| Derivative liabilities | 201 | 557 |
| Other long-term liabilities | 6,619 | 5,397 |
| Total liabilities | 1,146,398 | 1,115,750 |
| Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) | ||
| Equity: | ||
| Preferred stock; $0.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding | — | — |
| Common stock; $0.01 par value; 300,000,000 shares authorized; 61,625,155 and 61,131,978 shares issued and outstanding at March 29, 2026 and December 28, 2025, respectively | 616 | 611 |
| Additional paid-in capital | 664,657 | 661,153 |
| Accumulated deficit | (37,075) | (34,390) |
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (541) | (1,095) |
| Total equity | 627,657 | 626,279 |
| Total liabilities and equity | $1,774,055 | $1,742,029 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE DATA)
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| MARCH 29, 2026 | MARCH 30, 2025 | |
| Revenues | ||
| Restaurant sales | $328,148 | $279,591 |
| Franchise revenues | 2,811 | 2,649 |
| Total revenues | 330,959 | 282,240 |
| Operating costs and expenses | ||
| Restaurant operating expenses (exclusive of depreciation and amortization shown below): | ||
| Food and beverage costs | 74,310 | 66,647 |
| Labor and other related expenses | 110,609 | 96,754 |
| Other restaurant operating expenses | 51,904 | 44,259 |
| Occupancy expenses | 27,410 | 23,149 |
| Pre-opening expenses | 3,057 | 2,660 |
| General and administrative expenses | 39,945 | 30,219 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 21,396 | 16,557 |
| Impairments and loss on disposal of assets | 153 | 9 |
| Transaction and restructuring expenses, net | 1,176 | 873 |
| Total operating costs and expenses | 329,960 | 281,127 |
| Income from operations | 999 | 1,113 |
| Interest expense | (4,778) | (3,334) |
| Other income, net | 345 | 684 |
| Loss before income taxes | (3,434) | (1,537) |
| Income tax benefit | 749 | 708 |
| Net loss | $(2,685) | $(829) |
| Net loss | $(2,685) | $(829) |
| Other comprehensive income (loss): | ||
| Unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives | 736 | (883) |
| Income tax related to other comprehensive income (loss) | (182) | 220 |
| Comprehensive loss | $(2,131) | $(1,492) |
| Net loss per common share - basic | $(0.04) | $(0.01) |
| Net loss per common share - diluted | $(0.04) | $(0.01) |
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic | 61,243,494 | 60,767,401 |
| Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted | 61,243,494 | 60,767,401 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
| Common Stock · AdditionalPaid-inCapital · AccumulatedDeficit · Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss · TotalEquity | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shares · Amount | ||||||
| Balance at December 29, 2024 | 60,700,090 | $607 | $649,045 | $(53,822) | $(441) | $595,389 |
| Net loss | — | — | — | (829) | — | (829) |
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 2,259 | — | — | 2,259 |
| Common stock issued under stock-based compensation plans, net | 274,453 | 3 | 130 | — | — | 133 |
| Other comprehensive loss, net of tax | — | — | — | — | (663) | (663) |
| Balance at March 30, 2025 | 60,974,543 | $610 | $651,434 | $(54,651) | $(1,104) | $596,289 |
| Common Stock · AdditionalPaid-inCapital · AccumulatedDeficit · Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss · TotalEquity | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shares · Amount | ||||||
| Balance at December 28, 2025 | 61,131,978 | $611 | $661,153 | $(34,390) | $(1,095) | $626,279 |
| Net loss | — | — | — | (2,685) | — | (2,685) |
| Stock-based compensation | — | — | 3,420 | — | — | 3,420 |
| Common stock issued under stock-based compensation plans, net | 493,177 | 5 | 84 | — | — | 89 |
| Other comprehensive income, net of tax | — | — | — | — | 554 | 554 |
| Balance at March 29, 2026 | 61,625,155 | $616 | $664,657 | $(37,075) | $(541) | $627,657 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN THOUSANDS)
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| MARCH 29, 2026 | MARCH 30, 2025 | |
| Cash flows from operating activities | ||
| Net loss | $(2,685) | $(829) |
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | 21,396 | 16,557 |
| Stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized | 3,352 | 2,259 |
| Non-cash operating lease costs | 8,919 | 7,679 |
| Deferred income taxes | (1,372) | (1,197) |
| Amortization of debt discount and deferred issuance costs | 170 | 154 |
| Impairments and loss on disposal of assets | 153 | 9 |
| Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of business combinations: | ||
| Accounts receivable | 828 | 1,275 |
| Inventory | 37 | (83) |
| Prepaid expenses | (4,425) | (3,675) |
| Deposits and other assets, current and long-term | 2,960 | 88 |
| Accounts payable | 1,065 | 732 |
| Accrued liabilities and other long-term liabilities | 4,387 | 1,996 |
| Accrued compensation | 5,662 | 1,853 |
| Deferred revenues, current and long-term | (2,440) | (2,258) |
| Operating lease liabilities | (3,551) | (4,422) |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 34,456 | 20,138 |
| Cash flows from investing activities | ||
| Capital expenditures | (29,346) | (36,544) |
| Acquisitions | (171) | (10) |
| Purchase of intangible assets | (15) | (51) |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (29,532) | (36,605) |
| Cash flows from financing activities | ||
| Proceeds from borrowings on revolving credit facility | 174,500 | 6,000 |
| Repayments of borrowings on revolving credit facility | (174,000) | (3,000) |
| Repayments of long-term debt, including finance lease liabilities | (3,194) | (1,371) |
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options, net of employee taxes paid | 89 | 133 |
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (2,605) | 1,762 |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 2,319 | (14,705) |
| Cash and cash equivalents | ||
| Beginning of period | 21,246 | 33,312 |
| End of period | $23,565 | $18,607 |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - continued
(IN THOUSANDS)
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| MARCH 29, 2026 | MARCH 30, 2025 | |
| Supplemental cash flow information | ||
| Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized | $4,603 | $3,072 |
| Cash paid for income taxes, net of refunds | $— | $101 |
| Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities | ||
| Leased assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities | $24,837 | $26,821 |
| Leased assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities | $2,455 | $922 |
| Remeasurements and terminations of operating lease assets and lease liabilities | $992 | $1,732 |
| Remeasurements and terminations of finance lease assets and lease liabilities | $(16) | $(97) |
| Increase (decrease) in liabilities from acquisition of property, fixtures and equipment | $2,070 | $(550) |
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- Nature of Business and Organization
First Watch Restaurant Group, Inc. (collectively with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, “the Company,” or “Management”) is a Delaware holding company. The Company operates and franchises restaurantsin 32 states operating under the “First Watch” trade name, which are focused on made-to-order breakfast, brunch and lunch. The Company does not operate outside of the United States and all of its assets are located in the United States. As of March 29, 2026, the Company operated 572 company-owned restaurants and had 76 franchise-owned restaurants.
- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The Company reports financial information on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday of each calendar year. The quarters ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025 were 13-week periods. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (“these financial statements”) include only the information and notes required for interim financial statements by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K as of and for the year ended December 28, 2025 (“2025 Form 10‑K”).
These financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as those presented in the 2025 Form 10-K and include all adjustments necessary for fair presentation of the quarterly periods presented. The quarterly results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the expected results for other quarters or the entire fiscal year. Preparation of financial statements requires Management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the reporting periods. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Certain assets and liabilities are carried at fair value. Fair value is the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, deposits and other current assets, and other current liabilities approximate their fair values due to their short-term maturities.
Interest Rate Swaps
As an element of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy, Management uses interest rate swaps. The intent of these instruments is to reduce cash flow exposure to variability in future interest rates on the Company’s debt. Management has elected to designate and qualify the interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges. As such, the instruments are recorded on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Thereafter, gains or losses on the instruments are recognized in equity as changes to Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and subsequently reclassified into earnings at the time of the Company’s debt interest payments.
Summary of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2024, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2024-03, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income - Expense Disaggregation Disclosures, which establishes new disclosure requirements related to purchases of inventory, employee compensation, selling expenses, depreciation and intangible amortization. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and should be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard.
In September 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-06, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software, which updates the accounting for internal-use software by replacing stage-based rules with a principles-based framework, clarifying the criteria for capitalization and merging website development cost guidance. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2027, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. The update may be applied prospectively, retrospectively, or on a modified transition basis based on the status of the project and whether software costs were capitalized before the date of adoption. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard.
In November 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-09, Derivatives and Hedging: Hedge Accounting Improvements, which includes amendments to more closely align hedge accounting with the economics of the Company’s risk management activities. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard.
In December 2025, the FASB issued ASU 2025-11, Interim Reporting: Narrow-Scope Improvements, which makes targeted, narrow scope improvements to interim reporting to clarify application and improve consistency in practice. The amendments in this update are effective for interim reporting periods within annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. Management is currently evaluating the impact of this new standard.
Recent accounting guidance not discussed herein is not applicable or did not have, or is not expected to have, a material impact to the Company.
- Revenues
Revenues recognized, disaggregated by type, were as follows:
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | MARCH 29, 2026 | MARCH 30, 2025 |
| Restaurant sales: | ||
| In-restaurant dining sales | $265,722 | $226,727 |
| Third-party delivery sales | 39,692 | 32,005 |
| Take-out sales | 22,734 | 20,859 |
| Total restaurant sales | 328,148 | 279,591 |
| Franchise revenues: | ||
| Royalty and system fund contributions | 2,755 | 2,587 |
| Initial fees | 56 | 62 |
| Total franchise revenues | 2,811 | 2,649 |
| Total revenues | $330,959 | $282,240 |
The following tables include a detail of liabilities from contracts with customers:
| (in thousands) | MARCH 29, 2026 | DECEMBER 28, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Deferred revenues: | ||
| Deferred gift card revenue | $4,092 | $6,548 |
| Deferred franchise fee revenue - current | 222 | 230 |
| Total current deferred revenues | $4,314 | $6,778 |
| Other long-term liabilities: | ||
| Deferred franchise fee revenue - non-current | $1,250 | $1,226 |
Changes in deferred gift card contract liabilities were as follows:
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | MARCH 29, 2026 | MARCH 30, 2025 |
| Deferred gift card revenue: | ||
| Balance, beginning of period | $6,548 | $5,385 |
| Gift card sales | 1,846 | 1,548 |
| Gift card redemptions | (3,837) | (3,374) |
| Gift card breakage | (465) | (405) |
| Balance, end of period | $4,092 | $3,154 |
Changes in deferred franchise fee contract liabilities were as follows:
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | MARCH 29, 2026 | MARCH 30, 2025 |
| Deferred franchise fee revenue: | ||
| Balance, beginning of period | $1,456 | $1,929 |
| Cash received | 72 | 35 |
| Franchise revenues recognized | (56) | (62) |
| Balance, end of period | $1,472 | $1,902 |
- Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consisted of the following:
| (in thousands) | MARCH 29, 2026 | DECEMBER 28, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Receivables from third-party delivery providers | $2,685 | $2,068 |
| Receivables from vendors | 1,413 | 1,337 |
| Receivables from franchisees | 1,200 | 907 |
| Receivables related to gift card sales | 430 | 2,091 |
| Other receivables | 303 | 456 |
| Total accounts receivable | $6,031 | $6,859 |
- Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities consisted of the following:
| (in thousands) | MARCH 29, 2026 | DECEMBER 28, 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Construction liabilities | $13,658 | $11,588 |
| Sales tax | 9,866 | 8,806 |
| Insurance liabilities | 4,350 | 4,047 |
| Utilities | 2,874 | 2,892 |
| Credit card fees | 2,465 | 2,110 |
| Property tax | 1,852 | 1,453 |
| Contingent rent | 762 | 1,239 |
| Other | 7,757 | 6,361 |
| Total accrued liabilities | $43,584 | $38,496 |
- Debt
Long-term debt, net consisted of the following:
| MARCH 29, 2026 · DECEMBER 28, 2025 | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) · Balance · Interest Rate · Balance · Interest Rate | |||||||
| Term Facilities | $208,813 | 6.56% | $211,625 | 6.54% | |||
| Revolving Credit Facility | 56,500 | 7.02% | 56,000 | 7.17% | |||
| Finance lease liabilities | 14,843 | 12,906 | |||||
| Financing obligation | 3,050 | 3,050 | |||||
| Less: Unamortized debt discount and deferred issuance costs | (1,103) | (1,201) | |||||
| Total debt, net | 282,103 | 282,380 | |||||
| Less: Current portion of long-term debt | (13,359) | (13,309) | |||||
| Long-term debt, net | $268,744 | $269,071 | |||||
Credit Facility
FWR Holding Corporation (“FWR”), a subsidiary of the Company, is the borrower under the credit agreement dated October 6, 2021, the terms of which were amended on February 24, 2023 and January 5, 2024, which provides for (i) a $225.0 million term loan A facility and delayed draw facility (the “Term Facilities”) and (ii) a $125.0 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, collectively with the Term Facilities, the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility matures on January 5, 2029.
As of March 29, 2026, borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest at the option of FWR at either (i) the alternate base rate plus a margin of between 150 and 225 basis points depending on the total rent adjusted net leverage ratio of FWR and its restricted subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (the “Total Rent Adjusted Net Leverage Ratio”) or (ii) the secured overnight financing rate (“SOFR”), plus a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points plus a margin of between 250 and 325 basis points depending on the Total Rent Adjusted Net Leverage Ratio. Additionally, an unused commitment fee of between 37.5 and 50 basis points is paid on the undrawn commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility, also depending on the Total Rent Adjusted Net Leverage Ratio. Refer to Note 7, Interest Rate Swaps, for information about the Company’s variable-to-fixed interest rate swap agreements.
Fair Value of Debt
The estimated fair value of the outstanding debt, excluding finance lease obligations and financing obligations, is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy and was estimated using discounted cash flow models, market yield and yield volatility. The following table includes the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt as of the dates indicated:
| MARCH 29, 2026 | DECEMBER 28, 2025 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | Carrying Value | Fair Value | Carrying Value | Fair Value |
| Term Facilities | $208,813 | $207,051 | $211,625 | $210,860 |
| Revolving Credit Facility | $56,500 | $55,957 | $56,000 | $55,761 |
Debt Covenants
The Credit Facility is guaranteed by all of FWR’s wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries, subject to customary exceptions, and by AI Fresh Parent, Inc., a Delaware corporation and the direct parent company of FWR (“Holdings”), and is secured by associated collateral agreements that pledge a lien on substantially all of FWR’s and each guarantor’s assets, including fixed assets and intangible assets, in each case, subject to customary exceptions.
Under the Credit Agreement, FWR (and in certain circumstances, Holdings) and its restricted subsidiaries are subject to customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants, maintenance of certain ratios, restrictions on additional indebtedness and events of default for facilities of this type (with customary grace periods, as applicable, and lender remedies). FWR was in compliance with the covenants under the Credit Agreement as of March 29, 2026.
- Interest Rate Swaps
Interest rate swaps are utilized to hedge a portion of the cash flows of the Company’s variable rate debt.
On June 23, 2023, the Company entered into two variable-to-fixed interest rate swaps. These interest rate swaps have an aggregate notional amount of $90.0 million and mature on October 6, 2026. Under the terms of these interest rate swaps, the Company will pay a weighted average fixed rate of 4.16% on the notional amount and will receive payments from, or make payments to, the counterparties based on the three-month SOFR rate.
On May 17, 2024, the Company entered intotwo additional variable-to-fixed interest rate swaps. These interest rate swaps have an aggregate notional amount of $60.0 million and mature on June 30, 2027. Under the terms of these interest rate swaps, the Company will pay a weighted average fixed rate of 4.42% on the notional amount and will receive payments from, or make payments to, the counterparties based on the three-month SOFR rate.
The fair value measurement of the interest rate swaps was based on the contractual terms and used observable market-based inputs. The interest rate swaps were valued using a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows using observable inputs including interest rate curves and credit spreads. Although the majority of the inputs used to value the instruments fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments utilized Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by the Company and the counterparties. The Company has determined that the impact of the credit valuation adjustments was not significant to the overall valuation. As a result, the derivatives were classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Amounts reported in Other comprehensive income (loss) related to the interest rate swaps will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on the Company’s variable-rate debt. During the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026, a total of $0.2 million was reclassified from Other comprehensive income (loss) as an increase to interest expense. Over the next 12 months, Management estimates that $0.6 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.
- Leases
The following table includes detail of lease assets and liabilities:
| (in thousands) | Consolidated Balance Sheet Classification | MARCH 29, 2026 | DECEMBER 28, 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance lease assets - current | Deposits and other current assets | $— | $120 |
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | Operating lease right-of-use assets | 631,458 | 614,548 |
| Finance lease assets | Property, fixtures and equipment, net | 12,675 | 10,730 |
| Total lease assets | $644,133 | $625,398 | |
| Operating lease liabilities - current(1) | Current portion of operating lease liabilities | $76,004 | $75,034 |
| Operating lease liabilities - non-current | Operating lease liabilities | 672,562 | 651,254 |
| Finance lease liabilities - current(1) | Current portion of long-term debt | 2,109 | 2,059 |
| Finance lease liabilities - non-current | Long-term debt, net | 12,734 | 10,847 |
| Total lease liabilities | $763,409 | $739,194 |
(1) Excludes all variable lease expense.
The components of lease expense were as follows:
| (in thousands) · Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss Classification · THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| MARCH 29, 2026 | MARCH 30, 2025 | ||
| Operating lease expense | Other restaurant operating expensesOccupancy expensesPre-opening expensesGeneral and administrative expenses | $22,975 | $19,630 |
| Variable lease expense | Food and beverage costsOccupancy expensesGeneral and administrative expenses | 5,966 | 5,234 |
| Finance lease expense: | |||
| Amortization of leased assets | Depreciation and amortization | 493 | 193 |
| Interest on lease liabilities | Interest expense | 210 | 44 |
| Total lease expense (1) | $29,644 | $25,101 | |
(1) Includes contingent rent expense of $0.5 million during the thirteen week periods ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025.
Supp lemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows:
| (in thousands) | THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | |
|---|---|---|
| MARCH 29, 2026 | MARCH 30, 2025 | |
| Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: | ||
| Operating cash flows - operating leases | $17,607 | $16,373 |
| Operating cash flows - finance leases | $210 | $44 |
| Financing cash flows - finance leases | $382 | $136 |
Supplemental information related to leases was as follows:
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| MARCH 29, 2026 | MARCH 30, 2025 | |
| Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years) | ||
| Operating leases | 12.6 | 13.1 |
| Finance leases | 11.8 | 13.1 |
| Weighted-average discount rate (1) | ||
| Operating leases | 7.7% | 7.7% |
| Finance leases | 6.5% | 6.0% |
(1) Based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.
- Equity and Stock-Based Compensation
Stock option awards
There were no stock option awards granted during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026. A summary of stock option activity during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 was as follows:
| NUMBER OF OPTIONS | WEIGHTED AVERAGEEXERCISE PRICE PER SHARE | AGGREGATE INTRINSIC VALUE (in thousands) | WEIGHTED AVERAGEREMAINING CONTRACTUAL LIFE (in years) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding, December 28, 2025 | 3,577,374 | $10.15 | $20,614 | 3.2 |
| Exercised | (9,051) | $9.77 | ||
| Outstanding, March 29, 2026 | 3,568,323 | $10.16 | $3,993 | 2.8 |
| Exercisable, March 29, 2026 | 3,568,323 | $10.16 | $3,993 | 2.8 |
The aggregate intrinsic value is based on the difference between the exercise price of the stock option and the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on the last trading day of the period.
A summary of the non-vested stock option activity during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 is as follows:
| NUMBER OF OPTIONS | WEIGHTED AVERAGE GRANT DATE FAIR VALUE PER SHARE | |
|---|---|---|
| Nonvested, December 28, 2025 | 3,946 | $5.22 |
| Vested | (3,946) | $5.22 |
| Nonvested, March 29, 2026 | — | $— |
Restricted stock units
During the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026, a total of 1,005,581 restricted stock units (“RSUs”) were granted. Of these RSUs,896,026 will vest ratably over a period ofthree years, with one-third vesting on each anniversary of the grant date;9,302 will vest in fullone year from the grant date; and 94,636 will vest in full three years from the grant date. Of the remaining 5,617 RSUs,25% of such RSUs will vestone year from the grant date,25% will vesttwo years from the grant date and 50% will vest three years from the grant date.
A summary of the Company’s RSU activity during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 is as follows:
| RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS | WEIGHTED AVERAGE GRANT DATE FAIR VALUE PER SHARE | AGGREGATE INTRINSIC VALUE (in thousands) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outstanding, December 28, 2025 | 2,010,917 | $17.60 | $31,994 |
| Granted | 1,005,581 | $12.48 | |
| Forfeited | (79,553) | $16.09 | |
| Vested | (484,126) | $18.61 | |
| Outstanding, March 29, 2026 | 2,452,819 | $15.35 | $25,289 |
The aggregate intrinsic value is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on Nasdaq of $10.31 and $15.91 on March 27, 2026 and December 26, 2025, the last trading days of the periods, respectively.
Stock-based compensation expense, net of amounts capitalized, was $3.4 million and $2.3 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 and March 30, 2025, respectively. Capitalized stock-based compensation included in property, fixtures and equipment totaled $0.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026.
Unrecognized stock-based compensation expense
The following represents unrecognized stock-based compensation expense and the remaining weighted average vesting period as of March 29, 2026:
| UNRECOGNIZED STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION EXPENSE (in thousands) | REMAINING WEIGHTED AVERAGE RECOGNITION PERIOD (in years) | |
|---|---|---|
| Restricted stock units | $33,737 | 2.8 |
As of March 29, 2026, all stock options were fully vested and there were no unvested stock options outstanding.
- Income Taxes
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | MARCH 29, 2026 | MARCH 30, 2025 |
| Loss before income taxes | $(3,434) | $(1,537) |
| Income tax benefit | $749 | $708 |
| Effective income tax rate | 21.8% | 46.1% |
Management accounts for income taxes in interim periods using an estimated annual effective tax rate, adjusted for discrete items recognized during the period. For thethirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 the Company recorded an income tax benefit. The income tax benefit reflects the application of the estimated annual effective tax rate to the Company’s loss before income taxes for the period, partially offset by discrete tax items, which include the impact of executive stock-based
compensation. Discrete items recorded during thethirteen weeks ended March 30, 2025 were immaterial.
The effective income tax rate for thethirteen weeks ended March 29, 2026 differed from the prior year period primarily due to the changes in loss before income taxes, the benefit of federal tax credits for FICA taxes paid on certain employee tips, and the impact of executive compensation.
Valuation allowance
Management routinely assess the realizability of deferred tax assets, and may record a valuation allowance if, based on all available positive and negative evidence, the determination is reached that some portion of the deferred tax assets may not be realized prior to expiration. If we determine that the Company may be able to realize the deferred tax assets in the future, we would make an adjustment to the deferred tax assets valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes during the period in which the determination was made. As of the period ended March 29, 2026 based upon all available evidence, Management has maintained a valuation allowance against a portion of the deferred tax assets.
As the Company’s future taxable earnings increase and the deferred tax assets are utilized, it is possible that a portion of the valuation allowance will no longer be needed. Release of any valuation allowance would result in the recognition of certain deferred tax assets and a decrease to income tax expense in the period of the release. The timing and amount of any release related to future taxable income is currently indeterminable.
- Commitments and Contingencies
Legal Proceedings
The Company is subject to legal proceedings, claims and liabilities that arise in the ordinary course of business. The amount of the anticipated liability with respect to these matters was not material as of March 29, 2026. In the event any litigation losses become probable and estimable, the Company will recognize anticipated losses.
- Segment Information
Management determined the Company’s single operating segment on the basis that the Company’s Chief Operating Decision Maker (the “CODM”), the Chief Executive Officer, assesses performance and allocates resources at the Company’s consolidated level. The Company’s CODM uses consolidated net income (loss) to evaluate performance and make key operating decisions, such as investments in our long-term growth strategy. This measure is also used to monitor budget against actual results.
Revenue is derived from sales of food and beverage, net of discounts, by our restaurants as well as franchise royalty, system fund and initial franchise fees. The measure of total assets for the reporting segment is reported on the consolidated balance sheets as total assets. The measure of capital expenditures for the reporting segment is reported on the consolidated statements of cash flows as total capital expenditures.
The following table details consolidated net loss for the segment for the periods indicated:
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| (in thousands) | MARCH 29, 2026 | MARCH 30, 2025 |
| Total revenues | $330,959 | $282,240 |
| Less: | ||
| Food and beverage costs | 74,310 | 66,647 |
| Labor and other related expenses | 110,609 | 96,754 |
| Other restaurant operating expenses | 51,904 | 44,259 |
| Occupancy expenses | 27,410 | 23,149 |
| Pre-opening expenses | 3,057 | 2,660 |
| Stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized | 3,352 | 2,259 |
| General and administrative expenses (1) | 36,593 | 27,960 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 21,396 | 16,557 |
| Other segment items (2) | 1,329 | 882 |
| Interest expense | 4,778 | 3,334 |
| Other income, net | (345) | (684) |
| Income tax benefit | (749) | (708) |
| Net loss | $(2,685) | $(829) |
(1) General and administrative expenses excludes stock-based compensation, net of amounts capitalized, which is presented separately.
(2) Other segment items included in segment net loss include transaction and restructuring expenses, net and impairments and loss on disposal of assets.
- Net Loss Per Common Share
The following table sets forth the computations of basic and diluted net loss per common share:
| THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED | ||
|---|---|---|
| (in thousands, except share and per share data) | MARCH 29, 2026 | MARCH 30, 2025 |
| Numerator: | ||
| Net loss | $(2,685) | $(829) |
| Denominator: | ||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic | 61,243,494 | 60,767,401 |
| Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted | 61,243,494 | 60,767,401 |
| Net loss per common share - basic | $(0.04) | $(0.01) |
| Net loss per common share - diluted | $(0.04) | $(0.01) |
| Stock options outstanding not included in diluted net loss per common share as their effect is anti-dilutive | 12,552 | 12,552 |
| Restricted stock units outstanding not included in diluted net loss per share as their effect is anti-dilutive | 543,535 | — |
Diluted net loss per common share is calculated by adjusting the weighted average shares outstanding for the theoretical effect of potential common shares that would be issued for stock awards outstanding and unvested as of the respective periods using the treasury method.
The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.