Form 10-Q - Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)]

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

__________________________________

FORM 10-Q

__________________________________


☑			QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2024


☐			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File No. 001-35603

__________________________________

CHUY’S HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

__________________________________


Delaware						20-5717694
(State of Incorporation or Organization)						(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

1623 Toomey Rd.

Austin, Texas 78704

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (512) 473-2783

__________________________________

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class	Trading Symbol	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share	CHUY	Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Large accelerated filer

☑

Accelerated filer

☐

Emerging growth company

☐

Non-accelerated filer

☐

Smaller reporting company

☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding at April 26, 2024 was 17,230,087.

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Part I – Financial Information			3
Item 1. Financial Statements			3
Consolidated Balance Sheets			3
Unaudited Consolidated Income Statements			4
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity			5
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows			6
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements			7
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations			14
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk			14
Item 4. Controls and Procedures			15
Part II – Other Information			16
Item 1. Legal Proceedings			16
Item 1A. Risk Factors			16
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds			16
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities			16
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures			16
Item 5. Other Information			16
Item 6. Exhibits			16

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Part I—Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

Chuy's Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share data)


	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Assets	(Unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	56,367	$	67,774
Accounts receivable	2,168		1,925
Lease incentives receivable	2,359		1,359
Inventories	1,750		1,805

Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,693		7,507
Total current assets	70,337		80,370
Property and equipment, net	207,865		201,928
Operating lease assets	139,718		140,138
Deferred tax asset, net	3,281		3,415
Other assets and intangible assets, net	5,944		4,814

Tradename	21,900		21,900
Goodwill	24,069		24,069
Total assets	$	473,114	$	476,634
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	6,479	$	5,561
Accrued liabilities	24,214		29,914
Operating lease liabilities	13,260		12,988
Income tax payable	893		303




Total current liabilities	44,846		48,766

Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	174,156		174,236
Other liabilities	4,931		3,785



Total liabilities	223,933		226,787

Contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 17,230,087 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and 17,335,062 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023	172		173
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023	—		—
Paid-in capital	62,788		70,369
Retained earnings	186,221		179,305
Total stockholders’ equity	249,181		249,847
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	473,114	$	476,634

See Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

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Chuy's Holdings, Inc.

Unaudited Consolidated Income Statements

(in thousands, except share and per share data)


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
Revenue	$	110,464	$	112,498
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	27,821		28,718
Labor	34,655		34,102
Operating	18,082		18,078
Occupancy	7,667		7,882
General and administrative	7,134		7,806
Marketing	1,449		1,550
Restaurant pre-opening	654		481

Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs	438		371

Depreciation	5,440		5,140
Total costs and expenses	103,340		104,128
Income from operations	7,124		8,370
Interest income, net	(606)		(777)
Income before income taxes	7,730		9,147
Income tax expense	814		925
Net income	$	6,916	$	8,222
Net income per common share:
Basic	$	0.40	$	0.46
Diluted	$	0.40	$	0.45
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic	17,305,582		18,020,434
Diluted	17,406,905		18,176,121

See Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

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Chuy's Holdings, Inc.

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

(in thousands, except share and per share data)
























	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	Common Stock					Retained
	Shares	Amount		Paid-in Capital		Earnings		Total
Balance, December 31, 2023	17,335,062	$	173	$	70,369	$	179,305	$	249,847

Stock-based compensation	—	—		1,131		—		1,131

Settlement of restricted stock units	151,000	2		(2)		—		—
Repurchase of shares of common stock	(214,659)	(2)		(7,318)		—		(7,320)
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings	(41,316)	(1)		(1,392)		—		(1,393)
Net income	—	—		—		6,916		6,916
Balance, March 31, 2024	17,230,087	$	172	$	62,788	$	186,221	$	249,181

Balance, December 25, 2022	17,998,170	$	180	$	96,586	$	147,795	$	244,561

Stock-based compensation	—	—		1,036		—		1,036
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	9,557	—		273		—		273

Settlement of restricted stock units	156,898	2		(2)		—		—

Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings	(43,217)	(1)		(1,513)		—		(1,514)
Net income	—	—		—		8,222		8,222
Balance, March 26, 2023	18,121,408	$	181	$	96,380	$	156,017	$	252,578

See Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

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Chuy's Holdings, Inc.

Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	6,916	$	8,222
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	5,440		5,140
Amortization of operating lease assets	2,581		2,485
Amortization of loan origination costs	22		22
Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs	16		19
Stock-based compensation	1,072		975

(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment	(13)		54

Deferred income taxes	134		208
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(243)		186
Lease incentive receivable	(1,000)		—
Income tax receivable and payable	590		643
Inventories	55		455
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(335)		(10)
Accounts payable	427		(3,278)
Accrued and other liabilities	(4,553)		45

Operating lease liabilities	(2,973)		(3,037)


Net cash provided by operating activities	8,136		12,129
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment, net	(10,830)		(6,318)

Net cash used in investing activities	(10,830)		(6,318)
Cash flows from financing activities:










Repurchase of shares of common stock	(7,320)		—
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	—		273
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings	(1,393)		(1,514)
Net cash used in financing activities	(8,713)		(1,241)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(11,407)		4,570
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	67,774		78,028
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	56,367	$	82,598

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Property and equipment and other assets acquired by accounts payable	$	492	$	2,262

Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Cash paid for interest	$	20	$	11
Cash paid for income taxes	$	92	$	73

See Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

Chuy's Holdings, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Tabular dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

1. Basis of Presentation

Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Chuy’s”) develops and operates Chuy’s restaurants throughout the United States. Chuy’s is a growing, full-service restaurant concept offering a distinct menu of authentic, freshly-prepared Mexican and Tex-Mex inspired food. As of March 31, 2024, the Company operated 102 restaurants across 16 states.

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), except that certain information and notes have been omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of 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 period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company operates on a 52- or 53- week fiscal year that ends on the last Sunday of the calendar year. Each quarterly period has 13 weeks, except for a 53-week year when the fourth quarter has 14 weeks. Our 2024 fiscal year consists of 52 weeks and our 2023 fiscal year consisted of 53 weeks.

2. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company reviewed all recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they were either not applicable or not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

3. Net Income Per Share

The number of shares and net income per share data for all periods presented are based on the historical weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding.

Basic net income per share of the Company's common stock is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period.

Diluted net income per share of common stock is computed on the basis of the weighted-average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method for dilutive options and restricted stock units (the options and restricted stock units were granted under the Chuy's Holdings, Inc. 2012 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”) and the Chuy's Holdings, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2020 Plan”)).

For the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 and March 26, 2023, there were approximately 130 and 3,292 shares, respectively, of common stock equivalents that were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

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Chuy's Holdings, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Tabular dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

The computation of basic and diluted net income per share is as follows:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
BASIC
Net income	$	6,916	$	8,222

Weighted-average common shares outstanding	17,305,582		18,020,434
Basic net income per common share	$	0.40	$	0.46

DILUTED
Net income	$	6,916	$	8,222

Weighted-average common shares outstanding	17,305,582		18,020,434
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units	101,323		155,687
Weighted-average of diluted shares	17,406,905		18,176,121
Diluted net income per common share	$	0.40	$	0.45

4. Stock-Based Compensation

The Company has outstanding awards under the 2012 Plan and the 2020 Plan. On July 30, 2020, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2020 Plan, which replaced the 2012 Plan and no further awards may be granted under the 2012 plan. The termination of the 2012 Plan did not affect outstanding awards granted under the 2012 Plan. Options granted under these plans vest over five years from the date of grant and have a maximum term of ten years. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had 539 of stock options outstanding and exercisable with a remaining weighted average contractual term of less than one year.

Restricted stock units granted under the 2012 Plan and 2020 Plan vest over four years to five years from the date of grant. As of March 31, 2024, a total of 592,329 shares of common stock were reserved and remained available for issuance under the 2020 Plan.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized in the accompanying consolidated income statements was approximately $1,072,000 and $975,000 for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 and March 26, 2023, respectively.

On July 27, 2023, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2023 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2023 ESPP”). As of March 31, 2024, the Company had 500,000 shares of common stock reserved and available for issuance under the 2023 ESPP. As of March 31, 2024, there has not been any offering period or purchase period under the 2023 ESPP, and no such period will begin unless and until determined by the administrator.

A summary of stock-based compensation activity related to restricted stock units for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:


	Shares	Weighted Average Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Year)
Outstanding at December 31, 2023	353,334	$	31.97
Granted	156,077	33.89
Vested	(151,000)	27.55
Forfeited	(4,706)	34.63
Outstanding at March 31, 2024	353,705	$	34.68	3.03

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Chuy's Holdings, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Tabular dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

The fair value of the restricted stock units is the quoted market value of our common stock on the date of grant. As of March 31, 2024, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock units was approximately $11.9 million. This amount is expected to be recognized evenly over the remaining vesting period of the grants.

5. Long-Term Debt

Revolving Credit Facility

On July 30, 2021, the Company entered into a secured $35.0 million revolving credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility could be increased up to an additional $25.0 million subject to certain conditions and at the Company’s option if the lenders agreed to increase their commitments. The Credit Facility had a maturity date of July 30, 2024, unless the Company exercised its option to voluntarily and permanently reduce all of the commitments before the maturity date.

On June 30, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Credit Facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The Amendment replaced the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) interest rate with an Adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) interest rate.

On September 27, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “A&R Credit Facility”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to, among other things, (1) extend the maturity date of the credit facility to September 27, 2026 from July 30, 2024, (2) revise the adjustment applicable to the Adjusted Term SOFR rate as well as the commitment fee and (3) reduce the aggregate principal commitment to $25.0 million which could be increased up to an additional $35.0 million at the Company’s option if the lenders agree to increase their commitments.

The A&R Credit Facility contains representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default that the Company considers customary for an agreement of this type. The agreement requires the Company to be in compliance with a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of no less than 1.25 to 1.00, and a maximum consolidated total lease adjusted leverage ratio of no more than 4.00 to 1.00. The A&R Credit Facility also has certain restrictions on the payment of dividends and distributions. Under the A&R Credit Facility, the Company may declare and make dividend payments so long as (i) no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) immediately after giving effect to any such dividend payment, on a pro forma basis, the consolidated total lease adjusted leverage ratio does not exceed 3.50 to 1.00.

Borrowings under the A&R Credit Facility accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s election, term secured overnight financing rate (“Term SOFR”) plus 0.10% (“Adjusted Term SOFR”), plus a margin of 1.5% to 2.0%, depending on the Company’s consolidated total lease adjusted leverage ratio, or a base rate determined according to the highest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or (c) Adjusted Term SOFR rate for a one-month period, plus 1.0%, plus a margin of 0.5% to 1.0%, depending on the Company’s consolidated total lease adjusted leverage ratio.

An unused commitment fee at a rate of 0.3% applies to unutilized borrowing capacity under the A&R Credit Facility.

The obligations under the Company’s A&R Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company and, subject to certain exceptions, secured by a continuing security interest in substantially all of the Company’s assets. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had no borrowings under the A&R Credit Facility, and was in compliance with all covenants under the A&R Credit Facility.

6. Accrued Liabilities

The major classes of accrued liabilities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:


	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Accrued compensation and related benefits	$	10,660	$	13,965
Other accruals	5,573		6,324
Sales and use tax	3,291		3,791
Deferred gift card revenue	2,722		3,147
Property tax	1,968		2,687

Total accrued liabilities	$	24,214	$	29,914

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Chuy's Holdings, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Tabular dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

7. Stockholders' Equity

Share Repurchase Program

On October 27, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $50.0 million of its common shares outstanding through December 31, 2024. The Company repurchased 214,659 shares for approximately $7.3 million during the first quarter of 2024 and no shares during the first quarter of 2023. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $13.8 million remaining under its $50.0 million share repurchase program.

Repurchases of the Company's outstanding common stock will be made in accordance with applicable laws and may be made at management's discretion from time to time in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, including pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. There is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares to be repurchased by the Company. The timing and extent of repurchases will depend upon several factors, including market and business conditions, regulatory requirements and other corporate considerations, and repurchases may be discontinued at any time.

8. Contingencies

The Company is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

9. Leases

The Company determines if a contract contains a lease at inception. The Company's material long-term operating lease agreements are for the land and buildings for our restaurants as well as our corporate offices. The lease term begins on the date that the Company takes possession under the lease, including the pre-opening period during construction, when in many cases the Company is not making rent payments. The initial lease terms range from 10 to 15 years, most of which include renewal options totaling 10 to 15 years. The lease term is generally the minimum of the noncancelable period or the lease term including renewal options which are reasonably certain of being exercised up to a term of approximately 20 years.

Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date for material leases with a term of greater than 12 months. Operating lease liabilities represent the present value of future minimum lease payments. Since our leases do not provide an implicit rate, our operating lease liabilities are calculated using the Company's secured incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement. We estimate this rate based on prevailing financial market conditions, comparable companies, credit analysis and management judgment. Minimum lease payments include only fixed lease components of the agreement, as well as variable rate payments that depend on an index, initially measured using the index at the lease commencement date.

Operating lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset and are based upon the operating lease liabilities adjusted for prepaid or accrued lease payments, initial direct costs and lease incentives. Lease incentives are recognized when construction milestones are met and reduce our operating lease asset. They are amortized through the operating lease assets as reductions of rent expense over the lease term.

Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Variable lease payments that do not depend on a rate or index, escalation in the index subsequent to the initial measurement, payments associated with non-lease components such as common area maintenance, real estate taxes and insurance, and short-term lease payments (leases with a term with 12 months or less) are expensed as incurred. Certain of the Company’s operating leases contain clauses that provide for contingent rent based on a percentage of sales greater than certain specified target amounts. These variable payments are expensed when the achievement of the specified target that triggers the contingent rent is considered probable. As of March 31, 2024, all of the Company's leases were operating.

Components of operating lease costs are included in occupancy, closed restaurant costs, restaurant pre-opening, general and administrative expense and property and equipment, net:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
Lease cost	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
Operating lease cost	$	6,026	$	6,041
Variable lease cost	385		450
	$	6,411	$	6,491

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Chuy's Holdings, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Tabular dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

Supplemental cash flow disclosures and other lease information:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities	$	6,509	$	6,821
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities(a)	2,181		—

(a) The thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 includes a $1.2 million increase to operating lease assets and liabilities related to new lease commencements and a $1.0 million increase primarily due to extending remaining lives of certain leases.

The Company recorded $1.0 million deferred lease incentives during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 and no deferred lease incentives during the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2023.

Supplemental balance sheet disclosures:


Operating leases	Classification	March 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
Right-of-use assets	Operating lease assets	$	139,718		$	140,138

Deferred rent payments	Operating lease liability	7			6
Current lease liabilities	Operating lease liability	13,253			12,982
		13,260			12,988

Deferred rent payments	Operating lease liability, less current portion	59			61
Non-current lease liabilities	Operating lease liability, less current portion	174,097			174,175
		174,156			174,236

Total lease liabilities		$	187,416		$	187,224

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)		11.9			12.0
Weighted average discount rate		7.8		%	7.8%

Future minimum rent payments for our operating leases for the next five years as of March 31, 2024 are as follows:


Fiscal year ending:
Remainder of 2024	$	20,281
2025	27,437
2026	26,881
2027	24,838
2028	24,445
Thereafter	162,506
Total minimum lease payments	286,388
Less: imputed interest	98,972
Present value of lease liabilities	$	187,416

As of March 31, 2024, operating lease payments exclude approximately $12.7 million of legally binding minimum lease payments for leases signed but which we have not yet commenced payments.

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Chuy's Holdings, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Tabular dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

10. Income Taxes

The following is a reconciliation of the expected federal income taxes at the statutory rates of 21%:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
Expected income tax expense	$	1,623	$	1,921
State tax expense, net of federal benefit	261		301
FICA tip credit	(903)		(997)

Officers' compensation	38		76
Stock compensation	(210)		(381)
Other	5		5
Income tax expense	$	814	$	925

Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred taxes will not be realized. Both positive and negative evidence is considered in forming management’s judgment as to whether a valuation allowance is appropriate, and more weight is given to evidence that can be objectively verified. The tax benefits relating to any reversal of the valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets would be recognized as a reduction of future income tax expense. As of March 31, 2024, the Company believes that it will realize all of its deferred tax assets. Therefore, no valuation allowance has been recorded.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) temporarily restored the ability to carryback net operating losses (“NOL”) originating in 2018, 2019 and 2020 to offset taxable income in the five preceding years and eliminated the 80% taxable income limitation on such net operating loss deductions if utilized before 2021. Additionally, the CARES Act included an administrative correction of the depreciation recovery period for qualified improvement property (“QIP”), including certain restaurant leasehold improvement costs, that resulted in the acceleration of depreciation on these assets retroactive to 2018. The Company filed for a refund of overpaid taxes with regards to credits carried back to those years. The Company received the refund related to the 2015 Form 1120X of $0.24 million in August 2023 and the refund related to the 2016 Form 1120X refund of $0.45 million refund remains outstanding.

The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) audited our tax return for the fiscal year 2016. In August 2020, the IRS issued a Notice of Proposed Adjustment (“NOPA”) to the Company asserting that the tenant allowances paid to us under our operating leases should be recorded as taxable income for years 2016 and prior. The Company disagreed with this position based on the underlying facts and circumstances as well as standard industry practice. The Company accepted an assessment of $0.18 million which will be netted against the 2016 Form 1120X refund discussed above resulting in an outstanding refund to the Company of $0.27 million for fiscal year 2016. On December 1, 2023, the Company received confirmation from the IRS Independent Office of Appeals noting approval of the settlement and closure of the fiscal year 2016 tax audit. In accordance with the provisions of FASB Accounting Standards Codification Subtopic 740-10, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, the Company believes that it is more likely than not that the Company's position will ultimately be sustained upon further examination of open tax years, including the resolution of the IRS's appeal or litigation processes, if any. As of March 31, 2024 and March 26, 2023, the Company recognized no liability for uncertain tax positions.

It is the Company’s policy to include any penalties and interest related to income taxes in its income tax provision. However, the Company currently has no penalties or interest related to income taxes.

The tax years 2022, 2021 and 2020 remain open for IRS audit. The Company has received no notice of audit or any notifications from the IRS for any of the open tax years.

11. Impairment, Closed Restaurant and Other Costs

The Company reviews long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, operating lease assets and intangibles, subject to amortization, for impairment when events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. In determining the recoverability of the asset value, an analysis is performed at the individual restaurant level and primarily includes an assessment of historical undiscounted cash flows and other relevant factors and circumstances. The Company evaluates future cash flow projections in conjunction with qualitative factors and future operating plans and regularly reviews any restaurants with a deficient level of cash flows for the previous 24 months to determine if impairment testing is necessary.

Table of Contents

Chuy's Holdings, Inc.

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

(Tabular dollar amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying value of the restaurant to its estimated future undiscounted cash flows. If the estimated undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value, we determine if there is an impairment loss by comparing the carrying value of the restaurant to its estimated fair value. Based on this analysis, if the carrying value of the restaurant exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value.

We make assumptions to estimate future cash flows and asset fair values. The estimated fair value is generally determined using the depreciated replacement cost method, the market approach, or discounted cash flow projections. Estimated future cash flows are highly subjective assumptions based on the Company’s projections and understanding of our business, historical operating results, and trends in sales and restaurant level operating costs including assumptions related to the market rent of a sublease scenario.

The Company’s impairment assessment process requires the use of estimates and assumptions regarding future cash flows and operating outcomes, which are based upon a significant degree of management judgment. The estimates used in the impairment analysis represent a Level 3 fair value measurement. The Company continues to assess the performance of restaurants and monitors the need for future impairment. Changes in the economic environment, real estate markets, capital spending, overall operating performance and underlying assumptions could impact these estimates and result in future impairment charges.

The Company recorded impairment, closed restaurant and other costs as follows:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023




Closed restaurant costs	388		371
Loss on lease termination	50		—

Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs	$	438	$	371

Closed restaurant costs represent on-going expenses to maintain the closed restaurants, such as rent expense, utility and insurance costs.

12. Subsequent events

Subsequent to the first quarter of 2024, the Company opened one new restaurant in Austin, TX, to bring our total development to two restaurants during the year. We also closed one restaurant in Lakewood, CO.

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Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Unless otherwise specified, or the context otherwise requires, the references in this report to "Chuy's," “our Company,” “the Company,” “us,” “we” and “our” refer to Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. together with its subsidiaries.

The following discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting the consolidated operating results, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows of our Company as of and for the periods presented below. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 (our “Annual Report") and the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto included herein.

Overview

We are a growing full-service restaurant concept offering a distinct menu of authentic, freshly-prepared Mexican and Tex-Mex inspired food. We were founded in Austin, Texas in 1982 and, as of March 31, 2024, we operated 102 restaurants across 16 states.

We are committed to providing value to our customers through offering generous portions of made-from-scratch, flavorful Mexican and Tex-Mex inspired dishes. We also offer a full-service bar in all of our restaurants providing our customers a wide variety of beverage offerings. We believe the Chuy’s culture is one of our most valuable assets, and we are committed to preserving and continually investing in our culture and our customers’ restaurant experience.

Our restaurants have a common décor, but we believe each location is unique in format, offering an “unchained” look and feel, as expressed by our motto “If you’ve seen one Chuy’s, you’ve seen one Chuy’s!” We believe our restaurants have an upbeat, funky, eclectic, somewhat irreverent atmosphere while still maintaining a family-friendly environment.

Performance Indicators

We use the following performance indicators in evaluating our performance:

•Number of Restaurant Openings. Number of restaurant openings reflects the number of restaurants opened during a particular fiscal period. For restaurant openings, we incur pre-opening costs, which are defined below, before the restaurant opens. Typically, new restaurants open with an initial start-up period of higher than normalized sales volumes, which decrease to a steady level approximately six to twelve months after opening. However, operating costs during this initial six to twelve month period are also higher than normal, resulting in restaurant operating margins that are generally lower during the start-up period of operation and increase to a steady level approximately nine to twelve months after opening.

•Comparable Restaurant Sales. We consider a restaurant to be comparable in the first full quarter following the 18th month of operations. Changes in comparable restaurant sales reflect changes in sales for the comparable group of restaurants over a specified period of time. Changes in comparable restaurant sales reflect changes in customer count trends as well as changes in average check. Our comparable restaurant base consisted of 95 restaurants at March 31, 2024.

•Average Check. Average check is calculated by dividing revenue by total entrées sold for a given time period. Average check reflects menu price increases as well as changes in menu mix.

•Average Weekly Customers. Average weekly customers is measured by the number of entrées sold per week. Our management team uses this metric to measure changes in customer traffic.

•Average Unit Volume. Average unit volume consists of the average sales of our comparable restaurants over a certain period of time. This measure is calculated by dividing total comparable restaurant sales within a period of time by the total number of comparable restaurants within the relevant period. This indicator assists management in measuring changes in customer traffic, pricing and development of our brand.

The following table presents operating data for the periods indicated:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024			March 26, 2023
Total open restaurants (at end of period)	102			99
Total comparable restaurants (at end of period)	95			94
Average unit volumes (in thousands)	$	1,085		$	1,133
Change in comparable restaurant sales(1)	(4.3		%)	8.0		%
Average check	$	19.41		$	18.81

(1) We consider a restaurant to be comparable in the first full quarter following the 18th month of operations. Change in comparable restaurant sales reflects changes in sales for the comparable group of restaurants over a specified period of time. Due to the inclusion of a 53rd week in fiscal 2023, there is a one-week calendar shift in the comparison of the first fiscal quarter of 2024 ended March 31, 2024, to the first fiscal quarter of 2023 ended March 26, 2023. As a result, our comparable restaurant sales included above is based on comparing sales in the first fiscal quarter of 2024 to sales in the corresponding calendar period of 2023. Comparable restaurant sales in the fiscal first quarter ended March 31, 2024 decreased 5.2% compared to the first fiscal quarter of 2023 ended March 26, 2023.

Our Fiscal Year

We operate on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year that ends on the last Sunday of the calendar year. Each quarterly period has 13 weeks, except for a 53-week year when the fourth quarter has 14 weeks. Our 2024 fiscal year consists of 52 weeks and our 2023 fiscal year consisted of 53 weeks.

Key Financial Definitions

Revenue. Revenue primarily consists of food and beverage sales and also includes sales of our t-shirts, sweatshirts and hats. Revenue is presented net of discounts associated with each sale. Revenue in a given period is directly influenced by the number of operating weeks in such period, the number of restaurants we operate and comparable restaurant sales growth.

Cost of sales. Cost of sales consists of food, beverage and merchandise related costs. The components of cost of sales are variable in nature, change with sales volume and are subject to increases or decreases based on fluctuations in commodity costs.

Labor costs. Labor costs include restaurant management salaries, front- and back-of-house hourly wages and restaurant-level manager bonus expense and payroll taxes.

Operating costs. Operating costs consist primarily of restaurant-related operating expenses, such as supplies, utilities, repairs and maintenance, travel cost, insurance, employee benefits, credit card fees, recruiting, delivery service and security. These costs generally increase with sales volume but may increase or decrease as a percentage of revenue.

Occupancy costs. Occupancy costs include rent charges, both fixed and variable, as well as common area maintenance costs, property taxes, the amortization of tenant allowances and the adjustment to straight-line rent. These costs are generally fixed but a portion may vary with an increase in sales when the lease contains percentage rent.

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses include costs associated with corporate and administrative functions that support our operations, including senior and supervisory management and staff compensation (including stock-based compensation) and benefits, travel, legal and professional fees, information systems, corporate office rent and other related corporate costs.

Marketing. Marketing costs include costs associated with our local and national restaurant marketing programs, community service and sponsorship activities, our menus and other promotional activities.

Restaurant pre-opening costs. Restaurant pre-opening costs consist of costs incurred before opening a restaurant, including manager salaries, relocation costs, supplies, recruiting expenses, initial new market public relations costs, pre-opening activities, employee payroll and related training costs for new employees. Restaurant pre-opening costs also include rent recorded during the period between date of possession and the restaurant opening date.

Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs. Impairment costs include impairment of long-lived assets associated with restaurants where the carrying amount of the asset is not recoverable and exceeds the fair value of the asset. Closed restaurant costs consist of any costs associated with the closure of a restaurant such as lease termination costs, severance benefits, other miscellaneous closing costs as well as costs to maintain these closed restaurants through the lease termination date such as occupancy costs, including rent payments less sublease income, if any, and insurance and utility costs.

Depreciation. Depreciation principally includes depreciation on fixed assets, including equipment and leasehold improvements.

Interest (income) expense, net. Interest (income) expense consists primarily of interest income earned on the excess cash invested in money market funds, reduced by interest on our outstanding indebtedness, if any, uncommitted credit facility fees and the amortization of our debt issuance costs.

Results of Operations

Potential Fluctuations in Quarterly Results and Seasonality

Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly as a result of a variety of factors, including the timing of new restaurant openings and related expenses, profitability of new restaurants, weather, increases or decreases in comparable restaurant sales, general economic conditions, consumer confidence in the economy, changes in consumer preferences, competitive factors, changes in food costs, changes in labor costs and changes in gas prices. In the past, we have experienced significant variability in restaurant pre-opening costs from quarter to quarter primarily due to the timing of restaurant openings. We typically incur restaurant pre-opening costs in the five months preceding a new restaurant opening. In addition, our experience to date has been that labor and direct operating costs associated with a newly opened restaurant during the first several months of operation are often materially greater than what will be expected after that time, both in aggregate dollars and as a percentage of restaurant sales. Accordingly, the number and timing of new restaurant openings in any quarter has had, and is expected to continue to have, a significant impact on quarterly restaurant pre-opening costs, labor and direct operating costs.

Our business is also subject to fluctuations due to seasonality and adverse weather. The spring and summer months have traditionally had higher sales volume than other periods of the year. Timing of holidays, severe winter weather, hurricanes, thunderstorms and similar conditions may impact restaurant unit volumes in some of the markets where we operate and may have a greater impact should they occur during our higher volume months. As a result of these and other factors, our financial results for any given quarter may not be indicative of the results that may be achieved for a full fiscal year.

Thirteen Weeks Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to Thirteen Weeks Ended March 26, 2023

The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the consolidated statement of operations (in thousands):


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		% of Revenue		March 26, 2023		% of Revenue		$ Change		% Change
Revenue	$	110,464	100.0	%	$	112,498	100.0	%	$	(2,034)	(1.8)	%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	27,821		25.2		28,718		25.5		(897)		(3.1)
Labor	34,655		31.4		34,102		30.3		553		1.6
Operating	18,082		16.4		18,078		16.1		4		—
Occupancy	7,667		6.9		7,882		7.0		(215)		(2.7)
General and administrative	7,134		6.5		7,806		6.9		(672)		(8.6)
Marketing	1,449		1.3		1,550		1.4		(101)		(6.5)
Restaurant pre-opening	654		0.6		481		0.4		173		36.0

Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs	438		0.4		371		0.3		67		18.1

Depreciation	5,440		4.9		5,140		4.7		300		5.8
Total costs and expenses	103,340		93.6		104,128		92.6		(788)		(0.8)
Income from operations	7,124		6.4		8,370		7.4		(1,246)		(14.9)
Interest income, net	(606)		(0.6)		(777)		(0.7)		171		(22.0)
Income before income taxes	7,730		7.0		9,147		8.1		(1,417)		(15.5)
Income tax expense	814		0.7		925		0.8		(111)		(12.0)
Net income	$	6,916	6.3	%	$	8,222	7.3	%	$	(1,306)	(15.9)	%

Revenue. Revenue decreased $2.0 million, or 1.8%, to $110.5 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 from $112.5 million for the comparable period in 2023. The decrease was primarily related to a decrease in our comparable restaurant sales partially offset by incremental revenue from an additional 54 operating weeks provided by new restaurants opened during and subsequent to the first quarter of 2023. For the first quarter of 2024, off-premise sales were approximately 29% of total revenue compared to approximately 27% during the same period in fiscal 2023.

In addition, there was a one-week calendar shift in the comparison of the fiscal first quarter of 2024 to the fiscal first quarter of 2023 due to a 53rd week in fiscal 2023. As a result of this shift, the week between Christmas and New Year’s, traditionally a high-volume week for the Company’s restaurants, was included in the first quarter of 2023 but was replaced with an average volume week in the first quarter of 2024. This shift reduced revenue by approximately $1.8 million during the first quarter of 2024.

Adjusting for the timing of the 53rd week in 2023, comparable restaurant sales, on a calendar basis, decreased 4.3% for the first quarter of 2024 for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 as compared to the thirteen weeks ended April 2, 2023. The decrease in comparable restaurant sales was primarily driven by a 6.9% decrease in average weekly customers, partially offset by a 2.6% increase in average check. The Company estimates that comparable restaurant sales was negatively impacted by $0.8 million due to severe winter weather across most of the Central United States in the first quarter of 2024 and $0.4 million as a result of Easter falling in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the second quarter of 2023.

As a result of the 53rd week in fiscal 2023 and the one-week calendar shift, previously noted, comparable restaurant sales, on a fiscal basis, in the first fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024 decreased 5.2% as compared to the first fiscal quarter ended March 26, 2023.

Cost of sales. Cost of sales as a percentage of revenue decreased to 25.2% during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 compared to 25.5% during the comparable period in 2023 primarily driven by overall commodity deflation of 1.3% during the quarter as compared to the same period a year ago.

Labor costs. Labor costs as a percentage of revenue increased to 31.4% during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 from 30.3% during the comparable period in 2023 largely as a result of hourly labor rate inflation of 3.6% at comparable restaurants as well as an incremental improvement in our hourly staffing levels as compared to last year.

Operating costs. Operating costs as a percentage of revenue increased to 16.4% during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 from 16.1% during the same period in 2023 mainly as a result of an increase of approximately 30 basis points ("bps") in delivery and off-premise catering charges and higher restaurant repair and maintenance costs of approximately 20 bps, partially offset by a decrease in utilities and to-go supplies of approximately 20 bps.

Occupancy costs. Occupancy costs as a percentage of revenue decreased to 6.9% during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 from 7.0% during the comparable period in 2023 primarily as a result of lower percentage rent.

General and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased to $7.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 as compared to $7.8 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by $0.9 million in lower performance-based bonuses, partially offset by $0.3 million in higher management salaries. As a percentage of revenues, general and administrative expenses decreased to 6.5% in the first quarter of 2024 from 6.9% in the first quarter of 2023.

Restaurant pre-opening costs. Restaurant pre-opening costs increased to $0.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 as compared to $0.5 million for the same period in 2023 due to the timing of new store openings.

Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs. Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs remained consistent at $0.4 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 from the comparable period in 2023. Closed restaurant costs include rent expense, utilities, insurance and other costs required to maintain the remaining closed locations.

Depreciation. Depreciation expense increased to $5.4 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 from $5.1 million recorded during the comparable period in 2023 primarily due to an increase in depreciation associated with our new restaurants.

Interest income, net. Interest income, net decreased to $0.6 million in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to $0.8 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease was mainly a result of a lower balance of excess cash invested in money market funds.

Income tax expense. We recorded an income tax expense of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2024 compared to $0.9 million during the comparable period in 2023. The effective income tax rate for fiscal 2024 was 10.5% compared to 10.1% in the same period last year. The increase in the effective tax rate was mainly attributed to a decrease in the proportion of discrete tax benefits recorded related to stock based compensation to annual pre-tax income.

Net income. As a result of the foregoing, net income was $6.9 million during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 as compared to $8.2 million during the comparable period in 2023.

Liquidity

Our principal sources of cash are cash and cash equivalents, net cash provided by operating activities, which includes tenant improvement allowances from our landlords, and borrowings, if any, under our $25.0 million revolving credit facility as further discussed in Note 5, Long-Term Debt. Consistent with many other restaurant and retail store operations, we typically use

operating lease arrangements for our restaurants. From time to time, we may also purchase the underlying land for development. We believe that our operating lease arrangements provide appropriate leverage of our capital structure in a financially efficient manner. We may also from time to time sell equity or engage in other capital markets transactions.

Our main requirements for liquidity are to support our working capital, restaurant expansion plans, ongoing maintenance of our existing restaurants, investment in infrastructure, obligations under our operating leases, interest payments on our debt, if any, and to repurchase shares of our common stock subject to market conditions. Repurchases of the Company's outstanding common stock will be made in accordance with applicable laws and may be made at management's discretion from time to time in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, including pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. There is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares to be repurchased by the Company. The timing and extent of repurchases will depend upon several factors, including market and business conditions, regulatory requirements and other corporate considerations, and repurchases may be discontinued at any time.

Our liquidity may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including a decrease in customer traffic or average check per customer due to changes in economic conditions, as described in Item 1A. “Risk Factors" of our Annual Report.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had a strong financial position with $56.4 million in cash and cash equivalents, no debt and $25.0 million of availability under its revolving credit facility.

Cash Flows for Thirteen Weeks Ended March 31, 2024 and March 26, 2023

The following table summarizes the statement of cash flows (in thousands):


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	8,136	$	12,129
Net cash used in investing activities	(10,830)		(6,318)
Net cash used in financing activities	(8,713)		(1,241)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(11,407)		4,570
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	67,774		78,028
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	56,367	$	82,598

Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased $4.0 million to $8.1 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 from $12.1 million during the comparable period in 2023. Our business is almost exclusively a cash business. Almost all of our receipts come in the form of cash and cash equivalents and a large majority of our expenditures are paid within a 30 day period. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was mainly attributable to:

1)a $1.3 million decrease in net income;

2)a $4.6 million decrease in accrued and other liabilities largely driven by a higher performance-based bonus pay-out in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the comparable period last year; and

3)a $1.0 million decrease in collection of lease incentive receivable.

This overall decrease of $6.9 million, as detailed above, is partially offset by $3.7 million in less payments on accounts payable mainly driven by timing of payments as compared to last year.

Investing Activities. Net cash used in investing activities increased $4.5 million to $10.8 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 from $6.3 million during the comparable period in 2023, mainly driven by timing of our new restaurant construction and property acquisitions as compared to the same period last year.

Financing Activities. Net cash used by financing activities increased $7.5 million to $8.7 million for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 from $1.2 million during the comparable period in 2023 primarily due to a $7.3 million increase in the repurchases of shares of common stock.

As of March 31, 2024, we had no other financing transactions, arrangements or other relationships with any unconsolidated affiliates or related parties. Additionally, we had no financing arrangements involving synthetic leases or trading activities involving commodity contracts.

Capital Resources

Long-Term and Short-Term Capital Requirements

There have been no material changes to our long-term or short-term capital requirements from what was previously disclosed in our Annual Report filed with the SEC, except as disclosed in Note 5, Long-Term Debt.

Contractual Obligations

There have been no material changes to our contractual obligations from what was previously disclosed in our Annual Report filed with the SEC.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of March 31, 2024, we are not involved in any variable interest entities transactions and do not otherwise have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies and estimates from what was previously disclosed in our Annual Report filed with the SEC.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For information regarding new accounting pronouncements, see Note 2, Recent Accounting Pronouncements in the notes to our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect the current views of our senior management with respect to future events and our financial performance. These statements include forward-looking statements with respect to our business and industry in general. Statements that include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “project,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate” and similar statements of a future or forward looking nature identify forward-looking statements for purposes of the federal securities laws or otherwise. Forward-looking statements address matters that involve risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. We believe that these factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

•the impact of negative economic factors, including inflation and the availability of credit;

•the success of our existing and new restaurants;

•our ability to identify appropriate sites and develop and expand our operations;

•our ability to manage our growth effectively and the resulting changes to pre-opening costs;

•we operate most of our restaurants under long-term leases which we may not be able to renew and would be obligated to perform even if we closed our restaurants;

•changes in economic conditions and consumer buying patterns;

•damage to our reputation or lack of acceptance of our brand in existing or new markets;

•our expansion into markets that we are unfamiliar with;

•economic and other trends and developments, including adverse weather conditions, in the local or regional areas in which our restaurants are located and specifically in Texas where a large percentage of our restaurants are located;

•acts of violence at or threatened against our restaurants or centers in which they are located;

•changes in food availability and costs;

•food safety and food borne illness concerns;

•increased competition in the restaurant industry and the segments in which we compete;

•the success of our marketing programs;

•the impact of new restaurant openings, including the effect on our existing restaurants when opening new restaurants in the same markets and restaurant closures;

•strain on our infrastructure and resources caused by our growth;

•the inadequacy of our insurance coverage and fluctuating insurance requirements and costs;

•the impact of security breaches of confidential customer information in connection with our electronic processing of credit and debit card transactions;

•inadequate protection of our intellectual property;

•the failure of our information technology system or the breach of our network security;

•a major natural or man-made disaster;

•labor shortages and increases in our labor costs, including as a result of changes in government regulation;

•the loss of key members of our management team;

•the impact of legislation and regulation regarding nutritional information and new information or attitudes regarding diet and health or adverse opinions about the health of consuming our menu offerings;

•the impact of federal, state and local laws and regulations, including with respect to liquor licenses and food services;

•the impact of litigation;

•the impact of impairment charges;

•the failure of our internal control over financial reporting;

•the impact of federal, state and local tax laws and the Internal Revenue Service disagreeing with our tax position;

•the effect of changes in accounting principles applicable to us;

•the impact of our indebtedness on our ability to invest in the ongoing needs of our business;

•our ability to obtain debt or other financing on favorable terms or at all;

•volatility in the price of our common stock;

•the timing and amount of repurchases of our common stock;

•the impact of future sales of our common stock and any additional capital raised by us through the sale of our common stock or grants of additional equity-based compensation;

•the impact of a downgrade of our shares by securities analysts or industry analysts, the publication of negative research or reports, or lack of publication of reports about our business;

•the effect of anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law;

•the effect of our decision to not pay dividends for the foreseeable future;

•our ability to raise capital in the future; and

•other risks and uncertainties described from time to time in the Company's Annual Report and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable based on our current knowledge of our business and operations, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The foregoing factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read together with other cautionary statements included in this report and in our Annual Report. If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may differ materially from what we anticipate. Any forward-looking statements you read in this report reflect our views as of the date of this report with respect to future events and are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements and you should carefully consider all of the factors identified in this report that could cause actual results to differ. We assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes to our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk from what was previously disclosed in our Annual Report filed with the SEC.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act) were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

The design of any system of control is based upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated objectives under all future events, no matter how remote, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may not deteriorate. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during our quarter ended March 31, 2024, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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Part II—Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

None.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report filed with the SEC.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The table below provides information with respect to our purchase of shares of our common stock during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024:


Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs	Approximate dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs (in millions) (1)
January 1, 2024 through January 28, 2024	—	$	—	—	$	21.1
January 29, 2024 through February 25, 2024	—	—		—	21.1
February 26, 2024 through March 31, 2024	214,659	33.76		214,659	13.8
Total	214,659	$	33.76	214,659

(1) On November 3, 2022, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $50.0 million of our common stock. This repurchase program became effective on October 27, 2022 and expires on December 31, 2024.

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

None.

Item 5. Other Information

During the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024, none of our officers or directors adopted or terminated any contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of our securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement.”

Item 6. Exhibits


Exhibit No.			Description of Exhibit

31.1			Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

31.2			Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

32.1			Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes- Oxley Act of 2002

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101.SCH			Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

101.CAL			Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF			Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB			Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE			Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104			Cover page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

Table of Contents

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: May 10, 2024


CHUY’S HOLDINGS, INC.

By:	/s/ Steven J. Hislop
	Name:	Steven J. Hislop
	Title:	President and Chief Executive Officer
		(Principal Executive Officer)



By:	/s/ Jon W. Howie
	Name:	Jon W. Howie
	Title:	Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
		(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Steven J. Hislop, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Chuy’s Holdings, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 10, 2024



/s/ Steven J. Hislop
Steven J. Hislop
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a)

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Jon W. Howie, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Chuy’s Holdings, Inc.;

b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 10, 2024



/s/ Jon W. Howie
Jon W. Howie
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Chuy’s Holdings, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the “Company”), for the period ending March 31, 2024, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, Steven J. Hislop, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, and Jon W. Howie, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, each certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company as of the dates and for the periods indicated.

Date: May 10, 2024


/s/ Steven J. Hislop
Steven J. Hislop
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)


/s/ Jon W. Howie
Jon W. Howie
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)

Cover - shares	3 Months Ended
Cover - shares	Mar. 31, 2024	Apr. 26, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2024
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-35603
Entity Registrant Name	CHUY’S HOLDINGS, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-5717694
Entity Address, Address Line One	1623 Toomey Rd.
Entity Address, City or Town	Austin
Entity Address, State or Province	TX
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	78704
City Area Code	(512)
Local Phone Number	473-2783
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Trading Symbol	CHUY
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		17,230,087
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001524931
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2024
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 56,367	$ 67,774
Accounts receivable	2,168	1,925
Lease incentives receivable	2,359	1,359
Inventories	1,750	1,805
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,693	7,507
Total current assets	70,337	80,370
Property and equipment, net	207,865	201,928
Operating lease assets	139,718	140,138
Deferred tax asset, net	3,281	3,415
Other assets and intangible assets, net	5,944	4,814
Tradename	21,900	21,900
Goodwill	24,069	24,069
Total assets	473,114	476,634
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	6,479	5,561
Accrued liabilities	24,214	29,914
Operating lease liabilities	13,260	12,988
Income tax payable	893	303
Total current liabilities	44,846	48,766
Operating lease liabilities, less current portion	174,156	174,236
Other liabilities	4,931	3,785
Total liabilities	223,933	226,787
Contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 60,000,000 shares authorized; 17,230,087 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2024 and 17,335,062 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023	172	173
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023	0	0
Paid-in capital	62,788	70,369
Retained earnings	186,221	179,305
Total stockholders’ equity	249,181	249,847
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 473,114	$ 476,634

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Common stock - par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock - authorized (in shares)	60,000,000	60,000,000
Common stock - issued (in shares)	17,230,087	17,335,062
Common stock - outstanding (in shares)	17,230,087	17,335,062
Preferred stock - par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock - authorized (in shares)	15,000,000	15,000,000
Preferred stock - issued (in shares)	0	0
Preferred stock - outstanding (in shares)	0	0

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Income Statements - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 26, 2023
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 110,464	$ 112,498
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	27,821	28,718
Labor	34,655	34,102
Operating	18,082	18,078
Occupancy	7,667	7,882
General and administrative	7,134	7,806
Marketing	1,449	1,550
Restaurant pre-opening	654	481
Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs	438	371
Depreciation	5,440	5,140
Total costs and expenses	103,340	104,128
Income from operations	7,124	8,370
Interest income, net	(606)	(777)
Income before income taxes	7,730	9,147
Income tax expense	814	925
Net income	$ 6,916	$ 8,222
Net income per common share:
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.46
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.45
Weighted-average shares outstanding:
Basic (in shares)	17,305,582	18,020,434
Diluted (in shares)	17,406,905	18,176,121

Statement of Stockholders' Equity Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 25, 2022		17,998,170
Beginning balance at Dec. 25, 2022	$ 244,561	$ 180	$ 96,586	$ 147,795
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation	1,036	$ 0	1,036	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options (in shares)		9,557
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	273	$ 0	273	0
Settlement of restricted stock units (in shares)		156,898
Settlement of restricted stock units	$ 0	$ 2	(2)	0
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)	0
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings (in shares)		(43,217)
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings	$ (1,514)	$ (1)	(1,513)	0
Net income	8,222	$ 0	0	8,222
End balance (in shares) at Mar. 26, 2023		18,121,408
End balance at Mar. 26, 2023	252,578	$ 181	96,380	156,017
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2023		17,335,062
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2023	249,847	$ 173	70,369	179,305
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Stock-based compensation	1,131	$ 0	1,131	0
Settlement of restricted stock units (in shares)		151,000
Settlement of restricted stock units	$ 0	$ 2	(2)	0
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)	(214,659)	(214,659)
Repurchase of shares of common stock	$ (7,320)	$ (2)	(7,318)	0
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings (in shares)		(41,316)
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings	(1,393)	$ (1)	(1,392)	0
Net income	6,916	$ 0	0	6,916
End balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2024		17,230,087
End balance at Mar. 31, 2024	$ 249,181	$ 172	$ 62,788	$ 186,221

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 26, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 6,916	$ 8,222
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation	5,440	5,140
Amortization of operating lease assets	2,581	2,485
Amortization of loan origination costs	22	22
Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs	16	19
Stock-based compensation	1,072	975
(Gain) loss on disposal of property and equipment	(13)	54
Deferred income taxes	134	208
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	(243)	186
Lease incentive receivable	(1,000)	0
Income tax receivable and payable	590	643
Inventories	55	455
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(335)	(10)
Accounts payable	427	(3,278)
Accrued and other liabilities	(4,553)	45
Operating lease liabilities	(2,973)	(3,037)
Net cash provided by operating activities	8,136	12,129
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment, net	(10,830)	(6,318)
Net cash used in investing activities	(10,830)	(6,318)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repurchase of shares of common stock	(7,320)	0
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	0	273
Indirect repurchase of shares for minimum tax withholdings	(1,393)	(1,514)
Net cash used in financing activities	(8,713)	(1,241)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(11,407)	4,570
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	67,774	78,028
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	56,367	82,598
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Property and equipment and other assets acquired by accounts payable	492	2,262
Supplemental cash flow disclosures:
Cash paid for interest	20	11
Cash paid for income taxes	$ 92	$ 73

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
Basis of Presentation	Mar. 31, 2024
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Chuy’s Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “Chuy’s”) develops and operates Chuy’s restaurants throughout the United States. Chuy’s is a growing, full-service restaurant concept offering a distinct menu of authentic, freshly-prepared Mexican and Tex-Mex inspired food. As of March 31, 2024, the Company operated 102 restaurants across 16 states. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements and the related notes reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”), except that certain information and notes have been omitted pursuant to rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full fiscal year. The unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023, has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of 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 period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company operates on a 52- or 53- week fiscal year that ends on the last Sunday of the calendar year. Each quarterly period has 13 weeks, except for a 53-week year when the fourth quarter has 14 weeks. Our 2024 fiscal year consists of 52 weeks and our 2023 fiscal year consisted of 53 weeks.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Mar. 31, 2024
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements The Company reviewed all recently issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they were either not applicable or not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Net Income Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Income Per Share

The number of shares and net income per share data for all periods presented are based on the historical weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding.

Basic net income per share of the Company's common stock is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period.

The computation of basic and diluted net income per share is as follows:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
BASIC
Net income	$	6,916	$	8,222

Weighted-average common shares outstanding	17,305,582		18,020,434
Basic net income per common share	$	0.40	$	0.46

DILUTED
Net income	$	6,916	$	8,222

Weighted-average common shares outstanding	17,305,582		18,020,434
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units	101,323		155,687
Weighted-average of diluted shares	17,406,905		18,176,121
Diluted net income per common share	$	0.40	$	0.45

Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation

A summary of stock-based compensation activity related to restricted stock units for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:


	Shares	Weighted Average Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Year)
Outstanding at December 31, 2023	353,334	$	31.97
Granted	156,077	33.89
Vested	(151,000)	27.55
Forfeited	(4,706)	34.63
Outstanding at March 31, 2024	353,705	$	34.68	3.03

Long-Term Debt	3 Months Ended
Long-Term Debt	Mar. 31, 2024
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-Term Debt	Long-Term Debt Revolving Credit Facility On July 30, 2021, the Company entered into a secured $35.0 million revolving credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Facility could be increased up to an additional $25.0 million subject to certain conditions and at the Company’s option if the lenders agreed to increase their commitments. The Credit Facility had a maturity date of July 30, 2024, unless the Company exercised its option to voluntarily and permanently reduce all of the commitments before the maturity date. On June 30, 2023, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 (the “Amendment”) to the Credit Facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. The Amendment replaced the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) interest rate with an Adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) interest rate. On September 27, 2023, the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “A&R Credit Facility”) with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. to, among other things, (1) extend the maturity date of the credit facility to September 27, 2026 from July 30, 2024, (2) revise the adjustment applicable to the Adjusted Term SOFR rate as well as the commitment fee and (3) reduce the aggregate principal commitment to $25.0 million which could be increased up to an additional $35.0 million at the Company’s option if the lenders agree to increase their commitments. The A&R Credit Facility contains representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants and events of default that the Company considers customary for an agreement of this type. The agreement requires the Company to be in compliance with a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of no less than 1.25 to 1.00, and a maximum consolidated total lease adjusted leverage ratio of no more than 4.00 to 1.00. The A&R Credit Facility also has certain restrictions on the payment of dividends and distributions. Under the A&R Credit Facility, the Company may declare and make dividend payments so long as (i) no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) immediately after giving effect to any such dividend payment, on a pro forma basis, the consolidated total lease adjusted leverage ratio does not exceed 3.50 to 1.00. Borrowings under the A&R Credit Facility accrue interest at a per annum rate equal to, at the Company’s election, term secured overnight financing rate (“Term SOFR”) plus 0.10% (“Adjusted Term SOFR”), plus a margin of 1.5% to 2.0%, depending on the Company’s consolidated total lease adjusted leverage ratio, or a base rate determined according to the highest of (a) the prime rate, (b) the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or (c) Adjusted Term SOFR rate for a one-month period, plus 1.0%, plus a margin of 0.5% to 1.0%, depending on the Company’s consolidated total lease adjusted leverage ratio. An unused commitment fee at a rate of 0.3% applies to unutilized borrowing capacity under the A&R Credit Facility. The obligations under the Company’s A&R Credit Facility are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries of the Company and, subject to certain exceptions, secured by a continuing security interest in substantially all of the Company’s assets. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had no borrowings under the A&R Credit Facility, and was in compliance with all covenants under the A&R Credit Facility.

Accrued Liabilities

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Accrued Liabilities

The major classes of accrued liabilities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:


	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Accrued compensation and related benefits	$	10,660	$	13,965
Other accruals	5,573		6,324
Sales and use tax	3,291		3,791
Deferred gift card revenue	2,722		3,147
Property tax	1,968		2,687

Total accrued liabilities	$	24,214	$	29,914

Stockholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity	Mar. 31, 2024
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	Stockholders' Equity Share Repurchase Program On October 27, 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program under which the Company may repurchase up to $50.0 million of its common shares outstanding through December 31, 2024. The Company repurchased 214,659 shares for approximately $7.3 million during the first quarter of 2024 and no shares during the first quarter of 2023. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $13.8 million remaining under its $50.0 million share repurchase program. Repurchases of the Company's outstanding common stock will be made in accordance with applicable laws and may be made at management's discretion from time to time in the open market, through privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, including pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 trading plans. There is no guarantee as to the exact number of shares to be repurchased by the Company. The timing and extent of repurchases will depend upon several factors, including market and business conditions, regulatory requirements and other corporate considerations, and repurchases may be discontinued at any time.

Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Contingencies	Mar. 31, 2024
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Contingencies	Contingencies The Company is involved in various legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Leases

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

Components of operating lease costs are included in occupancy, closed restaurant costs, restaurant pre-opening, general and administrative expense and property and equipment, net:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
Lease cost	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
Operating lease cost	$	6,026	$	6,041
Variable lease cost	385		450
	$	6,411	$	6,491

Supplemental cash flow disclosures and other lease information:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities	$	6,509	$	6,821
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities(a)	2,181		—

The Company recorded $1.0 million deferred lease incentives during the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 and no deferred lease incentives during the thirteen weeks ended March 26, 2023.

Supplemental balance sheet disclosures:


Operating leases	Classification	March 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
Right-of-use assets	Operating lease assets	$	139,718		$	140,138

Deferred rent payments	Operating lease liability	7			6
Current lease liabilities	Operating lease liability	13,253			12,982
		13,260			12,988

Deferred rent payments	Operating lease liability, less current portion	59			61
Non-current lease liabilities	Operating lease liability, less current portion	174,097			174,175
		174,156			174,236

Total lease liabilities		$	187,416		$	187,224

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)		11.9			12.0
Weighted average discount rate		7.8		%	7.8%

Future minimum rent payments for our operating leases for the next five years as of March 31, 2024 are as follows:


Fiscal year ending:
Remainder of 2024	$	20,281
2025	27,437
2026	26,881
2027	24,838
2028	24,445
Thereafter	162,506
Total minimum lease payments	286,388
Less: imputed interest	98,972
Present value of lease liabilities	$	187,416

As of March 31, 2024, operating lease payments exclude approximately $12.7 million of legally binding minimum lease payments for leases signed but which we have not yet commenced payments

Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

The following is a reconciliation of the expected federal income taxes at the statutory rates of 21%:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
Expected income tax expense	$	1,623	$	1,921
State tax expense, net of federal benefit	261		301
FICA tip credit	(903)		(997)

Officers' compensation	38		76
Stock compensation	(210)		(381)
Other	5		5
Income tax expense	$	814	$	925

The tax years 2022, 2021 and 2020 remain open for IRS audit. The Company has received no notice of audit or any notifications from the IRS for any of the open tax years.

Impairment, Closed Restaurant and Other Costs

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Impairment, Closed Restaurant and Other Costs [Abstract]

Impairment, Closed Restaurant and Other Costs

The Company recorded impairment, closed restaurant and other costs as follows:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023




Closed restaurant costs	388		371
Loss on lease termination	50		—

Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs	$	438	$	371

Closed restaurant costs represent on-going expenses to maintain the closed restaurants, such as rent expense, utility and insurance costs.

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
Subsequent Events	Mar. 31, 2024
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent events	Subsequent events Subsequent to the first quarter of 2024, the Company opened one new restaurant in Austin, TX, to bring our total development to two restaurants during the year. We also closed one restaurant in Lakewood, CO.

Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 26, 2023
Pay vs Performance Disclosure
Net income	$ 6,916	$ 8,222

Insider Trading Arrangements	3 Months Ended
Insider Trading Arrangements	Mar. 31, 2024
Trading Arrangements, by Individual
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted	false
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false
Non-Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Terminated	false

Net Income Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted

The computation of basic and diluted net income per share is as follows:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
BASIC
Net income	$	6,916	$	8,222

Weighted-average common shares outstanding	17,305,582		18,020,434
Basic net income per common share	$	0.40	$	0.46

DILUTED
Net income	$	6,916	$	8,222

Weighted-average common shares outstanding	17,305,582		18,020,434
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units	101,323		155,687
Weighted-average of diluted shares	17,406,905		18,176,121
Diluted net income per common share	$	0.40	$	0.45

Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Share-Based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock Unit, Activity

A summary of stock-based compensation activity related to restricted stock units for the thirteen weeks ended March 31, 2024 is as follows:


	Shares	Weighted Average Fair Value		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Year)
Outstanding at December 31, 2023	353,334	$	31.97
Granted	156,077	33.89
Vested	(151,000)	27.55
Forfeited	(4,706)	34.63
Outstanding at March 31, 2024	353,705	$	34.68	3.03

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Payables and Accruals [Abstract]

Schedule of Accrued Liabilities

The major classes of accrued liabilities at March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are summarized as follows:


	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Accrued compensation and related benefits	$	10,660	$	13,965
Other accruals	5,573		6,324
Sales and use tax	3,291		3,791
Deferred gift card revenue	2,722		3,147
Property tax	1,968		2,687

Total accrued liabilities	$	24,214	$	29,914

Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Leases [Abstract]

Schedule of Lease Cost

Components of operating lease costs are included in occupancy, closed restaurant costs, restaurant pre-opening, general and administrative expense and property and equipment, net:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
Lease cost	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
Operating lease cost	$	6,026	$	6,041
Variable lease cost	385		450
	$	6,411	$	6,491

Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Supplemental cash flow disclosures and other lease information:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities	$	6,509	$	6,821
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities(a)	2,181		—

Schedule of Lease Assets And Liabilities

Supplemental balance sheet disclosures:


Operating leases	Classification	March 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
Right-of-use assets	Operating lease assets	$	139,718		$	140,138

Deferred rent payments	Operating lease liability	7			6
Current lease liabilities	Operating lease liability	13,253			12,982
		13,260			12,988

Deferred rent payments	Operating lease liability, less current portion	59			61
Non-current lease liabilities	Operating lease liability, less current portion	174,097			174,175
		174,156			174,236

Total lease liabilities		$	187,416		$	187,224

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)		11.9			12.0
Weighted average discount rate		7.8		%	7.8%

Schedule of Operating Lease, Liability, to be Paid, Maturity

Future minimum rent payments for our operating leases for the next five years as of March 31, 2024 are as follows:


Fiscal year ending:
Remainder of 2024	$	20,281
2025	27,437
2026	26,881
2027	24,838
2028	24,445
Thereafter	162,506
Total minimum lease payments	286,388
Less: imputed interest	98,972
Present value of lease liabilities	$	187,416

Income Taxes (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation

The following is a reconciliation of the expected federal income taxes at the statutory rates of 21%:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023
Expected income tax expense	$	1,623	$	1,921
State tax expense, net of federal benefit	261		301
FICA tip credit	(903)		(997)

Officers' compensation	38		76
Stock compensation	(210)		(381)
Other	5		5
Income tax expense	$	814	$	925

Impairment, Closed Restaurant and Other Costs (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Impairment, Closed Restaurant and Other Costs [Abstract]

Schedule Of Impairment And Closed Restaurant Costs

The Company recorded impairment, closed restaurant and other costs as follows:


	Thirteen Weeks Ended
	March 31, 2024		March 26, 2023




Closed restaurant costs	388		371
Loss on lease termination	50		—

Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs	$	438	$	371

Basis of Presentation (Details)	Mar. 31, 2024 restaurant state
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Number of open restaurants \| restaurant	102
Number of states in which entity operates \| state	16

Net Income Per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares	3 Months Ended
Net Income Per Share - Narrative (Details) - shares	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 26, 2023
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share (in shares)	130	3,292

Net Income Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 26, 2023
BASIC
Net income	$ 6,916	$ 8,222
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	17,305,582	18,020,434
Basic net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.46
DILUTED
Net income	$ 6,916	$ 8,222
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	17,305,582	18,020,434
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock units (in shares)	101,323	155,687
Weighted-average of diluted shares (in shares)	17,406,905	18,176,121
Diluted net income per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.40	$ 0.45

Stock-Based Compensation - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 26, 2023
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, options, outstanding (in shares)	539
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, options, outstanding, weighted average remaining contractual term	1 year
Stock-based compensation	$ 1,072	$ 975
2020 Plan \| Common Stock
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, number of shares available for grant (in shares)	592,329
2023 ESPP \| Common Stock
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, number of shares available for grant (in shares)	500,000
Option
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, award vesting period	5 years
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, expiration period	10 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based payment arrangement, nonvested award, cost not yet recognized, amount	$ 11,900
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) \| Minimum
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, award vesting period	4 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) \| Maximum
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement by Share-Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based compensation arrangement by share-based payment award, award vesting period	5 years

Stock-Based Compensation - Restricted Stock Units (Details) - Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024 $ / shares shares
Shares
Outstanding, beginning balance (in shares) \| shares	353,334
Granted (in shares) \| shares	156,077
Vested (in shares) \| shares	(151,000)
Forfeited (in shares) \| shares	(4,706)
Outstanding, ending balance (in shares) \| shares	353,705
Weighted Average Fair Value
Outstanding, beginning balance (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 31.97
Granted (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	33.89
Vested (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	27.55
Forfeited (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	34.63
Outstanding, ending balance (in dollars per share) \| $ / shares	$ 34.68
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (Year)
Weighted average remaining contractual term of units outstanding	3 years 10 days

Long-Term Debt (Details) - Revolving Credit Facility	Sep. 27, 2023 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($)	Jul. 30, 2021 USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity	$ 25,000,000		$ 35,000,000
Line of Credit Facility additional borrowing capacity	$ 35,000,000		$ 25,000,000
Line of credit facility, minimum fixed charge coverage ratio	1.25
Line of credit facility, consolidated total lease adjusted leverage ratio ceiling	4.00
Line of credit facility, lease adjusted leverage ratio	3.50
Line of credit facility, unused capacity, commitment fee percentage	0.30%
Long-term debt		$ 0
Adjusted Term SOFR
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	0.10%
Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	2.00%
Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Federal Funds Rate
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	0.50%
Adjusted Term SOFR, One-Month
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), One-Month \| Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	1.00%
Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR), One-Month \| Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt instrument, basis spread on variable rate	0.50%

Accrued Liabilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued compensation and related benefits	$ 10,660	$ 13,965
Other accruals	5,573	6,324
Sales and use tax	3,291	3,791
Deferred gift card revenue	2,722	3,147
Property tax	1,968	2,687
Total accrued liabilities	$ 24,214	$ 29,914

Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 26, 2023	Oct. 27, 2022
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stock repurchase program, number of shares authorized to be repurchased (in shares)			$ 50.0
Repurchase of shares of common stock (in shares)	214,659	0
Repurchase of shares of common stock	$ 7.3
Stock repurchase program, remaining authorized repurchase amount	$ 13.8

Leases - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
Leases - Narrative (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 26, 2023
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Initial lease term	20 years
Deferred lease incentives	$ 1,000,000	$ 0
Operating lease payments, minimum lease payments excluded, not yet taken possession of leases	$ 12,700,000
Minimum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Initial lease term	10 years
Lease terms renewal	10 years
Maximum
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Initial lease term	15 years
Lease terms renewal	15 years

Leases - Components of Operating Lease Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 26, 2023
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 6,026	$ 6,041
Variable lease cost	385	450
Lease cost	$ 6,411	$ 6,491

Leases - Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 26, 2023
Leases [Abstract]
Cash paid for operating lease liabilities	$ 6,509	$ 6,821
Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities	2,181	$ 0
Change in operating lease assets and liabilities due to lease remeasurement	1,000
Change in operating lease assets and liabilities due to lease commencements	$ 1,200

Leases - Supplemental Balance Sheet Disclosures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease assets	$ 139,718	$ 140,138
Deferred rent payments	7	6
Current lease liabilities	13,253	12,982
Operating lease liability	13,260	12,988
Deferred rent payments	59	61
Non-current lease liabilities	174,097	174,175
Operating lease liability, less current portion	174,156	174,236
Total lease liabilities	$ 187,416	$ 187,224
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)	11 years 10 months 24 days	12 years
Weighted average discount rate	7.80%	7.80%

Leases - Future Minimum Rent Payments (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($)
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Payment, Due [Abstract]
Remainder of 2024	$ 20,281
2025	27,437
2026	26,881
2027	24,838
2028	24,445
Thereafter	162,506
Total minimum lease payments	286,388
Less: imputed interest	98,972
Present value of lease liabilities	$ 187,416

Income Taxes - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 26, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective income tax rate reconciliation, at federal statutory income tax rate, percent	21.00%
Expected income tax expense	$ 1,623	$ 1,921
State tax expense, net of federal benefit	261	301
FICA tip credit	(903)	(997)
Officers' compensation	38	76
Stock compensation	(210)	(381)
Other	5	5
Income tax expense	$ 814	$ 925

Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
Income Taxes - Narrative (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2024 USD ($)
Tax Year 2015
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Proceeds from income tax refunds	$ 240
Tax Year 2016
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Income taxes receivable	450
Tax adjustments, settlements, and unusual provisions	180
Income tax receivable, net	$ 270

Impairment, Closed Restaurant and Other Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2024	Mar. 26, 2023
Impairment, Closed Restaurant and Other Costs [Abstract]
Closed restaurant costs	$ 388	$ 371
Loss on lease termination	50	0
Impairment, closed restaurant and other costs	$ 438	$ 371