Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Oct. 02, 2011

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Fiscal Quarters

In 2011, our fiscal quarters end on April 3^rd, July 3^rd, October 2^nd of 2011, and January 1^st, 2012. In 2010, our fiscal quarters ended on March 28^th, June 27^th, September 26^th, 2010 and January 2^nd, 2011.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the assets, liabilities and results of operations of UFood Restaurant Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to conform previously reported data to the current presentation.

Investments in Companies Accounted for using the Equity Method

The Company’s invest in APG JV, LLC (see Note 6) is accounted for by the equity method as a result of the ownership percentage and/or the Company’s ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of the investee. Investments of this nature are recorded at original cost and adjusted periodically to recognize the Company’s proportionate share of the investees’ net income or losses after the date of the investment. When net losses from an investment accounted for under the equity method exceed its carrying amount, the investment balance is reduced to zero and additional losses are not provided for.

Deferred Financing Costs

Deferred financing costs represent costs paid to third parties in order to obtain long-term financing and have been included in other assets. Deferred financing costs are amortized over the life of the related debt. Amortization expense related to these costs was $4,634 and $257,263 for the nine months ended October 2, 2011 and September 26, 2010, respectively, and is included in interest expense. The amortization expense recorded by the Company for the three months ended October 2, 2011 and September 26, 2010 was $1,545 and $83,435 respectively.

Valuation of Goodwill

We account for goodwill and other intangible assets under ASC No. 805, Business Combinations, and ASC No. 350-20 to 30, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. ASC No. 805 requires that the purchase method of accounting be used for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001, and that certain intangible assets acquired in a business combination be recognized as assets apart from goodwill. Under ASC No. 350-20 to 30, purchased goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Goodwill attributable to our franchise operations segment is evaluated by comparing the Company’s fair market value, determined based upon quoted market prices of the Company’s equity securities, to the carrying amount of goodwill. Goodwill attributable to our store operations segment is evaluated on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis by comparing the restaurant’s estimated fair value to the carrying value of the restaurant’s underlying net assets inclusive of goodwill. Fair value is determined based upon the restaurant’s estimated future cash flows. Future cash flows are estimated based upon a restaurant’s historical operating performance and management’s estimates of future revenues and expenses over the period of time that the Company expects to operate the restaurant, which generally coincides with the initial term of the restaurant’s lease but which may take into account the restaurant’s first lease renewal period up to 5 years. The estimate of a restaurant’s future cash flows may also include an estimate of the restaurant’s terminal value, determined by applying a capitalization rate to the restaurant’s estimated cash flows during the last year of the forecast period. The capitalization rate used by the Company was determined based upon the restaurant’s location, cash flows and growth prospects. As of the first day of the fourth quarter of the year ended January 2, 2011 according to our policy we have tested the carrying value of the Goodwill attributable to our store operations and no impairment was necessary. The carrying amount of goodwill may be impaired in the future if our actual operating results and cash flows fall short of our expectations.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with ASC No. 360 Property, Plant and Equipment, when impairment indicators exist, the Company evaluates its long-lived assets for potential impairment. Potential impairment is assessed when there is evidence that events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recovered. When events or changes in circumstances have occurred that indicate a long-lived asset may be impaired, the Company uses estimates of future cash flows on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis to test the recoverability of its long-lived assets. Future cash flows are estimated based upon the restaurant’s historical operating performance and management’s projections of future revenues and expenses and may take into account the restaurant’s estimated terminal value. Long-lived assets may be impaired in the future if our actual operating results and cash flows fall short of our expectations.

Revenue Recognition

The Company records revenue for Company-owned store sales upon the delivery of the related food and other products to the customer. The Company records a liability in the period in which a gift card is issued and proceeds are received. As gift cards are redeemed, this liability is reduced and revenue is recognized.

The Company follows the accounting guidance of ASC No. 952-605-25 and 952-340-25, Franchisors. Franchisee deposits represent advances on initial franchise fees prior to the opening of the franchisee location. We recognize initial franchise fee revenue when all material services we are required to perform and all material conditions we are required to satisfy have been substantially completed, which is generally the opening of the franchised location. The Company defers direct costs related to franchise sales until the related revenue is recognized; however, the deferred costs shall not exceed anticipated revenue less estimated additional related costs. Such costs include training, facilities design, menu planning and marketing. Franchise royalty revenues are recognized in the same period the relevant franchisee sales occur.

Rent Expense

The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the reasonably assured lease term as defined in ASC No. 840, Leases. The reasonably assured lease term on most of the Company’s leases is the initial non-cancelable lease term, which generally equates to between 5 and 10 years. In addition, certain of the Company’s lease agreements provide for scheduled rent increases during the lease terms or for rental payments commencing at a date other than the date of initial occupancy. The Company includes any rent escalations and other rent holidays in its determination of straight-line rent expense. Therefore, rent expense for new locations is charged to expense upon the commencement date of the lease.

Earnings Per Share Data

Earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period after consideration of the dilutive effect, if any, for common stock equivalents, including stock options, restricted stock, and other stock-based compensation. Earnings per common share are computed in accordance with ASC No. 260, Earnings Per Share, which requires companies to present basic earnings per share and diluted earnings per share. Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net income allocable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the year. Diluted earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income allocable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding and dilutive securities outstanding during the year.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, which include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued expenses and debt obligations approximate their fair values due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company maintains two stock-based incentive plans. The Company grants options to purchase common stock at an option price equal to the market value of the stock at the date of grant. Options generally vest over a three year period beginning on the date of grant and have a ten year contractual term.

The Company applies the fair value recognition provisions of ASC No. 718, Compensation-Stock Compensation, which requires all stock-based compensation, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the statement of operations based on their fair values. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimates, including estimates of the expected term participants will retain their vested stock options before exercising them and the estimated volatility of the Company’s common stock price over the expected term.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the three months ended October 2, 2011 totaled approximately $86,803 for stock options. Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the nine months ended October 2, 2011 totaled approximately $406,716 for stock options. Stock-based compensation expense was included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations.

UFood Restaurant Group, Inc. 10-Q