NATHANS FAMOUS, INC. - Quarter Report: 2021 December (Form 10-Q)

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

December 26, 2021 and March 28, 2021

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

Thirteen and Thirty-nine weeks ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

Thirteen weeks ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020

(in thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

Thirty-nine weeks ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020

(in thousands, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

Thirty-nine weeks ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

NATHAN'S FAMOUS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 26, 2021

(Unaudited)

NOTE A - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Nathan's Famous, Inc. and subsidiaries (collectively “Nathan’s,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) as of and for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The unaudited financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. However, our results of operations are seasonal in nature, and the results of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for any other interim period or the full fiscal year.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Management believes that the disclosures included in the accompanying consolidated interim financial statements and footnotes are adequate to make the information not misleading, but should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included in Nathan’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2021.

Our significant interim accounting policies include the recognition of advertising fund expense in proportion to advertising fund revenue.

A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies is identified in Note B of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2021.

Covid-19 Pandemic

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19), a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended December 26, 2021 (“fiscal 2022 period”) and continues into the fourth quarter of fiscal 2022. Governmental restrictions and public perceptions of the risks associated with COVID-19 have caused consumers to avoid or limit nonessential travel, gatherings in public places and other social interactions, which has adversely affected, and could continue to adversely affect, our business. The COVID-19 pandemic has and may continue to impact customer traffic at our Company-owned restaurants and franchised restaurants, as well as sales to our Branded Product Program customers.

During the fiscal 2022 period, the number of COVID-19 cases continued to stabilize with approved vaccines being more widely distributed and administered and, as a result, more regions continued to loosen restrictions, adhering to state and local guidelines. Although the Company experienced higher revenues during the fiscal 2022 period as compared to the fiscal 2021 period, the COVID-19 pandemic may have a material adverse impact on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition. There continues to be uncertainty around the COVID-19 pandemic as the Omicron variant of COVID-19, which appears to be the most transmissible variant to date, has caused a recent increase in COVID-19 cases globally. We cannot predict the ultimate duration, scope and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic or its ultimate impact on our business in the short or long-term, which may be impacted by the Delta variant, Omicron variant, and other variants that may emerge; the efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccines against the Delta variant, Omicron variant, and other variants that may emerge; and the adoption rates of the COVID-19 vaccines in the areas in which the Company operates.

NOTE B – ADOPTION OF NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” which simplifies various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and, also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. The Company adopted this guidance on March 29, 2021. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE C – NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD NOT YET ADOPTED

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which significantly changes the impairment model for most financial instruments. Current guidance requires the recognition of credit losses based on an incurred loss impairment methodology that reflects losses once the losses are probable. Under the new standard, the Company will be required to use a current expected credit loss model (“CECL”) that will immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the financial instruments that are in the scope of this update, including trade receivables. The CECL model uses a broader range of reasonable and supportable information in the development of credit loss estimates. In November 2019, the FASB deferred the effective date for smaller reporting companies for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. This standard is required to take effect in Nathan’s first quarter ( June 2023) of our fiscal year ending March 31, 2024. The Company is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

The Company does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting standards, when adopted, will have a material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

NOTE D – REVENUES

The Company’s disaggregated revenues for the thirteen and thirty-nine weeks ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020 are as follows (in thousands):

The following table disaggregates revenues by primary geographical market (in thousands):

Contract balances

The following table provides information about contract receivables and liabilities (deferred franchise fees) from contracts with customers (in thousands):

Significant changes in deferred franchise fees are as follows (in thousands):

Anticipated future recognition of deferred franchise fees

The following table reflects the estimated franchise fees to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied at the end of the period (in thousands):

NOTE E – INCOME PER SHARE                  

Basic income per common share is calculated by dividing income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding and excludes any dilutive effect of stock options. Diluted income per common share gives effect to all potentially dilutive common shares that were outstanding during the period. Dilutive common shares used in the computation of diluted income per common share result from the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants, as determined using the treasury stock method.

The following chart provides a reconciliation of information used in calculating the per-share amounts for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020, respectively.

Options to purchase 20,000 shares of common stock in the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 26, 2021, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the exercise price exceeded the average market price of common shares during the period.

Options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock in the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 27, 2020, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS because the exercise price exceeded the average market price of common shares during the period.

NOTE F – CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents at December 26, 2021 and March 28, 2021.

At December 26, 2021 and March 28, 2021, substantially all of the Company’s cash balances are in excess of Federal government insurance limits. The Company does not believe that it is exposed to any significant risk on these balances.

NOTE G – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Nathan’s follows a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of “observable inputs” and minimize the use of “unobservable inputs.” The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability on the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:

●    Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for an identical asset or liability in an active market

●    Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for a similar asset or liability in an active market or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability

●    Level 3 - inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability

The face value and fair value of long-term debt, including the current portion, as of December 26, 2021 and March 28, 2021 were as follows (in thousands):

The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt, including the current portion, based upon review of observable pricing in secondary markets as of the last trading day of the fiscal period. Accordingly, the Company classifies its long-term debt, including the current portion, as Level 2.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of the instruments.

Certain non-financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis; that is, the assets and liabilities are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis, but are subject to fair value adjustments in certain circumstances, such as when evidence of impairment exists. At December 26, 2021, no fair value adjustment or material fair value measurements were required for non-financial assets or liabilities.

NOTE H – ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES, NET                  

Accounts and other receivables, net, consist of the following (in thousands):

Accounts receivable are due within 30 days and are stated at amounts due from franchisees, including virtual or “ghost” kitchens, retail licensees and Branded Product Program customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts that are outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are generally considered past due. The Company does not recognize franchise and license royalties that are not deemed to be realizable.

The Company individually reviews each past due account and determines its allowance for doubtful accounts by considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s previous loss history, the customer’s current and expected future ability to pay its obligation to the Company, the condition of the general economy and the industry as a whole. Based on management’s assessment, the Company provides for estimated uncollectible amounts through a charge to earnings. After the Company has used reasonable collection efforts, it writes off accounts receivable through a charge to the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Changes in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts for the thirty-nine week period ended December 26, 2021 and the fiscal year ended March 28, 2021 are as follows (in thousands):          

NOTE I – PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following (in thousands):

NOTE J – GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The Company has continued to monitor the economic uncertainty as a result of COVID-19 and has determined that the impact of COVID-19 was a triggering event that required the Company to perform a quantitative interim goodwill impairment test. Based on the quantitative test performed, management determined that the Company’s goodwill has not been impaired as of December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020, and as a result, no impairment charge was recorded for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020.

The Company’s definite-lived intangible asset consists of trademarks, tradenames and other intellectual property in connection with its Arthur Treacher’s co-branding agreements. The Company reviews its definite-lived intangible asset for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company determined that the impact of COVID-19 on its business was a sufficient indicator that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company tested for recoverability of its definite-lived intangible asset based on the projected undiscounted cash flows to be derived from such co-branding agreements, which has a remaining useful life based upon the term of its agreements. Based on the quantitative test performed, the Company determined that the definite-lived intangible asset was recoverable and no impairment charge was recorded for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020.

NOTE K - LONG LIVED ASSETS

Long-lived assets on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.

Long-lived assets include property, equipment and right of use assets for operating leases with finite useful lives. Assets are grouped at the individual restaurant level which represents the lowest level for which cash flows can be identified largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. The Company generally considers a history of restaurant operating losses to be its primary indicator of potential impairment for individual restaurant locations. As a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business, the Company determined that sufficient indicators existed to trigger the performance of an interim impairment analysis as of December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020.

The Company tests for recoverability based on the projected undiscounted cash flows to be derived from such assets. If the projected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, the Company will record on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis, an impairment loss, if any, based on the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the asset. The Company generally measures fair value by considering discounted estimated future cash flows from such assets. Cash flow projections and fair value estimates require significant estimates and assumptions by management. Should the estimates and assumptions prove to be incorrect, the Company may be required to record impairments in future periods and such impairments could be material. As a result of the Company’s analysis, no long-lived assets were deemed to be impaired as of December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020, and, as a result, no impairment charge was recorded for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020.

NOTE L – ACCRUED EXPENSES, OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES AND OTHER LIABILITIES

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):         

Other liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

NOTE M – INCOME TAXES

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted into law which among other provisions increases the limitation on the allowed business interest expense deduction from 30 percent to 50 percent of adjusted taxable income for tax years beginning January 1, 2019 and 2020. Additionally, the CARES Act allows businesses to immediately expense the full cost of Qualified Improvement Property, retroactive to tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018.

The income tax provisions for the thirty-nine week periods ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020 reflect effective tax rates of 28.1% and 27.7%, respectively.

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits at December 26, 2021 was $445,000 all of which would impact Nathan’s effective tax rate, if recognized. As of December 26, 2021, Nathan’s had $307,000 of accrued interest and penalties in connection with unrecognized tax benefits.

NOTE N – SEGMENT INFORMATION

Nathan’s considers itself to be a brand marketer of the Nathan’s Famous signature products to the foodservice industry pursuant to its various business structures. Nathan’s sells its products directly to consumers through its restaurant operations segment consisting of Company-operated and franchised restaurants, including virtual or “ghost” kitchens, to distributors that resell our products to the foodservice industry through the Branded Product Program (“BPP”) and by third party manufacturers pursuant to license agreements that sell our products to club stores and grocery stores nationwide. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer has been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) who evaluates performance and allocates resources for the Branded Product Program, Product Licensing and Restaurant Operations segments based upon a number of factors, the primary profit measure being income from operations. Certain administrative expenses are not allocated to the segments and are reported within the Corporate segment.

Branded Product Program – This segment derives revenue principally from the sale of hot dog products either directly to foodservice operators or to various foodservice distributors who resell the products to foodservice operators.

Product licensing – This segment derives revenue, primarily in the form of royalties, from licensing a broad variety of Nathan’s Famous branded products, including our hot dogs, sausage and corned beef products, frozen french fries and additional products through retail grocery channels and club stores throughout the United States.

Restaurant operations – This segment derives revenue from the sale of our products at Company-owned restaurants and earns fees and royalties from its franchised restaurants, including its virtual or “ghost” kitchens.

Revenues from operating segments are from transactions with unaffiliated third parties and do not include any intersegment revenues.

Income from operations attributable to Corporate consists principally of administrative expenses not allocated to the operating segments such as executive management, finance, information technology, legal, insurance, corporate office costs, corporate incentive compensation and compliance costs and expenses of the advertising fund.

Interest expense, interest income, and other income, net, are managed centrally at the corporate level, and, accordingly, such items are not presented by segment since they are excluded from the measure of profitability reviewed by the CODM.

Operating segment information is as follows (in thousands):

NOTE O – SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Total share-based compensation during each of the thirteen-week periods ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020 was $8,000 and $29,000, respectively. Total share-based compensation during each of the thirty-nine week periods ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020 was $66,000 and $87,000, respectively. As of December 26, 2021, there was $122,000 of unamortized compensation expense related to share-based incentive awards. We expect to recognize this expense over approximately twenty-two months, which represents the weighted average remaining requisite service periods for such awards.

The Company recognizes compensation cost for unvested stock-based incentive awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Compensation cost charged to expense under all stock-based incentive awards is as follows (in thousands):

Stock options:

During the thirty-nine week period ended December 26, 2021, the Company granted options to purchase 10,000 shares at an exercise price of $68.50 per share, all of which expire five years from the date of grant. All such options vest ratably over a four-year period commencing August 10, 2021.

The weighted-average option fair values, as determined using the Black-Scholes option valuation model, and the assumptions used to estimate these values for stock options granted during the thirty-nine week period ended December 26, 2021 are as follows:

The expected dividend yield is based on historical and projected dividend yields. The Company estimates volatility based primarily on historical monthly price changes of the Company’s stock equal to the expected life of the option. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time of grant. The expected option term is the number of years the Company estimates the options will be outstanding prior to exercise based on expected historical exercise patterns and employment termination behavior.

Transactions with respect to stock options for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 26, 2021 are as follows:

Restricted stock:

Transactions with respect to restricted stock for the thirty-nine weeks ended December 26, 2021 are as follows:

NOTE P – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

1. Dividends

Effective June 11, 2021, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) declared its first quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share for fiscal year 2022, aggregating $1,440,000, which was paid on June 25, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 21, 2021.

Effective August 6, 2021, the Board declared its second quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share for fiscal year 2022, aggregating $1,440,000, which was paid on September 3, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 23, 2021.

Effective November 5, 2021, the Board declared its third quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share for fiscal year 2022, aggregating $1,440,000, which was paid on December 3, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 22, 2021.

Effective February 4, 2022, the Board authorized the increase of its regular dividend from $0.35 to $0.45 per quarter and declared its fourth quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share payable on March 4, 2022 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 21, 2022.

Our ability to pay future dividends is limited by the terms of the Indenture with U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee and collateral trustee (see Note Q). In addition to the terms of the Indenture, the declaration and payment of any cash dividends in the future are subject to final determination of the Board and will be dependent upon our earnings and financial requirements.

2. Stock Incentive Plans

On September 18, 2019, the Company’s shareholders approved the Nathan’s Famous, Inc. 2019 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2019 Plan”). The 2019 Plan became effective as of July 1, 2020 (the "Effective Date"). Following the Effective Date, (i) no additional stock awards were granted under the 2010 Plan and (ii) all outstanding stock awards previously granted under the 2010 Plan remained subject to the terms of the 2010 Plan. All awards granted on or after the Effective Date are subject to the terms of the 2019 Plan.

As of the Effective Date, we were able to issue up to: (a) 369,584 shares of common stock under the 2019 Plan which includes: (i) shares that had been authorized but not issued pursuant to the 2010 Plan as of the Effective Date up to a maximum of an additional 208,584 shares and (ii) any shares subject to any outstanding options or restricted stock grants under any plan of the Company that were outstanding as of the Effective Date and that subsequently expired unexercised, or were otherwise forfeited, up to a maximum of an additional 11,000 shares. As of December 26, 2021, there were up to 198,584 shares available to be issued for future option grants or up to 181,683 shares of restricted stock to be granted under the 2019 Plan.

3. Stock Repurchase Program

During the period from October 2001 through December 26, 2021, Nathan’s purchased 5,254,081 shares of common stock at a cost of $84,770,000 pursuant to various stock repurchase plans previously authorized by the Board. During the thirty-nine week period ended December 26, 2021, we did not repurchase any shares of common stock.

In 2016, the Board authorized increases to the sixth stock repurchase plan for the purchase of up to 1,200,000 shares of its common stock on behalf of the Company. As of December 26, 2021, Nathan’s had repurchased 1,066,450 shares at a cost of $37,108,000 under the sixth stock repurchase plan. At December 26, 2021 there were 133,550 shares remaining to be repurchased pursuant to the sixth stock repurchase plan. The plan does not have a set expiration date. Purchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program may be made from time to time, depending on market conditions, in open market or privately negotiated transactions, at prices deemed appropriate by management. There is no set time limit on the repurchases.

On March 13, 2020, the Board approved a 10b5-1 stock plan (the “10b5-1 Plan”) which expired on August 12, 2020. During the fiscal 2021 period, the Company repurchased in open market transactions 26,676 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average share price of $56.26 for a total cost of $1,501,000 under the 10b5-1 Plan.

NOTE Q – LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

On November 1, 2017, the Company issued $150,000,000 of 6.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the "2025 Notes") in a private offering in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The 2025 Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of November 1, 2017 by and among the Company, certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and U.S. Bank National Association (the “Indenture”). The Company used the net proceeds of the 2025 Notes offering to satisfy and discharge the Indenture relating to the $135,000,000 of 10.000% Senior Secured Notes due 2020 and redeemed such notes (the "Redemption"), paid a portion of a special $5.00 per share cash dividend to Nathan's stockholders of record, and used the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital. The Company also funded the majority of the special dividend of $5.00 per share through its existing cash. The Redemption occurred on November 16, 2017.

The 2025 Notes bear interest at 6.625% per annum, payable semi-annually on May 1^st and November 1^st of each year. The Company made its required semi-annual interest payments of $4,968,750 on May 1, 2021 and November 1, 2021.

The 2025 Notes have no scheduled principal amortization payments prior to its final maturity on November 1, 2025.

The terms and conditions of the 2025 Notes are as follows (terms not defined shall have the meanings set forth in the Indenture):

There are no financial maintenance covenants associated with the 2025 Notes. As of December 26, 2021, Nathan’s was in compliance with all covenants associated with the 2025 Notes.

The Indenture contains certain covenants limiting the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay dividends or make other distributions on, redeem or repurchase, capital stock; (iii) make investments or other restricted payments; (iv) create or incur certain liens; (v) incur restrictions on the payment of dividends or other distributions from its restricted subsidiaries; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) sell assets; or (viii) effect a consolidation or merger. Certain Restricted Payments which may be made or indebtedness incurred by Nathan’s or its Restricted Subsidiaries may require compliance with the following financial ratios:

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow to the Fixed Charges for the relevant period, currently set at 2.0 to 1.0 in the Indenture. The Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio applies to determining whether additional Restricted Payments may be made, certain additional debt may be incurred and acquisitions may be made.

Priority Secured Leverage Ratio: the ratio of (a) Consolidated Net Debt outstanding as of such date that is secured by a Priority Lien to (b) Consolidated Cash Flow of Nathan’s for the Test Period then most recently ended, in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate; currently set at 0.40 to 1.00 in the Indenture.

Secured Leverage Ratio: the ratio of (a) Consolidated Net Debt outstanding as of such date that is secured by a Lien on any property of Nathan’s or any Guarantor to (b) Consolidated Cash Flow of Nathan’s for the Test Period then most recently ended, in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate. The Secured Leverage Ratio under the Indenture is 3.75 to 1.00 and applies if Nathan’s wants to incur additional debt on the same terms as the 2025 Notes.

The Indenture also contains customary events of default, including, among other things, failure to pay interest, failure to comply with agreements related to the Indenture, failure to pay at maturity or acceleration of other indebtedness, failure to pay certain judgments, and certain events of insolvency or bankruptcy. Generally, if any event of default occurs, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the 2025 Notes may declare the 2025 Notes due and payable by providing notice to the Company. In case of default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, the 2025 Notes will become immediately due and payable.

The 2025 Notes are general senior secured obligations, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by substantially all of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and future indebtedness that is not subordinated, are senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s existing and future subordinated indebtedness, are structurally subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2025 Notes, and are effectively junior to all existing and future indebtedness that is secured by assets other than the collateral securing the 2025 Notes.

Pursuant to the terms of a collateral trust agreement, the liens securing the 2025 Notes and the guarantees will be contractually subordinated to the liens securing any future credit facility.

The 2025 Notes and the guarantees are the Company and the guarantors’ senior secured obligations and will rank:

On or after November 1, 2020, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2025 Notes at a decreasing premium over time, plus accrued and unpaid interest as follows:

On December 15, 2021, the Company announced its intent to complete the partial redemption, in the principal amount of $40,000,000, of the 2025 Notes, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Indenture. The redemption price of the redeemed notes was 101.656% of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest from, and including November 1, 2021 to, but excluding, the redemption date of January 26, 2022. On January 26, 2022, the Company redeemed $40,000,000 of the 2025 Notes by paying cash of $41,288,094, inclusive of the redemption premium and accrued interest, and recognized a loss on early extinguishment of approximately $1,400,000 that primarily reflected the redemption premium and the write-off of a portion of previously recorded debt issuance costs.

In certain circumstances involving a change of control, the Company will be required to make an offer to repurchase all or, at the holder’s option, any part, of each holder’s 2025 Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of Control Offer”). In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of 2025 Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of purchase.

If the Company sells certain assets and does not use the net proceeds as required, the Company will be required to use such net proceeds to repurchase the 2025 Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest and additional interest penalty, if any, to the date of repurchase.

The 2025 Notes may be traded between qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act. We have recorded the 2025 Notes at cost.

NOTE R – LEASES

The Company is party as lessee to various leases for its Company-operated restaurants and lessee/sublessor to one franchised location property, including land and buildings, as well as leases for its corporate office and certain office equipment.

Company as lessee

The components of the net lease cost for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended December 26, 2021 and December 27, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):