Stock-Based Employee Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 24, 2015

Stock-Based Employee Compensation [Abstract]

Stock-Based Employee Compensation

3. STOCK-BASED EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION

2012 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan

On July 16, 2012, the Company adopted the Del Frisco’s Restaurant Group, Inc. 2012 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (the “2012 Plan”), which allows the Company to grant stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units and other equity-based awards to directors, officers, key employees and other key individuals performing services for the Company. The 2012 Plan provides for granting of options to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price not less than the fair value of the stock on the date of grant. Options become exercisable at various periods ranging from one to four years from the date of grant. The 2012 Plan has 2,232,800 shares authorized for issuance under the plan. There were 1,423,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options at March 24, 2015 and 695,925 shares available for future grants.

The following table details the Company’s total stock option compensation cost during the 12 weeks ended March 24, 2015 and March 25, 2014 as well as where the costs were expensed (in thousands):

	12 Weeks Ended
	March 24,		March 25,
	2015		2014
Restaurant operating expenses	$	108	$	98
General and administrative costs		472		475
Total stock compensation cost	$	580	$	573

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the 12 week period ended March 24, 2015:

	12 Weeks Ended March 24, 2015
	Shares		Weighted average exercise price		Weighted average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($000's)
Outstanding at beginning of year		1,429,000	$	17.45
Granted		—		—
Exercised		—		—
Forfeited		(6,000)		19.90
Outstanding at end of period		1,423,000	$	17.44		7.9 years		4,550
Options exercisable at end of period		463,875	$	16.29		7.8 years		1,927

A summary of the status of non-vested stock options as of March 24, 2015 and changes during the 12 weeks ended March 24, 2015 is presented below:

	12 Weeks Ended
	March 24, 2015
	Shares	Weighted average Grant-Date Fair Value
Non-vested stock options at beginning of year	974,250	$	7.08
Granted	—		—
Vested	(11,375)		7.88
Forfeited	(3,750)		8.44
Non-vested stock options at end of period	959,125	$	7.06

As of March 24, 2015, there was $5.0 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options. This cost is expected to be recognized over a period of approximately 2.0 years. No stock-based awards were issued under the 2012 Plan during the 12 weeks ended March 24, 2015. The following table details the values from and assumptions for the Black-Scholes option pricing model for stock options issued during the 12 weeks ended March 25, 2014:

	12 Weeks Ended
	March 25, 2014
Weighted average grant date fair value		$9.99
Weighted average risk-free interest rate		1.86%
Weighted average expected life		5.40 years
Weighted average volatility		37.32%
Expected dividend		—

The Black-Scholes option valuation model requires the input of subjective assumptions, including the expected life of the stock-based award. The assumptions above represent management’s best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management’s judgment. The expected term of options granted is based on a representative peer group with similar employee groups and expected behavior. The risk-free rate for periods within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury constant maturities rate in effect at the time of grant. The Company utilized a weighted rate for expected volatility based on a representative peer group with a similar expected term of options granted. Outstanding options granted under the 2012 Plan are subject to a four year vesting period and have a ten year maximum contractual term.

In addition, the Company is required to estimate the expected forfeiture rate and only recognizes expense for those stock options expected to vest. If the actual forfeiture rate is materially different from the Company’s estimate, the share-based compensation expense could be materially different.