SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Fiscal Year

The Company has a 52/53 week fiscal year. Fiscal years for the consolidated financial statements included herein are for the 53 weeks ended December 31, 2017 and the 52 weeks ended December 25, 2016 and December 27, 2015, referred to herein as Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the 2015 and 2016 financial statements to conform with the 2017 presentation.

Management Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates affecting the financial statements include goodwill, intangible assets and contingent consideration obligations related to acquisitions and put option valuation. Additionally, the valuation of share based compensation option expense uses a model based upon interest rates, stock prices, maturity estimates, volatility and other factors. The Company believes these estimates and assumptions are reliable. However, these estimates and assumptions may change in the future based on actual experience as well as market conditions.

Financial Instruments

The Company uses fair value measurements in areas that include, but are not limited to, the allocation of purchase price consideration to tangible and identifiable intangible assets and contingent consideration. The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivables, prepaid expenses, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and other current assets and liabilities approximate their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The carrying value of bank debt approximates fair value due to the variable nature of the interest rates under the credit agreement with Texas Capital Bank, National Association (“TCB”) that provides for a revolving credit facility and term loan and current rates available to the Company for debt with similar terms and risk.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of credit risk is limited due to the Company’s diverse customer base and their dispersion across many different industries and geographic locations nationwide. No single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable as of December 31, 2017 and December 25, 2016 or revenue in Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015. Geographic revenue in excess of 10% of the Company's consolidated revenue in Fiscal 2017 and the related percentage for Fiscal 2016 and 2015 was generated in the following areas:



	2017		2016		2015
Maryland	12	%	13	%	4	%
Tennessee	12	%	5	%	3	%
Texas	29	%	32	%	41	%

Consequently, weakness in economic conditions in these regions could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position and results of future operations.

Accounts Receivable

The Company extends credit to its customers in the normal course of business. Accounts receivable represents unpaid balances due from customers. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for expected losses resulting from customers’ non-payment of balances due to the Company. The Company’s determination of the allowance for uncollectible amounts is based on management’s judgments and assumptions, including general economic conditions, portfolio composition, prior loss experience, evaluation of credit risk related to certain individual customers and the Company’s ongoing examination process. Receivables are written off after they are deemed to be uncollectible after all means of collection have been exhausted. Recoveries of receivables previously written off are recorded when received.

Changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts for the fiscal years are as follows:



	2017			2016
Beginning balance	$	473,573		$	446,548
Provision for doubtful accounts	760,633			389,319
Amounts written off, net	(760,633		)	(362,294		)
Ending balance	$	473,573		$	473,573

Property and Equipment

The Company depreciates the cost of property and equipment over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method ranging from five to seven years. The costs of leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or lease term. The cost of normal maintenance and repairs is charged to operating expenses as incurred. Material expenditures that increase the life of an asset are capitalized and depreciated over the estimated remaining useful life of the asset. The cost of properties sold, or otherwise disposed of, and the related accumulated depreciation or amortization, are removed from the accounts, and any gains or losses are reflected in current operations.

Deposits

The Company maintains guaranteed costs policies for workers' compensation coverage in the states in which it operates, with minimal loss retention for employees in the commercial segment. Under these policies, the Company is required to maintain refundable deposits of $2.7 million and $2.5 million, which are included in Deposits the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as of December 31, 2017 and December 25, 2016, respectively.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, primarily fixed assets, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recovered. The Company looks primarily to the undiscounted future cash flows in its assessment of whether or not long-lived assets have been impaired. There were no impairments during Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Intangible Assets

The Company holds intangible assets with indefinite and finite lives. Intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are not amortized. Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives, ranging from three to ten years, based on a pattern in which the economic benefit of the respective intangible asset is realized.

Identifiable intangible assets recognized in conjunction with acquisitions are recorded at fair value. Significant unobservable inputs were used to determine the fair value of the identifiable intangible assets based on the income approach valuation model whereby the present worth and anticipated future benefits of the identifiable intangible assets were discounted back to their net present value.

The Company capitalizes purchased software and internal payroll costs directly incurred in the modification of software for internal use. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed in the period incurred.

The Company evaluates the recoverability of intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that an intangible asset’s carrying amount may not be recoverable. The Company determined that there were no impairment indicators for these assets in Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015.

The Company annually evaluates the remaining useful lives of the above intangible assets to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the difference between the enterprise value/cash paid less the fair value of all recognized net asset fair values including identifiable intangible asset values. The Company reviews goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable. Based on annual testing, the Company has determined that there was no goodwill impairment in Fiscal 2017, 2016 or 2015.

The Company first evaluates qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50 percent) that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, including goodwill. If after qualitatively assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then further testing is unnecessary. If after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the Company then estimates the fair value of the reporting unit and compares the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill, as discussed below.

In assessing whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset is impaired, the Company assesses relevant events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine the fair value.

The quantitative impairment test for an indefinite-lived intangible asset consists of a comparison of the fair value of the asset with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of an intangible asset exceeds its fair value, a reporting unit shall recognize an impairment loss in an amount equal to that excess.

The quantitative goodwill impairment test involves a two-step process. In the first step, the Company compares the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired and no further testing is required. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying value, the Company must perform the second step of the impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss. In the second step, the reporting unit's fair value is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including any unrecognized intangible assets, in a hypothetical analysis that calculates the implied fair value of goodwill in the same manner as if the reporting unit was being acquired in a business combination. If the implied fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is less than the carrying value, the difference is recorded as an impairment loss.

Deferred Rent

The Company recognizes rental expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the agreement. Deferred rent is recognized as the difference between cash payments and rent expense, including any landlord incentives.

Paid-in-kind Interest

In Fiscal 2015, the Company recorded paid-in-kind interest on a monthly basis to accrued interest. The first month following a quarter, the paid-in-kind accrued interest is reclassed to the related debt principal if not paid.

Deferred Financing Fees

Deferred financing fees are amortized using the effective interest method over the term of the respective loans. Debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt liability.

Contingent Consideration

The Company has obligations, to be paid in cash, related to its acquisitions if certain future operating and financial goals are met. The fair value of this contingent consideration is determined using expected cash flows and present value technique. Prior to Fiscal 2017, the calculation of the fair value of the expected future payments uses a discount rate that approximates the Company's weighted average cost of capital. For acquisitions beginning in Fiscal 2017, based on a new valuation methodology, the fair value calculation of the expected future payments uses a discount rate commensurate with the risks of the expected cash flow. The resulting discount is amortized as interest expense over the outstanding period using the effective interest method.

Put Option

The Company granted a put option to certain holders of equity in BG Staffing, Inc., which was carried at fair market value in other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet. Prior to second quarter 2015, the liability was revalued at each balance sheet date at the greater of an adjusted earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization method or the fair market value. During third quarter 2015, the liability calculation of fair market value was based on the closing price of the Company's stock. Changes in fair value were recorded as non-cash, non-operating income (expense) in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. In October 2015, the remaining shares were sold that contained the put right to third parties, which caused the put rights on those shares to expire.

Revenue Recognition

The Company derives its revenues from three segments: Multifamily, Professional, and Commercial. The Company provides temporary staffing and permanent placement services. Revenues as presented on the consolidated statements of operations represent services rendered to customers less sales adjustments and allowances. Reimbursements, including those related to out-of-pocket expenses, are also included in revenues, and equivalent amounts of reimbursable expenses are included in cost of services.

The Company and its customers enter into agreements that outline the general terms and conditions of the staffing arrangement. Revenue is recognized as services are performed and associated costs have been incurred. The Company records revenue on a gross basis as a principal versus on a net basis as an agent in the presentation of revenues and expenses. The Company has concluded that gross reporting is appropriate because the Company (i) has the risk of identifying and hiring qualified workers, (ii) has the discretion to select the workers and establish their price and duties and (iii) bears the risk for services that are not fully paid for by customers.

Temporary staffing revenues - The Company's revenues are generated based on negotiated rates and invoiced on a per-hour basis. Accordingly, temporary staffing revenues are recognized on the hours worked when the services are rendered by the Company’s temporary workers. The Company assumes the risk of acceptability of its workers to its customers.

Permanent placement staffing revenues - Permanent placement staffing revenues are recognized when employment candidates start their permanent employment. The Company estimates the effect of permanent placement candidates who do not remain with its customers through the guarantee period (generally 90 days) based on historical experience. Allowances are established to estimate these losses. Fees to customers are generally calculated as a percentage of the new worker’s annual compensation. No fees for permanent placement services are charged to employment candidates.

Advertising

The Company recognizes advertising expense in selling, general and administrative expenses as the services are incurred. Total advertising expense for Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $1.5 million, $1.3 million, and $0.8 million, respectively.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation expense in selling, general and administrative expenses over the service period for options that are expected to vest and records adjustments to compensation expense at the end of the service period if actual forfeitures differ from original estimates.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share are computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period adjusted to reflect potentially dilutive securities. Antidilutive shares are excluded from the calculation of earnings per share.

The following is a reconciliation of the number of shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the respective periods:



		December 31, 2017	December 25, 2016	December 27, 2015
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:		8,733,941	8,107,637	7,079,459
Effect of dilutive securities:
	Stock options	268,765	258,617	199,596
	Warrants	35,481	33,629	9,650
Weighted-average number of diluted common shares outstanding		9,038,187	8,399,883	7,288,705



	Stock options	178,000	50,000	21,042
	Warrants	32,250	32,250	—
Anti-dilutive shares		210,250	82,250	21,042

Income Taxes

The current provision for income taxes represents estimated amounts payable or refundable on tax returns filed or to be filed for the year. The Company recognizes any penalties when necessary as part of selling, general and administrative expenses.

On December 22, 2017, the President signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJA”) into law. Effective January 1, 2018, among other changes, TCJA reduces the federal corporate tax rate to 21 percent. Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 740-25 and 35 prescribes that the impact of changes in laws or rates shall be recognized at the date of enactment. Accordingly, we recorded a $3.3 million dollar reduction to our net deferred tax assets with an offsetting increase in income tax expense.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and amounts are classified net as noncurrent in the consolidated balance sheets. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for net operating loss and tax credit carryovers. The overall change in deferred tax assets and liabilities for the period measures the deferred tax expense or benefit for the period. Effects of changes in enacted tax laws on deferred tax assets and liabilities are reflected as adjustments to tax expense in the period of enactment.

When appropriate, we record a valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets to offset future tax benefits that may not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is appropriate, we consider whether it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized, based in part upon management’s judgments regarding future events and past operating results.

The Company follows the guidance of ASC Topic 740, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. ASC Topic 740 prescribes a more-likely-than-not measurement methodology to reflect the financial statement impact of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Updates ("ASU") ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Since May 2014, the FASB has issued additional and amended authoritative guidance regarding revenue from contracts with customers in order to clarify and improve the understanding of the implementation guidance. As amended, the new guidance requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration a company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company adopted this ASU on a modified retrospective basis in the first quarter of fiscal 2018 which will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements. The Company also had no significant changes to systems, processes, or controls.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 Leases, which changes financial reporting as it relates to leasing transactions. Under the new guidance, lessees will be required to recognize a lease liability, measured on a discounted basis; and a right-of-use asset, for the lease term. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Early application is permitted. Lessees and lessors must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. While the impact of the adoption of this guidance will include the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on the Company’s statement of financial position, the Company is in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of this guidance on its systems, processes, and controls.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04 Intangibles-Goodwill and Other Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which provides guidance to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating the Step 2 procedure from the goodwill impairment test. The new standard is effective for the Company beginning with the fourth quarter of 2020. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2017-04 will have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Scope of Modification Accounting which provides clarification on when modification accounting should be used for changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. The new standard is effective for the Company beginning with the first quarter of 2018. The Company does not anticipate the adoption of ASU 2017-09 will have a material impact on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.