Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2018	Dec. 27, 2017	Dec. 28, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Net (loss) income	$ (8,994)	$ 8,619	$ 18,339
Adjustments to reconcile changes in net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	17,825	18,128	16,053
Stock-based compensation expense	2,005	1,056	1,063
Income tax receivable agreement (income) expense	(761)	(5,570)	352
Loss on disposal of assets	278	799	674
Impairment of property and equipment	5,147	32,594	8,400
Closed-store reserves	4,503	1,051	154
Amortization of deferred financing costs	280	304	304
Amortization of favorable and unfavorable leases, net	(47)	(119)	(82)
Excess income tax benefit related to share-based compensation plans	0	0	(169)
Deferred income taxes, net	(3,428)	250	12,390
Other	0	0	(660)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables, net	(2,387)	(294)	(844)
Inventories	(190)	(177)	(221)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(319)	425	(448)
Income taxes receivable/payable	37	(85)	222
Other assets	122	47	107
Accounts payable	482	1,088	(4,579)
Accrued salaries and vacation	235	1,585	(939)
Accrued insurance	1,225	407	423
Payment related to tax receivable agreement	(7,272)	(11,109)	(3,236)
Other accrued expenses and liabilities	36,701	4,547	1,996
Restricted cash	0	125	0
Net cash provided by operating activities	45,442	53,671	49,299
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from disposition of restaurant	0	0	1,465
Proceeds from fire insurance for property and equipment	0	0	743
Purchase of property and equipment	(27,802)	(36,238)	(37,410)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(27,802)	(36,238)	(35,202)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from borrowings on revolver and term loans	13,307	8,000	0
Payments on revolver loan	(33,000)	(19,000)	(19,000)
Minimum tax withholdings related to net share settlements	(114)	0	0
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, net of expenses	1,837	93	978
Payment of obligations under capital leases	(132)	(144)	(177)
Deferred financing costs for revolver loan	(138)	0	0
Excess income tax benefit related to share-based compensation plans	0	0	169
Repurchases of common stock	(981)	0	0
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(19,221)	(11,051)	(18,030)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,581)	6,382	(3,933)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year	8,550	2,168	6,101
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year	6,969	8,550	2,168
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest	3,393	3,314	3,086
Cash paid during the year for income taxes, net	183	336	171
Non-cash investing and financing activity
Unpaid purchases of property and equipment	1,543	4,741	5,158
Borrowing on revolver for financing fees	$ 693	$ 0	$ 0