CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 25, 2024	Sep. 27, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 19,731	$ 21,203
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	11,755	11,277
Stock-based compensation expense	2,897	2,539
Income tax receivable agreement expense	0	105
Fire insurance proceeds for expenses paid and lost profit		151
Loss (gain) on disposition of restaurants	7	(5,034)
Loss (gain) on disposal of assets	181	(34)
Gain on recovery of insurance proceeds, property, equipment and expenses, net	(41)	(242)
Impairment of property and equipment	0	1,032
Amortization of deferred financing costs	149	153
Deferred income taxes, net	268	1,138
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables	(460)	462
Inventories	60	403
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,995	8
Income taxes receivable/ payable	103	6,391
Other assets	(225)	(236)
Accounts payable	(2,617)	(5,798)
Accrued salaries and vacation	1,470	(1,619)
Accrued insurance	277	437
Payment related to tax receivable agreement	(399)
Other accrued expenses and liabilities	4,995	173
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	41,146	32,509
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from disposition of restaurants	100	7,722
Proceeds from fire insurance for property and equipment	41	163
Purchase of property and equipment	(14,578)	(15,297)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(14,437)	(7,412)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings on revolver and swingline loans	14,000	25,000
Payments on revolver and swingline loan	(22,000)	(11,000)
Minimum tax withholdings related to net share settlements	(212)	(217)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, net of expenses	1,555	1,171
Payment of obligations under finance leases	(153)	(113)
Repurchases of common stock	(19,292)	(46,616)
Net cash flows used in by financing activities	(26,102)	(31,775)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	607	(6,678)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	7,288	20,493
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	7,895	13,815
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for interest	4,693	3,554
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	6,912	54
Unpaid purchases of property and equipment	3,252	4,476
Unpaid repurchases of common stock and excise tax	$ 721	$ 430