CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2025	Dec. 25, 2024	Dec. 27, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 26,486	$ 25,684	$ 25,554
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	15,966	15,717	15,235
Stock-based compensation expense	5,396	3,931	2,964
Income tax receivable agreement (income) expense		(20)	103
Fire insurance proceeds for expenses paid and lost profit			327
Loss (gain) on disposition of restaurants		7	(5,034)
Loss on disposal of assets	277	221	192
Gain on recovery of insurance proceeds, property, equipment and expenses, net		(41)	(247)
Impairment of property and equipment and ROU assets		123	1,536
Amortization of deferred financing costs	195	197	201
Deferred income taxes, net	1,403	(2,857)	906
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts and other receivables	(1,739)	677	(216)
Inventories	128	(27)	531
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	(860)	125	(1,972)
Income taxes receivable/ payable	(45)	1,695	838
Operating lease assets	19,989	19,133	19,040
Other assets	(1,080)	(232)	(309)
Accounts payable	4,808	(544)	(3,965)
Accrued salaries and vacation	(2,856)	4,594	459
Accrued insurance	569	(414)	711
Payment related to tax receivable agreement		(399)	(350)
Operating lease liabilities	(19,287)	(19,105)	(19,120)
Other accrued expenses and liabilities	(1,274)	(1,684)	3,304
Net cash flows provided by operating activities	48,076	46,781	40,688
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	(22,635)	(19,081)	(21,332)
Net cash flows used in investing activities	(22,635)	(18,940)	(13,447)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings on revolver and swingline loans	9,000	14,000	39,000
Payments on revolver and swingline loan	(29,000)	(27,000)	(21,000)
Minimum tax withholdings related to net share settlements	(737)	(440)	(243)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options, net of expenses	1,105	1,556	1,171
Payment of obligations under finance leases	(223)	(207)	(158)
Repurchases of common stock	(1,842)	(20,554)	(59,216)
Net cash flows used in financing activities	(21,697)	(32,645)	(40,446)
Increase/(Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	3,744	(4,804)	(13,205)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,484	7,288	20,493
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	6,228	2,484	7,288
Supplemental cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for interest	4,381	5,890	4,819
Cash paid during the period for income taxes	9,730	10,351	7,721
Unpaid purchases of property and equipment	$ 8,384	3,969	$ 5,098
Unpaid repurchases of common stock and excise tax		$ 204