SEGMENT REPORTING (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2025 USD ($) segment	Dec. 25, 2024 USD ($)	Dec. 27, 2023 USD ($)
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of operating segments | segment	1
Number of reportable segments | segment	1
Segment expenses	Other segment expenses include loss (gain) on disposal of assets, gain on recovery of insurance proceeds, property, equipment and expenses, (gain) loss on disposition of restaurants and impairment and closed-store reserves.
Total revenue	$ 490,046	$ 473,008	$ 468,664
Less:
Food and paper costs	100,083	100,725	108,250
Labor and related expenses	127,258	127,179	127,244
General and administrative expenses	50,258	46,270	42,025
Franchise expenses	47,762	42,307	38,404
Depreciation and amortization	15,966	15,717	15,235
Total expenses	448,001	431,840	428,872
Income from operations	42,045	41,168	39,792
Interest expenses, net	4,470	5,899	4,811
Provision for income taxes	11,089	9,605	9,324
Income tax receivable agreement (income) expense		(20)	103
Total segment net income	26,486	25,684	25,554
Single reportable segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenue	490,046	473,008	468,664
Less:
Food and paper costs	100,083	100,725	108,250
Labor and related expenses	127,258	127,179	127,244
General and administrative expenses	50,258	46,270	42,025
Franchise expenses	47,762	42,307	38,404
Occupancy expenses	32,551	30,792	31,318
Other operating expenses	73,835	68,488	69,753
Depreciation and amortization	15,966	15,717	15,235
Other segment expenses	288	362	(3,357)
Total expenses	448,001	431,840	428,872
Income from operations	42,045	41,168	39,792
Interest expenses, net	4,470	5,899	4,811
Provision for income taxes	11,089	9,605	9,324
Income tax receivable agreement (income) expense		(20)	103
Total segment net income	$ 26,486	$ 25,684	$ 25,554