Note 9. Fair Value

Fair value is estimated by applying the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into three levels and bases the categorization within the hierarchy upon the lowest level of input that is available and significant to the fair value measurement (observable inputs are the preferred basis of valuation):

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Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

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Level 2—Measurements are inputs that are observable for assets or liabilities, either directly or indirectly, other than quoted prices included within Level 1.

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Level 3—Prices or valuations that require management inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

The first two levels in the hierarchy are considered observable inputs and the last is considered unobservable.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table presents the Partnership’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, categorized in accordance with the fair value hierarchy:

	November 30, 2016				November 30, 2015
	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS				FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
(in thousands)	Level 2		Total		Level 2		Total
Assets
Derivative financial instruments	$	897	$	897	$	—	$	—
Total assets	$	897	$	897	$	—	$	—
Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	—	$	611	$	611
Total liabilities	$	—	$	—	$	611	$	611

Derivative financial instruments: On July 17, 2015, OpCo entered into interest rate swap agreements intended to hedge the interest rate risk on the outstanding borrowings under the term loan with an aggregate notional value of $240.0 million. Under the interest rate swap agreements, OpCo paid a fixed swap rate of interest of 1.55% and the counterparties to the agreements paid a floating interest rate based on three-month LIBOR at quarterly intervals through the maturity date of August 31, 2018. OpCo had the right to cancel the interest rate swap agreements on August 31, 2016 and any quarterly fixed payment date thereafter with a minimum of five business days’ notification. OpCo exercised its right to cancel the interest rate swap agreements on August 31, 2016 and entered into new interest rate swap agreements intended to hedge the interest rate risk on the outstanding borrowings under the term loan with an aggregate notional value of $250.0 million. Under the new interest rate swap agreements, OpCo will pay a fixed swap rate of interest of approximately 0.85% and the counterparties to the agreements will pay a floating interest rate based on one-month LIBOR at monthly intervals through the maturity date of August 31, 2018. On January 5, 2017, OpCo entered into another interest rate swap agreement intended to hedge the interest rate risk on the outstanding borrowings under the term loan with an aggregate notional value of $40.0 million. OpCo will pay a fixed swap rate of interest of approximately 1.16% and the counterparty to the agreement will pay a floating interest rate based on one-month LIBOR at monthly intervals through the maturity date of August 31, 2018.

As of both November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2015, these interest rate swap agreements had not been designated as cash flow hedges and are reflected at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets. As of November 30, 2016, these interest rate swap agreements have been presented in other long-term assets on the consolidated balance sheet since the maturity date is over one year after the balance sheet date. As of November 30, 2015, these interest rate swap agreements had been presented in other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet since OpCo had the right to cancel the swap agreements within one year of the balance sheet date. During the year ended November 30, 2016, the Partnership recorded a change in fair value of $1.5 million within other income in the consolidated statement of operations as compared to the eleven months ended November 30, 2015, where the Partnership recorded a change in fair value of $0.6 million within other expense. The primary inputs into the valuation of interest rate swaps are interest yield curves, interest rate volatility, and credit spreads. The Partnership's interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, since all significant inputs are corroborated by market observable data. There were no transfers in or out of Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 during the period.

The Predecessor entered into interest rate swap agreements, designated as cash flow hedges, in the fourth quarter of the year ended December 28, 2014 on the outstanding and forecasted future borrowings under the Quinto Credit Facility to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates. These swap agreements allowed the Predecessor to effectively convert floating-rate payments into fixed-rate payments periodically over the life of the agreements. These derivatives had a maturity of more than 12 months. The Predecessor assessed the effectiveness of these cash flow hedges at inception and on a quarterly basis. If it was determined that a derivative instrument was not highly effective or the transaction was no longer deemed probable of occurring, the Predecessor discontinued hedge accounting and recognized the ineffective portion in current period earnings. In March 2015, the Predecessor discontinued hedge accounting prospectively for its interest rate swap agreements under the Quinto Credit Facility, as it was no longer deemed probable that the hedge transactions will occur. However, because it remained possible that the forecasted hedge transactions would occur, previously recognized loss of $3.0 million on the interest rate swaps remained in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of March 29, 2015, and such loss was reclassified into earnings during the quarter ended June 28, 2015, the same period that the forecasted hedged transactions affect earnings or was otherwise deemed to be improbable of occurrence. During the eleven months ended November 30, 2015 and the year ended December 28, 2014, $5.4 million and zero was reclassified into loss on cash flow hedges within other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations, as the transaction was terminated.

Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Long-term debt and financing obligations: The estimated fair value of the Partnership’s long-term debt was classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy as of November 30, 2016 and November 30, 2015, and approximated its carrying value of $384.4 million and $297.2 million, respectively, as the term loan facility is a variable rate debt with the interest rate indexed to the market and reset on a frequent and short-term basis.