Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2023

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

From time to time, we are a party to legal proceedings, whether arising in the ordinary course of business or otherwise. See disclosure under the headings “Lawsuit by Former CEO in Connection with Termination” and “Putative Class Action Lawsuit” set forth in Note 18 to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2023.

In the lawsuit by the former CEO, Mr. Gould filed a motion for reconsideration of the Court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of the Company on Mr. Gould’s breach of contract claim. On July 31, 2023, the Court denied that motion for reconsideration. Also on July 31, 2023, the Company filed a motion to dismiss without prejudice its counterclaim against Mr. Gould for breach of fiduciary duty. On August 2, 2023, the Court granted that motion to dismiss, resulting in a final judgment in the trial court. The court’s award of summary judgment in favor of the Company on Mr. Gould’s breach of contract claim has been appealed by Mr. Gould to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit. The Company believes Mr. Gould’s lawsuit and the appeal therefrom is without merit and intends to defend vigorously against it.

In the putative class action, the Court preliminarily approved a settlement of the lawsuit for $7.5 million, and the Company’s insurers funded the settlement amount into escrow. As a result, in the second quarter of 2023, the Company reversed the $7.5 million asset and liability that were previously recorded in the first quarter of 2023. Putative class member proofs of claims were due by September 13, 2023, and in a hearing on October 19, 2023, the Court approved the final settlement of the action.