Note 5 - Stock-Based Compensation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 30, 2014

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]

NOTE 5 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Stock Option Awards

In accordance with accounting standards, the Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award. That cost will be recognized over the period in which the employee is required to provide the services – the requisite service period (usually the vesting period) – in exchange for the award. The grant date fair value for options and similar instruments will be estimated using option pricing models. Under accounting standards, the Company is required to select a valuation technique or option pricing model that meets the criteria as stated in the standard. The Company uses the Black-Scholes model. Accounting standards require that the Company estimate forfeitures for stock options and reduce compensation expense accordingly. The Company has reduced its stock compensation expense by the assumed forfeiture rate and will evaluate experience against this forfeiture rate going forward.

During the first quarter of 2013, the Company recognized stock option compensation costs of $0.1 million. All outstanding stock options vested prior to the end of 2013, and therefore there was no first quarter 2014 stock option compensation expense.

There were no stock options granted during the first three months of fiscal years 2014 or 2013. The following table summarizes stock options outstanding as of March 30, 2014, as well as activity during the three months then ended:

	Shares		Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at December 29, 2013		184,000	$	8.18
Granted		0		0
Exercised		15,000		4.31
Forfeited or canceled		0		0
Outstanding at March 30, 2014		169,000	$	8.51
Exercisable at March 30, 2014		169,000	$	8.51

At March 30, 2014, the aggregate intrinsic value of in-the-money options outstanding and options exercisable was $1.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively (the intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option).

Cash proceeds and intrinsic value related to total stock options exercised during the first three months of 2014 and 2013 are provided in the following table:

	Three Months Ended
	March 30, 2014		March 31, 2013
	(In thousands)
Proceeds from stock options exercised	$	105	$	868
Intrinsic value of stock options exercised	$	224	$	581

Restricted Stock Awards

During the three months ended March 30, 2014, and March 31, 2013, the Company granted restricted stock awards for 487,500 and 584,000 shares of common stock, respectively. Awards of restricted stock (or a portion thereof) vest with respect to each recipient over a two to five-year period from the date of grant, provided the individual remains in the employment or service of the Company as of the vesting date. Additionally, awards (or a portion thereof) could vest earlier upon the attainment of certain performance criteria, in the event of a change in control of the Company, or upon involuntary termination without cause.

Compensation expense related to restricted stock grants was $2.2 million and $0.6 million for the three months ended March 30, 2014, and March 31, 2013, respectively. Accounting standards require that the Company estimate forfeitures for restricted stock and reduce compensation expense accordingly. The Company has reduced its expense by the assumed forfeiture rate and will evaluate experience against this forfeiture rate going forward.

The following table summarizes restricted stock outstanding as of March 30, 2014, as well as activity during the three months then ended:

	Shares		Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 29, 2013		1,707,500	$	15.62
Granted		487,500		21.28
Vested		522,000		16.28
Forfeited or canceled		202,500		17.02
Outstanding at March 30, 2014		1,470,500	$	17.07

As of March 30, 2014, the unrecognized total compensation cost related to unvested restricted stock was $16.0 million. That cost is expected to be recognized by the end of 2019.