BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Oct. 01, 2011

Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Ark Restaurants Corp. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) owns and operates 22 restaurants and bars, 28 fast food concepts and catering operations. Seven restaurants are located in New York City, four are located in Washington, D.C., seven are located in Las Vegas, Nevada, two are located in Atlantic City, New Jersey, one is located at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Ledyard, Connecticut and one is located in Boston, Massachusetts. The Las Vegas operations include five restaurants within the New York-New York Hotel & Casino Resort and operation of the hotel’s room service, banquet facilities, employee dining room and six food court concepts; one bar within the Venetian Casino Resort as well as three food court concepts; and one restaurant within the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino. In Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Company operates a restaurant and a bar in the Resorts Atlantic City Hotel and Casino. The operations at the Foxwoods Resort Casino include one fast food concept and six fast food concepts at the MGM Grand Casino. In Boston, Massachusetts, the Company operates a restaurant in the Faneuil Hall Marketplace. The Florida operations under management include five fast food facilities in Tampa, Florida and seven fast food facilities in Hollywood, Florida, each at a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Basis of Presentation —The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The Company’s reporting currency is the United States dollar.

Accounting Period — The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Saturday nearest September 30. The fiscal years ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010 included 52 weeks.

Use of Estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The accounting estimates that require management’s most difficult and subjective judgments include allowances for potential bad debts on receivables, inventories, the useful lives and recoverability of its assets, such as property and intangibles, fair values of financial instruments and share-based compensation, the realizable value of its tax assets and other matters. Because of the uncertainty in such estimates, actual results may differ from these estimates.

Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ark Restaurants Corp. and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries, partnerships and other entities in which it has a controlling interest. Also included in the consolidated financial statements are certain variable interest entities. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Non-Controlling Interests — Non-controlling interests represent capital contributions, income and loss attributable to the owners of less than wholly-owned and consolidated entities.

Seasonality — The Company has substantial fixed costs that do not decline proportionally with sales. The first and second fiscal quarters, which include the winter months, usually reflect lower customer traffic than in the third and fourth fiscal quarters. In addition, sales in the third and fourth fiscal quarters can be adversely affected by inclement weather due to the significant amount of outdoor seating at the Company’s restaurants.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments — The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, investments, receivables, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The fair value of notes payable is determined using current applicable rates for similar instruments as of the balance sheet date and approximates the carrying value of such debt.

Cash and Cash Equivalents — Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, deposits with banks and highly liquid investments generally with original maturities of three months or less. Outstanding checks in excess of account balances, typically vendor payments, payroll and other contractual obligations disbursed after the last day of a reporting period are reported as a current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Available-For-Sale Securities — Available-for-sale securities consist primarily of United States Treasury Bills and Notes, all of which have a high degree of liquidity and are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The cost of investments in available-for-sale securities is determined on a specific identification basis. Realized gains or losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary, if any, are reported in other income, net. The Company evaluates its investments periodically for possible impairment and reviews factors such as the length of time and extent to which fair value has been below cost basis and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time which may be sufficient for anticipated recovery in market value.

Concentrations of Credit Risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company reduces credit risk by placing its cash and cash equivalents with major financial institutions with high credit ratings. At times, such amounts may exceed Federally insured limits.

For the years ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010, the Company made purchases from one vendor that accounted for approximately 13% of total purchases in each year.

Accounts Receivable — Accounts receivable is primarily comprised of normal business receivables such as credit card receivables that are paid off in a short period of time and amounts due from the hotels operators where the Company has a location, and are recorded when the products or services have been delivered. The Company reviews the collectability of its receivables on an ongoing basis, and provides for an allowance when it considers the entity unable to meet its obligation.

Inventories — Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market, and consist of food and beverages, merchandise for sale and other supplies.

Revenue Recognition — Company-owned restaurant sales are comprised almost entirely of food and beverage sales. The Company records revenue at the time of the purchase of products by customers.

For the year ended October 2, 2010, Revenues – Other Revenue, includes management fees related to the Company’s managed restaurants that were not consolidated and were based on either gross restaurant sales or cash flow. Such fees have been eliminated for the year ended October 1, 2011 due to the consolidation of these entities – see accounting policy, “New Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2011” and Note 2.

The Company offers customers the opportunity to purchase gift certificates. At the time of purchase by the customer, the Company records a gift certificate liability for the face value of the certificate purchased. The Company recognizes the revenue and reduces the gift certificate liability when the certificate is redeemed. The Company does not reduce its recorded liability for potential non-use of purchased gift cards.

Additionally, the Company presents sales tax on a net basis in its consolidated financial statements.

Fixed Assets — Leasehold improvements and furniture, fixtures and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of furniture, fixtures and equipment is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets (three to seven years). Amortization of improvements to leased properties is computed using the straight-line method based upon the initial term of the applicable lease or the estimated useful life of the improvements, whichever is less, and ranges from 5 to 30 years. For leases with renewal periods at the Company’s option, if failure to exercise a renewal option imposes an economic penalty to the Company, management may determine at the inception of the lease that renewal is reasonably assured and include the renewal option period in the determination of appropriate estimated useful lives. Routine expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred. Major replacements and improvements are capitalized. Upon retirement or disposition of fixed assets, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company includes in construction in progress improvements to restaurants that are under construction. Once the projects have been completed, the Company begins depreciating and amortizing the assets. Start-up costs incurred during the construction period of restaurants, including rental of premises, training and payroll, are expensed as incurred.

Intangible Assets — Intangible assets consist principally of purchased leasehold rights, operating rights and covenants not to compete. Costs associated with acquiring leases and subleases, principally purchased leasehold rights, and operating rights have been capitalized and are being amortized on the straight-line method based upon the initial terms of the applicable lease agreements, which range from 9 to 20 years. Covenants not to compete arising from restaurant acquisitions are amortized over the contractual period, typically five years.

Long-lived Assets — Long-lived assets, such as property, plant and equipment, and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. In the evaluation of the fair value and future benefits of long-lived assets, the Company performs an analysis of the anticipated undiscounted future net cash flows of the related long-lived assets. If the carrying value of the related asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the carrying value is reduced to its fair value. Various factors including estimated future sales growth and estimated profit margins are included in this analysis. See Note 7 for a discussion of impairment charges for long-lived assets recorded in fiscal 2011 and 2010.

Goodwill and Trademarks — Goodwill is recorded when the purchase price paid for an acquisition exceeds the estimated fair value of the net identified tangible and intangible assets acquired. Trademarks are considered to have an indefinite life and are not being amortized. Goodwill and trademarks are assessed for impairment using fair value measurement techniques. Specifically, goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step process. The first step of the goodwill impairment test is to identify potential impairment by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit (the Company is being treated as one reporting unit) with its net book value (or carrying amount), including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill of the reporting unit is considered not impaired and the second step of the impairment test is unnecessary. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination. That is, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of that unit (including any unrecognized intangible assets) as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the purchase price paid to acquire the reporting unit. The impairment test for other intangible assets consists of a comparison of the fair value of the intangible asset with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

Determining the fair value of the reporting unit under the first step of the goodwill impairment test and determining the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of the reporting unit (including unrecognized intangible assets) under the second step of the goodwill impairment test is judgmental in nature and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Similarly, estimates and assumptions are used in determining the fair value of other intangible assets. These estimates and assumptions could have a significant impact on whether or not an impairment charge is recognized and also the magnitude of any such charge. To assist in the process of determining goodwill impairment, the Company performs internal valuation analyses and considers other market information that is publicly available. Estimates of fair value are primarily determined using discounted cash flows, market comparisons and recent transactions. These approaches use significant estimates and assumptions including projected future cash flows (including timing), a discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows, perpetual growth rate, determination of appropriate market comparables and the determination of whether a premium or discount should be applied to comparables. Based on the above policy, no impairment charges were necessary in fiscal 2011 and 2010.

Leases — The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, including option periods as described below. Within the provisions of certain leases there are escalations in payments over the base lease term, as well as renewal periods. The effects of the escalations have been reflected in rent expense on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term, which includes option periods when it is deemed to be reasonably assured that the Company would incur an economic penalty for not exercising the option. Percentage rent expense is generally based upon sales levels and is expensed as incurred. Certain leases include both base rent and percentage rent. The Company records rent expense on these leases based upon reasonably assured sales levels. The consolidated financial statements reflect the same lease terms for amortizing leasehold improvements as were used in calculating straight-line rent expense for each restaurant. The judgments of the Company may produce materially different amounts of amortization and rent expense than would be reported if different lease terms were used.

Operating Lease Deferred Credit — Several of the Company’s operating leases contain predetermined increases in the rentals payable during the term of such leases. For these leases, the aggregate rental expense over the lease term is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The excess of the expense charged to operations in any year and amounts payable under the leases during that year are recorded as deferred credits that reverse over the lease term.

Occupancy Expenses — Occupancy expenses include rent, rent taxes, real estate taxes, insurance and utility costs.

Defined Contribution Plans — The Company offers a defined contribution savings plan (the “Plan”) to all of its full-time employees. Eligible employees may contribute pre-tax amounts to the Plan subject to the Internal Revenue Code limitations. Company contributions to the Plan are at the discretion of the Board of Directors. During the years ended October 1, 2011 and October 2, 2010, the Company did not make any contributions to the Plan.

Income Taxes — Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to the temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The Company has recorded a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in an income tax return. It is the Company’s policy to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax expense. Uncertain tax positions are evaluated and adjusted as appropriate, while taking into account the progress of audits of various taxing jurisdictions.

Non-controlling interests relating to the income or loss of consolidated partnerships includes no provision for income taxes as any tax liability related thereto is the responsibility of the individual minority investors.

Income Per Share of Common Stock — Basic net income per share is calculated on the basis of the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted net income per share reflects the additional dilutive effect of potentially dilutive shares (principally those arising from the assumed exercise of stock options).

Share-based Compensation — The Company measures share-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognizes it as expense over the applicable vesting period using the straight-line method. Excess income tax benefits related to share-based compensation expense that must be recognized directly in equity are considered financing rather than operating cash flow activities.

The fair value of each of the Company’s stock options is estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses assumptions that relate to the expected volatility of the Company’s common stock, the expected dividend yield of our stock, the expected life of the options and the risk free interest rate. The Company did not grant any options during the fiscal years ended 2011 and 2010. The Company generally issues new shares upon the exercise of employee stock options.

New Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2011 — In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued updated guidance to amend the disclosure requirements related to recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements. This update requires new disclosures about significant transfers of assets and liabilities between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy (including the reasons for these transfers) and the reasons for any transfers in or out of Level 3. This update also requires a reconciliation of recurring Level 3 measurements about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis. In addition to these new disclosure requirements, this update clarifies certain existing disclosure requirements. This update also clarifies the requirement for entities to disclose information about both the valuation techniques and inputs used in estimating Level 2 and Level 3 fair value measurements. This update was effective for the Company’s interim and annual reporting periods beginning October 3, 2010, except for the requirement to provide the Level 3 activity of purchases, sales, issuances and settlements on a gross basis, which is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2010, which corresponds to the Company’s fiscal year beginning October 2, 2011. The adoption of this pronouncement did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures and the adoption of the additional Level 3 requirements discussed above is not expected to any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Effective October 3, 2010, the Company adopted amendments to Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 810 (formerly FASB Statement of Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 167—Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) (“SFAS No 167”)). This requires an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity (“VIE”). This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a VIE as the enterprise that has both of the following characteristics: (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impacts the entity’s economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. Additionally, an enterprise is required to assess whether it has an implicit financial responsibility to ensure that a VIE operates as designed when determining whether it has the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. This statement requires the Company to focus on a more qualitative approach, rather than a quantitative approach previously required for determining the primary beneficiary of a VIE, it also amended certain guidance for determining whether an entity is a VIE, added an additional requirement to assess whether an entity is a VIE, on an ongoing basis, and required enhanced disclosures that provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a VIE. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the consolidation of certain limited partnerships as of October 3, 2010. The Company did not retroactively apply this guidance. See Note 2 for additional information regarding the impact of the adoption of this standard on the consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted — In May 2011, the FASB issued guidance that amends GAAP to conform it with fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). The amendments changed the wording used to describe the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements. The provisions of this guidance are effective for the first reporting period (including interim periods) beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this accounting standard update may have on its results of operations, financial condition or disclosures.

In June 2011, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on the presentation of other comprehensive income. The new guidance eliminates the current option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. Instead, an entity has the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. The new accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. Full retrospective application is required. As the new accounting guidance will only amend the presentation requirements of other comprehensive income, the Company does not expect the adoption to have a significant impact on its financial condition or results of operations.

In September 2011, the FASB issued new accounting guidance intended to simplify how an entity tests goodwill for impairment. The guidance will allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. An entity no longer will be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The new accounting guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have any impact on its financial condition or results of operations.