10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended July 4, 2021

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission File Number: 001-33174

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware		83-3804854
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
968 James Street
Syracuse,	New York	13203
(Address of principal executive office)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (315) 424-0513 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share	TAST	The NASDAQ Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. 

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☒
		Emerging growth company	☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

As of August 9, 2021, Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. had 51,273,538 shares of its common stock, $.01 par value, outstanding.

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

FORM 10-Q

QUARTER ENDED JULY 4, 2021

		Page
PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1	Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited):
	Consolidated Balance Sheets	3
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)	4
	Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity	5
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	6
	Notes to Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	26
Item 3	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	46
Item 4	Controls and Procedures	46
PART II OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1	Legal Proceedings	48
Item 1A	Risk Factors	48
Item 2	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	48
Item 3	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	48
Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures	48
Item 5	Other Information	48
Item 6	Exhibits	49

2

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1—INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	July 4, 2021		January 3, 2021
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	56,187	$	64,964
Trade and other receivables	20,990		19,862
Inventories	13,322		11,595
Prepaid rent	8,359		8,046
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,373		7,309
Refundable income taxes	185		169
Total current assets	109,416		111,945
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $460,962 and $434,328, respectively	365,161		349,555
Franchise rights, net of accumulated amortization of $140,515 and $133,632, respectively (Note 3)	334,327		334,597
Goodwill (Note 3)	123,248		122,619
Franchise agreements, at cost less accumulated amortization of $13,754 and $14,653, respectively	32,129		31,584
Operating right-of-use assets, net (Note 6)	794,544		799,962
Other assets	7,593		6,823
Total assets	$	1,766,418	$	1,757,085
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities (Notes 6 and 7)	$	4,996	$	5,525
Current portion of operating lease liabilities (Note 6)	43,222		41,815
Accounts payable	32,509		27,596
Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits	44,178		49,417
Accrued real estate taxes	8,085		7,774
Other liabilities	21,932		24,214
Total current liabilities	154,922		156,341
Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities, net of current portion (Notes 6 and 7)	508,787		475,695
Operating lease liabilities (Note 6)	804,661		809,969
Deferred income taxes, net (Note 8)	9,431		11,362
Accrued postretirement benefits	1,358		1,523
Other liabilities (Note 5)	26,773		30,663
Total liabilities	1,505,932		1,485,553
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Stockholders’ equity (Note 12):
Preferred stock, par value $.01; authorized 20,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding—100 shares	—		—
Voting common stock, par value $.01; authorized—100,000,000 shares, issued—53,628,491 and 52,653,964 shares, respectively, and outstanding—49,927,583 and 49,389,382 shares, respectively	520		515
Additional paid-in capital	309,547		306,469
Accumulated deficit	(35,094)		(18,367)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(360)		(3,015)
Treasury stock, at cost	(14,127)		(14,070)
Total stockholders’ equity	260,486		271,532
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,766,418	$	1,757,085

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Restaurant sales	424,541		368,418		$	814,534	$	719,936
Operating expenses:
Food, beverage and packaging costs	126,424		104,703		240,214		207,630
Restaurant wages and related expenses	137,592		111,888		267,238		236,463
Restaurant rent expense	30,591		28,984		60,905		58,438
Other restaurant operating expenses	65,128		54,310		126,547		112,288
Advertising expense	16,939		14,416		32,308		28,292
General and administrative expenses (including stock-based compensation of $1,614, $1,109, $3,083 and $2,241 respectively)	20,698		18,581		42,067		39,368
Depreciation and amortization	20,421		20,296		41,030		41,327
Impairment and other lease charges (Note 4)	144		2,941		497		5,822
Other expense (income), net	715		(2,003)		942		(1,947)
Total operating expenses	418,652		354,116		811,748		727,681
Income (loss) from operations	5,889		14,302		2,786		(7,745)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	8,538		—		8,538		—
Interest expense	6,942		6,370		13,668		13,510
Income (loss) before income taxes	(9,591)		7,932		(19,420)		(21,255)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes (Note 8)	(32)		90		(2,693)		(6,888)
Net income (loss)	$	(9,559)	$	7,842	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (Note 13)	$	(0.19)	$	0.13	$	(0.34)	$	(0.28)
Shares used in computing net income (loss) per share:
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	49,917,296		50,916,758		49,870,718		50,868,929
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	49,917,296		60,331,817		49,870,718		50,868,929
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net income (loss)	$	(9,559)	$	7,842	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Change in valuation of interest rate swap (Notes 5 and 7)	(504)		(2,178)		2,655		(7,387)
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(10,063)	$	5,664	$	(14,072)	$	(21,754)

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

											Accumulated
							Additional		Retained		Other					Total
	Common Stock			Preferred Stock			Paid-In		Earnings		Comprehensive		Treasury Stock			Stockholders'
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount		Capital		(Deficit)		Income (Loss)		Shares	Amount		Equity
Balance, January 3, 2021	51,486,116	$	515	100	$	—	$	306,469	$	(18,367)	$	(3,015)	(2,096,734)	$	(14,070)	$	271,532
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		1,469		—		—		—	—		1,469
Vesting of non-vested shares and RSUs	522,406	5		—	—		(5)		—		—		—	—		—
Net loss	—	—		—	—		—		(7,168)		—		—	—		(7,168)
Purchase of treasury stock	—	—		—	—		—		—		—		(8,219)	(57)		(57)
Change in valuation of interest rate swap, net of income taxes of $1,046 (Note 7)	—	—		—	—		—		—		3,159		—	—		3,159
Balance, April 4, 2021	52,008,522	$	520	100	$	—	$	307,933	$	(25,535)	$	144	(2,104,953)	$	(14,127)	$	268,935
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		1,614		—		—		—	—		1,614
Vesting of non-vested shares	24,014	—		—	—		—		—		—		—	—		—
Net loss	—	—		—	—		—		(9,559)		—		—	—		(9,559)
Change in valuation of interest rate swap, net of income taxes of $167 (Note 7)	—	—		—	—		—		—		(504)		—	—		(504)
Balance, July 4, 2021	52,032,536	$	520	100	$	—	$	309,547	$	(35,094)	$	(360)	(2,104,953)	$	(14,127)	$	260,486
Balance, December 29, 2019	51,049,377	$	510	100	$	—	$	301,251	$	11,096	$	622	(553,112)	$	(4,017)	$	309,462
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		1,132		—		—		—	—		1,132
Vesting of non-vested shares and RSUs	424,963	5		—	—		(5)		—		—		—	—		—
Net loss	—	—		—	—		—		(22,209)		—		—	—		(22,209)
Purchase of treasury stock	—	—		—	—		—		—		—		(9,318)	(54)		(54)
Change in valuation of interest rate swap (Note 7)	—	—		—	—		—		—		(5,209)		—	—		(5,209)
Balance, March 29, 2020	51,474,340	$	515	100	$	—	$	302,378	$	(11,113)	$	(4,587)	(562,430)	$	(4,071)	$	283,122
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		1,109		—		—		—	—		1,109
Vesting of non-vested shares	11,776	—		—	—		—		—		—		—	—		—
Net income	—	—		—	—		—		7,842		—		—	—		7,842
Change in valuation of interest rate swap (Note 7)	—	—		—	—		—		—		(2,178)		—	—		(2,178)
Balance, June 28, 2020	51,486,116	$	515	100	$	—	$	303,487	$	(3,271)	$	(6,765)	(562,430)	$	(4,071)	$	289,895

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(Unaudited)

	Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Cash flows provided by operating activities:
Net loss	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, including sale-leasebacks	930		(1,859)
Stock-based compensation	3,083		2,241
Impairment and other lease charges	497		5,822
Depreciation and amortization	41,030		41,327
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,380		1,039
Amortization of discount on debt	404		146
Deferred income taxes	(2,677)		(6,983)
Non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt	8,538		—
Change in refundable income taxes	(16)		96
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities	(9,827)		20,430
Net cash provided by operating activities	26,615		47,892
Cash flows used for investing activities:
Capital expenditures:
New restaurant development	(2,615)		(13,952)
Restaurant remodeling	(6,854)		(7,349)
Other restaurant capital expenditures	(9,446)		(5,555)
Corporate and restaurant information systems	(7,560)		(6,288)
Total capital expenditures	(26,475)		(33,144)
Acquisition of restaurants, net of cash acquired (Note 2)	(30,819)		—
Properties purchased for sale-leaseback	—		(12,441)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	—		18,859
Proceeds from insurance recoveries	500		1,720
Net cash used for investing activities	(56,794)		(25,006)
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029	300,000		—
Principal payments on Term B and B-1 Loans	(319,250)		(2,125)
Proceeds from borrowing of Term B-1 Loans	—		71,250
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	46,000		150,000
Repayments under revolving credit facility	—		(195,750)
Payments on finance lease liabilities	(266)		(1,134)
Costs associated with issuance of long-term debt	(5,025)		(2,123)
Purchase of treasury shares	(57)		—
Net cash provided by financing activities	21,402		20,118
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(8,777)		43,004
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	64,964		2,974
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	56,187	$	45,978
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid on long-term debt	$	11,761	$	12,363
Interest paid on lease financing obligations	52		52
Accruals for capital expenditures	2,514		3,405
Finance lease obligations incurred	804		—
Accruals for costs associated with issuance of long term debt	790		—

See notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

1. Basis of Presentation

Business Description. At July 4, 2021, Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Carrols Restaurant Group") operated as a franchisee 1,027 Burger King® restaurants in 23 Northeastern, Midwestern, Southcentral and Southeastern states and 65 Popeyes® restaurants in seven Southeastern states.

Basis of Consolidation. Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. is a holding company and conducts all of its operations through its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries Carrols Corporation and New CFH, LLC and their wholly-owned subsidiaries. Carrols Corporation's material wholly-owned subsidiary is Carrols LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. New CFH LLC's material direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries include Frayser Quality, LLC and Nashville Quality, LLC (and together with New CFH, LLC's immaterial direct and indirect subsidiaries, collectively, "New CFH"). Unless the context otherwise requires, Carrols Restaurant Group and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company.” All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Fiscal Year. The Company uses a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. The three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 each contained thirteen and twenty-six weeks, respectively. The 2021 fiscal year will end January 2, 2022 and will contain 52 weeks.

Basis of Presentation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 have been prepared without an audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not include certain of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of such unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been included. The results of operations for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2021. The January 3, 2021 consolidated balance sheet data is derived from those audited consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 dates of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates include accrued occupancy costs, insurance liabilities, lease accounting matters, the valuation of acquired assets and liabilities, interest rate swap valuation, the valuation of deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and the evaluation for impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets and franchise rights. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segment Information. Operating segments are components of an entity for which discrete financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in order to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company's chief operating decision-maker, our CEO, currently evaluates the Company's operations from a number of different operational perspectives; however, resource allocation decisions are determined based on the chief operating decision-maker's evaluation of the total Company operations. The Company derives all significant revenues from a single operating segment, its restaurant business. Accordingly, the Company views the operating results of its restaurants as one reportable segment.

Business Combinations. In accordance with ASC 805, the Company allocates the purchase price of an acquired business to its net identifiable assets and liabilities based on the estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded as goodwill. The excess value of the net identifiable assets and liabilities acquired over the purchase price, if any, is recorded as a bargain

7

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

purchase gain. The Company uses all available information to estimate fair values of identifiable intangible assets and property acquired. In making these determinations, the Company may engage an independent third-party valuation specialist to assist with the valuation of certain leasehold improvements, franchise rights and favorable and unfavorable leases.

The Company estimates that the seller's carrying value of acquired restaurant equipment, subject to certain adjustments, is equivalent to the fair value of this equipment at the date of the acquisition. The fair values of assumed franchise agreements are valued as if the remaining term of the agreement is at the market rate. The fair values of acquired land, buildings, certain leasehold improvements and restaurant equipment subject to finance leases are determined using both the cost approach and market approach using significant inputs observable in the open market. The Company categorizes these inputs as Level 2 inputs under ASC 820. The fair value acquired franchise rights and favorable or unfavorable leases positions are determined using the income approach and include unobservable inputs. The Company categorizes these inputs as Level 3 inputs under ASC 820.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At both July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021, the Company did not have any cash invested in money market funds classified as cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Food, beverage and packaging costs. The Company includes food, beverage and packaging costs and delivery commissions, net of any vendor purchase discounts and rebates, as food, beverage, and packaging costs on the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In determining fair value, the accounting standards establish a three-level hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable and reflect the Company's own assumptions. Financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, accounts payable and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The carrying amount of the term B loans at July 4, 2021 approximate fair value because of their variable rates.

The Company recognizes its derivative arrangements on the balance sheet at fair value, which is considered Level 2. The Company’s only derivative is an interest rate swap which is designated as a cash flow hedge. Accordingly, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of this arrangement is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of the changes in the fair value of this arrangement is immediately recognized in earnings as interest expense. The Company classifies cash inflows and outflows from derivatives within operating activities on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are primarily used in the impairment analysis of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets. Long-lived assets and definite-lived intangible assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs. As described in Note 4, the Company recorded long-lived asset impairment charges of $0.1 million and $0.3 million during the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and $2.7 million and $4.4 million during the three and six months ended June 28, 2020.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements. In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2020-04 (“ASU 2020-04”) and subsequently ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) in March 2020 and January 2021, respectively. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships, including derivative instruments impacted by changes in the interest rates used for discounting cash flows for computing variable margin settlements, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference the London

8

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or other reference rates expected to be discontinued, in 2022 or potentially 2023 (pending possible extension). The ASUs establish certain contract modification principles that entities can apply in other areas that may be affected by reference rate reform and certain elective hedge accounting expedients and exceptions. The ASUs may be applied prospectively. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. This ASU is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact the consolidated financial statements.

In April 2020, the FASB staff issued interpretive guidance that indicated it would be acceptable for entities to make an election to account for lease concessions related to the COVID-19 pandemic consistent with how those concessions would be accounted for under ASC Topic 842, Leases ("ASC 842"), as though enforceable rights and obligations for those concessions existed (regardless of whether those enforceable rights and obligations for the concessions explicitly exist in the contract). Consequently, for concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, an entity will not have to analyze each contract to determine whether enforceable rights and obligations for concessions exist in the contract and can elect to apply or not apply the lease modification guidance in Topic 842 to those contracts. This election is available for concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that do not result in a substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee. The Company elected to apply this interpretive guidance to certain rent relief received in 2020 resulting directly from COVID-19, and has assumed that enforceable rights and obligations for those concessions exist in the lease contract. Accordingly, the Company recognized abatements in 2020 that did not result in an extension of lease term as reductions in variable lease payments, and deferrals that did not result in an extension of lease term as an increase in other current liabilities. This election will continue while these abatements or deferrals are in effect.

COVID-19. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the communities the Company's restaurants operate in as federal, state and local governments have taken a series of actions to contain its spread. In March 2020, the Company closed its dining rooms in all restaurants and modified operating hours in line with local ordinances and day-part sales trends. Over the course of the pandemic, each restaurant has operated according to its respective local governmental guidelines as well as safety procedures developed by Burger King and Popeyes. The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on restaurants in communities in which the Company operates continues to evolve. During the second quarter of 2021, we saw a modest shift in guests returning to dining rooms, with take-out and dine-in representing approximately 14% of net sales in June of 2021, as compared to 10% of net sales in December of 2020 and 30% of net sales for all of 2019.

Subsequent events. The Company reviewed and evaluated subsequent events through the issuance date of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (Note 15).

2. Acquisitions

In 2021, the Company acquired an aggregate of 19 Burger King restaurants from other franchisees in the following transactions (in thousands except number of restaurants):

Closing Date	Number of Restaurants	Purchase Price		Fee-Owned (1)	Market Location
June 17, 2021	14	$	27,603	12	Fort Wayne, Indiana
June 23, 2021	5	3,216		1	Battle Creek, Michigan
	19	$	30,819	13

(1) The 2021 acquisitions included the purchase of 13 fee-owned restaurants, of which 12 are expected to be sold in sale-leaseback transactions during 2021 for net proceeds of approximately $20.1 million, although there is no assurance we will complete such transactions during 2021 or at all.

9

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The Company allocated the aggregate purchase price for the 2021 acquisitions at their estimated fair values. The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase price for the 2021 acquisitions reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of July 4, 2021:

Inventory	$	229
Land and buildings	21,361
Restaurant equipment	850
Restaurant equipment - subject to finance leases	29
Right-of-use assets	2,997
Leasehold improvements	550
Franchise fees	411
Franchise rights	6,613
Deferred income taxes	106
Goodwill	629
Operating lease liabilities	(2,899)
Finance lease liabilities for restaurant equipment	(35)
Accounts payable	(22)
Net assets acquired	$	30,819

The values of certain assets and liabilities are preliminary in nature at July 4, 2021. The preliminary fair value of franchise rights and goodwill was estimated based on past history of purchase price allocations. When the fair value determination is finalized, changes to the preliminary valuation of assets acquired or liabilities assumed may result in material adjustments to the estimated fair value of identifiable assets acquired, including land and buildings, franchise rights, goodwill, and the related deferred taxes.

Goodwill recorded in connection with the 2021 acquisitions represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired restaurants. Acquired goodwill that is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes was $0.6 million in 2021.

The results of operations for the restaurants acquired are included from the closing date of the respective acquisition. The 2021 acquired restaurants contributed restaurant sales of $1.0 million in the three and six months ended July 4, 2021. It is impracticable to disclose net earnings for the post-acquisition period for the acquired restaurants as net earnings of these restaurants were not tracked on a collective basis due to the integration of administrative functions, including field supervision.

The unaudited pro forma impact on the results of operations for the restaurants acquired in 2021 for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 are included below. The unaudited pro forma results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the acquisitions been consummated at the beginning of the periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of any future consolidated operating results. The following table summarizes the Company's unaudited pro forma operating results:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Total revenue	$	430,017	$	374,489	$	826,024	$	730,929
Net income (loss)	$	(8,871)	$	8,315	$	(15,574)	$	(13,580)
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.18)	$	0.14	$	(0.31)	$	(0.27)

10

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

This unaudited pro forma financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, cost savings or integration costs related to the acquired restaurants. The unaudited pro forma financial results exclude transaction costs recorded as general and administrative expenses of $0.3 million during the three and six months ended July 4, 2021.

3. Intangible Assets

Goodwill. The Company is required to review goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. If the determined fair value of goodwill is less than the related carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment as of the last day of its fiscal year and does not believe circumstances have changed since the last assessment date which would make it necessary to reassess the value of its goodwill. There were no recorded goodwill impairment losses during the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 or June 28, 2020. The change in goodwill for the six months ended July 4, 2021 is summarized below:

Balance at January 3, 2021	$	122,619
Acquisitions of restaurants (Note 2)	629
Balance at July 4, 2021	$	123,248

Franchise Rights. Amounts allocated to franchise rights for each acquisition of Burger King and Popeyes restaurants are amortized using the straight-line method over the average remaining term of the acquired franchise agreements plus one twenty-year renewal period.

The Company assesses the potential impairment of franchise rights whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If an indicator of impairment exists, an estimate of the aggregate undiscounted cash flows from the acquired restaurants is compared to the respective carrying value of franchise rights for each acquisition. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. No impairment charges were recorded related to the Company’s franchise rights for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020. The change in franchise rights for the six months ended July 4, 2021 is summarized below:

Balance at January 3, 2021	$	334,597
Acquisitions of restaurants (Note 2)	6,613
Amortization expense	(6,883)
Balance at July 4, 2021	$	334,327

Amortization expense related to franchise rights was $3.4 million for each of the three months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, and $6.9 million and $7.3 million for the six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively. The Company expects annual amortization expense to be $13.9 million in 2021 and $14.0 million in each of the following five years.

11

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

4. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, principally property and equipment, for impairment at the restaurant level. If an indicator of impairment exists for any of its assets, an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows over the life of the primary asset for each restaurant is compared to that long-lived asset’s carrying value. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flow, the Company then determines the fair value of the asset and if an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. For closed restaurant locations, the Company reviews the future minimum lease payments and related ancillary costs from the date of the restaurant closure to the end of the remaining lease term and records a lease charge for the lease liabilities to be incurred, net of any estimated sublease recoveries.

The Company determined the fair value of restaurant equipment, for those restaurants reviewed for impairment, based on current economic conditions. The Company determines the fair value of right-of-use lease assets based on an assessment of market rents and a discounted future cash flow model. These fair value asset measurements rely on significant unobservable inputs and are considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

During the three months ended July 4, 2021, the Company recorded impairment and other lease charges of $0.1 million due primarily to capital expenditures at previously impaired restaurants. During the six months ended July 4, 2021, the Company recorded impairment and other lease charges of $0.5 million due primarily to capital expenditures of $0.3 million at previously impaired restaurants and $0.2 million of other lease charges.

During the three months ended June 28, 2020, the Company recorded impairment and other lease charges of $2.9 million consisting of $2.6 million of initial impairment charges for six underperforming restaurants, capital expenditures of $0.1 million at underperforming restaurants, and $0.2 million of other lease charges. During the six months ended June 28, 2020, the Company recorded impairment and other lease charges of $5.8 million consisting of $4.1 million related to initial impairment charges for nine underperforming restaurants, capital expenditures of $0.3 million at previously impaired restaurants and $1.4 million of other lease charges primarily from nine restaurants closed during the first quarter of 2020.

5. Other Liabilities, Long-Term

Other liabilities, long-term, at July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021 consisted of the following:

	July 4, 2021		January 3, 2021
Accrued occupancy costs	$	2,215	$	2,394
Accrued workers’ compensation and general liability claims	5,281		5,499
Interest rate swap (Note 7)	2,529		6,062
Deferred compensation	4,455		4,419
Deferred federal payroll taxes	10,808		10,808
Lease finance obligations	1,188		1,191
Other	297		290
	$	26,773	$	30,663

On March 27, 2020, the United States enacted the CARES Act as a response to the economic uncertainty resulting from COVID-19. The CARES Act provided for deferred payment of the employer portion of social security taxes through the end of 2020, with 50% of the deferred amount due December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% due December 31, 2022. In 2020, the Company deferred $21.6 million related to this provision. As of both July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021, $10.8 million was recorded in accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits and $10.8 million was recorded in other liabilities, long-term in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

12

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

6. Leases

The Company utilizes land and buildings in its operations under various lease agreements. The Company does not consider any one of these individual leases material to the Company's operations. Initial lease terms are generally for twenty years and, in many cases, provide for renewal options and in most cases rent escalations. The exercise of such renewal options is generally at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company evaluates renewal options at lease commencement and upon any lease amendments or remodeling activity to determine if such options are reasonably certain to be exercised based on economic factors. Certain leases also require variable rent, determined as a percentage of sales as defined by the terms of the applicable lease agreement. For most locations, the Company is obligated for occupancy-related costs including payment of property taxes, insurance and utilities.

Right-of-use (“ROU”) lease assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make payments in exchange for that right of use. As the rate implicit within our leases is not readily determinable, the Company uses market and term-specific incremental borrowing rates which consider the rate of interest it expects to pay on a collateralized basis to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments under similar terms. ROU assets are also reduced by lease incentives, increased by initial direct costs and adjusted by favorable lease assets and unfavorable lease liabilities.

Variable lease components represent amounts that are contractually fixed as a percentage of sales and are recognized in expense as incurred. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and are recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company does not account for lease components (e.g., fixed payments including rent) separately from non-lease components (e.g. common area maintenance).

The Company also utilizes certain restaurant equipment under various finance lease agreements with initial terms of generally three to eight years. The Company does not consider any one of these individual leases material to the Company's operations.

For certain leases where rent escalates based upon a change in a financial index, such as the Consumer Price Index, the difference between the index at lease inception and the subsequent fluctuations in that index are included in variable lease costs. Additionally, because the Company has elected to not separate lease and non-lease components, in limited instances variable costs also include payments to the landlord for common area maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, with variable lease payments recognized in the period those costs are incurred.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic uncertainty in the restaurant industry in 2020, the Company contacted each of its landlords to potentially negotiate accommodations to preserve cash. For certain leases the Company was able to modify existing payment terms, in some cases through deferral of existing payments until future periods and in some cases through a reduction in payments that would otherwise have been due. The Company elected the practical expedient to not evaluate whether a deferral of rent within the current term is a lease modification. Any concessions which resulted in an extension of the existing lease term were accounted for as a lease modification under current U.S. GAAP guidance. The total rent that was or will be deferred as a result of requests for pandemic-related relief from our landlords other than Burger King Corporation ("BKC", see Note 11) was $5.8 million, of which $4.8 million has been or remains to be repaid over various schedules which began in the third quarter of 2020. As of July 4, 2021, $1.2 million remains to be repaid to landlords related to these deferrals.

13

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Lease Cost

The components and classification of lease expense for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 are as follows:

		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
Lease cost	Classification	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Operating lease cost (1)	Restaurant rent expense	$	25,717	$	25,491	$	51,459	$	50,962
Operating lease cost (2)	General and administrative	224		167		480		265
Variable lease cost	Restaurant rent expense	4,907		3,599		9,505		7,704
Sublease income	Restaurant rent expense	(33)		(106)		(59)		(228)
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	Depreciation and amortization	177		437		309		882
Interest on lease liabilities	Interest expense	28		36		51		82
Total lease cost		$	31,020	$	29,624	$	61,745	$	59,667

(1)Includes short-term leases which are not material.

(2)Represents operating lease costs for property and equipment not directly related to restaurant operations.

Other Information

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 are as follows:

	Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions	$	—	$	567
Operating lease assets and liabilities resulting from lease modifications and new leases	17,632		39,953
Finance lease assets acquired through finance lease obligations	804		—
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows related to operating leases	50,352		49,143
Operating cash flows related to finance leases	28		36
Financing cash flows related to finance leases	266		1,134

14

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

7. Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt at July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021 consisted of the following:

	July 4, 2021		January 3, 2021
Senior Credit Facility:
Term B Loans	$	174,000	$	419,375
Term B-1 Loans	—		73,875
Revolving credit borrowings	46,000		—
Senior Notes Due 2029	300,000		—
Finance lease liabilities	1,451		908
Total Funded debt	521,451		494,158
Less: current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities	(4,996)		(5,525)
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs	(7,005)		(7,777)
Less: unamortized original issue discount	(663)		(5,161)
Total Long-term debt	$	508,787	$	475,695

Senior Credit Facility. On April 30, 2019, the Company entered into senior secured credit facilities in an aggregate principal amount of $550.0 million, consisting of (i) a Term Loan B Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $425.0 million (the “Term Loan B Facility”) maturing on April 30, 2026 and (ii) a revolving credit facility (including a sub-facility of $35.0 million for standby letters of credit) in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million maturing on April 30, 2024 (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Loan B Facility, the “Senior Credit Facilities”).

On December 13, 2019, the Company entered into the First Amendment to Credit Agreement (the "First Amendment") which amended a financial covenant under the Senior Credit Facilities applicable solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility that previously required the Company to maintain quarterly a Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) of not greater than 4.75 to 1.00 (measured on a most recent four quarter basis), to now require that the Company maintain only a First Lien Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) of not greater than 5.75 to 1.00 (as measured on a most recent four quarter basis) if, and only if, on the last day of any fiscal quarter (beginning with the fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2019), the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and the aggregate face amount of letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility (excluding undrawn letters of credit in an aggregate face amount up to $12.0 million) exceeds 35% of the aggregate amount of the maximum revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The First Amendment also reduced the aggregate maximum revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility by $10.0 million to a total of $115.0 million.

On March 25, 2020, the Company entered into the Second Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities (the "Second Amendment"). The Second Amendment, among other things, (i) increased the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under the Revolving Credit Facility (the "Revolving Committed Amount") by $15.4 million to a total of $130.4 million, (ii) amended the definition of Applicable Margin (such definition and all other definitions used herein and otherwise not defined herein shall be the meanings set forth in the Senior Credit Facilities), (iii) provided for a commitment fee (the "Ticking Fee") beginning on the 180th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date and for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount remained greater than $115.0 million, and (iv) provided that the Company shall use the proceeds of an Extension of Credit which results in the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations equaling an amount in excess of $115.0 million solely for ongoing operations of the Company and its subsidiaries and shall not be held as cash on the balance sheet. The terms outlined as (ii), (iii) and (iv) were removed in the Sixth Amendment described below.

15

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

On April 8, 2020, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities which increased the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under the Revolving Credit Facility by $15.4 million to a total of $145.8 million.

On April 16, 2020, the Company entered into the Fourth Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities (the "Fourth Amendment"). The Fourth Amendment permits the Company to incur and, if necessary, repay indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the "PPP") under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, as amended (the "CARES Act"). Subsequent to the Fourth Amendment, the Company withdrew its application for relief under the PPP and returned the funds upon receipt.

On June 23, 2020 (the "Fifth Amendment Effective Date"), the Company entered into the Fifth Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities (the "Fifth Amendment"). The Fifth Amendment increased the Term Loan (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) borrowings in the aggregate principal amount of $75 million of Incremental Term B-1 Loans (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities). The Incremental Term B-1 Loans constituted a new tranche of Term Loans ranking pari passu in right of payment and security with the Initial Term Loans for all purposes under the Senior Credit Facilities. The Incremental Term B-1 Loans had the same terms as outstanding borrowings under the Company's existing Term Loan B facility pursuant to and in accordance with the Senior Credit Facilities, provided that (i) borrowings under the Incremental Term B-1 Loans bore interest at a rate per annum, at the Company’s option, of (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus the applicable margin of 5.25% or (b) the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) (which shall not be less than 1% for Incremental Term B-1 Loans) plus the applicable margin of 6.25% and (ii) certain prepayments of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans by the Company prior to the first anniversary of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date would be subject to a premium to the Administrative Agent (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities), for the ratable account of each applicable Term Loan Lender (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) holding Incremental Term B-1 Loans on the date of such prepayment equal to the Applicable Make-Whole Amount (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) with respect to the principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans so prepaid. The principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans amortized in an aggregate annual amount equal to 1% of the original principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans and were repayable in consecutive quarterly installments on the last day of the Company's fiscal quarters beginning on the third fiscal quarter of 2020. The remaining outstanding principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loan and all accrued but unpaid interest and other amounts payable with respect to the Incremental Term B-1 Loan would be due on April 30, 2026, which is the Term Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities). The net proceeds of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans were $71.3 million after original issue discount and were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of the outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Facility. The Term B-1 Loans were repaid in full on June 28, 2021.

On April 6, 2021, the Company entered into the Sixth Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities (the "Sixth Amendment") which increased the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under the Revolving Credit Facility by $29.2 million to a total of $175.0 million. The Sixth Amendment also amended the definitions in the Senior Credit Facilities of (i) Applicable Margin, to provide that the Applicable Margin for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility (including Letter of Credit Fees) shall be at a rate per annum equal to 3.25% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 2.25% for Alternate Base Rate Loans, and (ii) Revolving Maturity Date, to provide that the Revolving Maturity Date is extended to January 29, 2026. In addition, the Sixth Amendment amended the Senior Credit Facilities to remove the obligation by the Company to (i) pay a Ticking Fee pursuant to the Ticking Fee Rate and (ii) use the proceeds of an Extension of Credit which results in the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations equaling an amount in excess of $115.0 million solely for ongoing operations of the Company and its subsidiaries and not to hold as cash on the balance sheet.

On June 28, 2021, the Company entered into the Seventh Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities (the "Seventh Amendment"). The Seventh Amendment revised (a) the initial amount for calculating the Available Amount (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) from $27.0 million to $50.0 million which is utilized, among other items, in determining the amount of Restricted Payments (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) and

16

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Permitted Investments (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities), (b) the calculation of the Company's ability to incur an Incremental Term Loan (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) or an increase to the Revolving Committed Amount from $135.0 million to $180.0 million, and (c) the general basket for Restricted Payments, Permitted Investments and Restricted Junior Debt Payment (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) from an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $27.0 million and (ii) 20% of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) as of the most recently completed Reference Period (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) to (i) $50.0 million and (ii) 40% of Consolidated EBITDA as of the most recently completed Reference Period. In addition, the Seventh Amendment revises the Total Net Leverage Ratio required for the Company to make Restricted Payments or prepay Junior Debt (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) with unutilized Available Amount from 3.00 to 1.00 to 4.00 to 1.00. The Seventh Amendment also provided for affiliates of the Company to acquire up to 20% of the outstanding term loans pursuant to certain transactions.

The Company’s obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities are guaranteed by its subsidiaries and are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including a pledge of all of the capital stock and equity interests of its subsidiaries.

Under the Senior Credit Facilities, the Company is required to make mandatory prepayments of borrowings in the event of dispositions of assets, debt issuances and insurance and condemnation proceeds (all subject to certain exceptions).

The Senior Credit Facilities contain certain covenants, including, without limitation, those limiting the Company’s and its subsidiaries' ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the character of its business in all material respects, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments, make certain restricted payments or pay dividends. In addition, the Senior Credit Facilities require the Company to meet a First Lien Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) if revolving credit borrowings exceed 35% of the aggregate borrowing capacity, as described under the First Amendment above. As the $46.0 million borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility at July 4, 2021 did not exceed 35% of the aggregate borrowing capacity, no First Lien Leverage Ratio calculation was required. The Company was in compliance with the covenants under its Senior Credit Facilities at July 4, 2021.

The Senior Credit Facilities contain customary default provisions, including that the lenders may terminate their obligation to advance and may declare the unpaid balance of borrowings, or any part thereof, immediately due and payable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of customary events of default which include, without limitation, payment default, covenant default, bankruptcy default, cross-default on other indebtedness, judgment default and the occurrence of a change of control.

The Term Loan B Facility requires quarterly installment payments, which began on September 30, 2019. Amounts outstanding at July 4, 2021 are due and payable as follows:

(i) nineteen remaining quarterly installments of $1.1 million;

(ii) one final payment of $153.8 million on April 30, 2026.

At July 4, 2021, borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities bore interest as follows (subject to interest rate swap as described below):

(i) Revolving Credit Facility: at a rate per annum equal to (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 2.50% or (b) LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 3.50%.

(ii) Term Loan B Facility: at a rate per annum equal to (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 2.25% or (b) LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 3.25%.

The weighted average interest rate for borrowings on long-term debt balances were 4.4% for both the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and 4.3% and 4.6% for the three and six months ended June 28, 2020, respectively.

As of July 4, 2021, there were $46.0 million revolving credit borrowings outstanding and $9.0 million of letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility. After reserving for issued letters of credit and

17

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

outstanding revolving credit borrowings, $120.0 million was available for revolving credit borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities at July 4, 2021.

Senior Notes due 2029. On June 28, 2021, the Company issued $300.0 million principal amount of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029 (the "Notes") in a private placement. The proceeds of the offering, together with $46.0 million of revolving credit borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities, were used to (i) repay $74.4 million of outstanding term B-1 loans and $243.6 million of outstanding term B loans under the Senior Credit Facilities (which included scheduled principal payments), (ii) to pay fees and expenses related to the offering of the Notes and the Seventh Amendment and (iii) for working capital and general corporate purposes, including for possible future repurchases of its common stock and/or a dividend payment and/or payments on its common stock.

Carrols Restaurant Group and certain of its subsidiaries (the "Guarantors") entered into the Indenture (the "Indenture") dated as of June 28, 2021 with the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company governing the Notes. The Indenture provides that the Notes will mature on July 1, 2029 and will bear interest at the rate of 5.875% per annum, payable semi-annually on July 1 and January 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2022. The entire principal amount of the Notes will be due and payable in full on the maturity date. The Indenture further provides that the Company (i) may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time after July 1, 2024 at the redemption prices described therein, (ii) may redeem up to 40% of the Notes using the proceeds of certain equity offerings completed before July 1, 2024 and (iii) must offer to purchase the Notes if it sells certain of its assets or if specific kinds of changes in control occur, all as set forth in the Indenture. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Carrols Restaurant Group and are guaranteed on an unsecured basis by the Guarantors. The Indenture contains certain covenants that limit the ability of Carrols Restaurant Group and the Guarantors to, among other things: incur indebtedness or issue preferred stock; incur liens; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock or make certain other restricted payments or investments; sell assets; agree to payment restrictions affecting Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture); enter into transaction with affiliates; or merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of the assets. Such restrictions are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications all as set forth in the Indenture. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants as of July 4, 2021.

Interest Rate Swap. In March 2020, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with certain of its lenders under the Senior Credit Facilities to mitigate the risk of increases in the variable interest rate related to term loan borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities. The interest rate swap fixes the interest rate on $220.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities at 0.915% plus the applicable margin in its Senior Credit Facilities. The agreement matures on February 28, 2025 and has a notional amount of $220.0 million. The differences between the variable LIBOR rate and the interest rate swap rate of 0.915% are settled monthly. The Company made additional interest payments due the interest rate swap of $0.4 million and $0.9 million during the three and six months ended July 4, 2021, respectively, and received payments of $0.03 million due the interest rate swap during the three and six months ended June 28, 2020. The fair value of the Company's interest rate swap agreement was a liability of $2.5 million as of July 4, 2021 and is included in long-term other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the valuation of the Company's interest rate swap were included as a component of other comprehensive income and will be reclassified to earnings as the losses are realized. The Company expects to reclassify net losses totaling $1.7 million into earnings in the next twelve months.

The Company's counterparties under this arrangement provided the Company with quarterly statements of the market values of these instruments based on significant inputs that were observable or could be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. The Company classified this within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy described in Note 1. The impact on the derivative liabilities for the Company and the counterparties' non-performance risk to the derivative trades was considered when measuring the fair value of derivative liabilities.

18

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

8. Income Taxes

The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 was comprised of the following:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Current	$	(16)	$	90	$	(16)	$	95
Deferred	(2,572)		1,789		(5,233)		(7,342)
Change in valuation allowance	2,556		(1,789)		2,556		359
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	(32)	$	90	$	(2,693)	$	(6,888)

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amount used for income tax purposes.

The benefit for income taxes for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for all of 2021 of 11.0%, which reflects the change in valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets and excludes other discrete tax adjustments. The difference compared to the statutory rate for 2021 is attributed to various nondeductible tax expenses. There were no net discrete tax adjustments during the three months ended July 4, 2021. The six months ended July 4, 2021 contained $0.7 million of tax benefit from net discrete tax adjustments.

The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the three and six months ended June 28, 2020 was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for all of 2020 of 36.7%, which excludes any discrete tax adjustments. The difference compared to the statutory rate for 2020 is attributed to the benefits of federal employment credits which are not directly related to the amount of pre-tax loss recorded in a period. Accordingly, in periods where recorded pre-tax income (loss) is relatively small, the proportional effect of these items on the effective tax rate may be significant. There were no discrete items for the three and six months ended June 28, 2020.

As of July 4, 2021, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $136.7 million which expire beginning in 2033. The Company's state net operating loss carryforwards expire beginning in 2021 through 2038.

On March 27, 2020, the United States enacted the CARES Act as a response to the economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act includes modifications for net operating loss carryovers and carrybacks, limitations of business interest expense for tax, immediate refund of alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit carryovers as well as a technical correction to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, for qualified improvement property. As of July 4, 2021, the Company expects that the carryback of net operation losses will not have an impact on its current tax attributes.

The Company has performed an assessment of positive and negative evidence regarding the realization of its deferred income tax assets at July 4, 2021 as required by ASC 740. Under ASC 740, the weight given to negative and positive evidence is commensurate only to the extent that such evidence can be objectively verified. ASC 740 also prescribes that objective evidence, in particular the Company’s three-year cumulative loss position at July 4, 2021, be given greater weight than subjective evidence, such as the Company’s forecasts of future taxable income, which include assumptions that cannot be objectively verified. The Company considers all available positive and negative evidence regarding the estimated future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, estimated future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, historical taxable income in prior carryback periods if carryback is permitted, and potential tax planning strategies which may be employed to prevent an operating loss or tax credit carryforward from expiring unused, and determines, based on the required weight of the evidence under ASC 740, whether a valuation allowance is necessary for any of its deferred tax assets at each reporting period. The future reversals of existing temporary differences and the ability to carryback are considered verifiable evidence. At January 4, 2021, the Company determined that a valuation allowance was needed for certain federal income tax credits in the amount of $13.1 million as they may expire prior to their utilization by the Company. As of July 4, 2021, the Company determined an additional amount of $3.0 million in Federal tax

19

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

credits may expire prior to their utilization due to an increase in projected tax loss for the year as a result of the loss on debt extinguishment in the second quarter of 2021. A charge of $2.6 million was recorded in the three months ended July 4, 2021 related to this assessment. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight may be given to subjective evidence such as projections for growth. As of July 4, 2021, the Company has a valuation allowance recorded as a component of its deferred income taxes in the amount of $15.7 million.

The Company's policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. At July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits and no accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions. The tax years 2015 - 2020 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. Although it is not reasonably possible to estimate the amount by which unrecognized tax benefits may increase within the next twelve months due to the uncertainties regarding the timing of examinations, the Company does not expect unrecognized tax benefits to significantly change in the next twelve months.

9. Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 was $1.6 million and $1.1 million, respectively and for the six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 was $3.1 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

As of July 4, 2021, the total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense relating to non-vested shares and stock options was approximately $11.2 million and the Company expects to record an additional $3.0 million in stock-based compensation expense related to the vesting of these awards in the remainder of 2021. The remaining weighted average vesting period for stock options and non-vested shares was 2.1 years.

Non-vested Shares

During the six months ended July 4, 2021, the Company granted 895,000 non-vested restricted shares to certain employees and officers of the Company and 92,744 non-vested restricted shares to outside directors of the Company. These shares vest, become non-forfeitable and are being expensed over their three-year vesting period.

The following is a summary of all non-vested shares activity for the six months ended July 4, 2021:

	Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Price
Non-vested at January 3, 2021	1,167,848	$	7.02
Granted	987,744	$	6.94
Vested	(526,462)	$	7.95
Forfeited	(33,175)	$	6.50
Non-vested at July 4, 2021	1,595,955	$	6.67

The fair value of non-vested shares is based on the closing price on the date of grant.

20

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Stock Options

The Company has issued options to purchase shares of its common stock to certain employees and officers of the Company. These options become exercisable and are being expensed over their three-year vesting period. The options expire seven years from the date of the grant and were issued with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock price on the date of grant, or $7.12 per share.

The following is a summary of all stock option activity for the six months ended July 4, 2021:

	Options	Weighted Average Exercise Price	Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1)
Options outstanding at January 3, 2021	1,050,000	$7.12
Forfeited	(25,000)	$7.12
Options Outstanding at July 4, 2021	1,025,000	$7.12	6.1	$—
Vested or expected to vest at July 4, 2021	1,025,000	$7.12	6.1	$—
Options exercisable at July 4, 2021	—

(1) The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated using the difference between the market price of the Company's common stock at July 4, 2021 of $6.09 and the grant price for only those awards that have a grant price that is less than the market price of the Company's common stock at July 4, 2021. There were no awards having a grant price less than the market price of the Company's common stock at July 4, 2021.

Restricted Stock Units

The Company has issued restricted stock units (“RSUs”) on shares of the Company's common shares to certain eligible employees. During the six months ended July 4, 2021, the Company issued 99,317 RSUs which will vest in equal installments over three years. During the three months ended April 4, 2021, 19,958 RSUs vested into shares of the Company's common stock at a weighted average price of $6.68 per share.

The following is a summary of all RSU activity for the six months ended July 4, 2021:

	Units
Non-vested at January 3, 2021	37,456
Granted	99,317
Vested	(19,958)
Non-vested at July 4, 2021	116,815

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Guarantees. Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Fiesta"), a former wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, was spun-off in 2012 to the Company's stockholders. As of July 4, 2021, the Company is a guarantor under 17 Fiesta restaurant property leases with lease terms expiring on various dates through 2030, of which all but one are still operating. The Company is fully liable for all obligations under the terms of the leases in the event that Fiesta fails to pay any sums due under the lease, subject to indemnification provisions of a Separation and Distribution Agreement entered into in connection with the spin-off of Fiesta.

The maximum potential amount of future undiscounted rental payments the Company could be required to make under these leases at July 4, 2021 was $10.3 million. The obligations under these leases will generally continue to decrease over time as these operating leases expire, except for any execution of renewal options that exist under the original leases. No payments related to these guarantees have been made by the Company to date and none are expected to be required to be made in the future. The Company has not recorded a liability for $10.3 million of these guarantees in accordance with ASC 460 - Guarantees as Fiesta has indemnified the Company for

21

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

all such obligations and the Company did not believe it was probable it would be required to perform under any of the guarantees or direct obligations.

Litigation. The Company is party to various litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements.

11. Transactions with Related Parties

In connection with an acquisition of restaurants from BKC in 2012, Carrols Restaurant Group issued to BKC 100 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, which Carrols Restaurant Group, BKC and Blue Holdco 1, LLC ("Blue Holdco" and, together with BKC, the "BKC Stockholders") exchanged for 100 shares of newly issued Series B Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred Stock") in 2018. These preferred shares are convertible into 9,414,580 shares of common stock, which as of July 4, 2021 represents approximately 15.4% of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock after giving effect to the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock and excluding shares held in treasury. Pursuant to the Certificate of Designation of the Series B Preferred Stock (the "Certificate of Designation"), the BKC Stockholders are entitled to elect two representatives on the Company's Board of Directors. The approval of the BKC Stockholders is also required before the Company can take certain actions, including, among other things, amending the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, declaring or paying a special cash dividend, amending the size of the Company’s Board of Directors, or engaging in any business other than the ownership and operation of Burger King restaurants, in each case as more particularly described in the Certificate of Designation.

The Company operates its Burger King restaurants under franchise agreements with BKC and its Popeyes restaurants under franchise agreements with Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. ("PLK"), a subsidiary of RBI. These franchise agreements generally provide for an initial term of twenty years and currently have an initial franchise fee of $50,000. With BKC's and PLK's respective approval, the Company can elect to extend franchise agreements for additional 20 year terms, provided that the restaurant meets the current restaurant image standard and the Company is not in default under terms of the franchise agreement. In addition to the initial franchise fee, the Company generally pays BKC a monthly royalty at a rate of 4.5% of Burger King restaurant sales and PLK a weekly royalty at a rate of 5.0% of Popeyes restaurant sales. Royalty expense was $18.7 million and $15.9 million in the three months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively and $35.8 million and $31.0 million in the six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively, and is included in other restaurant operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Beginning in May of 2021, the Company also pays a monthly digital fee to BKC for use of its digital platform which was $0.4 million in the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and is included in other restaurant operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

The Company is also generally required to contribute 4% of restaurant sales from its restaurants to an advertising fund utilized by BKC and PLK for its advertising, promotional programs and public relations activities, and additional amounts for additional local advertising in markets that approve such advertising. Advertising expense associated with these expenditures was $16.4 million and $14.1 million in the three months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively and $31.5 million and $27.5 million in the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively.

As of July 4, 2021, the Company leased 227 of its restaurant locations from BKC and 98 of these locations are subleased by BKC from various third-party lessors. Aggregate rent under these BKC leases was $6.8 million and $6.3 million in the three months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively and $13.5 million and $13.0 million for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively. The Company does not believe that such lease terms have been significantly affected by the fact that the Company and BKC are deemed to be related parties.

22

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

As of July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021, the Company owed BKC and PLK $18.2 million and $14.7 million, respectively, related to the payment of advertising, royalties, digital fees, rent and real estate taxes, which is normally remitted on a monthly basis.

The Company, Carrols Corporation, Carrols LLC, and BKC entered into an Area Development Agreement (the "ADA") which commenced on April 30, 2019 and was set to end on September 30, 2024 and which superseded the Operating Agreement dated as of May 30, 2012, as amended, between Carrols LLC and BKC. The ADA was amended and restated by all parties on January 4, 2021 (the "Amended ADA"). Pursuant to the ADA and for a cost of $3.0 million, BKC had assigned to Carrols LLC the right of first refusal on the sale of franchisee-operated restaurants in 16 states and a limited number of counties in four additional states ("ADA ROFR"). The ADA ROFR was terminated in connection with the Amended ADA.

Under the Amended ADA, Carrols LLC has agreed to open, build and operate a total of 50 new Burger King restaurants, 80% of which must be in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. This includes four Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2021, 10 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2022, 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2023, 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2024 and 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2025.

In addition, pursuant to the Amended ADA, BKC granted Carrols LLC franchise pre-approval to build new Burger King restaurants or acquire Burger King restaurants from Burger King franchisees with respect to 500 Burger King restaurants in the aggregate in (i) Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana (excluding certain geographic areas in Indiana) and (ii) (a) 16 states, which include Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia (subject to certain exceptions for certain limited geographic areas within certain states) and (b) any other geographic locations that Carrols LLC enters after the commencement date of the Amended ADA pursuant to BKC procedures subject to certain limitations.

In connection with an acquisition of restaurants in 2019, the Company assumed a development agreement for Popeyes, which included an assignment by PLK of its right of first refusal under its franchise agreements with its franchisees for acquisitions in two southern states, as well as a development commitment to open, build and operate approximately 80 new Popeyes restaurants over six years. This development agreement with PLK was terminated on March 17, 2021, with certain covenants applicable to the Company surviving the termination. PLK reserved the right to charge the Company a $0.6 million fee if PLK and the Company are not able to come to a mutually agreeable solution with respect to such fee within a six-month period.

12. Stockholders' Equity

Stock Repurchase Program

On August 2, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan ("Repurchase Program") under which the Company may repurchase up to $25 million of its outstanding common stock. The authorization became effective August 2, 2019, and was set to expire 24 months thereafter, unless terminated earlier by the Company's Board of Directors. Purchases under the Repurchase Program may be made from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions (including, without limitation, the use of Rule 10b5-1 plans) in compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company has no obligation to repurchase stock under the Repurchase Program, and the timing, actual number and value of shares purchased will depend on the Company's stock price, trading volume, general market and economic conditions, and other factors.

At July 4, 2021, $11.0 million was available to repurchase shares under the Repurchase Program. Shares repurchased are being held in treasury until they are retired at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

23

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

13. Net Income (Loss) per Share

The Company applies the two-class method to calculate and present net income (loss) per share. The Company's non-vested restricted share awards and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and are considered participating securities for purposes of computing net income (loss) per share pursuant to the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net earnings are reduced by the amount of dividends declared (whether paid or unpaid) and the remaining undistributed earnings are then allocated to common stock and participating securities, based on their respective rights to receive dividends. As the Company incurred a net loss for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and the six months ended June 28, 2020, and losses are not allocated to participating securities under the two-class method, such method is not applicable for the aforementioned interim reporting periods.

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects additional shares of common stock outstanding, where applicable, calculated using the treasury stock method or the two-class method.

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Basic net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss)	$	(9,559)	$	7,842	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Less: Income attributable to non-vested shares	—		(158)		—		—
Less: Income attributable to preferred stock	—		(1,199)		—		—
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(9,559)	$	6,485	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	49,917,296		50,916,758		49,870,718		50,868,929
Basic net income (loss) per share	$	(0.19)	$	0.13	$	(0.34)	$	(0.28)
Diluted net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss)	$	(9,559)	$	7,842	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Shares used in computing basic net income (loss) per share	49,917,296		50,916,758		49,870,718		50,868,929
Dilutive effect of preferred stock and non-vested shares	—		9,415,059		—		—
Shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share	49,917,296		60,331,817		49,870,718		50,868,929
Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	(0.19)	$	0.13	$	(0.34)	$	(0.28)
Shares excluded from diluted net income (loss) per share computations (1)	11,010,535		—		11,010,535		10,652,278

(1)Shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock and non-vested shares were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

14. Other Expense (Income), net

Other expense (income), net for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021, included losses on disposal of assets of $0.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

In the three months ended June 28, 2020, the Company recorded other income, net of $2.0 million which consisted of gains related to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of its restaurants of $1.3 million, net gain on three sale-leaseback transactions of $0.8 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $0.1 million. In the six months ended June 28, 2020, the Company recorded other income, net of $1.9 million, which consisted of gains

24

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

related to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of its restaurants of $1.6 million, net gain on ten sale-leaseback transactions of $0.6 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $0.2 million.

15. Subsequent Events

On August 10, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors approved an extension of the Company's Repurchase Program, which was set to expire on August 2, 2021 with approximately $11.0 million of its original $25 million in capacity remaining. The authorization will expire on August 2, 2023, unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors. Purchases under the Repurchase Program may be made from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions (including, without limitation, the use of Rule 10b5-1 plans) in compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company has no obligation to repurchase stock under the Repurchase Program, and the timing, actual number and value of shares purchased will depend on the Company's stock price, trading volume, general market and economic conditions, and other factors.

Effective August 12, 2021, the Board declared a $25.0 million special cash dividend amounting to $0.41 per share on all issued and outstanding shares of common stock, including common stock issuable on the conversion of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The special cash dividend will be paid on October 5, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 25, 2021. The Company's preliminarily assessment is that the special cash dividend will be treated as a tax-free return of capital causing a reduction in a holder’s adjusted tax basis in Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. common stock. If a holder’s basis is reduced to zero, any remaining portion of the special cash dividend would be taxed as capital gains. Final determination of the tax treatment will be based on Form 1099s that will be sent to holders in 2022. Holders should consult with their tax advisors to determine tax treatment of the special cash dividend.

25

ITEM 2—MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

We operate on a 52 or 53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. Our fiscal quarters are comprised of 13 weeks, with the exception of the fourth quarter of a 53 week year, which contains 14 weeks. Our fiscal year ended January 3, 2021 contained 53 weeks and our fiscal year ending January 2, 2022 will contain 52 weeks.

Introduction

The following Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (or "MD&A") is written to help the reader understand our company. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2021. The overview provides our perspective on the individual sections of MD&A, which include the following:

Company Overview—a general description of our business and our key financial measures.

Recent and Future Events Affecting Our Results of Operations—a description of recent events that affect, and future events that may affect, our results of operations.

Results from Operations—an analysis of our results of operations for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 compared to the three and six months ended June 28, 2020 including a review of material items and known trends and uncertainties.

Liquidity and Capital Resources—an analysis of historical information regarding our sources of cash and capital expenditures, the existence and timing of commitments and contingencies, changes in capital resources and a discussion of cash flow items affecting liquidity.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies—an overview of accounting policies requiring critical judgments and estimates.

Forward Looking Statements—cautionary information about forward-looking statements and a description of certain risks and projections.

Company Overview

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, "Carrols Restaurant Group", the "Company", “we”, “our” or “us”) is one of the largest restaurant companies in the United States and has been operating restaurants for more than 60 years. We are the largest Burger King franchisee in the United States, based on number of restaurants. As of July 4, 2021 we operated, as franchisee, a total of 1,092 restaurants in 23 states under the trade names of Burger King and Popeyes. This included 1,027 Burger King restaurants in 23 Northeastern, Midwestern, Southcentral and Southeastern states and 65 Popeyes restaurants in seven Southeastern states.

Any reference to “BKC” refers to Burger King Corporation and its indirect parent company, Restaurant Brands International Inc. (“RBI”). Any reference to “PLK” refers to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. and its indirect parent company, RBI.

The following is an overview of the key financial measures discussed in our results of operations:

•Restaurant sales consists of food and beverage sales at our restaurants, net of sales discounts and excluding sales tax collected. Restaurant sales are influenced by changes in comparable restaurant sales, menu price increases, new restaurant development, acquisitions of restaurants and closures of restaurants. Comparable restaurant sales reflect the change in year-over-year sales for a comparable restaurant base. Restaurants we acquire are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been owned for 12 months, newly developed restaurants are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been open for 15 months, and remodeled restaurants are excluded for the period they are closed for

26

remodel. Restaurants are excluded from comparable restaurant sales during extended periods of closure, which primarily occur due to restaurant remodeling activity. For comparative purposes, where applicable, the calculation of the changes in comparable restaurant sales is based either on a 53-week or 52-week year and compares against the respective 52-week prior period.

•Food, beverage, and packaging costs consists of food, beverage and packaging costs and delivery commissions, less purchase discounts and vendor rebates. Food, beverage, and packaging costs are generally influenced by changes in commodity costs, the mix of items sold, the level of promotional discounting, the effectiveness of our restaurant-level controls to manage food and paper costs, and the relative contribution of delivery sales.

•Restaurant wages and related expenses include all restaurant management and hourly productive labor costs and related benefits, employer payroll taxes and restaurant-level bonuses. Payroll and related benefits are subject to inflation, including minimum wage increases and increased costs for health insurance, workers’ compensation insurance and federal and state unemployment insurance.

•Restaurant rent expense includes straight-lined lease costs and variable rent on our restaurant leases characterized as operating leases.

•Other restaurant operating expenses include all other restaurant-level operating costs, the major components of which are royalty expenses paid to BKC and PLK, utilities, repairs and maintenance, real estate taxes and credit card fees.

•Advertising expense includes advertising payments to BKC and PLK based on a percentage of sales as required under our franchise and operating agreements and additional marketing and promotional expenses in certain of our markets.

•General and administrative expenses are comprised primarily of salaries and expenses associated with corporate and administrative functions that support the development and operations of our restaurants, legal, auditing and other professional fees, acquisition costs and stock-based compensation expense.

•EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) are non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA represents net income (loss) before income taxes, interest expense, and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA adjusted to exclude impairment and other lease charges, acquisition costs, stock-based compensation expense, abandoned development costs, restaurant pre-opening costs, non-recurring litigation and other professional expenses, loss on extinguishment of debt and other income and expense. Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA represents income (loss) from operations as adjusted to exclude general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, impairment and other lease charges, pre-opening costs and other income and expense. Adjusted Net Income (Loss) represents net income (loss) as adjusted, net of tax, to exclude impairment and other lease charges, acquisition costs, abandoned development costs, pre-opening costs, non-recurring litigation and other professional expenses, other income and expense and loss on extinguishment of debt.

We are presenting Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) because we believe that they provide a more meaningful comparison than EBITDA and net income (loss) of our core business operating results, as well as with those of other similar companies. Additionally, we present Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA because it excludes restaurant pre-opening costs, other income and expense, and the impact of general and administrative expenses such as salaries and expenses associated with corporate and administrative functions that support the development and operations of our restaurants, legal, auditing and other professional fees. Although these costs are not directly related to restaurant-level operations, these costs are necessary for the profitability of our restaurants. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss), when viewed with the Company's results of operations in accordance with U.S. GAAP and the accompanying reconciliations on page 41, provide useful information about operating performance and period-over-period growth, and provide additional information that is useful for evaluating the operating performance of our core business without regard to potential distortions. Additionally, management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA permit investors to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our ongoing cash earnings, from which capital investments are made and debt is serviced.

27

However, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under U.S. GAAP and, accordingly, should not be considered as alternatives to net income, income from operations or cash flow from operating activities as indicators of operating performance or liquidity. Also, these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled captions of other companies. For the reconciliation between Net Income (Loss) to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) and the reconciliation of income from operations to Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA, see page 41.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) have important limitations as analytical tools. These limitations include the following:

•EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA do not reflect our capital expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments to purchase capital equipment;

•EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA do not reflect the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service principal or interest payments on our debt;

•Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets that we currently depreciate and amortize will likely have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA do not reflect the cash required to fund such replacements; and

•EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) do not reflect the effect of earnings or charges resulting from matters that our management does not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operations. However, some of these charges (such as impairment and other lease charges and acquisition costs) have recurred and may reoccur.

•Depreciation and amortization primarily includes the depreciation of fixed assets, including equipment, owned buildings and leasehold improvements utilized in our restaurants, the amortization of franchise rights from our acquisitions of restaurants and the amortization of franchise fees paid to BKC and PLK.

•Impairment and other lease charges are determined through our assessment of the recoverability of property and equipment and intangible assets by determining whether the carrying value of these assets can be recovered over their respective remaining lives through undiscounted future operating cash flows. A potential impairment charge is evaluated whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be fully recoverable. Lease charges are recorded for our obligations under the related leases for closed locations net of estimated sublease recoveries.

•Interest expense consists of interest expense associated with our term B and term B-1 loans under our Senior Credit Facilities, 5.875% Senior Notes Due 2029 (the "Notes"), revolving credit borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities, finance lease liabilities, amortization of deferred financing costs, and amortization of original issue discounts.

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Recent and Future Events Affecting our Results of Operations

Burger King Restaurant Acquisitions

From the beginning of 2020 through July 4, 2021, we acquired 19 restaurants from other franchisees in the following transactions ($ in thousands):

Closing Date	Number of Restaurants	Purchase Price		Fee-Owned (1)	Market Location
June 17, 2021	14	$	27,603	12	Fort Wayne, Indiana
June 23, 2021	5	3,216		1	Battle Creek, Michigan
	19	$	30,819	13

(1) The 2021 acquisitions included the purchase of 13 fee-owned restaurants, of which 12 are expected to be sold in sale-leaseback transactions during 2021 for net proceeds of $20.1 million although there is no assurance that we can complete such transactions during 2021 or at all.

The unaudited pro forma impact on the results of operations for the 2021 acquisitions is included below. The unaudited pro forma results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the acquisitions been consummated at the beginning of the periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of any future consolidated operating results. This unaudited pro forma financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies or cost savings or any transaction costs related to the 2021 acquired restaurants. The following table summarizes certain unaudited pro forma financial information related to our operating results for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Total revenue	$	430,017	$	374,489	$	826,024	$	730,929
Income (Loss) from operations	$	6,807	$	14,933	$	4,324	$	(6,696)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	29,933	$	38,648	$	50,419	$	43,038

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

In response to the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our business operations and the continuing uncertainty in the economy in general, we have taken steps to adapt our business and strengthen and preserve our liquidity, including the following:

•In March 2020, we closed the dining rooms in all our restaurants and modified operating hours in line with local ordinances and day-part sales trends. These closures were in effect through most of the second quarter of 2020, with each restaurant operating according to their respective local governmental guidelines as well as safety procedures developed by BKC and PLK. We have re-opened our dining rooms as individual states and local governments have rolled back restrictions. By the end of the second quarter of 2021, most of our dining rooms have reopened. During the second quarter of 2021, we saw a modest shift in guests returning to dining rooms, with take-out and dine-in representing approximately 14% of net sales in June of 2021 as compared with 10% in December of 2020 and 30% for all of 2019.

•We launched delivery services in March of 2020 at approximately 800 of our restaurants. Since then, we have added additional third-party delivery partners as they became available as well as expanded the number of restaurants where delivery service is offered as new locations were covered by our delivery partners. For the second quarter of 2021, delivery comprised approximately 4.7% of total restaurant sales.

•We temporarily closed 46 restaurants in late March 2020 and early April 2020 that were geographically close to one of our other restaurants, and these closures were in effect for most of the second quarter of 2020. By the end of 2020, we had reopened all of these restaurants with the exception of two Burger King restaurants we permanently closed in the third quarter of 2020.

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•We reduced regional and corporate overhead by streamlining our regional management and support structure, improving our training process and instituted a 10% temporary reduction in all non-restaurant wages for the second quarter of 2020. This reduction in wages was restored as of July 1, 2020.

•As allowed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, as amended (the "CARES Act"), we deferred payment of the employer portion of Social Security taxes through the end of 2020. The amount of the cumulative deferral at the end of 2020 was approximately $21.6 million, of which 50% is payable on each of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022 which remains unpaid as of July 4, 2021, with $10.8 million included in accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits and $10.8 million included in other liabilities, long-term in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.

•We negotiated with our landlords other than BKC to secure $5.8 million in deferral or abatement of 2020 cash rent obligations, of which $4.8 million was or is expected to be repaid over various periods which began in the third quarter of 2020. We have repaid $3.6 million related to these deferrals through the second quarter of 2021.

•During the second quarter of 2020, we optimized payment terms with our key vendors and suppliers and utilized deferral opportunities with our utility vendors. These reverted to normal payment terms in July of 2020. During the course of the pandemic, we have experienced a number of minor and/or temporary supply chain issues which we continue to monitor as the communities we operate in reopen.

Throughout the course of the evolving pandemic, we have been adapting our business in order to continue operating safely. Although the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted customer traffic, the immediate actions taken to continue drive-thru and carry-out business operations and secure additional liquidity minimized the financial impact on the Company's results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

While significant uncertainty remains as to when or the manner in which the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will change, we believe our business model and world-class brands are ideally positioned to serve value and convenience-seeking customers as the communities we operate in are reopening and customers are returning to pre-pandemic behaviors and activities. We saw the results of these efforts in 2020 which have continued into 2021. In the second quarter of 2021, our Burger King restaurant sales were 7.8% higher than restaurant sales in the comparable period of 2019.

Area Development and Remodeling Agreement

The Company, Carrols Corporation, Carrols LLC, and BKC entered into an Area Development Agreement (the "ADA") which commenced on April 30, 2019 and was set to end on September 30, 2024 and which superseded the Operating Agreement dated as of May 30, 2012, as amended, between Carrols LLC and BKC. The ADA was amended and restated by all parties on January 4, 2021 (the "Amended ADA"). Pursuant to the ADA and for a cost of $3.0 million, BKC had assigned to Carrols LLC the right of first refusal on the sale of franchisee-operated restaurants in 16 states and a limited number of counties in four additional states ("ADA ROFR"). The ADA ROFR was terminated in connection with the Amended ADA.

Under the Amended ADA, Carrols LLC has agreed to open, build and operate a total of 50 new Burger King restaurants, 80% of which must be in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. This includes four Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2021, 10 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2022, 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2023, 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2024 and 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2025.

In addition, pursuant to the Amended ADA, BKC granted Carrols LLC franchise pre-approval to build new Burger King restaurants or acquire Burger King restaurants from Burger King franchisees with respect to 500 Burger King restaurants in the aggregate in (i) Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana (excluding certain geographic areas in Indiana) and (ii) (a) 16 states, which include Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia (subject to certain exceptions for certain limited geographic areas within certain states) and (b) any other geographic locations that Carrols LLC enters after the commencement date of the Amended ADA pursuant to BKC procedures subject to certain limitations.

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In connection with an acquisition of restaurants in 2019 we assumed a development agreement for Popeyes, which included an assignment by PLK of its right of first refusal under its franchise agreements with its franchisees for acquisitions in two southern states, as well as a development commitment to open, build and operate approximately 80 new Popeyes restaurants over six years. This development agreement with PLK was terminated on March 17, 2021, with certain covenants applicable to us surviving the termination. PLK reserved the right to charge us a $0.6 million fee if the parties to the termination agreement are not able to come to a mutually agreeable solution with respect to such fee within a six-month period.

Capital Expenditures

We estimate our capital expenditures in 2021 will be approximately $60 million, net of estimated sale-leaseback activity. We incurred $26.0 million of capital expenditures in the first six months of 2021, net of sale-leaseback proceeds, properties purchased for sale-leaseback, and insurance proceeds and excluding acquisitions.

We opened two Burger King restaurants in the first six months of 2021. In all of 2021, we expect to complete development of seven new Burger King restaurants one new Popeye's restaurant and to remodel 16 Burger King restaurants and seven Popeyes restaurants.

Issuance of Notes and Amendments to our Senior Credit Facilities

On April 30, 2019, we entered into a senior secured credit facility which provided for senior secured credit facilities in an aggregate principal amount of $550.0 million (as amended, the "Senior Credit Facilities"), consisting of (i) a term loan B facility in an aggregate principal amount of $425.0 million (the “Term Loan B Facility”), the entire amount of which was borrowed by us on April 30, 2019 and (ii) a revolving credit facility (including a sub-facility of $35.0 million for standby letters of credit) in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). Prior to the entry into the amendments described below, borrowings under the Term Loan B Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility bore interest at a rate per annum, at our option, of (i) the Alternate Base Rate (such definition and all other definitions used herein and otherwise not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus the applicable margin of 2.25% or (ii) the LIBOR Rate plus a margin of 3.25% (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities). The Term Loan B Facility matures on April 30, 2026 and the Revolving Credit Facility originally matured on April 30, 2024.

On December 13, 2019, we entered into the First Amendment to our Senior Credit Facilities (the "First Amendment") which amended a financial covenant under the Senior Credit Facilities applicable solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility that previously required the Company to maintain quarterly a Total Net Leverage Ratio of not greater than 4.75 to 1.00 (measured on a most recent four quarter basis), to now require that the Company maintain only a First Lien Leverage Ratio of not greater than 5.75 to 1.00 (as measured on a most recent four quarter basis) if, and only if, on the last day of any fiscal quarter (beginning with the fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2019), the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and the aggregate face amount of letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility (excluding undrawn letters of credit in an aggregate face amount up to $12.0 million) exceeds 35% of the aggregate amount of the maximum revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The First Amendment also reduced the aggregate maximum revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility by $10.0 million to a total of $115.0 million.

On March 25, 2020, we entered into the Second Amendment to our Senior Credit Facilities (the "Second Amendment"). The Second Amendment, among other things, (i) increased the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under the Revolving Credit Facility (the "Revolving Committed Amount") by $15.4 million to a total of $130.4 million, (ii) amended the definition of Applicable Margin (such definition and all other definitions used herein and otherwise not defined herein shall be the meanings set forth in the Senior Credit Facilities), (iii) provided for a commitment fee (the "Ticking Fee") beginning on the 180th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date and for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount remained greater than $115.0 million, and (iv) provided that the Company shall use the proceeds of an Extension of Credit which results in the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations equaling an amount in excess of $115.0 million solely for ongoing operations of the Company and its subsidiaries and shall not be held as cash on the balance sheet. The terms outlined as (ii), (iii) and (iv) were modified in the Sixth Amendment described below.

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On April 8, 2020, we entered into the Third Amendment to our Senior Credit Facilities which increased the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under the Revolving Credit Facility by $15.4 million to a total of $145.8 million.

On April 16, 2020, we entered into the Fourth Amendment to our Senior Credit Facilities (the "Fourth Amendment"). The Fourth Amendment permits us to incur and, if necessary, repay indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the "PPP") under the CARES Act. Subsequent to the Fourth Amendment, we withdrew our application for relief under the PPP and returned the funds upon receipt.

On June 23, 2020 (the "Fifth Amendment Effective Date"), we entered into the Fifth Amendment to our Senior Credit Facilities (the "Fifth Amendment"). The Fifth Amendment increased the Term Loan (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) borrowings in the aggregate principal amount of $75 million of Incremental Term B-1 Loans (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities). The Incremental Term B-1 Loans constituted a new tranche of Term Loans ranking pari passu in right of payment and security with the Initial Term Loans (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) for all purposes under the Senior Credit Facilities. The Incremental Term B-1 Loans had the same terms as outstanding borrowings under the Company's existing Term Loan B facility pursuant to and in accordance with the Senior Credit Facilities, provided that (i) borrowings under the Incremental Term B-1 Loans bore interest at a rate per annum, at our option, of (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus the applicable margin of 5.25% or (b) the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) (which shall not be less than 1% for Incremental Term B-1 Loans) plus the applicable margin of 6.25% and (ii) certain prepayments of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans by us prior to the first anniversary of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date would be subject to a premium to the Administrative Agent (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities), for the ratable account of each applicable Term Loan Lender (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) holding Incremental Term B-1 Loans on the date of such prepayment equal to the Applicable Make-Whole Amount (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) with respect to the principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans so prepaid. The principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans amortized in an aggregate annual amount equal to 1% of the original principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans and were repayable in consecutive quarterly installments on the last day of our fiscal quarters beginning on the third fiscal quarter of 2020 with the remaining outstanding principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loan and all accrued but unpaid interest and other amounts payable with respect to the Incremental Term B-1 Loan would have been due on April 30, 2026 which is the Term Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities). The Term B-1 Loans were repaid in full on June 28, 2021.

On April 6, 2021, we entered into the Sixth Amendment to our Senior Credit Facilities (the "Sixth Amendment"). The Sixth Amendment increased the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under our Revolving Credit Facility by $29.2 million to a total of $175.0 million. The Sixth Amendment also amended the definitions in the Senior Credit Facilities of (i) Applicable Margin, to provide that the Applicable Margin for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility (including Letter of Credit Fees) shall be at a rate per annum equal to 3.25% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 2.25% for Alternate Base Rate Loans, and (ii) Revolving Maturity Date, to provide that the Revolving Maturity Date is extended to January 29, 2026. In addition, the Sixth Amendment amended the Senior Credit Facilities to remove our obligation to (i) pay a Ticking Fee pursuant to the Ticking Fee Rate and (ii) use the proceeds of an Extension of Credit which results in the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations equaling an amount in excess of $115.0 million solely for our ongoing operations and not to hold as cash on the balance sheet.

On June 28, 2021, we entered into the Seventh Amendment to our Senior Credit Facilities (the "Seventh Amendment"). The Seventh Amendment revised (a) the initial amount for calculating the Available Amount (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) from $27.0 million to $50.0 million which is utilized, among other items, in determining the amount of Restricted Payments (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) and Permitted Investments (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities), (b) the calculation of the Company's ability to incur an Incremental Term Loan (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) or an increase to the Revolving Committed Amount from $135.0 million to $180.0 million, and (c) the general basket for Restricted Payments, Permitted Investments and Restricted Junior Debt Payment (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) from an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $27.0 million and (ii) 20% of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) as of the most recently completed Reference Period (as defined in the Senior Credit

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Facilities) to (i) $50.0 million and (ii) 40% of Consolidated EBITDA as of the most recently completed Reference Period. In addition, the Seventh Amendment revises the Total Net Leverage Ratio required for the Company to make Restricted Payments or prepay Junior Debt (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) with unutilized Available Amount from 3.00 to 1.00 to 4.00 to 1.00. The Seventh Amendment also provided for affiliates of the Company to acquire up to 20% of the outstanding term loans pursuant to certain transactions.

On June 28, 2021, we issued $300.0 million principal amount of the Notes in a private placement. The proceeds of the offering, together with $46.0 million of revolving credit borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities, were used to (i) repay $74.4 million of outstanding term B-1 loans and $243.6 million of outstanding term B loans under our Senior Credit Facilities (which included scheduled principal payments), (ii) to pay fees and expenses related to the offering of the Notes and the Seventh Amendment and (iii) for working capital and general corporate purposes, including for possible future repurchases of our common stock and/or a dividend payment and/or payments on our common stock.

Carrols Restaurant Group and certain of its subsidiaries (the "Guarantors") entered into the Indenture (the "Indenture") dated as of June 28, 2021 with the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company governing the Notes. The Indenture provides that the Notes will mature on July 1, 2029 and will bear interest at the rate of 5.875% per annum, payable semi-annually on July 1 and January 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2022. The entire principal amount of the Notes will be due and payable in full on the maturity date. The Indenture further provides that we (i) may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time after July 1, 2024 at the redemption prices described therein, (ii) may redeem up to 40% of the Notes using the proceeds of certain equity offerings completed before July 1, 2024 and (iii) must offer to purchase the Notes if it sells certain of its assets or if specific kinds of changes in control occur, all as set forth in the Indenture. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Carrols Restaurant Group and are guaranteed on an unsecured basis by the Guarantors. The Indenture contains certain covenants that limit the ability of Carrols Restaurant Group and the Guarantors to, among other things: incur indebtedness or issue preferred stock; incur liens; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock or make certain other restricted payments or investments; sell assets; agree to payment restrictions affecting Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture); enter into transaction with affiliates; or merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of the assets. Such restrictions are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications all as set forth in the Indenture.

As of July 4, 2021, there were $46.0 million revolving credit borrowings outstanding and $9.0 million of letters of credit were issued under our Revolving Credit Facility. After reserving for issued letters of credit, $120.0 million was available for revolving credit borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities at July 4, 2021.

Interest Rate Swap Agreement

We entered into a five-year interest rate swap agreement commencing March 3, 2020 and ending February 28, 2025 with a notional amount of $220.0 million to swap variable rate interest payments (one-month LIBOR plus the applicable margin) under our Senior Credit Facilities for fixed interest payments bearing an interest rate of 0.915% plus the applicable margin in our Senior Credit Facilities.

Stock Repurchase Program

On August 2, 2019, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan (the "Repurchase Program") under which we may repurchase up to $25 million of our outstanding common stock. The authorization became effective August 2, 2019, and on August 10, 2021, was extended through August 2, 2023. Purchases under the Repurchase Program may be made from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions (including, without limitation, the use of Rule 10b5-1 plans) in compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

During the year ended January 3, 2021, we repurchased in open market transactions 1,534,304 shares at an average share price of $6.52 for a total cost of $10.0 million under the Repurchase Program, all during the fourth quarter of 2020. We did not repurchase any shares in the six months ended July 4, 2021.

As of July 4, 2021, $11.0 million was available to repurchase shares under the Repurchase Program. We have no obligation to repurchase additional shares of stock under the Repurchase Program, and the timing, actual number and value of shares purchased will depend on our stock price, trading volume, general market and economic conditions and other factors.

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Special Cash Dividend

Effective August 12, 2021, the Board declared a $25.0 million special cash dividend amounting to $0.41 per share on all issued and outstanding shares of common stock, including common stock issuable on the conversion of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The special cash dividend will be paid on October 5, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 25, 2021. Our preliminarily assessment is that the special cash dividend will be treated as a tax-free return of capital causing a reduction in holder’s adjusted tax basis in Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. common stock. If a holder’s basis is reduced to zero, any remaining portion of the special cash dividend would be taxed as capital gains. Final determination of the tax treatment will be based on Form 1099s that will be sent to holders in 2022. Holders should consult with their tax advisors to determine tax treatment of the special cash dividend.

Future Restaurant Closures

We evaluate the performance of our restaurants on an ongoing basis including an assessment of the current and future operating results of each restaurant in relation to its cash flow and future occupancy costs, and with regard to franchise agreement renewals, the cost of required capital improvements. We may elect to close restaurants based on these evaluations.

In 2020, excluding one restaurant relocated within its trade area, we closed 33 Burger King restaurants which included fourteen Burger King restaurants permanently closed in the first six months of 2020. In the first six months of 2021, we permanently closed three Burger King restaurants. We currently anticipate less than five restaurant closures in 2021, outside of any restaurants being relocated within their trade area at the end of their respective lease term.

Our determination of whether to close restaurants in the future is subject to further evaluation and may change. We may incur lease charges in the future from closures of underperforming restaurants prior to the expiration of their contractual lease term. We do not believe that the future impact on our results of operations due to restaurant closures will be material, although there can be no assurance in this regard.

Effect of Minimum Wage Increases

Certain of the states and municipalities in which we operate have increased their minimum wage rates for 2021 and in many cases have also approved additional increases for future periods. Most notably, New York State increased the minimum wage applicable to our business to $14.50 an hour on January 1, 2021 and then to 15.00 an hour on July 1, 2021, from $13.75 an hour in 2020 and $12.75 per hour in 2019. New York State has an Urban Youth Credit through 2022 for which we have been receiving approximately $500,000 per year since 2016. We had 125 restaurants in New York State at July 4, 2021. As of such date, we also had one restaurant in Massachusetts that has annual minimum wage increases reaching $15.00 per hour in 2023, 10 restaurants in New Jersey that have annual minimum wage increases reaching $15.00 per hour in 2024, and 45 total restaurants in Illinois and Maryland that have annual minimum wage increases reaching $15.00 per hour in 2025.

We typically attempt to offset the effects of wage inflation, at least in part, through periodic menu price increases. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able to offset these wage increases in the future. Additionally, in the current labor market we have seen pressure on wage rates irrespective of the statutory minimums as the re-opening of the economy increased demand for labor at all levels of the workforce.

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Results of Operations

Three Months Ended July 4, 2021 Compared to Three Months Ended June 28, 2020

The following table highlights the key components of sales and the number of restaurants in operation for our second quarter ended July 4, 2021 as compared to the second quarter ended June 28, 2020 (inclusive of restaurants that were temporarily closed due to COVID-19 during the period):

	Three Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Restaurant Sales	424,541		368,418
Burger King	402,659		345,649
Popeyes	21,882		22,769
Change in Comparable Restaurant Sales % (a)	11.5	%	(5.6)	%
Change in Comparable Burger King Restaurant Sales (a)	12.6	%	(6.4)	%
Change in Comparable Popeyes Restaurant Sales (a)	(5.3)	%	17.1
Burger King Restaurants operating at beginning of period:	1,010		1,028
New restaurants opened, including relocations	—		3
Restaurants acquired	19		—
Restaurants closed, including relocations	(2)		(4)
Burger King Restaurants at end of period	1,027		1,027
Average number of operating Burger King restaurants	1,008.9		993.0
Popeyes Restaurants operating at beginning and end of period:	65		65
Average number of operating Popeyes restaurants	65.0		63.7

a.Restaurants we acquire are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been operated by us for 12 months. Sales from restaurants that we develop are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been open for 15 months. The calculation of changes in comparable restaurant sales is based on the comparable 13-week period of the prior year, looking back 52 weeks.

Restaurant Sales. Total restaurant sales in the second quarter of 2021 increased $56.1 million to $424.5 million from the second quarter of 2020. Our comparable restaurant sales increased 11.5% compared to the second quarter of 2020 which reflected an increase in customer traffic of 11.9% and a decrease in average check of 0.3%. The change in average check included a 2.3% effective price increase compared to the second quarter of 2020. The increase in customer traffic realized during the second quarter of 2021 reflected the restoration of sales lost in the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Promotional sales discounts in the second quarter of 2021 were 19.8% of restaurant sales at our Burger King restaurants compared to 20.8% in the second quarter of 2020. Restaurant sales were also impacted by the inclusion of sales in 2021 from 46 restaurants that were temporarily closed due to the pandemic for most of the second quarter of 2020 and the 22 restaurants closed since the end of the second quarter of 2020.

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Operating Costs and Expenses (percentages stated as a percentage of total revenue). The following table sets forth, for the three months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, selected operating results as a percentage of total revenue:

	Three Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Costs and expenses (all restaurants):
Food, beverage and packaging costs	29.8	%	28.4	%
Restaurant wages and related expenses	32.4	%	30.4	%
Restaurant rent expense	7.2	%	7.9	%
Other restaurant operating expenses	15.3	%	14.7	%
Advertising expense	4.0	%	3.9	%
General and administrative	4.9	%	5.0	%

Food, beverage and packaging costs increased to 29.8% of restaurant sales in the second quarter of 2021 from 28.4% of restaurant sales in the second quarter of 2020. This increase reflected increased commodity pricing at our Burger King restaurants (1.5%) and increased delivery sales (0.3%). These cost pressures were offset in part by the impact of menu price increases taken at our Burger King restaurants since the end of the second quarter of 2020 (0.9%) and lower levels of promotional discounting in the quarter at our Burger King restaurants (0.3%).

Restaurant wages and related expenses increased to 32.4% of restaurant sales in the second quarter of 2021 from 30.4%. In the second quarter of 2020, we benefited from labor adjustments we made at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic to restrict overtime and reduce staffing levels. Specifically, in the second quarter of 2020, we had reduced our labor requirements and hours based on operating day part sales trends and in response to dining room closures. As the economy has reopened, our restaurants have restored operating hours and staffing levels to the extent to support more normal operations.

We have seen pressure on wage rates in the current labor market irrespective of statutory minimums as the re-opening of the economy increased demand for labor at all levels of the workforce. The impact of hourly labor rate increases in the second quarter of 2021, inclusive of minimum wage increases, was 11.9% when compared to the prior year period.

Restaurant rent expense increased $1.6 million, but decreased as a percentage of restaurant sales to 7.2% in the second quarter of 2021 from 7.9% in the second quarter of 2020 due primarily to the impact of higher sales on fixed rent expense.

Other restaurant operating expenses increased as a percentage of restaurant sales to 15.3% in the second quarter of 2021 from 14.7% of restaurant sales in the second quarter of 2020. The second quarter of 2020 reflected cost savings realized from the constrained pandemic operating environment. As our dining rooms have reopened and restaurants have resumed pre-pandemic operations, we saw higher spending on repair and maintenance (0.2%), security costs (0.2%, including investments in smart safe technology), and equipment rental (0.1%).

Advertising expense was 4.0% of restaurant sales in the second quarter of 2021 and 3.9% in the second quarter of 2020.

Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA. As a result of the factors discussed above, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA decreased $6.3 million, or 11.6%, to $47.9 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $54.1 million in the second quarter of 2020. As a percentage of total restaurant sales, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA decreased to 11.3% in the second quarter of 2021 from 14.7% in the second quarter of 2020. For a reconciliation between Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and loss from operations see page 41.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $2.1 million in the second quarter of 2021 to $20.7 million, and decreased as a percentage of total restaurant sales to 4.9% in the second quarter of 2021 from 5.0% in the second quarter of 2020. The $2.1 million increase was due to lapping against short-term salary and travel reductions in effect for the second quarter of 2020 ($2.0 million).

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Adjusted EBITDA. As a result of the factors above, Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $29.3 million in the second quarter of 2021 from $38.0 million in the second quarter of 2020. As a percentage of total restaurant sales, Adjusted EBITDA decreased to 6.9% in the second quarter of 2021 from 10.3% in the second quarter of 2020. For a reconciliation between net loss and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA see page 41.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $0.1 million to $20.4 million in the second quarter of 2021 from $20.3 million in the second quarter of 2020.

Impairment and Other Lease Charges. Impairment and other lease charges were $0.1 million due primarily to assets at a restaurant location closed during the quarter. During the second quarter of 2020, impairment and other lease charges were $2.9 million, consisting of $2.6 million of initial impairment charges for six underperforming restaurants, capital expenditures of $0.1 million at underperforming restaurants, and $0.2 million of other lease charges

Other Expense (Income), net. Other expense, net in the second quarter of 2021 was $0.7 million which consisted of a loss on disposal of assets of $0.7 million. Other income, net for the three months ended June 28, 2020 included a loss on disposal of assets of $0.1 million, loss on sale-leaseback transactions of $0.8 million and a gain on insurance recoveries from property damage at our restaurants of $1.3 million.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt. We recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $8.5 million during the second quarter of 2021 in connection with the early extinguishment of our term B-1 loans and partial extinguishment of our term B loans under our Senior Credit Facilities. The loss consisted of a proportional write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized original issuance discount.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $6.9 million in the second quarter of 2021 from $6.4 million in the second quarter of 2020. Our weighted average interest rate for borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities increased to 4.4% in the second quarter of 2021 from 4.3% in the second quarter of 2020, as our higher interest rate term B-1 loan under our Senior Credit Facilities was outstanding for most of the second quarter of 2021 and incurred at the end of the prior year second quarter.

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. For the three months ended July 4, 2021, the benefit for income taxes was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for all of 2021 of 11.0%. The difference compared to the statutory rate for 2021 is attributable to various permanent non-deductible expenses which are not directly related to the amount of pre-tax loss recorded in a period.

During the second quarter of 2021, we also recorded an increase to the valuation allowance on our deferred income tax assets of $2.6 million due to an increase in our projected tax loss for the year as a result of the loss on debt extinguishment recorded in the second quarter. There were no other discrete tax adjustments in the second quarter of 2021.

For the three months ended June 28, 2020, the provision for income taxes was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for all of 2020 of 36.7%. During the second quarter of 2020, a benefit of $1.8 million was recognized to reduce the valuation allowance which had been recorded on all of our net deferred income tax assets at the end of the first quarter of 2020. There were no other discrete tax adjustments in the second quarter of 2020.

Net Income (Loss). As a result of the above, net loss for the second quarter of 2021 was $9.6 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, compared to net income in the second quarter of 2020 of $7.8 million, or $0.13 per diluted share.

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Six Months Ended July 4, 2021 Compared to Six Months Ended June 28, 2020

The following table highlights the key components of sales for the six-month period ended July 4, 2021 as compared to the six-month period ended June 28, 2020:

	Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Restaurant Sales	814,534		719,936
Burger King	771,147		675,286
Popeyes	43,387		44,650
Change in Comparable Restaurant Sales % (a)	12.6	%	(5.6)	%
Change in Comparable Burger King Restaurant Sales (a)	13.6	%	(6.0)	%
Change in Comparable Popeyes Restaurant Sales (a)	(2.5)	%	17.1
Burger King Restaurants operating at beginning of period:	1,009		1,036
New restaurants opened, including relocations	2		6
Restaurants acquired	19		—
Restaurants closed, including relocations (b)	(3)		(15)
Burger King Restaurants at end of period	1,027		1,027
Average number of operating Burger King restaurants	1,009.0		1,011.6
Popeyes Restaurants operating at beginning and end of period:	65		65
Average number of operating Popeyes restaurants	65.0		64.2

a.Restaurants we acquire are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been operated by us for 12 months. Sales from restaurants that we develop are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been open for 15 months. The calculation of changes in comparable restaurant sales is based on the comparable 26-week period.

b.For the first six months of 2020, new restaurants opened includes one restaurant relocated within its market area and closed restaurants includes one restaurant closed as a result of relocation.

Restaurant Sales. Total restaurant sales in the first six months of 2021 increased 13.1% to $814.5 million from $719.9 million in the first six months of 2020. Comparable restaurant sales increased 12.6% in the first six months of 2021 due to an increase in customer traffic of 7.1% and an increase in average check of 5.2%. The effect in the first six months of 2021 from menu price increases taken since the beginning of 2020 was approximately 1.5%. Restaurant sales were also impacted by the inclusion of sales in 2021 from 46 restaurants that were temporarily closed due to the pandemic for most of the second quarter of 2020 and the 22 restaurants closed since the end of the second quarter of 2020.

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Operating Costs and Expenses (percentages stated as a percentage of total revenue unless otherwise noted). The following table sets forth, for the six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, selected operating results as a percentage of total revenue:

	Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Costs and expenses (all restaurants):
Food, beverage and packaging costs	29.5	%	28.8	%
Restaurant wages and related expenses	32.8	%	32.8	%
Restaurant rent expense	7.5	%	8.1	%
Other restaurant operating expenses	15.5	%	15.6	%
Advertising expense	4.0	%	3.9	%
General and administrative	5.2	%	5.5	%

Food, beverage and packaging costs increased to 29.5% in the first six months of 2021 from 28.8% in the first six months of 2020. This increase reflected increased commodity pricing at our Burger King restaurants (1.0%) and increased delivery sales (0.5%). These cost pressures were offset in part by the impact of menu price increases taken at our Burger King restaurants since the beginning of 2020 (0.7%) and improved operational efficiencies at our Burger King restaurants (0.2%).

Restaurant wages and related expenses was 32.8% in each of the first six months of 2021 and the first six months of 2020. The efficiencies we gained due to labor adjustments we made during the second quarter of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 environment benefited the year-over-year comparison in the first quarter, and offset the year-over-year increase we saw in the second quarter from restoring labor hours and labor rate pressures. The impact of hourly labor rate increases over the first six months of 2021, inclusive of minimum wage increases, was 8.8% when compared to the prior year period.

Restaurant rent expense decreased to 7.5% in the first six months of 2021 from 8.1% in the first six months of 2020 due to the effect of higher sales volumes on fixed rental costs.

Other restaurant operating expenses decreased to 15.5% in the first six months of 2021 from 15.6% in the first six months of 2020. The second quarter of 2020 reflected cost savings realized from the constrained pandemic operating environment. As our dining rooms have reopened and restaurants have resumed pre-pandemic operations, we saw higher spending on repair and maintenance (0.1%), security costs (0.1%, including investments in smart safe technology), and equipment rental (0.1%), which were partially offset by savings in utilities (0.2%) and operating supplies (0.1%).

Advertising expense was 4.0% in the first six months of 2021 from 3.9% in the first six months of 2020.

Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA. As a result of the factors above, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA increased $10.4 million, or 13.6%, to $87.4 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $76.9 million in the prior year period, and, as a percentage of total revenue, was 10.7% in both the first six months of 2021 and 2020. For a reconciliation between Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and income (loss) from operations see page 41.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $2.7 million in the first six months of 2021 to $42.1 million and, as a percentage of total revenue, decreased to 5.2% from 5.5% in the prior year period. The increase in total general and administrative expenses in the first six months of 2021 was primarily due to lapping against short-term salary and travel reductions in effect for the second quarter of 2020 ($2.0 million) and higher bonus expense in 2021 ($2.5 million, including stock-based compensation), which were partially offset by a reduction in regional and corporate overhead costs from streamlining our regional management structure, improving our training process and reducing travel that impacted the first quarter's year-over-year comparison ($1.6 million).

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Adjusted EBITDA. As a result of the factors above, Adjusted EBITDA increased to $49.2 million in the first six months of 2021 from $42.0 million in the first six months of 2020. For a reconciliation between net income (loss) and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA see page 41.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased to $41.0 million in the first six months of 2021 from $41.3 million in the first six months of 2020.

Impairment and Other Lease Charges. Impairment and other lease charges were $0.5 million in the first six months of 2021, which included capital expenditures of $0.3 million at previously impaired restaurants and $0.2 million of other lease charges.

Impairment and other lease charges were $5.8 million in the first six months of 2020, which included $4.1 million of asset impairment charges at nine underperforming restaurants, $0.3 million of capital expenditures at previously impaired restaurants, and $1.4 million of other lease charges primarily due to nine restaurants closed during the first quarter of 2020.

Other Expense (Income), net. The first six months of 2021 included a loss on disposal of assets of $0.9 million.

In the first six months of 2020 other income, net included gains related to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of its restaurants of $1.6 million, net gain on ten sale-leaseback transactions of $0.6 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $0.2 million.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt. We recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $8.5 million during the second quarter of 2021 in connection with the early extinguishment of our term B-1 loans and partial extinguishment of our term B loans under our Senior Credit Facilities. The loss consisted of the proportional write-off of unamortized debt issuance costs and unamortized original issuance discount.

Interest Expense. Interest expense increased to $13.7 million in the first six months of 2021 from $13.5 million in the first six months of 2020. The weighted average interest rate on borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities decreased to 4.4% in the first six months of 2021 from 4.6% in the first six months of 2020, as the variable rates on our borrowings benefited from reduced LIBOR rates.

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. The benefit for income taxes for the first six months of 2021 was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for all of 2021 of 11.0%, which excludes any discrete tax adjustments. The difference compared to the statutory rate for 2021 is attributable to various permanent non-deductible expenses which are not directly related to the amount of pre-tax loss recorded in a period. There was $0.7 million of tax benefit from net discrete tax adjustments during the six months ended July 4, 2021.

During the second quarter of 2021, we also recorded an increase to the valuation allowance on our deferred income tax assets of $2.6 million due to an increase in our projected tax loss for the year as a result of the loss on debt extinguishment recorded in the second quarter of 2021.

The benefit for income taxes for the first six months of 2020 was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for all of 2020 of 36.7%, which excludes any discrete tax adjustments. There were no discrete tax adjustments in the six months ended June 28, 2020. The deferred tax benefit from our pretax loss during the six months of 2020 was offset by tax expense of $0.4 million from an increase to the valuation allowance on our net deferred tax assets as of June 28, 2020.

Net Loss. As a result of the above, net loss for the first six months of 2021 was $16.7 million, or $0.34 per diluted share, compared to a net loss in first six months of 2020 of $14.4 million, or $0.28 per diluted share.

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Reconciliations of net income (loss) to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss), and Income (Loss) from operations to Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 are as follows (in thousands, except for per share data):

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Net income (loss)	$	(9,559)	$	7,842	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Provision (benefit) from income taxes	(32)		90		(2,693)		(6,888)
Interest expense	6,942		6,370		13,668		13,510
Depreciation and amortization	20,421		20,296		41,030		41,327
EBITDA	17,772		34,598		35,278		33,582
Impairment and other lease charges	144		2,941		497		5,822
Acquisition costs (1)	292		274		292		355
Stock-based compensation expense	1,614		1,109		3,083		2,241
Abandoned development costs (2)	—		869		—		1,557
Pre-opening costs (3)	—		10		29		99
Litigation and other professional expenses (4)	232		219		514		280
Loss on extinguishment of debt	8,538		—		8,538		—
Other expense (income), net (5)(6)	715		(2,003)		942		(1,947)
Adjusted EBITDA	$	29,307	$	38,017	$	49,173	$	41,989

Reconciliation of Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA:
Income (loss) from operations	$	5,889	$	14,302	$	2,786	$	(7,745)
Add:
General and administrative expenses	20,698		18,581		42,067		39,368
Pre-opening costs (3)	—		10		29		99
Depreciation and amortization	20,421		20,296		41,030		41,327
Impairment and other lease charges	144		2,941		497		5,822
Other expense (income), net (5)(6)	715		(2,003)		942		(1,947)
Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA	$	47,867	$	54,127	$	87,351	$	76,924

Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Loss:
Net income (loss)	$	(9,559)	$	7,842	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Add:
Impairment and other lease charges	144		2,941		497		5,822
Acquisition costs (1)	292		274		292		355
Abandoned development costs (2)	—		869		—		1,557
Pre-opening costs (3)	—		10		29		99
Litigation and other professional expenses (4)	232		219		514		280
Other expense (income), net (5)(6)	715		(2,003)		942		(1,947)
Income tax effect on above adjustments (7)	(346)		(578)		(569)		(1,542)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	8,538		—		8,538		—
Adjusted Net Income (Loss)	$	16	$	9,574	$	(6,484)	$	(9,743)
Adjusted diluted net income (loss) per share (8)	$	—	$	0.16	$	(0.13)	$	(0.19)
Adjusted diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in thousands of shares)	59,431		60,332		49,871		50,869

(1)Acquisition costs for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 mostly include integration, travel, legal and professional fees incurred in connection with restaurant acquisitions during the second quarter in 2021, which were included in general and administrative expenses. Acquisition costs for the three and six months ended June 28, 2020 mostly include legal and professional fees incurred in connection with the acquisition of 165 Burger King and 55 Popeyes restaurants from Cambridge Franchise Holdings, LLC in 2019 which were included in general and administrative expenses.

(2)Abandoned development costs for the three and six months ended June 28, 2020 represents the write-off of capitalized costs due to the abandoned development in 2020 of previously planned new restaurant locations.

(3)Pre-opening costs for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 include training, labor and occupancy costs incurred during the construction of new restaurants.

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(4)Litigation and other professional expenses for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 include costs pertaining to an ongoing lawsuit with one of the Company's former vendors, as well as other non-recurring professional service expenses.

(5)Other expense (income), net, for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021, included a loss on disposal of assets of $0.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

(6)Other expense (income), net, for the three months ended June 28, 2020 included gains related to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of our restaurants of $1.3 million, a net gain on three sale-leaseback transactions of $0.8 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $0.1 million. Other expense (income), net, for the six months ended June 28, 2020 included gains related to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of our restaurants of $1.6 million, net gain on ten sale-leaseback transactions of $0.6 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $0.2 million.

(7)The income tax effect related to the adjustments to Adjusted Net Income (Loss) other than loss on extinguishment of debt was calculated using an incremental income tax rate of 25% for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020. The loss on extinguishment of debt is not adjusted for tax as its benefit was offset by a valuation allowance charge in the three and six months ended July 4, 2021.

(8)Adjusted diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated based on Adjusted net income (loss) and the dilutive weighted average common shares outstanding for the respective periods.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As is common in the restaurant industry, we maintain relatively low levels of accounts receivable and inventories and receive trade credit based upon negotiated terms for purchasing food products and other supplies. As a result, we may at times maintain current liabilities in excess of current assets, which results in a working capital deficit. We are able to operate with a substantial working capital deficit because:

•restaurant operations are primarily conducted on a cash basis;

•rapid turnover results in a limited investment in inventories; and

•cash from sales is usually received before related liabilities for food, supplies and payroll become due.

Interest payments under our debt obligations, capital expenditures including for our remodeling initiatives, payments of royalties and advertising to BKC and PLK and payments related to our lease obligations represent significant liquidity requirements for us, not including any discretionary expenditures for the acquisition or development of additional Burger King and Popeyes restaurants.

If our future financing needs increase, we may need to arrange additional debt or equity financing. We continually evaluate and consider various financing alternatives to enhance or supplement our existing financial resources, including our Senior Credit Facilities. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to enter into any such arrangements on acceptable terms or at all.

We believe our cash balances, cash generated from our operations and availability of revolving credit borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities provide sufficient cash availability to cover our anticipated working capital needs, capital expenditures and debt service requirements for at least the next twelve months.

Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $26.6 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $47.9 million in the first six months of 2020. The decrease was due primarily to an increase of $1.7 million in EBITDA offset by a decrease in cash provided by working capital components of $30.4 million. Working capital changes in the first six months of 2020 reflected temporary actions we took at the onset of the pandemic in order to preserve cash and increase liquidity, which did not recur in 2021, including deferring payments with suppliers and landlords and deferring employer payroll taxes.

Investing Activities. Net cash used for investing activities in the first six months of 2021 and 2020 was $56.8 million and $25.0 million, respectively. This included $30.8 million of cash paid for the acquisition of 19 restaurants in two acquisitions during the first six months of 2021. This cost included the purchase of 13 fee-owned restaurants, of which 12 are expected to be sold in sale-leaseback transactions during 2021 for net proceeds of approximately $20.1 million, although there is no assurance that we will complete such transactions during 2021 or at all.

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Capital expenditures are a large component of our investing activities and include: (1) new restaurant development, which may include the purchase of real estate; (2) restaurant remodeling, which includes the renovation or rebuilding of the interior and exterior of our existing restaurants including expenditures associated with our franchise agreement renewals and certain restaurants that we acquire; (3) other restaurant capital expenditures, which include capital maintenance expenditures for the ongoing reinvestment and enhancement of our restaurants, and from time to time, to support BKC's and PLK's initiatives; and (4) corporate and restaurant information systems, including expenditures for our point-of-sale systems for restaurants that we acquire.

The following table sets forth our capital expenditures for the periods presented (in thousands):

	Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
New restaurant development	$	2,615	$	13,952
Restaurant remodeling	6,854		7,349
Other restaurant capital expenditures	9,446		5,555
Corporate and restaurant information systems	7,560		6,288
Total capital expenditures	$	26,475	$	33,144
Number of new restaurant openings, including relocations	2		6

In the first six months of 2020, investing activities also included net proceeds of $18.9 million from the completion of ten sale-leaseback transaction and $1.7 million of insurance recoveries related to property damage at four of our restaurants.

Financing Activities. Net cash provided by financing activities in the first six months of 2021 was $21.4 million and included issuance of $300.0 million principal amount of the Notes, principal payments of $319.3 million of outstanding term B and B-1 loans under our Senior Credit Facilities, $46.0 million of revolving credit borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities, and $5.0 million in financing costs paid in connection with the debt issuance and amendments to our Senior Credit Facilities. We also made principal payments on finance leases of $0.3 million.

Net cash provided by financing activities in the six months of 2020 was $20.1 million and included net proceeds from the borrowing of a term B-1 loan under our Senior Credit Facilities of $71.3 million, net repayments of $45.8 million of revolving borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility, principal payments of $2.1 million on the Term Loan B Facility, financing costs associated with borrowing a term B-1 loan under our Senior Credit Facilities and amendments to our Senior Credit Facilities of $2.1 million and principal payments on finance leases of $1.1 million.

Senior Notes due 2029. On June 28, 2021, the Company issued $300.0 million principal amount of the Notes in a private placement as described above under "—Recent and Future Events Affecting our Results of Operations-Issuance of Notes and Amendments to our Senior Credit Facilities". The proceeds of the offering, together with $46.0 million of revolving credit borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities, were used to (i) repay $74.4 million of outstanding term B-1 loans and $243.6 million of outstanding term B loans under our Senior Credit Facilities (which included scheduled principal payments), (ii) to pay fees and expenses related to the offering of the Notes and the Seventh Amendment and (iii) for working capital and general corporate purposes, including for possible future repurchases of its common stock and/or a dividend payment and/or payments on its common stock.

Senior Credit Facilities. As described above under "—Recent and Future Events Affecting Our Results of Operations—Issuance of Notes and Amendments to our Senior Credit Facilities", we entered into the Senior Credit Facilities and subsequent amendments to the Senior Credit Facilities. Our obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities are guaranteed by our subsidiaries and are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of our assets and our subsidiaries, including a pledge of all of the capital stock and equity interests of our subsidiaries. Under the Senior Credit Facilities, we are required to make mandatory prepayments of borrowings following dispositions of assets, debt issuances and the receipt of insurance and condemnation proceeds (all subject to certain exceptions).

At July 4, 2021, borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities bore interest as follows:

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(i) Revolving Credit Facility: at a rate per annum equal to (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 2.50% or (b) LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 3.50%.

(ii) Term B loans: at a rate per annum equal to (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined plus 2.25% or (b) LIBOR Rate plus 3.25%.

The weighted average interest rate for borrowings on long-term debt balances were 4.4% for both the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and 4.3% and 4.6% for the three and six months ended June 28, 2020, respectively.

The term B loans are due and payable in quarterly installments, which began on September 30, 2019. Amounts outstanding at July 4, 2021 are due and payable as follows:

(i) nineteen quarterly installments of $1.1 million;

(ii) one final payment of $153.8 million on April 30, 2026.

As of July 4, 2021, there were $46.0 million revolving credit borrowings outstanding and $9.0 million of letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility. After reserving for issued letters of credit, $120.0 million was available for revolving credit borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities at July 4, 2021.

The Senior Credit Facilities contain certain covenants, including without limitation, those limiting our and our subsidiaries' ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the character of its business in any material respect, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments, make certain restricted payments or pay dividends. In addition, the Senior Credit Facilities require us to meet a First Lien Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities). As the $46.0 million borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility at July 4, 2021 did not exceed 35% of the aggregate borrowing capacity, no First Lien Leverage Ratio calculation was required. The Company was in compliance with the covenants under its Senior Credit Facilities at July 4, 2021.

The Senior Credit Facilities contain customary default provisions, including that the lenders may terminate their obligation to advance and may declare the unpaid balance of borrowings, or any part thereof, immediately due and payable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of customary events of default which include, without limitation, payment default, covenant default, bankruptcy default, cross-default on other indebtedness, judgment default and the occurrence of a change of control.

In March 2020, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement certain of our lenders under the Senior Credit Facilities to mitigate the risk of increases in the variable interest rate related to term loan borrowings under the Term Loan B Facility. The interest rate swap fixes the interest rate on $220.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities at 0.915% plus the applicable margin in its Senior Credit Facilities. The agreement matures on February 28, 2025 and has a notional amount of $220.0 million at July 4, 2021. The differences between the variable LIBOR rate and the interest rate swap rate of 0.915% are settled monthly. We made payments of $0.4 million and $0.9 million to settle the interest rate swap during the three and six months ended July 4, 2021, respectively. The fair value of our interest rate swap agreement was a liability of $2.5 million as of July 4, 2021 and is included in long-term other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the valuation of our interest rate swap were included as a component of other comprehensive income, and will be reclassified to earnings as the losses are realized. We expect to reclassify net losses totaling $1.7 million into earnings in the next twelve months.

Contractual Obligations

A table of our contractual obligations as of January 3, 2021 was included in Item 7, “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2021. There have been no significant changes to our contractual obligations during the three months ended July 4, 2021 other than as described under "—Recent and Future Events Affecting Our Results of Operations—Issuance of Notes and Amendments to our Senior Credit Facilities".

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Inflation

The inflationary factors that have historically affected our results of operations include increases in food and paper costs, labor and other operating expenses, the cost of providing medical and prescription drug insurance to our employees and energy costs. Wages paid in our restaurants are impacted by changes in the Federal and state hourly minimum wage rates and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Accordingly, changes in the Federal and state hourly minimum wage rates and increases in the wage level to not be considered an hourly employee will directly affect our labor costs. We typically attempt to offset the effect of inflation, at least in part, through periodic menu price increases and various cost reduction programs. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able to offset such inflationary cost increases in the future.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Preparing consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by the application of our accounting policies. Our significant accounting policies are described in the “Basis of Presentation” footnote in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2021. Critical accounting estimates are those that require application of management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods. There have been no material changes affecting our critical accounting policies previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2021.

Forward Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Statements that are predictive in nature or that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions are forward-looking statements. These statements are often identified by the words “may”, “might", “will”, “should”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “hope”, “plan” or similar expressions. In addition, expressions of our strategies, intentions or plans are also forward looking statements. These statements reflect management’s current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their date. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond our control. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. We have identified significant factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied in the forward-looking statements. We believe important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include the following, in addition to other risks and uncertainties discussed herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 3, 2021:

•The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;

•Effectiveness of the Burger King and Popeyes advertising programs and the overall success of the Burger King and Popeyes brands;

•Increases in food costs and other commodity costs;

•Our ability to hire and retain employees at current or increased wage rates;

•Competitive conditions, including pricing pressures, discounting, aggressive marketing and the potential impact of competitors’ new unit openings and promotions on sales of our restaurants;

•Our ability to integrate any restaurants we acquire;

•Regulatory factors;

•Environmental conditions and regulations;

•General economic conditions, particularly in the retail sector;

•Weather conditions;

45

•Fuel prices;

•Significant disruptions in service or supply by any of our suppliers or distributors;

•Changes in consumer perception of dietary health and food safety;

•Labor and employment benefit costs, including the effects of minimum wage increases, healthcare reform and changes in the Fair Labor Standards Act;

•The outcome of pending or future legal claims or proceedings;

•Our ability to manage our growth and successfully implement our business strategy;

•Our inability to service our indebtedness;

•Our borrowing costs and credit ratings, which may be influenced by the credit ratings of our competitors;

•The availability and terms of necessary or desirable financing or refinancing and other related risks and uncertainties; and

•Factors that affect the restaurant industry generally, including recalls if products become adulterated or misbranded, liability if our products cause injury, ingredient disclosure and labeling laws and regulations, reports of cases of foodborne illnesses such as “mad cow” disease, and the possibility that consumers could lose confidence in the safety and quality of certain food products as well as negative publicity regarding food quality, illness, injury, or other health concerns.

ITEM 3—QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There were no material changes from the information presented in Item 7A included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2021 with respect to our market risk sensitive instruments.

A 1% change in interest rates would have resulted in a $0.6 million and $1.3 million change to interest expense for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021, respectively and a $0.8 million and $1.8 million change to interest expense for the three and six months ended June 28, 2020, respectively.

ITEM 4—CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our senior management is responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d – 15(e) under the Exchange Act), designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer’s management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as well as other key members of our management. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of July 4, 2021.

Changes in Internal Control. During the three months ended July 4, 2021, we did not make any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

All of our administrative employees and employees of our outsourcing partners and other service providers worked remotely beginning in March 2020 as our corporate office was closed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Although we have reopened the office on a volunteer basis, many employees continue to work remotely on a full or part-time basis. Despite the hybrid working environment, there were no material changes in our internal control over financial reporting as we were able to continue to maintain our existing controls and procedures over our financial reporting during the quarter ended July 4, 2021. We are continually monitoring and assessing the

46

effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on our internal controls and hybrid working environment to minimize the impact on its design and operating effectiveness.

47

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are a party to various litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that the outcome of any of these other matters meet the disclosure or recognition standards, nor will they have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

Part I - Item 1A of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2021 describes important risk factors that could materially affect our business, consolidated financial condition or results of operations or cause our operating results to differ materially from the indicated or cause our operating results to differ materially from those indicated or suggested by forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-Q or presented elsewhere by management from time to time. Our risk factor disclosure has been updated to add the following:

If we are not able to hire and retain qualified restaurant personnel it could create disruptions in the operation of our restaurants, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation and financial condition.

We rely on our restaurant-level employees to provide outstanding service and quality food for the thousands of guests we serve every day. We believe that our continued success depends, in part, on our ability to attract and retain the services of qualified restaurant personnel, and we devote significant resources to recruiting and training our restaurant managers and hourly employees.

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the difficulty of maintaining adequate staffing levels for us and other restaurant operators. It has also caused us to limit operating hours or dine-in services at some of our restaurants due to employee shortages. If we are unable to hire and retain qualified restaurant personnel sufficient to staff our restaurants, it could create disruptions in the operation of our restaurants which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation and financial condition.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable

Item 5. Other Information

None

48

Item 6. Exhibits

(a)The following exhibits are filed as part of this report.

Exhibit No.
31.1	Chief Executive Officer’s Certificate Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.
31.2	Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.
32.1	Chief Executive Officer’s Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.
32.2	Chief Financial Officer’s Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.
101.INS	XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

+ compensatory plan or arrangement

49

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

	CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
Date: August 12, 2021	/s/ Daniel T. Accordino
	(Signature)
	Daniel T. Accordino Chief Executive Officer
Date: August 12, 2021	/s/ Anthony E. Hull
	(Signature)
	Anthony E. Hull Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

50

EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Daniel T. Accordino, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 4, 2021 of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 12, 2021	/s/ Daniel T. Accordino
	Daniel T. Accordino Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Anthony E. Hull, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 4, 2021 of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 12, 2021	/s/ Anthony E. Hull
	Anthony E. Hull Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned, Daniel T. Accordino, Chief Executive Officer of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 4, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Quarterly Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Quarterly Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Daniel T. Accordino

Daniel T. Accordino

Chief Executive Officer

August 12, 2021

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned, Anthony E. Hull, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 4, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Quarterly Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Quarterly Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Anthony E. Hull

Anthony E. Hull

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

August 12, 2021

XML

Cover Page - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021	Aug. 09, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Jul. 04, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	001-33174
Entity Registrant Name	CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	83-3804854
Entity Address, Address Line One	968 James Street
Entity Address, City or Town	Syracuse,
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	13203
City Area Code	315
Local Phone Number	424-0513
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
Trading Symbol	TAST
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		51,273,538
Entity Central Index Key	0000809248
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-02
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Small Business	true

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 28, 2021	Jan. 03, 2021
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 56,187	$ 64,964
Trade and other receivables	20,990	19,862
Inventories	13,322	11,595
Prepaid Rent	8,359	8,046
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	10,373	7,309
Refundable income taxes	185	169
Total current assets	109,416	111,945
Property and equipment, net	365,161	349,555
Franchise rights, net	334,327	334,597
Goodwill	123,248	122,619
Franchise agreements, net	32,129	31,584
Operating leases	794,544	799,962
Other assets	7,593	6,823
Total assets	1,766,418	1,757,085
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities	4,996	5,525
Less: current portion	43,222	41,815
Accounts payable	32,509	27,596
Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits	44,178	49,417
Accrued real estate taxes	8,085	7,774
Other liabilities	21,932	24,214
Total current liabilities	154,922	156,341
Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities, net of current portion	508,787	475,695
Operating lease liabilities	804,661	809,969
Deferred income taxes, net	9,431	11,362
Accrued postretirement benefits	1,358	1,523
Other liabilities	26,773	30,663
Total liabilities	1,505,932	1,485,553
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, par value $.01	0	0
Voting common stock, par value $.01	520	515
Additional paid-in capital	309,547	306,469
Accumulated deficit	(35,094)	(18,367)
Accumulated other comprehensive income	(360)	(3,015)
Treasury stock, at cost	(14,127)	(14,070)
Total stockholders' equity	260,486	271,532
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,766,418	$ 1,757,085
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	100	100
Voting common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Voting common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 28, 2021	Jan. 03, 2021
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 460,962	$ 434,328
Franchise rights, accumulated amortization	140,515	133,632
Franchise agreements, accumulated amortization	$ 13,754	$ 14,653
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	100	100
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	100	100
Voting common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Voting common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Voting common stock, shares issued	53,628,491	52,653,964
Common stock, shares, outstanding	49,927,583	49,389,382

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020
Revenues:
Revenue	$ 424,541,000	$ 368,418,000	$ 814,534,000	$ 719,936,000
Costs and expenses:
Food, beverage and packaging costs	126,424,000	104,703,000	240,214,000	207,630,000
Restaurant wages and related expenses	137,592,000	111,888,000	267,238,000	236,463,000
Restaurant rent expense	30,591,000	28,984,000	60,905,000	58,438,000
Other restaurant operating expenses	65,128,000	54,310,000	126,547,000	112,288,000
Advertising expense	16,939,000	14,416,000	32,308,000	28,292,000
General and administrative expenses (including stock-based compensation of $1,614, $1,109, $3,083 and $2,241 respectively)	20,698,000	18,581,000	42,067,000	39,368,000
Depreciation and amortization	20,421,000	20,296,000	41,030,000	41,327,000
Impairment and other lease charges	144,000	2,941,000	497,000	5,822,000
Other expense (income), net		(2,003,000)
Total operating expenses	418,652,000	354,116,000	811,748,000	727,681,000
Income (loss) from operations	5,889,000	14,302,000	2,786,000	(7,745,000)
Interest expense	6,942,000	6,370,000	13,668,000	13,510,000
Income (loss) before income taxes	(9,591,000)	7,932,000	(19,420,000)	(21,255,000)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(32,000)	90,000	(2,693,000)	(6,888,000)
Net income (loss)	$ (9,559,000)	$ 7,842,000	$ (16,727,000)	$ (14,367,000)
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share	$ (0.19)	$ 0.13	$ (0.34)	$ (0.28)
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	49,917,296	50,916,758	49,870,718	50,868,929
Shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share (in shares)	49,917,296	60,331,817	49,870,718	50,868,929
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net income (loss)	$ (9,559,000)	$ 7,842,000	$ (16,727,000)	$ (14,367,000)
Change in valuation of interest rate swap (Notes 5 and 7)	(504,000)	(2,178,000)	2,655,000	(7,387,000)
Comprehensive income (loss)	(10,063,000)	5,664,000	(14,072,000)	(21,754,000)
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	8,538,000	0	8,538,000	0
Stock-based compensation	$ 1,614,000	$ 1,109,000	$ 3,083,000	$ 2,241,000

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020
Stock-based compensation	$ 1,614	$ 1,109	$ 3,083	$ 2,241

XML

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2019		51,049,377	100				(553,112)
Beginning balance at Dec. 29, 2019	$ 309,462	$ 510		$ 301,251	$ 11,096	$ 622	$ (4,017)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation	1,132			1,132
Vesting of non-vested shares (in shares)		424,963
Vesting of non-vested shares and RSUs	0	$ 5		(5)
Net income (loss)	$ (22,209)
Repurchase of treasury stock (in shares)	(9,318)
Purchase of treasury stock	$ (54)						$ (54)
Change in valuation of interest rate swap	(5,209)					(5,209)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 29, 2020		51,474,340	100				(562,430)
Ending balance at Mar. 29, 2020	283,122	$ 515	$ 0	302,378	(11,113)	(4,587)	$ (4,071)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2019		51,049,377	100				(553,112)
Beginning balance at Dec. 29, 2019	309,462	$ 510		301,251	11,096	622	$ (4,017)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	(14,367)
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 28, 2020		51,486,116	100
Ending balance at Jun. 28, 2020	289,895	$ 515	$ 0	303,487	(3,271)	(6,765)	$ (4,071)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Mar. 29, 2020		51,474,340	100				(562,430)
Beginning balance at Mar. 29, 2020	283,122	$ 515	$ 0	302,378	(11,113)	(4,587)	$ (4,071)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation	1,109			1,109
Vesting of non-vested shares (in shares)		11,776
Vesting of non-vested shares and RSUs	0	$ 0		0
Net income (loss)	7,842				7,842
Change in valuation of interest rate swap	(2,178)					(2,178)
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 28, 2020		51,486,116	100
Ending balance at Jun. 28, 2020	$ 289,895	$ 515	$ 0	303,487	(3,271)	(6,765)	$ (4,071)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jan. 03, 2021	49,389,382	51,486,116	100				(2,096,734)
Beginning balance at Jan. 03, 2021	$ 271,532	$ 515	$ 0	306,469	(18,367)	(3,015)	$ (14,070)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation	1,469
Vesting of non-vested shares (in shares)		522,406
Vesting of non-vested shares and RSUs	0	$ 5		(5)
Net income (loss)	$ (7,168)
Repurchase of treasury stock (in shares)	(8,219)
Purchase of treasury stock	$ (57)						$ (57)
Change in valuation of interest rate swap	3,159					3,159
Ending balance (in shares) at Apr. 04, 2021		52,008,522	100				(2,104,953)
Ending balance at Apr. 04, 2021	$ 268,935	$ 520	$ 0	307,933	(25,535)	144	$ (14,127)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Jan. 03, 2021	49,389,382	51,486,116	100				(2,096,734)
Beginning balance at Jan. 03, 2021	$ 271,532	$ 515	$ 0	306,469	(18,367)	(3,015)	$ (14,070)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Net income (loss)	$ (16,727)
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 28, 2021	49,927,583	52,032,536	100				(2,104,953)
Ending balance at Jun. 28, 2021	$ 260,486	$ 520	$ 0	309,547	(35,094)	(360)	$ (14,127)
Beginning balance (in shares) at Apr. 04, 2021		52,008,522	100				(2,104,953)
Beginning balance at Apr. 04, 2021	268,935	$ 520	$ 0	307,933	(25,535)	144	$ (14,127)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Stock-based compensation	1,614			1,614
Vesting of non-vested shares (in shares)		24,014
Vesting of non-vested shares and RSUs	0
Net income (loss)	(9,559)
Change in valuation of interest rate swap	$ (504)					(504)
Ending balance (in shares) at Jun. 28, 2021	49,927,583	52,032,536	100				(2,104,953)
Ending balance at Jun. 28, 2021	$ 260,486	$ 520	$ 0	$ 309,547	$ (35,094)	$ (360)	$ (14,127)

XML

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholder's Equity Parentheticals - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021	Apr. 04, 2021
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Other comprehensive income, tax	$ 1,046	$ 167
Change in valuation of interest rate swap	$ (504)	$ 3,159

XML

Consolidated Statements Of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020
Cash flows provided from (used for) operating activities:
Net income	$ (16,727)	$ (14,367)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment, including sale-leasebacks	930	(1,859)
Stock-based compensation	3,083	2,241
Impairment and other lease charges	497	5,822
Depreciation and amortization	41,030	41,327
Amortization of deferred financing costs	1,380	1,039
Amortization of discount on debt	404	146
Deferred income taxes	(2,677)	(6,983)
Gain (Loss) on Extinguishment of Debt	8,538	0
Change in refundable income taxes	(16)	96
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities	(9,827)	20,430
Net cash provided by operating activities	26,615	47,892
Cash flows used for investing activities:
New restaurant development	(2,615)	(13,952)
Restaurant remodeling	(6,854)	(7,349)
Other restaurant capital expenditures	(9,446)	(5,555)
Corporate and restaurant information systems	(7,560)	(6,288)
Total capital expenditures	(26,475)	(33,144)
Acquisition of restaurants, net of cash acquired (Note 2)	(30,819)	0
Properties purchased for sale-leaseback	0	(12,441)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	0	18,859
Proceeds from insurance recoveries	500	1,720
Net cash used for investing activities	(56,794)	(25,006)
Proceeds from issuance of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029	300,000	0
Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities:
Principal payments on Term B and B-1 Loans	(319,250)	(2,125)
Proceeds from Issuance of Unsecured Debt	0	71,250
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	46,000	150,000
Repayments under revolving credit facility	0	(195,750)
Payments on finance lease liabilities	(266)	(1,134)
Costs associated with issuance of long-term debt	(5,025)	(2,123)
Purchase of treasury shares	(57)	0
Net cash provided by financing activities	21,402	20,118
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(8,777)	43,004
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	64,964	2,974
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	56,187	45,978
Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid on long-term debt	11,761	12,363
Interest paid on lease financing obligations	52	52
Accruals for capital expenditures	2,514	3,405
Finance lease obligations incurred	804	0
Accrual For Financing Costs	$ 790	$ 0

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Basis Of Presentation (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis Of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

Business Description. At July 4, 2021, Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Carrols Restaurant Group") operated as a franchisee 1,027 Burger King® restaurants in 23 Northeastern, Midwestern, Southcentral and Southeastern states and 65 Popeyes® restaurants in seven Southeastern states.

Basis of Consolidation. Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. is a holding company and conducts all of its operations through its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries Carrols Corporation and New CFH, LLC and their wholly-owned subsidiaries. Carrols Corporation's material wholly-owned subsidiary is Carrols LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. New CFH LLC's material direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries include Frayser Quality, LLC and Nashville Quality, LLC (and together with New CFH, LLC's immaterial direct and indirect subsidiaries, collectively, "New CFH"). Unless the context otherwise requires, Carrols Restaurant Group and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company.” All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Fiscal Year. The Company uses a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. The three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 each contained thirteen and twenty-six weeks, respectively. The 2021 fiscal year will end January 2, 2022 and will contain 52 weeks.

Basis of Presentation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 have been prepared without an audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not include certain of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of such unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been included. The results of operations for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2021. The January 3, 2021 consolidated balance sheet data is derived from those audited consolidated financial statements.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 dates of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates include accrued occupancy costs, insurance liabilities, lease accounting matters, the valuation of acquired assets and liabilities, interest rate swap valuation, the valuation of deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and the evaluation for impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets and franchise rights. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segment Information. Operating segments are components of an entity for which discrete financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in order to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company's chief operating decision-maker, our CEO, currently evaluates the Company's operations from a number of different operational perspectives; however, resource allocation decisions are determined based on the chief operating decision-maker's evaluation of the total Company operations. The Company derives all significant revenues from a single operating segment, its restaurant business. Accordingly, the Company views the operating results of its restaurants as one reportable segment.

Business Combinations. In accordance with ASC 805, the Company allocates the purchase price of an acquired business to its net identifiable assets and liabilities based on the estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded as goodwill. The excess value of the net identifiable assets and liabilities acquired over the purchase price, if any, is recorded as a bargain

purchase gain. The Company uses all available information to estimate fair values of identifiable intangible assets and property acquired. In making these determinations, the Company may engage an independent third-party valuation specialist to assist with the valuation of certain leasehold improvements, franchise rights and favorable and unfavorable leases.

The Company estimates that the seller's carrying value of acquired restaurant equipment, subject to certain adjustments, is equivalent to the fair value of this equipment at the date of the acquisition. The fair values of assumed franchise agreements are valued as if the remaining term of the agreement is at the market rate. The fair values of acquired land, buildings, certain leasehold improvements and restaurant equipment subject to finance leases are determined using both the cost approach and market approach using significant inputs observable in the open market. The Company categorizes these inputs as Level 2 inputs under ASC 820. The fair value acquired franchise rights and favorable or unfavorable leases positions are determined using the income approach and include unobservable inputs. The Company categorizes these inputs as Level 3 inputs under ASC 820.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At both July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021, the Company did not have any cash invested in money market funds classified as cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Food, beverage and packaging costs. The Company includes food, beverage and packaging costs and delivery commissions, net of any vendor purchase discounts and rebates, as food, beverage, and packaging costs on the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In determining fair value, the accounting standards establish a three-level hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable and reflect the Company's own assumptions. Financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, accounts payable and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The carrying amount of the term B loans at July 4, 2021 approximate fair value because of their variable rates.

The Company recognizes its derivative arrangements on the balance sheet at fair value, which is considered Level 2. The Company’s only derivative is an interest rate swap which is designated as a cash flow hedge. Accordingly, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of this arrangement is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of the changes in the fair value of this arrangement is immediately recognized in earnings as interest expense. The Company classifies cash inflows and outflows from derivatives within operating activities on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are primarily used in the impairment analysis of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets. Long-lived assets and definite-lived intangible assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs. As described in Note 4, the Company recorded long-lived asset impairment charges of $0.1 million and $0.3 million during the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and $2.7 million and $4.4 million during the three and six months ended June 28, 2020.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements. In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2020-04 (“ASU 2020-04”) and subsequently ASU No. 2021-01, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) in March 2020 and January 2021, respectively. The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contract modifications and hedging relationships, including derivative instruments impacted by changes in the interest rates used for discounting cash flows for computing variable margin settlements, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference the London

Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or other reference rates expected to be discontinued, in 2022 or potentially 2023 (pending possible extension). The ASUs establish certain contract modification principles that entities can apply in other areas that may be affected by reference rate reform and certain elective hedge accounting expedients and exceptions. The ASUs may be applied prospectively. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. This ASU is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact the consolidated financial statements.

In April 2020, the FASB staff issued interpretive guidance that indicated it would be acceptable for entities to make an election to account for lease concessions related to the COVID-19 pandemic consistent with how those concessions would be accounted for under ASC Topic 842, Leases ("ASC 842"), as though enforceable rights and obligations for those concessions existed (regardless of whether those enforceable rights and obligations for the concessions explicitly exist in the contract). Consequently, for concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, an entity will not have to analyze each contract to determine whether enforceable rights and obligations for concessions exist in the contract and can elect to apply or not apply the lease modification guidance in Topic 842 to those contracts. This election is available for concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that do not result in a substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee. The Company elected to apply this interpretive guidance to certain rent relief received in 2020 resulting directly from COVID-19, and has assumed that enforceable rights and obligations for those concessions exist in the lease contract. Accordingly, the Company recognized abatements in 2020 that did not result in an extension of lease term as reductions in variable lease payments, and deferrals that did not result in an extension of lease term as an increase in other current liabilities. This election will continue while these abatements or deferrals are in effect.

COVID-19. In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be a global pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the communities the Company's restaurants operate in as federal, state and local governments have taken a series of actions to contain its spread. In March 2020, the Company closed its dining rooms in all restaurants and modified operating hours in line with local ordinances and day-part sales trends. Over the course of the pandemic, each restaurant has operated according to its respective local governmental guidelines as well as safety procedures developed by Burger King and Popeyes. The COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on restaurants in communities in which the Company operates continues to evolve. During the second quarter of 2021, we saw a modest shift in guests returning to dining rooms, with take-out and dine-in representing approximately 14% of net sales in June of 2021, as compared to 10% of net sales in December of 2020 and 30% of net sales for all of 2019.

Subsequent events. The Company reviewed and evaluated subsequent events through the issuance date of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (Note 15).

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Acquisition (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Mergers, Acquisitions and Dispositions Disclosures [Text Block]

Acquisitions

In 2021, the Company acquired an aggregate of 19 Burger King restaurants from other franchisees in the following transactions (in thousands except number of restaurants):

Closing Date	Number of Restaurants	Purchase Price		Fee-Owned (1)	Market Location
June 17, 2021	14	$	27,603	12	Fort Wayne, Indiana
June 23, 2021	5	3,216		1	Battle Creek, Michigan
	19	$	30,819	13

(1) The 2021 acquisitions included the purchase of 13 fee-owned restaurants, of which 12 are expected to be sold in sale-leaseback transactions during 2021 for net proceeds of approximately $20.1 million, although there is no assurance we will complete such transactions during 2021 or at all.

The Company allocated the aggregate purchase price for the 2021 acquisitions at their estimated fair values. The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase price for the 2021 acquisitions reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of July 4, 2021:

Inventory	$	229
Land and buildings	21,361
Restaurant equipment	850
Restaurant equipment - subject to finance leases	29
Right-of-use assets	2,997
Leasehold improvements	550
Franchise fees	411
Franchise rights	6,613
Deferred income taxes	106
Goodwill	629
Operating lease liabilities	(2,899)
Finance lease liabilities for restaurant equipment	(35)
Accounts payable	(22)
Net assets acquired	$	30,819

The values of certain assets and liabilities are preliminary in nature at July 4, 2021. The preliminary fair value of franchise rights and goodwill was estimated based on past history of purchase price allocations. When the fair value determination is finalized, changes to the preliminary valuation of assets acquired or liabilities assumed may result in material adjustments to the estimated fair value of identifiable assets acquired, including land and buildings, franchise rights, goodwill, and the related deferred taxes.

Goodwill recorded in connection with the 2021 acquisitions represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired restaurants. Acquired goodwill that is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes was $0.6 million in 2021.

The results of operations for the restaurants acquired are included from the closing date of the respective acquisition. The 2021 acquired restaurants contributed restaurant sales of $1.0 million in the three and six months ended July 4, 2021. It is impracticable to disclose net earnings for the post-acquisition period for the acquired restaurants as net earnings of these restaurants were not tracked on a collective basis due to the integration of administrative functions, including field supervision.

The unaudited pro forma impact on the results of operations for the restaurants acquired in 2021 for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 are included below. The unaudited pro forma results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the acquisitions been consummated at the beginning of the periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of any future consolidated operating results. The following table summarizes the Company's unaudited pro forma operating results:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Total revenue	$	430,017	$	374,489	$	826,024	$	730,929
Net income (loss)	$	(8,871)	$	8,315	$	(15,574)	$	(13,580)
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.18)	$	0.14	$	(0.31)	$	(0.27)

This unaudited pro forma financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, cost savings or integration costs related to the acquired restaurants. The unaudited pro forma financial results exclude transaction costs recorded as general and administrative expenses of $0.3 million during the three and six months ended July 4, 2021.

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Intangible Assets (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Goodwill And Franchise Rights [Text Block]

Intangible Assets

Goodwill. The Company is required to review goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. If the determined fair value of goodwill is less than the related carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment as of the last day of its fiscal year and does not believe circumstances have changed since the last assessment date which would make it necessary to reassess the value of its goodwill. There were no recorded goodwill impairment losses during the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 or June 28, 2020. The change in goodwill for the six months ended July 4, 2021 is summarized below:

Balance at January 3, 2021	$	122,619
Acquisitions of restaurants (Note 2)	629
Balance at July 4, 2021	$	123,248

Franchise Rights. Amounts allocated to franchise rights for each acquisition of Burger King and Popeyes restaurants are amortized using the straight-line method over the average remaining term of the acquired franchise agreements plus one twenty-year renewal period.

The Company assesses the potential impairment of franchise rights whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. If an indicator of impairment exists, an estimate of the aggregate undiscounted cash flows from the acquired restaurants is compared to the respective carrying value of franchise rights for each acquisition. If an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. No impairment charges were recorded related to the Company’s franchise rights for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020. The change in franchise rights for the six months ended July 4, 2021 is summarized below:

Balance at January 3, 2021	$	334,597
Acquisitions of restaurants (Note 2)	6,613
Amortization expense	(6,883)
Balance at July 4, 2021	$	334,327

Amortization expense related to franchise rights was $3.4 million for each of the three months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, and $6.9 million and $7.3 million for the six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively. The Company expects annual amortization expense to be $13.9 million in 2021 and $14.0 million in each of the following five years.

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Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets And Other Lease Charges (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]

Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block]

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, principally property and equipment, for impairment at the restaurant level. If an indicator of impairment exists for any of its assets, an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows over the life of the primary asset for each restaurant is compared to that long-lived asset’s carrying value. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flow, the Company then determines the fair value of the asset and if an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. For closed restaurant locations, the Company reviews the future minimum lease payments and related ancillary costs from the date of the restaurant closure to the end of the remaining lease term and records a lease charge for the lease liabilities to be incurred, net of any estimated sublease recoveries.

The Company determined the fair value of restaurant equipment, for those restaurants reviewed for impairment, based on current economic conditions. The Company determines the fair value of right-of-use lease assets based on an assessment of market rents and a discounted future cash flow model. These fair value asset measurements rely on significant unobservable inputs and are considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

During the three months ended July 4, 2021, the Company recorded impairment and other lease charges of $0.1 million due primarily to capital expenditures at previously impaired restaurants. During the six months ended July 4, 2021, the Company recorded impairment and other lease charges of $0.5 million due primarily to capital expenditures of $0.3 million at previously impaired restaurants and $0.2 million of other lease charges.

During the three months ended June 28, 2020, the Company recorded impairment and other lease charges of $2.9 million consisting of $2.6 million of initial impairment charges for six underperforming restaurants, capital expenditures of $0.1 million at underperforming restaurants, and $0.2 million of other lease charges. During the six months ended June 28, 2020, the Company recorded impairment and other lease charges of $5.8 million consisting of $4.1 million related to initial impairment charges for nine underperforming restaurants, capital expenditures of $0.3 million at previously impaired restaurants and $1.4 million of other lease charges primarily from nine restaurants closed during the first quarter of 2020.

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Other Liabilities, Long-Term (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]

Other Liabilities Disclosure [Text Block]

Other Liabilities, Long-Term

Other liabilities, long-term, at July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021 consisted of the following:

	July 4, 2021		January 3, 2021
Accrued occupancy costs	$	2,215	$	2,394
Accrued workers’ compensation and general liability claims	5,281		5,499
Interest rate swap (Note 7)	2,529		6,062
Deferred compensation	4,455		4,419
Deferred federal payroll taxes	10,808		10,808
Lease finance obligations	1,188		1,191
Other	297		290
	$	26,773	$	30,663

On March 27, 2020, the United States enacted the CARES Act as a response to the economic uncertainty resulting from COVID-19. The CARES Act provided for deferred payment of the employer portion of social security taxes through the end of 2020, with 50% of the deferred amount due December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% due December 31, 2022. In 2020, the Company deferred $21.6 million related to this provision. As of both July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021, $10.8 million was recorded in accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits and $10.8 million was recorded in other liabilities, long-term in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

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Leases

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Leases [Abstract]

Leases

Leases

The Company utilizes land and buildings in its operations under various lease agreements. The Company does not consider any one of these individual leases material to the Company's operations. Initial lease terms are generally for twenty years and, in many cases, provide for renewal options and in most cases rent escalations. The exercise of such renewal options is generally at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company evaluates renewal options at lease commencement and upon any lease amendments or remodeling activity to determine if such options are reasonably certain to be exercised based on economic factors. Certain leases also require variable rent, determined as a percentage of sales as defined by the terms of the applicable lease agreement. For most locations, the Company is obligated for occupancy-related costs including payment of property taxes, insurance and utilities.

Right-of-use (“ROU”) lease assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make payments in exchange for that right of use. As the rate implicit within our leases is not readily determinable, the Company uses market and term-specific incremental borrowing rates which consider the rate of interest it expects to pay on a collateralized basis to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments under similar terms. ROU assets are also reduced by lease incentives, increased by initial direct costs and adjusted by favorable lease assets and unfavorable lease liabilities.

Variable lease components represent amounts that are contractually fixed as a percentage of sales and are recognized in expense as incurred. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and are recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company does not account for lease components (e.g., fixed payments including rent) separately from non-lease components (e.g. common area maintenance).

The Company also utilizes certain restaurant equipment under various finance lease agreements with initial terms of generally three to eight years. The Company does not consider any one of these individual leases material to the Company's operations.

For certain leases where rent escalates based upon a change in a financial index, such as the Consumer Price Index, the difference between the index at lease inception and the subsequent fluctuations in that index are included in variable lease costs. Additionally, because the Company has elected to not separate lease and non-lease components, in limited instances variable costs also include payments to the landlord for common area maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, with variable lease payments recognized in the period those costs are incurred.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic uncertainty in the restaurant industry in 2020, the Company contacted each of its landlords to potentially negotiate accommodations to preserve cash. For certain leases the Company was able to modify existing payment terms, in some cases through deferral of existing payments until future periods and in some cases through a reduction in payments that would otherwise have been due. The Company elected the practical expedient to not evaluate whether a deferral of rent within the current term is a lease modification. Any concessions which resulted in an extension of the existing lease term were accounted for as a lease modification under current U.S. GAAP guidance. The total rent that was or will be deferred as a result of requests for pandemic-related relief from our landlords other than Burger King Corporation ("BKC", see Note 11) was $5.8 million, of which $4.8 million has been or remains to be repaid over various schedules which began in the third quarter of 2020. As of July 4, 2021, $1.2 million remains to be repaid to landlords related to these deferrals.

Lease Cost

The components and classification of lease expense for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 are as follows:

		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
Lease cost	Classification	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Operating lease cost (1)	Restaurant rent expense	$	25,717	$	25,491	$	51,459	$	50,962
Operating lease cost (2)	General and administrative	224		167		480		265
Variable lease cost	Restaurant rent expense	4,907		3,599		9,505		7,704
Sublease income	Restaurant rent expense	(33)		(106)		(59)		(228)
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	Depreciation and amortization	177		437		309		882
Interest on lease liabilities	Interest expense	28		36		51		82
Total lease cost		$	31,020	$	29,624	$	61,745	$	59,667

(1)Includes short-term leases which are not material.

(2)Represents operating lease costs for property and equipment not directly related to restaurant operations.

Other Information

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 are as follows:

	Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions	$	—	$	567
Operating lease assets and liabilities resulting from lease modifications and new leases	17,632		39,953
Finance lease assets acquired through finance lease obligations	804		—
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows related to operating leases	50,352		49,143
Operating cash flows related to finance leases	28		36
Financing cash flows related to finance leases	266		1,134

Leases

Leases

The Company utilizes land and buildings in its operations under various lease agreements. The Company does not consider any one of these individual leases material to the Company's operations. Initial lease terms are generally for twenty years and, in many cases, provide for renewal options and in most cases rent escalations. The exercise of such renewal options is generally at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company evaluates renewal options at lease commencement and upon any lease amendments or remodeling activity to determine if such options are reasonably certain to be exercised based on economic factors. Certain leases also require variable rent, determined as a percentage of sales as defined by the terms of the applicable lease agreement. For most locations, the Company is obligated for occupancy-related costs including payment of property taxes, insurance and utilities.

Right-of-use (“ROU”) lease assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make payments in exchange for that right of use. As the rate implicit within our leases is not readily determinable, the Company uses market and term-specific incremental borrowing rates which consider the rate of interest it expects to pay on a collateralized basis to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments under similar terms. ROU assets are also reduced by lease incentives, increased by initial direct costs and adjusted by favorable lease assets and unfavorable lease liabilities.

Variable lease components represent amounts that are contractually fixed as a percentage of sales and are recognized in expense as incurred. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets and are recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company does not account for lease components (e.g., fixed payments including rent) separately from non-lease components (e.g. common area maintenance).

The Company also utilizes certain restaurant equipment under various finance lease agreements with initial terms of generally three to eight years. The Company does not consider any one of these individual leases material to the Company's operations.

For certain leases where rent escalates based upon a change in a financial index, such as the Consumer Price Index, the difference between the index at lease inception and the subsequent fluctuations in that index are included in variable lease costs. Additionally, because the Company has elected to not separate lease and non-lease components, in limited instances variable costs also include payments to the landlord for common area maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, with variable lease payments recognized in the period those costs are incurred.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic uncertainty in the restaurant industry in 2020, the Company contacted each of its landlords to potentially negotiate accommodations to preserve cash. For certain leases the Company was able to modify existing payment terms, in some cases through deferral of existing payments until future periods and in some cases through a reduction in payments that would otherwise have been due. The Company elected the practical expedient to not evaluate whether a deferral of rent within the current term is a lease modification. Any concessions which resulted in an extension of the existing lease term were accounted for as a lease modification under current U.S. GAAP guidance. The total rent that was or will be deferred as a result of requests for pandemic-related relief from our landlords other than Burger King Corporation ("BKC", see Note 11) was $5.8 million, of which $4.8 million has been or remains to be repaid over various schedules which began in the third quarter of 2020. As of July 4, 2021, $1.2 million remains to be repaid to landlords related to these deferrals.

Lease Cost

The components and classification of lease expense for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 are as follows:

		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
Lease cost	Classification	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Operating lease cost (1)	Restaurant rent expense	$	25,717	$	25,491	$	51,459	$	50,962
Operating lease cost (2)	General and administrative	224		167		480		265
Variable lease cost	Restaurant rent expense	4,907		3,599		9,505		7,704
Sublease income	Restaurant rent expense	(33)		(106)		(59)		(228)
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	Depreciation and amortization	177		437		309		882
Interest on lease liabilities	Interest expense	28		36		51		82
Total lease cost		$	31,020	$	29,624	$	61,745	$	59,667

(1)Includes short-term leases which are not material.

(2)Represents operating lease costs for property and equipment not directly related to restaurant operations.

Other Information

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 are as follows:

	Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions	$	—	$	567
Operating lease assets and liabilities resulting from lease modifications and new leases	17,632		39,953
Finance lease assets acquired through finance lease obligations	804		—
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows related to operating leases	50,352		49,143
Operating cash flows related to finance leases	28		36
Financing cash flows related to finance leases	266		1,134

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Long-Term Debt (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt at July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021 consisted of the following:

	July 4, 2021		January 3, 2021
Senior Credit Facility:
Term B Loans	$	174,000	$	419,375
Term B-1 Loans	—		73,875
Revolving credit borrowings	46,000		—
Senior Notes Due 2029	300,000		—
Finance lease liabilities	1,451		908
Total Funded debt	521,451		494,158
Less: current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities	(4,996)		(5,525)
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs	(7,005)		(7,777)
Less: unamortized original issue discount	(663)		(5,161)
Total Long-term debt	$	508,787	$	475,695

Senior Credit Facility. On April 30, 2019, the Company entered into senior secured credit facilities in an aggregate principal amount of $550.0 million, consisting of (i) a Term Loan B Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $425.0 million (the “Term Loan B Facility”) maturing on April 30, 2026 and (ii) a revolving credit facility (including a sub-facility of $35.0 million for standby letters of credit) in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million maturing on April 30, 2024 (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Loan B Facility, the “Senior Credit Facilities”).

On December 13, 2019, the Company entered into the First Amendment to Credit Agreement (the "First Amendment") which amended a financial covenant under the Senior Credit Facilities applicable solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility that previously required the Company to maintain quarterly a Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) of not greater than 4.75 to 1.00 (measured on a most recent four quarter basis), to now require that the Company maintain only a First Lien Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) of not greater than 5.75 to 1.00 (as measured on a most recent four quarter basis) if, and only if, on the last day of any fiscal quarter (beginning with the fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2019), the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and the aggregate face amount of letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility (excluding undrawn letters of credit in an aggregate face amount up to $12.0 million) exceeds 35% of the aggregate amount of the maximum revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The First Amendment also reduced the aggregate maximum revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility by $10.0 million to a total of $115.0 million.

On March 25, 2020, the Company entered into the Second Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities (the "Second Amendment"). The Second Amendment, among other things, (i) increased the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under the Revolving Credit Facility (the "Revolving Committed Amount") by $15.4 million to a total of $130.4 million, (ii) amended the definition of Applicable Margin (such definition and all other definitions used herein and otherwise not defined herein shall be the meanings set forth in the Senior Credit Facilities), (iii) provided for a commitment fee (the "Ticking Fee") beginning on the 180th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date and for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount remained greater than $115.0 million, and (iv) provided that the Company shall use the proceeds of an Extension of Credit which results in the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations equaling an amount in excess of $115.0 million solely for ongoing operations of the Company and its subsidiaries and shall not be held as cash on the balance sheet. The terms outlined as (ii), (iii) and (iv) were removed in the Sixth Amendment described below.

On April 8, 2020, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities which increased the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under the Revolving Credit Facility by $15.4 million to a total of $145.8 million.

On April 16, 2020, the Company entered into the Fourth Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities (the "Fourth Amendment"). The Fourth Amendment permits the Company to incur and, if necessary, repay indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the "PPP") under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, as amended (the "CARES Act"). Subsequent to the Fourth Amendment, the Company withdrew its application for relief under the PPP and returned the funds upon receipt.

On June 23, 2020 (the "Fifth Amendment Effective Date"), the Company entered into the Fifth Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities (the "Fifth Amendment"). The Fifth Amendment increased the Term Loan (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) borrowings in the aggregate principal amount of $75 million of Incremental Term B-1 Loans (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities). The Incremental Term B-1 Loans constituted a new tranche of Term Loans ranking pari passu in right of payment and security with the Initial Term Loans for all purposes under the Senior Credit Facilities. The Incremental Term B-1 Loans had the same terms as outstanding borrowings under the Company's existing Term Loan B facility pursuant to and in accordance with the Senior Credit Facilities, provided that (i) borrowings under the Incremental Term B-1 Loans bore interest at a rate per annum, at the Company’s option, of (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus the applicable margin of 5.25% or (b) the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) (which shall not be less than 1% for Incremental Term B-1 Loans) plus the applicable margin of 6.25% and (ii) certain prepayments of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans by the Company prior to the first anniversary of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date would be subject to a premium to the Administrative Agent (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities), for the ratable account of each applicable Term Loan Lender (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) holding Incremental Term B-1 Loans on the date of such prepayment equal to the Applicable Make-Whole Amount (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) with respect to the principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans so prepaid. The principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans amortized in an aggregate annual amount equal to 1% of the original principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans and were repayable in consecutive quarterly installments on the last day of the Company's fiscal quarters beginning on the third fiscal quarter of 2020. The remaining outstanding principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loan and all accrued but unpaid interest and other amounts payable with respect to the Incremental Term B-1 Loan would be due on April 30, 2026, which is the Term Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities). The net proceeds of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans were $71.3 million after original issue discount and were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of the outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Facility. The Term B-1 Loans were repaid in full on June 28, 2021.

On April 6, 2021, the Company entered into the Sixth Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities (the "Sixth Amendment") which increased the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under the Revolving Credit Facility by $29.2 million to a total of $175.0 million. The Sixth Amendment also amended the definitions in the Senior Credit Facilities of (i) Applicable Margin, to provide that the Applicable Margin for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility (including Letter of Credit Fees) shall be at a rate per annum equal to 3.25% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 2.25% for Alternate Base Rate Loans, and (ii) Revolving Maturity Date, to provide that the Revolving Maturity Date is extended to January 29, 2026. In addition, the Sixth Amendment amended the Senior Credit Facilities to remove the obligation by the Company to (i) pay a Ticking Fee pursuant to the Ticking Fee Rate and (ii) use the proceeds of an Extension of Credit which results in the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations equaling an amount in excess of $115.0 million solely for ongoing operations of the Company and its subsidiaries and not to hold as cash on the balance sheet.

On June 28, 2021, the Company entered into the Seventh Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities (the "Seventh Amendment"). The Seventh Amendment revised (a) the initial amount for calculating the Available Amount (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) from $27.0 million to $50.0 million which is utilized, among other items, in determining the amount of Restricted Payments (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) and

Permitted Investments (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities), (b) the calculation of the Company's ability to incur an Incremental Term Loan (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) or an increase to the Revolving Committed Amount from $135.0 million to $180.0 million, and (c) the general basket for Restricted Payments, Permitted Investments and Restricted Junior Debt Payment (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) from an aggregate amount not to exceed the greater of (i) $27.0 million and (ii) 20% of Consolidated EBITDA (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) as of the most recently completed Reference Period (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) to (i) $50.0 million and (ii) 40% of Consolidated EBITDA as of the most recently completed Reference Period. In addition, the Seventh Amendment revises the Total Net Leverage Ratio required for the Company to make Restricted Payments or prepay Junior Debt (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) with unutilized Available Amount from 3.00 to 1.00 to 4.00 to 1.00. The Seventh Amendment also provided for affiliates of the Company to acquire up to 20% of the outstanding term loans pursuant to certain transactions.

The Company’s obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities are guaranteed by its subsidiaries and are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including a pledge of all of the capital stock and equity interests of its subsidiaries.

Under the Senior Credit Facilities, the Company is required to make mandatory prepayments of borrowings in the event of dispositions of assets, debt issuances and insurance and condemnation proceeds (all subject to certain exceptions).

The Senior Credit Facilities contain certain covenants, including, without limitation, those limiting the Company’s and its subsidiaries' ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the character of its business in all material respects, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments, make certain restricted payments or pay dividends. In addition, the Senior Credit Facilities require the Company to meet a First Lien Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) if revolving credit borrowings exceed 35% of the aggregate borrowing capacity, as described under the First Amendment above. As the $46.0 million borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility at July 4, 2021 did not exceed 35% of the aggregate borrowing capacity, no First Lien Leverage Ratio calculation was required. The Company was in compliance with the covenants under its Senior Credit Facilities at July 4, 2021.

The Senior Credit Facilities contain customary default provisions, including that the lenders may terminate their obligation to advance and may declare the unpaid balance of borrowings, or any part thereof, immediately due and payable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of customary events of default which include, without limitation, payment default, covenant default, bankruptcy default, cross-default on other indebtedness, judgment default and the occurrence of a change of control.

The Term Loan B Facility requires quarterly installment payments, which began on September 30, 2019. Amounts outstanding at July 4, 2021 are due and payable as follows:

(i) nineteen remaining quarterly installments of $1.1 million;

(ii) one final payment of $153.8 million on April 30, 2026.

At July 4, 2021, borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities bore interest as follows (subject to interest rate swap as described below):

(i) Revolving Credit Facility: at a rate per annum equal to (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 2.50% or (b) LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 3.50%.

(ii) Term Loan B Facility: at a rate per annum equal to (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 2.25% or (b) LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 3.25%.

The weighted average interest rate for borrowings on long-term debt balances were 4.4% for both the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and 4.3% and 4.6% for the three and six months ended June 28, 2020, respectively.

As of July 4, 2021, there were $46.0 million revolving credit borrowings outstanding and $9.0 million of letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility. After reserving for issued letters of credit and

outstanding revolving credit borrowings, $120.0 million was available for revolving credit borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities at July 4, 2021.

Senior Notes due 2029. On June 28, 2021, the Company issued $300.0 million principal amount of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029 (the "Notes") in a private placement. The proceeds of the offering, together with $46.0 million of revolving credit borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities, were used to (i) repay $74.4 million of outstanding term B-1 loans and $243.6 million of outstanding term B loans under the Senior Credit Facilities (which included scheduled principal payments), (ii) to pay fees and expenses related to the offering of the Notes and the Seventh Amendment and (iii) for working capital and general corporate purposes, including for possible future repurchases of its common stock and/or a dividend payment and/or payments on its common stock.

Carrols Restaurant Group and certain of its subsidiaries (the "Guarantors") entered into the Indenture (the "Indenture") dated as of June 28, 2021 with the Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company governing the Notes. The Indenture provides that the Notes will mature on July 1, 2029 and will bear interest at the rate of 5.875% per annum, payable semi-annually on July 1 and January 1 of each year, beginning on January 1, 2022. The entire principal amount of the Notes will be due and payable in full on the maturity date. The Indenture further provides that the Company (i) may redeem some or all of the Notes at any time after July 1, 2024 at the redemption prices described therein, (ii) may redeem up to 40% of the Notes using the proceeds of certain equity offerings completed before July 1, 2024 and (iii) must offer to purchase the Notes if it sells certain of its assets or if specific kinds of changes in control occur, all as set forth in the Indenture. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations of Carrols Restaurant Group and are guaranteed on an unsecured basis by the Guarantors. The Indenture contains certain covenants that limit the ability of Carrols Restaurant Group and the Guarantors to, among other things: incur indebtedness or issue preferred stock; incur liens; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock or make certain other restricted payments or investments; sell assets; agree to payment restrictions affecting Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture); enter into transaction with affiliates; or merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of the assets. Such restrictions are subject to certain exceptions and qualifications all as set forth in the Indenture. The Company was in compliance with all such covenants as of July 4, 2021.

Interest Rate Swap. In March 2020, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with certain of its lenders under the Senior Credit Facilities to mitigate the risk of increases in the variable interest rate related to term loan borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities. The interest rate swap fixes the interest rate on $220.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities at 0.915% plus the applicable margin in its Senior Credit Facilities. The agreement matures on February 28, 2025 and has a notional amount of $220.0 million. The differences between the variable LIBOR rate and the interest rate swap rate of 0.915% are settled monthly. The Company made additional interest payments due the interest rate swap of $0.4 million and $0.9 million during the three and six months ended July 4, 2021, respectively, and received payments of $0.03 million due the interest rate swap during the three and six months ended June 28, 2020. The fair value of the Company's interest rate swap agreement was a liability of $2.5 million as of July 4, 2021 and is included in long-term other liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the valuation of the Company's interest rate swap were included as a component of other comprehensive income and will be reclassified to earnings as the losses are realized. The Company expects to reclassify net losses totaling $1.7 million into earnings in the next twelve months.

The Company's counterparties under this arrangement provided the Company with quarterly statements of the market values of these instruments based on significant inputs that were observable or could be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. The Company classified this within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy described in Note 1. The impact on the derivative liabilities for the Company and the counterparties' non-performance risk to the derivative trades was considered when measuring the fair value of derivative liabilities.

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Income Taxes (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 was comprised of the following:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Current	$	(16)	$	90	$	(16)	$	95
Deferred	(2,572)		1,789		(5,233)		(7,342)
Change in valuation allowance	2,556		(1,789)		2,556		359
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	(32)	$	90	$	(2,693)	$	(6,888)

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amount used for income tax purposes.

The benefit for income taxes for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for all of 2021 of 11.0%, which reflects the change in valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets and excludes other discrete tax adjustments. The difference compared to the statutory rate for 2021 is attributed to various nondeductible tax expenses. There were no net discrete tax adjustments during the three months ended July 4, 2021. The six months ended July 4, 2021 contained $0.7 million of tax benefit from net discrete tax adjustments.

The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the three and six months ended June 28, 2020 was derived using an estimated effective annual income tax rate for all of 2020 of 36.7%, which excludes any discrete tax adjustments. The difference compared to the statutory rate for 2020 is attributed to the benefits of federal employment credits which are not directly related to the amount of pre-tax loss recorded in a period. Accordingly, in periods where recorded pre-tax income (loss) is relatively small, the proportional effect of these items on the effective tax rate may be significant. There were no discrete items for the three and six months ended June 28, 2020.

As of July 4, 2021, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $136.7 million which expire beginning in 2033. The Company's state net operating loss carryforwards expire beginning in 2021 through 2038.

On March 27, 2020, the United States enacted the CARES Act as a response to the economic uncertainty resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act includes modifications for net operating loss carryovers and carrybacks, limitations of business interest expense for tax, immediate refund of alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit carryovers as well as a technical correction to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, for qualified improvement property. As of July 4, 2021, the Company expects that the carryback of net operation losses will not have an impact on its current tax attributes.

The Company has performed an assessment of positive and negative evidence regarding the realization of its deferred income tax assets at July 4, 2021 as required by ASC 740. Under ASC 740, the weight given to negative and positive evidence is commensurate only to the extent that such evidence can be objectively verified. ASC 740 also prescribes that objective evidence, in particular the Company’s three-year cumulative loss position at July 4, 2021, be given greater weight than subjective evidence, such as the Company’s forecasts of future taxable income, which include assumptions that cannot be objectively verified. The Company considers all available positive and negative evidence regarding the estimated future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, estimated future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, historical taxable income in prior carryback periods if carryback is permitted, and potential tax planning strategies which may be employed to prevent an operating loss or tax credit carryforward from expiring unused, and determines, based on the required weight of the evidence under ASC 740, whether a valuation allowance is necessary for any of its deferred tax assets at each reporting period. The future reversals of existing temporary differences and the ability to carryback are considered verifiable evidence. At January 4, 2021, the Company determined that a valuation allowance was needed for certain federal income tax credits in the amount of $13.1 million as they may expire prior to their utilization by the Company. As of July 4, 2021, the Company determined an additional amount of $3.0 million in Federal tax

credits may expire prior to their utilization due to an increase in projected tax loss for the year as a result of the loss on debt extinguishment in the second quarter of 2021. A charge of $2.6 million was recorded in the three months ended July 4, 2021 related to this assessment. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight may be given to subjective evidence such as projections for growth. As of July 4, 2021, the Company has a valuation allowance recorded as a component of its deferred income taxes in the amount of $15.7 million.

The Company's policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. At July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits and no accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions. The tax years 2015 - 2020 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. Although it is not reasonably possible to estimate the amount by which unrecognized tax benefits may increase within the next twelve months due to the uncertainties regarding the timing of examinations, the Company does not expect unrecognized tax benefits to significantly change in the next twelve months.

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Commitments And Contingencies (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Guarantees. Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Fiesta"), a former wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, was spun-off in 2012 to the Company's stockholders. As of July 4, 2021, the Company is a guarantor under 17 Fiesta restaurant property leases with lease terms expiring on various dates through 2030, of which all but one are still operating. The Company is fully liable for all obligations under the terms of the leases in the event that Fiesta fails to pay any sums due under the lease, subject to indemnification provisions of a Separation and Distribution Agreement entered into in connection with the spin-off of Fiesta.

The maximum potential amount of future undiscounted rental payments the Company could be required to make under these leases at July 4, 2021 was $10.3 million. The obligations under these leases will generally continue to decrease over time as these operating leases expire, except for any execution of renewal options that exist under the original leases. No payments related to these guarantees have been made by the Company to date and none are expected to be required to be made in the future. The Company has not recorded a liability for $10.3 million of these guarantees in accordance with ASC 460 - Guarantees as Fiesta has indemnified the Company for

all such obligations and the Company did not believe it was probable it would be required to perform under any of the guarantees or direct obligations.Litigation. The Company is party to various litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements.

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Transactions with Related Parties (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block]

Transactions with Related Parties

In connection with an acquisition of restaurants from BKC in 2012, Carrols Restaurant Group issued to BKC 100 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, which Carrols Restaurant Group, BKC and Blue Holdco 1, LLC ("Blue Holdco" and, together with BKC, the "BKC Stockholders") exchanged for 100 shares of newly issued Series B Convertible Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred Stock") in 2018. These preferred shares are convertible into 9,414,580 shares of common stock, which as of July 4, 2021 represents approximately 15.4% of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock after giving effect to the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock and excluding shares held in treasury. Pursuant to the Certificate of Designation of the Series B Preferred Stock (the "Certificate of Designation"), the BKC Stockholders are entitled to elect two representatives on the Company's Board of Directors. The approval of the BKC Stockholders is also required before the Company can take certain actions, including, among other things, amending the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, declaring or paying a special cash dividend, amending the size of the Company’s Board of Directors, or engaging in any business other than the ownership and operation of Burger King restaurants, in each case as more particularly described in the Certificate of Designation.

The Company operates its Burger King restaurants under franchise agreements with BKC and its Popeyes restaurants under franchise agreements with Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. ("PLK"), a subsidiary of RBI. These franchise agreements generally provide for an initial term of twenty years and currently have an initial franchise fee of $50,000. With BKC's and PLK's respective approval, the Company can elect to extend franchise agreements for additional 20 year terms, provided that the restaurant meets the current restaurant image standard and the Company is not in default under terms of the franchise agreement. In addition to the initial franchise fee, the Company generally pays BKC a monthly royalty at a rate of 4.5% of Burger King restaurant sales and PLK a weekly royalty at a rate of 5.0% of Popeyes restaurant sales. Royalty expense was $18.7 million and $15.9 million in the three months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively and $35.8 million and $31.0 million in the six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively, and is included in other restaurant operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). Beginning in May of 2021, the Company also pays a monthly digital fee to BKC for use of its digital platform which was $0.4 million in the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and is included in other restaurant operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

The Company is also generally required to contribute 4% of restaurant sales from its restaurants to an advertising fund utilized by BKC and PLK for its advertising, promotional programs and public relations activities, and additional amounts for additional local advertising in markets that approve such advertising. Advertising expense associated with these expenditures was $16.4 million and $14.1 million in the three months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively and $31.5 million and $27.5 million in the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively.

As of July 4, 2021, the Company leased 227 of its restaurant locations from BKC and 98 of these locations are subleased by BKC from various third-party lessors. Aggregate rent under these BKC leases was $6.8 million and $6.3 million in the three months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively and $13.5 million and $13.0 million for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020, respectively. The Company does not believe that such lease terms have been significantly affected by the fact that the Company and BKC are deemed to be related parties.

As of July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021, the Company owed BKC and PLK $18.2 million and $14.7 million, respectively, related to the payment of advertising, royalties, digital fees, rent and real estate taxes, which is normally remitted on a monthly basis.

The Company, Carrols Corporation, Carrols LLC, and BKC entered into an Area Development Agreement (the "ADA") which commenced on April 30, 2019 and was set to end on September 30, 2024 and which superseded the Operating Agreement dated as of May 30, 2012, as amended, between Carrols LLC and BKC. The ADA was amended and restated by all parties on January 4, 2021 (the "Amended ADA"). Pursuant to the ADA and for a cost of $3.0 million, BKC had assigned to Carrols LLC the right of first refusal on the sale of franchisee-operated restaurants in 16 states and a limited number of counties in four additional states ("ADA ROFR"). The ADA ROFR was terminated in connection with the Amended ADA.

Under the Amended ADA, Carrols LLC has agreed to open, build and operate a total of 50 new Burger King restaurants, 80% of which must be in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. This includes four Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2021, 10 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2022, 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2023, 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2024 and 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2025.

In addition, pursuant to the Amended ADA, BKC granted Carrols LLC franchise pre-approval to build new Burger King restaurants or acquire Burger King restaurants from Burger King franchisees with respect to 500 Burger King restaurants in the aggregate in (i) Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana (excluding certain geographic areas in Indiana) and (ii) (a) 16 states, which include Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia (subject to certain exceptions for certain limited geographic areas within certain states) and (b) any other geographic locations that Carrols LLC enters after the commencement date of the Amended ADA pursuant to BKC procedures subject to certain limitations.

In connection with an acquisition of restaurants in 2019, the Company assumed a development agreement for Popeyes, which included an assignment by PLK of its right of first refusal under its franchise agreements with its franchisees for acquisitions in two southern states, as well as a development commitment to open, build and operate approximately 80 new Popeyes restaurants over six years. This development agreement with PLK was terminated on March 17, 2021, with certain covenants applicable to the Company surviving the termination. PLK reserved the right to charge the Company a $0.6 million fee if PLK and the Company are not able to come to a mutually agreeable solution with respect to such fee within a six-month period.

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Stockholders' Equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders' Equity

Stock Repurchase Program

On August 2, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan ("Repurchase Program") under which the Company may repurchase up to $25 million of its outstanding common stock. The authorization became effective August 2, 2019, and was set to expire 24 months thereafter, unless terminated earlier by the Company's Board of Directors. Purchases under the Repurchase Program may be made from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions (including, without limitation, the use of Rule 10b5-1 plans) in compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company has no obligation to repurchase stock under the Repurchase Program, and the timing, actual number and value of shares purchased will depend on the Company's stock price, trading volume, general market and economic conditions, and other factors.

At July 4, 2021, $11.0 million was available to repurchase shares under the Repurchase Program. Shares repurchased are being held in treasury until they are retired at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

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Net Loss Per Share (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

Net Income (Loss) per Share

The Company applies the two-class method to calculate and present net income (loss) per share. The Company's non-vested restricted share awards and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and are considered participating securities for purposes of computing net income (loss) per share pursuant to the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net earnings are reduced by the amount of dividends declared (whether paid or unpaid) and the remaining undistributed earnings are then allocated to common stock and participating securities, based on their respective rights to receive dividends. As the Company incurred a net loss for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and the six months ended June 28, 2020, and losses are not allocated to participating securities under the two-class method, such method is not applicable for the aforementioned interim reporting periods.

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects additional shares of common stock outstanding, where applicable, calculated using the treasury stock method or the two-class method.

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Basic net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss)	$	(9,559)	$	7,842	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Less: Income attributable to non-vested shares	—		(158)		—		—
Less: Income attributable to preferred stock	—		(1,199)		—		—
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(9,559)	$	6,485	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	49,917,296		50,916,758		49,870,718		50,868,929
Basic net income (loss) per share	$	(0.19)	$	0.13	$	(0.34)	$	(0.28)
Diluted net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss)	$	(9,559)	$	7,842	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Shares used in computing basic net income (loss) per share	49,917,296		50,916,758		49,870,718		50,868,929
Dilutive effect of preferred stock and non-vested shares	—		9,415,059		—		—
Shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share	49,917,296		60,331,817		49,870,718		50,868,929
Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	(0.19)	$	0.13	$	(0.34)	$	(0.28)
Shares excluded from diluted net income (loss) per share computations (1)	11,010,535		—		11,010,535		10,652,278

(1)Shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock and non-vested shares were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

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Other Expense (Income) (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]

Other Expense (Income)

Other Expense (Income), net

Other expense (income), net for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021, included losses on disposal of assets of $0.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

In the three months ended June 28, 2020, the Company recorded other income, net of $2.0 million which consisted of gains related to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of its restaurants of $1.3 million, net gain on three sale-leaseback transactions of $0.8 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $0.1 million. In the six months ended June 28, 2020, the Company recorded other income, net of $1.9 million, which consisted of gains

related to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of its restaurants of $1.6 million, net gain on ten sale-leaseback transactions of $0.6 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $0.2 million.

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Subsequent Events (Notes)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent EventsOn August 10, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors approved an extension of the Company's Repurchase Program, which was set to expire on August 2, 2021 with approximately $11.0 million of its original $25 million in capacity remaining. The authorization will expire on August 2, 2023, unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors. Purchases under the Repurchase Program may be made from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions (including, without limitation, the use of Rule 10b5-1 plans) in compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company has no obligation to repurchase stock under the Repurchase Program, and the timing, actual number and value of shares purchased will depend on the Company's stock price, trading volume, general market and economic conditions, and other factors.Effective August 12, 2021, the Board declared a $25.0 million special cash dividend amounting to $0.41 per share on all issued and outstanding shares of common stock, including common stock issuable on the conversion of our Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. The special cash dividend will be paid on October 5, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 25, 2021. The Company's preliminarily assessment is that the special cash dividend will be treated as a tax-free return of capital causing a reduction in a holder’s adjusted tax basis in Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. common stock. If a holder’s basis is reduced to zero, any remaining portion of the special cash dividend would be taxed as capital gains. Final determination of the tax treatment will be based on Form 1099s that will be sent to holders in 2022. Holders should consult with their tax advisors to determine tax treatment of the special cash dividend.

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Basis Of Presentation (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Consolidation. Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. is a holding company and conducts all of its operations through its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries Carrols Corporation and New CFH, LLC and their wholly-owned subsidiaries. Carrols Corporation's material wholly-owned subsidiary is Carrols LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. New CFH LLC's material direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries include Frayser Quality, LLC and Nashville Quality, LLC (and together with New CFH, LLC's immaterial direct and indirect subsidiaries, collectively, "New CFH"). Unless the context otherwise requires, Carrols Restaurant Group and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company.” All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fiscal Year. The Company uses a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. The three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 each contained thirteen and twenty-six weeks, respectively.

Basis of Presentation, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Basis of Presentation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 have been prepared without an audit pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and do not include certain of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of such unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been included. The results of operations for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 dates of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates include accrued occupancy costs, insurance liabilities, lease accounting matters, the valuation of acquired assets and liabilities, interest rate swap valuation, the valuation of deferred income tax assets and liabilities, and the evaluation for impairment of goodwill, long-lived assets and franchise rights. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segment Reporting, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Operating segments are components of an entity for which discrete financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in order to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company's chief operating decision-maker, our CEO, currently evaluates the Company's operations from a number of different operational perspectives; however, resource allocation decisions are determined based on the chief operating decision-maker's evaluation of the total Company operations. The Company derives all significant revenues from a single operating segment, its restaurant business. Accordingly, the Company views the operating results of its restaurants as one reportable segment.

Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block]

Business Combinations. In accordance with ASC 805, the Company allocates the purchase price of an acquired business to its net identifiable assets and liabilities based on the estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded as goodwill. The excess value of the net identifiable assets and liabilities acquired over the purchase price, if any, is recorded as a bargain purchase gain. The Company uses all available information to estimate fair values of identifiable intangible assets and property acquired. In making these determinations, the Company may engage an independent third-party valuation specialist to assist with the valuation of certain leasehold improvements, franchise rights and favorable and unfavorable leases. The Company estimates that the seller's carrying value of acquired restaurant equipment, subject to certain adjustments, is equivalent to the fair value of this equipment at the date of the acquisition. The fair values of assumed franchise agreements are valued as if the remaining term of the agreement is at the market rate. The fair values of acquired land, buildings, certain leasehold improvements and restaurant equipment subject to finance leases are determined using both the cost approach and market approach using significant inputs observable in the open market. The Company categorizes these inputs as Level 2 inputs under ASC 820. The fair value acquired franchise rights and favorable or unfavorable leases positions are determined using the income approach and include unobservable inputs. The Company categorizes these inputs as Level 3 inputs under ASC 820.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At both July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021, the Company did not have any cash invested in money market funds classified as cash equivalents on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Food, beverage and packaging costs. The Company includes food, beverage and packaging costs and delivery commissions, net of any vendor purchase discounts and rebates, as food, beverage, and packaging costs on the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Fair Value of Financial Instruments. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. In determining fair value, the accounting standards establish a three-level hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable and reflect the Company's own assumptions. Financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, accounts payable and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The carrying amount of the term B loans at July 4, 2021 approximate fair value because of their variable rates.

The Company recognizes its derivative arrangements on the balance sheet at fair value, which is considered Level 2. The Company’s only derivative is an interest rate swap which is designated as a cash flow hedge. Accordingly, the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of this arrangement is recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of the changes in the fair value of this arrangement is immediately recognized in earnings as interest expense. The Company classifies cash inflows and outflows from derivatives within operating activities on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are primarily used in the impairment analysis of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets. Long-lived assets and definite-lived intangible assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements.

Subsequent Events, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Subsequent events. The Company reviewed and evaluated subsequent events through the issuance date of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (Note 15).

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Intangible Assets (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill. The Company is required to review goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. If the determined fair value of goodwill is less than the related carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment as of the last day of its fiscal year and does not believe circumstances have changed since the last assessment date which would make it necessary to reassess the value of its goodwill.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Franchise Rights. Amounts allocated to franchise rights for each acquisition of Burger King and Popeyes restaurants are amortized using the straight-line method over the average remaining term of the acquired franchise agreements plus one twenty-year renewal period.

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Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets And Other Lease Charges (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021
Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The Company reviews its long-lived assets, principally property and equipment, for impairment at the restaurant level. If an indicator of impairment exists for any of its assets, an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows over the life of the primary asset for each restaurant is compared to that long-lived asset’s carrying value. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flow, the Company then determines the fair value of the asset and if an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. For closed restaurant locations, the Company reviews the future minimum lease payments and related ancillary costs from the date of the restaurant closure to the end of the remaining lease term and records a lease charge for the lease liabilities to be incurred, net of any estimated sublease recoveries.The Company determined the fair value of restaurant equipment, for those restaurants reviewed for impairment, based on current economic conditions. The Company determines the fair value of right-of-use lease assets based on an assessment of market rents and a discounted future cash flow model. These fair value asset measurements rely on significant unobservable inputs and are considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

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Stock-Based Compensation Policies (Policies)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]
Stock-Based Compensation Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The fair value of non-vested shares is based on the closing price on the date of grant.

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Net Loss Per Share (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]

The Company applies the two-class method to calculate and present net income (loss) per share. The Company's non-vested restricted share awards and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and are considered participating securities for purposes of computing net income (loss) per share pursuant to the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net earnings are reduced by the amount of dividends declared (whether paid or unpaid) and the remaining undistributed earnings are then allocated to common stock and participating securities, based on their respective rights to receive dividends. As the Company incurred a net loss for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and the six months ended June 28, 2020, and losses are not allocated to participating securities under the two-class method, such method is not applicable for the aforementioned interim reporting periods.

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects additional shares of common stock outstanding, where applicable, calculated using the treasury stock method or the two-class method.

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Acquisition (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table Text Block]

In 2021, the Company acquired an aggregate of 19 Burger King restaurants from other franchisees in the following transactions (in thousands except number of restaurants):

Closing Date	Number of Restaurants	Purchase Price		Fee-Owned (1)	Market Location
June 17, 2021	14	$	27,603	12	Fort Wayne, Indiana
June 23, 2021	5	3,216		1	Battle Creek, Michigan
	19	$	30,819	13

(1) The 2021 acquisitions included the purchase of 13 fee-owned restaurants, of which 12 are expected to be sold in sale-leaseback transactions during 2021 for net proceeds of approximately $20.1 million, although there is no assurance we will complete such transactions during 2021 or at all.

Schedule of Recognized Identified Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the preliminary allocation of the aggregate purchase price for the 2021 acquisitions reflected in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of July 4, 2021:

Inventory	$	229
Land and buildings	21,361
Restaurant equipment	850
Restaurant equipment - subject to finance leases	29
Right-of-use assets	2,997
Leasehold improvements	550
Franchise fees	411
Franchise rights	6,613
Deferred income taxes	106
Goodwill	629
Operating lease liabilities	(2,899)
Finance lease liabilities for restaurant equipment	(35)
Accounts payable	(22)
Net assets acquired	$	30,819

Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Table Text Block]

The following table summarizes the Company's unaudited pro forma operating results:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Total revenue	$	430,017	$	374,489	$	826,024	$	730,929
Net income (loss)	$	(8,871)	$	8,315	$	(15,574)	$	(13,580)
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.18)	$	0.14	$	(0.31)	$	(0.27)

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Intangible Assets (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

The change in franchise rights for the six months ended July 4, 2021 is summarized below:

Balance at January 3, 2021	$	334,597
Acquisitions of restaurants (Note 2)	6,613
Amortization expense	(6,883)
Balance at July 4, 2021	$	334,327

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Other Liabilities, Long-Term (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]

Schedule of Other Assets and Other Liabilities [Table Text Block]

Other liabilities, long-term, at July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021 consisted of the following:

	July 4, 2021		January 3, 2021
Accrued occupancy costs	$	2,215	$	2,394
Accrued workers’ compensation and general liability claims	5,281		5,499
Interest rate swap (Note 7)	2,529		6,062
Deferred compensation	4,455		4,419
Deferred federal payroll taxes	10,808		10,808
Lease finance obligations	1,188		1,191
Other	297		290
	$	26,773	$	30,663

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Leases (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Leases [Abstract]

Lease, Cost [Table Text Block]

The components and classification of lease expense for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 are as follows:

		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
Lease cost	Classification	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Operating lease cost (1)	Restaurant rent expense	$	25,717	$	25,491	$	51,459	$	50,962
Operating lease cost (2)	General and administrative	224		167		480		265
Variable lease cost	Restaurant rent expense	4,907		3,599		9,505		7,704
Sublease income	Restaurant rent expense	(33)		(106)		(59)		(228)
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	Depreciation and amortization	177		437		309		882
Interest on lease liabilities	Interest expense	28		36		51		82
Total lease cost		$	31,020	$	29,624	$	61,745	$	59,667

(1)Includes short-term leases which are not material.

Leases, Cash Flows Supplemental [Table Text Block]

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 are as follows:

	Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions	$	—	$	567
Operating lease assets and liabilities resulting from lease modifications and new leases	17,632		39,953
Finance lease assets acquired through finance lease obligations	804		—
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows related to operating leases	50,352		49,143
Operating cash flows related to finance leases	28		36
Financing cash flows related to finance leases	266		1,134

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Long-Term Debt (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Long-term Debt, Unclassified [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]

Long-term debt at July 4, 2021 and January 3, 2021 consisted of the following:

	July 4, 2021		January 3, 2021
Senior Credit Facility:
Term B Loans	$	174,000	$	419,375
Term B-1 Loans	—		73,875
Revolving credit borrowings	46,000		—
Senior Notes Due 2029	300,000		—
Finance lease liabilities	1,451		908
Total Funded debt	521,451		494,158
Less: current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities	(4,996)		(5,525)
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs	(7,005)		(7,777)
Less: unamortized original issue discount	(663)		(5,161)
Total Long-term debt	$	508,787	$	475,695

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Income Taxes (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]

The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the three and six months ended July 4, 2021 and June 28, 2020 was comprised of the following:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Current	$	(16)	$	90	$	(16)	$	95
Deferred	(2,572)		1,789		(5,233)		(7,342)
Change in valuation allowance	2,556		(1,789)		2,556		359
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	(32)	$	90	$	(2,693)	$	(6,888)

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Stock-Based Compensation (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]

Summary of Nonvested Share Activity [Table Text Block]

The following is a summary of all non-vested shares activity for the six months ended July 4, 2021:

	Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Price
Non-vested at January 3, 2021	1,167,848	$	7.02
Granted	987,744	$	6.94
Vested	(526,462)	$	7.95
Forfeited	(33,175)	$	6.50
Non-vested at July 4, 2021	1,595,955	$	6.67

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit, Activity [Table Text Block]

summary of all RSU activity for the six months ended July 4, 2021:

	Units
Non-vested at January 3, 2021	37,456
Granted	99,317
Vested	(19,958)
Non-vested at July 4, 2021	116,815

Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option, Activity

The following is a summary of all stock option activity for the six months ended July 4, 2021:

	Options	Weighted Average Exercise Price	Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1)
Options outstanding at January 3, 2021	1,050,000	$7.12
Forfeited	(25,000)	$7.12
Options Outstanding at July 4, 2021	1,025,000	$7.12	6.1	$—
Vested or expected to vest at July 4, 2021	1,025,000	$7.12	6.1	$—
Options exercisable at July 4, 2021	—

(1) The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated using the difference between the market price of the Company's common stock at July 4, 2021 of $6.09 and the grant price for only those awards that have a grant price that is less than the market price of the Company's common stock at July 4, 2021. There were no awards having a grant price less than the market price of the Company's common stock at July 4, 2021.

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Net Loss Per Share (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 28, 2021

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:

	Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020		July 4, 2021		June 28, 2020
Basic net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss)	$	(9,559)	$	7,842	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Less: Income attributable to non-vested shares	—		(158)		—		—
Less: Income attributable to preferred stock	—		(1,199)		—		—
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(9,559)	$	6,485	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	49,917,296		50,916,758		49,870,718		50,868,929
Basic net income (loss) per share	$	(0.19)	$	0.13	$	(0.34)	$	(0.28)
Diluted net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss)	$	(9,559)	$	7,842	$	(16,727)	$	(14,367)
Shares used in computing basic net income (loss) per share	49,917,296		50,916,758		49,870,718		50,868,929
Dilutive effect of preferred stock and non-vested shares	—		9,415,059		—		—
Shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share	49,917,296		60,331,817		49,870,718		50,868,929
Diluted net income (loss) per share	$	(0.19)	$	0.13	$	(0.34)	$	(0.28)
Shares excluded from diluted net income (loss) per share computations (1)	11,010,535		—		11,010,535		10,652,278

(1)Shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock and non-vested shares were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

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Basis Of Presentation (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($) segment	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($)
Entity Information [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges	$ 100	$ 2,700	$ 300	$ 4,400
Proceeds from issuance of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029			$ 300,000	$ 0
Number of Reportable Segments | segment			1
Burger King Corporate [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	1,027		1,027
Number of States in which Entity Operates	23		23
Popeyes [Member]
Entity Information [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	65		65
Number of States in which Entity Operates	7		7

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Acquisition (Details) $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 23, 2021 USD ($) restaurant	Jun. 17, 2021 USD ($) restaurant	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($) restaurant	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Jan. 04, 2022 USD ($)	Jan. 03, 2021 USD ($)
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants Acquired	5	14			19
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross	$ 3,216	$ 27,603			$ 30,819
Business acquisitions, purchase price					30,819	$ 0
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions					0	18,859
Business Acquisition, Goodwill, Expected Tax Deductible Amount			$ 600		600
Restaurant sales			424,541	$ 368,418	814,534	719,936
Goodwill			123,248		$ 123,248			$ 122,619
Number Of Businesses Acquired, Fee Owned | restaurant	1	12			13
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Net Book Value			$ 20,100		$ 20,100
Sale Leaseback Transaction, Number Of Restaurants Expected To Be Sold | restaurant					12
2021 Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Restaurant sales					$ 1,000
Goodwill							$ 629
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma, General and Administrative Exepnses						$ 300

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Acquisition Net Assets Acquired (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 04, 2022	Jun. 28, 2021	Jan. 03, 2021
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 123,248	$ 122,619
2021 Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Inventory	$ 229
Land and buildings	21,361
Restaurant equipment	850
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Franchise Fees	411
Goodwill	629
Operating lease liabilities	(2,899)
Accounts payable	(22)
Net assets acquired		$ 30,819
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Buildings	29
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Right-of-use Assets	2,997
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	550
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Franchise Rights	6,613
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Asset Acquired and Liability Assumed, Lease Obligation	$ (35)

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Acquisition Pro Forma Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Restaurant Sales	$ 430,017	$ 374,489	$ 826,024	$ 730,929
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)	$ (8,871)	$ 8,315	$ (15,574)	$ (13,580)
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	$ (0.18)	$ 0.14	$ (0.31)	$ (0.27)

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Goodwill (Details) $ in Millions	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 0.0

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Intangible Assets Goodwill Disclosures (Details) $ in Thousands	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	$ 122,619
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	629
Goodwill	123,248
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 0

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Franchise Rights (Details)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($) period	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Franchise agreement, number of renewal periods | period			1
Franchise agreement, term			20 years
Franchise RIghts Rollforward [Abstract]
Balance, beginning			$ 334,597,000
Amortization of intangible assets, franchise rights	$ (3,400,000)	$ (3,400,000)	(6,883,000)	$ (7,300,000)
Balance, end	334,327,000		334,327,000
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment of intangible assets (excluding goodwill)	0	$ 0	0	0
Franchise RIghts Rollforward [Abstract]
Amortization expense, expected for full fiscal period	13,900,000		13,900,000
Finite-lived Intangible Assets Acquired				$ 6,613,000
Amortization Expense, Expected For Following Five Fiscal Periods	$ 14,000,000.0		$ 14,000,000.0

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Impairment Of Long-Lived Assets And Other Lease Charges (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($) restaurant	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($) restaurant
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment and other lease charges	$ 144	$ 2,941	$ 497	$ 5,822
Restructuring Charges		200	200	1,400
Asset impairment charges	$ 100	$ 2,700	300	$ 4,400
Underperforming Restaurants [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges, number of restaurants | restaurant		6		9
Previously Impaired
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Asset impairment charges		$ 100	$ 300	$ 300
Initial Impairment Charge [Member]
Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used [Line Items]
Impairment and other lease charges		$ 2,600		$ 4,100

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Other Liabilities, Long-Term (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jun. 28, 2021	Jan. 03, 2021
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Accrued occupancy costs	$ 2,215	$ 2,394
Accrued workers’ compensation and general liability claims	5,281	5,499
Interest rate swap (Note 7)	2,529	6,062
Deferred compensation	4,455	4,419
Deferred federal payroll taxes	10,800	10,808
Other	297	290
Other Liabilities	26,773	30,663
Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Line Items]
Deferred compensation	4,455	4,419
Deferred federal payroll taxes	10,800	10,808
COVID-19 [Member]
Other Liabilities, Noncurrent [Abstract]
Deferred compensation	10,800
Deferred federal payroll taxes	10,808
Deferred Liability, Noncurrent, CARES Act		21,600
Unusual or Infrequent Item, or Both [Line Items]
Deferred Liability, Noncurrent, CARES Act		$ 21,600
Deferred compensation	10,800
Deferred federal payroll taxes	$ 10,808

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Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 28, 2021	Jan. 03, 2021
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, operating lease, term of contract	20 years
Minimum [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, Finance Lease, Term of Contract	3 years
Maximum [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, Finance Lease, Term of Contract	8 years
COVID-19 [Member]
Lessee, Lease, Description [Line Items]
Lessee, Operating Lease, Modification, Deferred Rent	$ 1.2	$ 5.8
Lessee, Operating Lease, Modification, Deferred Rent, Expected To Be Repaid		$ 4.8

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Leases - Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020
Loans and Leases Receivable Disclosure [Line Items]
Variable lease cost	$ 4,907	$ 3,599	$ 9,505	$ 7,704
Sublease income	(33)	(106)	(59)	(228)
Amortization of right-of-use assets	177	437	309	882
Interest on lease liabilities	28	36	51	82
Total lease cost	31,020	29,624	61,745	59,667
Restaurant Rent Expense [Member]
Loans and Leases Receivable Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating lease cost	25,717	25,491	51,459	50,962
General and Administrative Expense [Member]
Loans and Leases Receivable Disclosure [Line Items]
Operating lease cost	$ 224	$ 167	$ 480	$ 265

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Leases - Other Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions	$ (800)	$ 0	$ 567
Operating lease assets and liabilities resulting from lease modifications and new leases		17,632	39,953
Finance lease obligations incurred		804	0
Operating cash flows related to operating leases		50,352	49,143
Operating cash flows related to finance leases		28	36
Financing cash flows related to finance leases		$ 266	$ 1,134

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Long-Term Debt Debt Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 28, 2020	Jan. 03, 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	4.40%	4.30%	4.60%
Total obligations under capital leases	$ 1,451			$ 908
Long-term Debt	521,451			494,158
Less: current portion	(4,996)			(5,525)
Less: deferred financing costs	(7,005)			(7,777)
Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount	(663)			(5,161)
Long-term debt, net of current portion	508,787			475,695
Term Loan B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit	174,000			419,375
Term Loan B-1 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit	0			73,875
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit	46,000			0
Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2029
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt	$ 300,000			$ 0

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Long-Term Debt Narrative (Details)						3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2026 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Apr. 06, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 23, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 27, 2021 USD ($)	Apr. 04, 2021	Jan. 03, 2021 USD ($)	Apr. 08, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 25, 2020 USD ($)	Dec. 13, 2019 USD ($)	Apr. 30, 2019 USD ($)
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period						4.40%	4.30%		4.60%
Proceeds from issuance of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029								$ 300,000,000	$ 0
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		$ 9,000,000.0				$ 9,000,000.0		9,000,000.0
Debt Issuance Costs, Net		7,005,000				7,005,000		7,005,000				$ 7,777,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity		120,000,000.0				120,000,000.0		120,000,000.0
Derivative Asset, Notional Amount		220,000,000.0				220,000,000.0		220,000,000.0
Interest rate swap (Note 7)		$ 2,529,000				2,529,000		2,529,000				6,062,000
Cash Flow Hedge Gain (Loss) to be Reclassified within Twelve Months								1,700,000
Payments for Derivative Instrument, Financing Activities						400,000	$ 30,000.00	900,000	30,000.00
Payments of Financing Costs								5,025,000	$ 2,123,000
Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage		40.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Revolving Committed Amount			$ 115,000,000.0
Senior Secured Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity																$ 550,000,000.0
Total Net Leverage Ratio															4.75
First Lien Leverage Ratio															5.75
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage											0.915%
Term Loan B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity																425,000,000.0
Long-term Line of Credit		$ 174,000,000				174,000,000		174,000,000				419,375,000
Repayments of Long-term Debt		243,600,000
Standby Letters of Credit [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity																35,000,000.0
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity																$ 125,000,000.0
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount															$ 12,000,000.0
Debt, Percent of Aggregate Amount of Borrowing															35.00%
Long-term Line of Credit		$ 46,000,000.0				$ 46,000,000.0		$ 46,000,000.0				0
Term Loan B And B-1 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt, Number of Payments		19				19		19
Repayment of Debt, Quarterly Payment		$ 1,100,000				$ 1,100,000		$ 1,100,000
First Amendment, Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity															$ 115,000,000.0
Line of Credit Facility, Reduction of Borrowing Capacity															$ 10,000,000.0
Second Amendment, Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity														$ 130,400,000
Line of Credit Facility, Increase of Borrowing Capacity														$ 15,400,000
Third Amendment, Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity			175,000,000.0										$ 145,800,000
Line of Credit Facility, Increase of Borrowing Capacity			$ 29,200,000										$ 15,400,000
Term Loan B-1 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Additional Borrowing Capacity					$ 75,000,000
Proceeds from issuance of 5.875% Senior Notes due 2029								71,300,000
Long-term Line of Credit		0				0		0				$ 73,875,000
Debt Instrument, Annual Amortization Rate, Percentage Of Principal Amount					1.00%
Repayments of Long-term Debt		74,400,000
Seventh Amendment, Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, maximum borrowing capacity		$ 180,000,000.0				$ 180,000,000.0		$ 180,000,000.0		$ 135,000,000.0
Total Net Leverage Ratio		4.00				4.00		4.00		3.00
Line of Credit Facility, Initial Available Amount		$ 50,000,000.0				$ 50,000,000.0		$ 50,000,000.0		$ 27,000,000.0
Line Of Credit Facility, Percentage Of Outstanding Terms Loans Eligible To Be Acquired		0.20				0.20		0.20
Line Of Credit Facility, Percentage Of Consolidated EBITDA		0.40				0.40		0.40		0.20
Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2029 | Senior Notes
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.875%				5.875%		5.875%
Debt Instrument, Face Amount		$ 300,000,000.0				$ 300,000,000.0		$ 300,000,000.0
Base Rate [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			2.25%
Base Rate [Member] | Term Loan B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				2.25%
Base Rate [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				2.50%
Base Rate [Member] | Term Loan B-1 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					5.25%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate Floor					1.00%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			3.25%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Term Loan B Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				3.25%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				3.50%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Term Loan B-1 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					6.25%
Forecast [Member] | Term Loan B And B-1 Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument, Redemption [Line Items]
Repayments of Debt	$ 153,800,000

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Income Taxes Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Current	$ (16,000)	$ 90,000	$ (16,000)	$ 95,000
Deferred	(2,572,000)	1,789,000	(5,233,000)	(7,342,000)
Change in valuation allowance	2,556,000	(1,789,000)	2,556,000	359,000
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$ (32,000)	$ 90,000	$ (2,693,000)	$ (6,888,000)

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Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 28, 2021	Jan. 03, 2021
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance	$ 13,100,000		$ 13,100,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent	11.00%	36.70%
Deferred federal payroll taxes	$ 10,800,000		10,800,000	$ 10,808,000
Operating Loss Carryforwards	136,700,000		136,700,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	0		0	0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued	0		0	$ 0
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount	700,000
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount			3,000,000.0
Deferred Tax Assets, Gross	15,700,000		15,700,000
COVID-19 [Member]
Income Tax Contingency [Line Items]
Deferred federal payroll taxes	$ 10,808,000		$ 10,808,000

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Stock-Based Compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021	Apr. 04, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020	Jan. 15, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock-based compensation	$ 1,614		$ 1,109	$ 3,083	$ 2,241
Unrecognized Stock-Based Compensation Expense, Non-vested Shares	11,200			11,200
Expected Stock-Based Compensation, Remainder of Fiscal Year	$ 3,000			$ 3,000
Weighted Average Remaining Vesting Period, Non-Vested Shares				2 years 1 month 6 days
Granted (in dollars per share)		$ 7.12
Number of shares vested (in shares)				526,462
Share price (in dollars per share)	$ 6.09			$ 6.09
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Forfeitures in Period				25,000
Granted (in shares)				987,744
Restricted Stock [Member] | Certain Employees and Officers [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Available for Grant						895,000
Restricted Stock [Member] | Outside Directors [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Number of Shares Available for Grant						92,744
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period				3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period				3 years
Number of shares vested (in shares)				19,958
Share price (in dollars per share)	$ 6.68			$ 6.68
Granted (in shares)				99,317
Share-based Payment Arrangement, Option [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period		7 years
Incentive Stock Options (ISOs) [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		3 years

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Stock-Based Compensation Summary of Non-Vested Stock Activity (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021 $ / shares shares
Nonvested share activity [Roll Forward]
Nonvested, beginning of period (in shares) | shares	1,167,848
Granted (in shares) | shares	987,744
Vested (in shares) | shares	(526,462)
Forfeited (in shares) | shares	(33,175)
Nonvested, end of period (in shares) | shares	1,595,955
Weighted Average Grant Date Price
Nonvested, beginning of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 7.02
Granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	6.94
Vested (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	7.95
Forfeited (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	6.50
Nonvested, end of period (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 6.67

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Stock-Based Compensation - Summary of Stock Options Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 04, 2021	Jun. 28, 2021	Jan. 03, 2021
Options
Options Outstanding at September 27, 2020 (in shares)		1,025,000	1,050,000
Forfeited (in shares)		(25,000)
Options, Vested or expected to vest at September 27, 2020 (in shares)		1,025,000
Options, Options exercisable at September 27,2020 (in shares)		0
Weighted Average Exercise Price
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 7.12
Forfeited (in dollars per share)		$ 7.12
Options Outstanding at September 27, 2020 (in dollars per share)		7.12	$ 7.12
Vested or expected to vest at September 27, 2020 (in dollars per share)		$ 7.12
Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years)
Options Outstanding at July 4, 2021		6 years 1 month 6 days
Vested or expected to vest at July 4, 2021		6 years 1 month 6 days
Aggregate Intrinsic Value
Options Outstanding at July 4, 2021		$ 0
Vested or expected to vest at July 4, 2021		$ 0
Share price (in dollars per share)		$ 6.09

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Stock-Based Compensation Summary of RSU Activity (Details) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021 shares
Options
Vested	(526,462)
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]
Options
Non-vested at January 3, 2021	37,456
Vested	(19,958)
Non-vested at July 4, 2021	116,815

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Commitments And Contingencies (Details)	3 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Maximum potential future undiscounted rental payments	$ 10,300,000	$ 10,300,000
Guarantor Obligations, Payments Made	0
Guarantor Obligations, Expected Future Payments		0
Guarantor Obligations, Current Carrying Value	$ 10,300,000	$ 10,300,000
Property Lease Guarantee [Member]
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Property leases	17	17
Closed Restaurants
Guarantor Obligations [Line Items]
Property Leases	1	1

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Transactions with Related Parties (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2019 USD ($) state	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($) Rate shares	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($) Rate shares	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2025 restaurant	Sep. 30, 2024 restaurant	Sep. 30, 2023 restaurant	Sep. 30, 2022 restaurant	Sep. 30, 2021 restaurant	Jan. 04, 2021 restaurant state	Jan. 03, 2021 USD ($) shares	Dec. 29, 2019 USD ($) shares	Jun. 30, 2019 restaurant
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Preferred stock, shares issued | shares		100		100								100
Board of directors, number of members		2		2
Franchise agreement, term				20 years
Accounts payable to BKC		$ 18,200		$ 18,200								$ 14,700
Other Income		$ (715)		$ (942)	$ 1,947
Convertible Preferred Stock, Common Shares Issuable upon Conversion (in shares) | shares		9,414,580		9,414,580
Franchise Agreement, Number Of States | state	16
Franchise Agreement, Remodeling Expense	$ 3,000
Franchise Agreement, Number Of Additional States | state	4
Area Development Agreement, Prepaid Franchise Fees													$ 600
Area Development Agreement, Restaurants To Be Opened, Built, And Operated | restaurant											50
Area Development Agreement, Percentage Of New Restaurants To Be In Kentucky, Tennessee And Indiana											80.00%
Area Development Agreement, Number Of Restaurants To Be Acquired | restaurant											500
Area Development Agreement, Number Of States | state											16
Monthly Digital Platform Fee		$ 400		$ 400
Popeyes Franchises
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Right of First Refusal, Number of States | shares													2
Affiliated Entity [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Preferred stock, ownership percentage if converted | Rate		15.40%		15.40%
Initial Franchise Fees				$ 50
Property leases		227		227
Operating Leases, Rent Expense		$ 6,800	$ 6,300	$ 13,500	13,000
Royalty Expense		18,700	15,900	35,800	31,000
Advertising Expense		$ 16,400	$ 14,100	$ 31,500	$ 27,500
Popeyes Franchises
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Right of first refusal, number of franchises | restaurant														80
Right of First Refusal, Term	6 years
BKC Subleases with third-party lessor [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Property leases		98		98
Royalty Agreement Terms [Member] | Burger King Corporate [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Rate | Rate				4.50%
Royalty Agreement Terms [Member] | Popeyes [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Rate | Rate				5.00%
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Related Party Transaction, Rate | Rate		4.00%
Forecast [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Area Development Agreement, Restaurants To Be Opened, Built, And Operated | restaurant						12	12	12	10	4

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Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 02, 2019	Jun. 28, 2021
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount		$ 25,000,000
Repurchase Program [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$ 25,000,000
Stock Repurchase Program Expiration Period	24 months
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount		$ 11,000,000.0

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Net Loss Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021	Apr. 04, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020	Mar. 29, 2020	Jun. 28, 2021	Jun. 28, 2020
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Net income (loss)	$ (9,559)	$ (7,168)	$ 7,842	$ (22,209)	$ (16,727)	$ (14,367)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$ (9,559)		$ 6,485		$ (16,727)	$ (14,367)
Weighted average common shares outstanding	49,917,296		50,916,758		49,870,718	50,868,929
Basic net income (loss) per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.19)		$ 0.13		$ (0.34)	$ (0.28)
Diluted net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss)	$ (9,559)	$ (7,168)	$ 7,842	$ (22,209)	$ (16,727)	$ (14,367)
Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	49,917,296		50,916,758		49,870,718	50,868,929
Dilutive effect of preferred stock and non-vested shares (in shares)	0		9,415,059		0	0
Shares used in computing diluted net income (loss) per share (in shares)	49,917,296		60,331,817		49,870,718	50,868,929
Diluted net income (loss) per share (in shares)	$ (0.19)		$ 0.13		$ (0.34)	$ (0.28)
Shares excluded from diluted net income (loss) per share computations (in shares)	11,010,535		0		11,010,535	10,652,278
Restricted Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Basic	$ 0		$ 158		$ 0	$ 0
Preferred Stock [Member]
Earnings Per Share, Basic [Abstract]
Undistributed Earnings (Loss) Allocated to Participating Securities, Basic	$ 0		$ 1,199		$ 0	$ 0

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Other Expense (Income) (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($) restaurant transaction	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2021 USD ($)	Jun. 28, 2020 USD ($) transaction restaurant
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Other Income	$ (715)		$ (942)	$ 1,947
Number Of Restaurants Subject To Insurance Recovery | restaurant	4			4
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions	$ 800		0	$ (567)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Disposals	100		$ 900	200
Other Expenses		$ (2,000)		(1,900)
Gain on Business Interruption Insurance Recovery	$ (1,300)			$ (1,600)
Number Of Sale-leaseback Transactions In Gain Position | transaction	3			10

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Subsequent Events (Details) - USD ($)	Aug. 05, 2021	Apr. 06, 2021	Jun. 28, 2021
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount			$ 25,000,000
Line of Credit | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Revolving Committed Amount		$ 115,000,000.0
Base Rate [Member] | Line of Credit | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		2.25%
London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Line of Credit | Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate		3.25%
Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared	$ 0.41