Commitments and Contingencies

12 Months Ended

Sep. 24, 2024

Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]

Commitments and Contingencies

5. Commitments and Contingencies

As of September 24, 2024, the Company had approximately $268,000 in outstanding commitments related to the remodel of a Good Times restaurant. We expect to fulfill our commitments under these agreements in the normal course of business, and as such, no liability has been recorded.

There may be various claims in process, matters in litigation, and other contingencies brought against the company by employees, vendors, customers, franchisees, or other parties. Evaluating these contingencies is a complex process that may involve substantial judgment on the potential outcome of such matters, and the ultimate outcome of such contingencies may differ from our current analysis. We regularly review the adequacy of accruals and disclosures related to such contingent liabilities in consultation with legal counsel. While it is not possible to predict the outcome of these claims with certainty, it is management’s opinion that any reasonably possible losses associated with such contingencies would be immaterial to our financial statements.

The Company was the defendant in a lawsuit styled as White Winston Select Asset Funds, LLC and GT Acquisition Group, Inc. v. Good Times Restaurants, Inc., arising from the failed negotiations between plaintiffs and the Company for the sale of the Good Times Drive Thru subsidiary to plaintiffs. The lawsuit was initially filed on September 24, 2019, in Delaware Chancery Court, and the Company removed the case to federal court in the US District Court for the District of Delaware on November 5, 2019. On July 30, 2021, the plaintiffs moved the Court for leave to amend their complaint and add new causes of action and a claim for $18 million in damages. On January 25, 2023, the Court rendered judgment dismissing the plaintiffs’ claims in their entirety and denying all of the requested relief. 

The plaintiffs filed a notice of appeal of the Court’s January 25, 2023, decisions.  Good Times, in turn, filed a notice of appeal of the Court’s previous dismissal of its counterclaim against the plaintiffs.  On March 1, 2024, the court of appeals issued a ruling affirming the trial court’s dismissal of the plaintiffs’ claims and reversed the trial court’s previous dismissal of Good Times’ own claim for the plaintiffs’ breach of their covenant not to sue Good Times. The court of appeals ordered that Good Times’ counterclaim be remanded to the trial court for further consideration. Due to this favorable decision, during the quarter ended March 26,2024 we reversed our previous contingency reserve of $332,000.  The plaintiffs petitioned the court of appeals for rehearing on its reversal of the trial court’s dismissal of Good Times’ counterclaim. On June 20, 2024, the court of appeals affirmed its previous reversal of the trial court’s dismissal of Good Times’ counterclaim.  The trial court will now consider the issue of White Winston’s liability to Good Times. The amount of Good Times’ claimed damages (which consists substantially of its prior legal fees) exceeds $3 million.  The trial court ordered the parties to submit briefing on the issue of Good Times’ damages claim. The briefing closed on December 10, 2024, and Good Times expects the trial court to render a decision sometime after. While Good Times plans to vigorously pursue this remaining claim to conclusion, there is no assurance that it will be successful and, even if it is successful, its recovery may be less than such claimed damages amount.