Legal Proceedings

9 Months Ended

Oct. 02, 2011

Legal Proceedings [Abstract]

Legal Proceedings

 

H.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

       The Company is a defendant from time to time in various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of its business, including claims relating to injury or wrongful death under "dram shop" laws that allow a person to sue the Company based on any injury caused by an intoxicated person who was wrongfully served alcoholic beverages at one of its restaurants; claims relating to workplace, workers' compensation and employment matters, discrimination and similar matters; claims resulting from "slip and fall" accidents; claims relating to lease and contractual obligations; claims  relating to its franchising initiatives; and claims from guests or employees alleging illness, injury or other food quality, health or operational concerns.

       The Company does not believe that any of the legal proceedings pending against it as of the date of this report will have a material adverse effect on its liquidity or financial condition. The Company may incur liabilities, receive benefits, settle disputes, sustain judgments, or accrue expenses relating to legal proceedings in a particular fiscal quarter which may adversely affect its results of operations, or on occasion, receive settlements that favorably affect results of operations.