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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 27, 2012

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of UATC and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Revenue Recognition

Revenues are generated principally through admissions and concessions sales with proceeds received in cash or via credit card at the point of sale. Other operating revenues consist primarily of product advertising (including vendor marketing programs) and other ancillary revenues that are recognized as income in the period earned. The Company generally recognizes payments received attributable to the marketing and advertising services provided by the Company under certain vendor programs as revenue in the periods in which the advertising is displayed or when the related impressions are delivered. Such impressions are measured by the concession product sales volume, which is a mutually agreed upon proxy of attendance and reflects the Company’s marketing and advertising services delivered to its vendors. In instances where the consideration received is in excess of fair value of the advertising services provided, the excess is recorded as a reduction of concession costs. The Company recognizes revenue associated with gift cards and advanced ticket sales at such time as the items are redeemed.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all unrestricted highly liquid debt instruments and investments purchased with an original maturity of 3 months or less to be cash equivalents.

Inventories

Inventories consist of concession products and theatre supplies. The Company states inventories on the basis of first-in, first-out (FIFO) cost, which is not in excess of net realizable value.

Property and Equipment

The Company states property and equipment at cost. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs that do not improve or extend the lives of the respective assets, are expensed currently. Gains and losses from disposition of property and equipment are included in income and expense when realized.

The Company capitalizes the cost of computer equipment, system hardware and purchased software ready for service.

The Company also capitalizes certain direct external costs associated with software developed for internal use after the preliminary software project stage is completed and Company management has authorized further funding for a software project and it is deemed probable of completion. The Company capitalizes these external software development costs only until the point at which the project is substantially complete and the software is ready for its intended purpose.

The Company records depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:



Buildings		20-30 years
Equipment		3-20 years
Leasehold improvements		Lesser of term of lease or asset life
Computer equipment and software		3-5 years

The Company records amortization using the straight-line method over the shorter of the lease terms or the estimated useful lives noted above.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews long-lived assets, including intangible assets, marketable equity securities and investments in non-consolidated entities described below, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be fully recoverable. The Company generally evaluates assets for impairment on an individual theatre basis, which management believes is the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows. If the sum of the expected future cash flows, undiscounted and without interest charges, is less than the carrying amount of the assets, the Company recognizes an impairment charge in the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds their fair market value.

The Company considers actual theatre level cash flows, future years budgeted theatre level cash flows, theatre property and equipment carrying values, amortizing intangible asset carrying values, the age of a recently built theatre, competitive theatres in the marketplace, the impact of recent ticket price changes, available lease renewal options and other factors considered relevant in its assessment of impairment of individual theatre assets. The impairment evaluation is based on the estimated cash flows from continuing use until the expected disposal date or the fair value of furniture, fixtures and equipment. The expected disposal date does not exceed the remaining lease period unless it is probable the lease period will be extended and may be less than the remaining lease period when the Company does not expect to operate the theatre to the end of its lease term. The fair value of assets is determined using the present value of the estimated future cash flows or the expected selling price less selling costs for assets of which the Company expects to dispose. Significant judgment is involved in estimating cash flows and fair value. Management’s estimates (Level 3 inputs as described in FASB Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures) are based on historical and projected operating performance, recent market transactions, and current industry trading multiples.

Leases

The majority of the Company’s operations are conducted in premises occupied under non-cancelable lease agreements with initial base terms ranging generally from 15 to 20 years. The Company, at its option, can renew a substantial portion of the leases at defined or then fair rental rates for various periods. Certain leases for Company theatres provide for contingent rentals based on the revenue results of the underlying theatre and require the payment of taxes, insurance and other costs applicable to the property. Also, certain leases contain escalating minimum rental provisions. There are no conditions imposed upon us by our lease agreements or by parties other than the lessor that legally obligate the Company to incur costs to retire assets as a result of a decision to vacate our leased properties. None of our lease agreements require us to return the leased property to the lessor in its original condition (allowing for normal wear and tear) or to remove leasehold improvements at our cost.

The Company accounts for leased properties under the provisions of ASC Topic 840, Leases and other authoritative accounting literature. ASC Subtopic 840-10, Leases—Overview requires that the Company evaluate each lease for classification as either a capital lease or an operating lease. The Company performs this evaluation at the inception of the lease and when a modification is made to a lease. As to those arrangements that are classified as capital leases, the Company records property under capital leases and a capital lease obligation in an amount equal to the lesser of the present value of the minimum lease payments to be made over the life of the lease at the beginning of the lease term, or the fair value of the leased property. The property under capital lease is amortized on a straight-line basis as a charge to expense over the lease term, as defined, or the economic life of the leased property, whichever is less. During the lease term, as defined, each minimum lease payment is allocated between a reduction of the lease obligation and interest expense so as to produce a constant periodic rate of interest on the remaining balance of the lease obligation. The Company does not believe that exercise of the renewal options in its leases are reasonably assured at the inception of the lease agreements because such leases: (i) provide for either (a) renewal rents based on market rates or (b) renewal rents that equal or exceed the initial rents, and (ii) do not impose economic penalties upon the determination whether or not to exercise the renewal option. As a result, there are not sufficient economic incentives at the inception of the leases to consider the lease renewal options to be reasonably assured of being exercised and therefore the initial base term is generally considered as the lease term under ASC Subtopic 840-10.

The Company records rent expense for its operating leases with contractual rent increases in accordance with ASC Subtopic 840-20, Leases—Operating Leases, on a straight-line basis from the “lease commencement date” as specified in the lease agreement until the end of the base lease term.

For leases in which the Company is involved with construction of the theatre, the Company accounts for the lease during the construction period under the provisions of ASC Subtopic 840-40, Leases—Sale-Leaseback Transactions. The landlord is typically responsible for constructing a theatre using guidelines and specifications agreed to by the Company and assumes substantially all of the risk of construction. In accordance with ASC Subtopic 840-40, if the Company concludes that it has substantially all of the construction period risks, it records a construction asset and related liability for the amount of total project costs incurred during the construction period. Once construction is completed, the Company considers the requirements under ASC Subtopic 840-40, for sale-leaseback treatment, and if the arrangement does not meet such requirements, it records the project’s construction costs funded by the landlord as a financing obligation. The obligation is amortized over the financing term based on the payments designated in the contract.

In accordance with ASC Subtopic 840-20, we expense rental costs incurred during construction periods for operating leases as such costs are incurred. For rental costs incurred during construction periods for both operating and capital leases, the “lease commencement date” is the date at which we gain access to the leased asset.

Sale and Leaseback Transactions

The Company accounts for the sale and leaseback of real estate assets in accordance with ASC Subtopic 840-40. Losses on sale leaseback transactions are recognized at the time of sale if the fair value of the property sold is less than the undepreciated cost of the property. Gains on sale and leaseback transactions are deferred and amortized over the remaining lease term.

Goodwill

The carrying amount of goodwill was $7.1 million as of December 27, 2012 and December 29, 2011. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually or more frequently as specific events or circumstances dictate. Under ASC Subtopic 350-20, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Goodwill, the Company has identified its reporting units to be the designated market areas in which the Company conducts its theatre operations. Goodwill impairment is evaluated using a two-step approach requiring the Company to compute the fair value of a reporting unit and compare it with its carrying value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, a second step is performed to measure the potential goodwill impairment. The Company determines fair value by using an enterprise valuation methodology determined by applying multiples to cash flow estimates less net indebtedness, which the Company believes is an appropriate method to determine fair value. There is considerable management judgment with respect to cash flow estimates and appropriate multiples and discount rates to be used in determining fair value and such management estimates fall under Level 3 within the fair value measurement hierarchy.

As part of the Company’s ongoing operations, we may close certain theatres within a reporting unit containing goodwill due to underperformance of the theatre or inability to renew our lease, among other reasons. Additionally, we generally abandon certain assets associated with a closed theatre, primarily leasehold improvements. Under ASC Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other, when a portion of a reporting unit that constitutes a business is disposed of, goodwill associated with that business shall be included in the carrying amount of the business in determining the gain or loss on disposal. We evaluate whether the portion of a reporting unit being disposed of constitutes a business on the date of closure. Generally, on the date of closure, the closed theatre does not constitute a business because the Company retains assets and processes on that date essential to the operation of the theatre. These assets and processes are significant missing elements impeding the operation of a business. Accordingly, when closing individual theatres, we generally do not include goodwill in the calculation of any gain or loss on disposal of the related assets.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The Company records a valuation allowance if it is deemed more likely than not that its deferred income tax assets will not be realized. The Company expects that certain deferred income tax assets are not more likely than not to be recovered and therefore has established a valuation allowance. The Company reassesses its need for the valuation allowance for its deferred income taxes on an ongoing basis.

Additionally, income tax rules and regulations are subject to interpretation, require judgment by the Company and may be challenged by the taxation authorities. As described further in Note 7—"Income Taxes," the Company applies the provisions of ASC Subtopic 740-10, Income Taxes—Overview. In accordance with ASC Subtopic 740-10, the Company recognizes a tax benefit only for tax positions that are determined to be more likely than not sustainable based on the technical merits of the tax position. With respect to such tax positions for which recognition of a benefit is appropriate, the benefit is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions are evaluated on an ongoing basis as part of the Company’s process for determining the provision for income taxes.

Deferred Revenue

Deferred revenue relates primarily to the amount we received for agreeing to the existing exhibitor services agreement ("ESA") modification described in Note 5—"Related Party Transactions." The amount we received for agreeing to the ESA modification will be amortized to advertising revenue over the 30 year term of the agreement following the units of revenue method as described in Note 5—"Related Party Transactions."

Deferred Rent

The Company recognizes rent on a straight-line basis after considering the effect of rent escalation provisions resulting in a level monthly rent expense for each lease over its term. The deferred rent liability is included in other non-current liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Film Costs

The Company estimates its film cost expense and related film cost payable based on management’s best estimate of the ultimate settlement of the film costs with the distributors. Generally, less than one-third of our quarterly film expense is estimated at period-end. The length of time until these costs are known with certainty depends on the ultimate duration of the film’s theatrical run, but is typically "settled" within 2 to 3 months of a particular film’s opening release. Upon settlement with our film distributors, film cost expense and the related film cost payable are adjusted to the final film settlement.

Loyalty Program

Members of the Regal Crown Club® earn credits for each dollar spent at one of the Company’s theatres and earn concession or ticket awards based on the number of credits accumulated. Because the Company believes that the value of the awards granted to Regal Crown Club® members is insignificant in relation to the value of the transactions necessary to earn the award, the Company records the estimated incremental cost of providing awards under the Regal Crown Club® loyalty program at the time the awards are earned.

Advertising

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred.

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include, but are not limited to, those related to film costs, property and equipment, goodwill and income taxes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Segments

As of December 27, 2012, December 29, 2011 and December 30, 2010, UATC managed its business under one reportable segment: theatre exhibition operations.

Comprehensive Income

Net income and comprehensive income were the same for all years presented.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

During June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) which is to be adopted as of the beginning of its first annual reporting period that begins after November 15, 2009, and interim and annual reporting periods thereafter. SFAS No. 167 amends FASB Interpretation No. 46(R), Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities an interpretation of ARB No. 51 ("FIN 46(R)") to require an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity as the enterprise that has both of the following characteristics:


a.	The power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance; and


b.	The obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest entity.

Additionally, an enterprise is required to assess whether it has an implicit financial responsibility to ensure that a variable interest entity operates as designed when determining whether it has the power to direct the activities of the variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. SFAS No. 167 amends FIN 46(R) to require ongoing reassessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. SFAS No. 167 amends FIN 46(R) to add an additional reconsideration event for determining whether an entity is a variable interest entity when any changes in facts and circumstances occur such that the holders of the equity investment at risk, as a group, lose the power from voting rights or similar rights of those investments to direct the activities of the entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance. SFAS No. 167 amends FIN 46(R) to require enhanced disclosures that will provide users of financial statements with more transparent information about an enterprise’s involvement in a variable interest entity. The enhanced disclosures are required for any enterprise that holds a variable interest in a variable interest entity. The adoption of SFAS No. 167 had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, cash flows and results of operations.

In January 2010, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820)—Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements, ("ASU 2010-06"). This Update provides a greater level of disaggregated information and enhanced disclosures about valuation techniques and inputs to fair value measurements. ASU 2010-06 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2009 and became effective for the Company as of April 1, 2010 except for certain disclosure requirements. Disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements in the roll forward of activity in Level 3 fair value measurements are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, and for interim periods within those fiscal years and became effective for the Company as of the beginning of fiscal 2011.

In June 2011, the FASB issued new guidance under ASU 2011-5, Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which amends the presentation of comprehensive income and allows an entity the option to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. Under ASU 2011-5, the Company is required to present each component of net income along with total net income, each component of other comprehensive income along with a total for other comprehensive income, and a total amount for comprehensive income. The guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. ASU 2011-5 became effective for the Company as of the beginning of fiscal 2012 and has been applied retrospectively. The Company has not included separate statements of comprehensive income in this Form 10-K as the Company’s comprehensive income is equivalent to its net income for all periods presented.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-8, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350)—Testing Goodwill for Impairment, to allow entities to use a qualitative approach to test goodwill for impairment. ASU 2011-8 permits an entity to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If it is concluded that this is the case, it is necessary to perform the currently prescribed two-step goodwill impairment test. Otherwise, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. ASU 2011-8 became effective for the Company as of the beginning of fiscal 2012.

In December 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-12, Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in ASU 2011-05. ASU 2011-12 defers the specific requirement within ASU 2011-05 to present on the face of the financial statements items that are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to net income separately with their respective components of net income and other comprehensive income. This guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011, and is to be applied retrospectively. ASU 2011-12 became effective for the Company as of the beginning of fiscal 2012 and has been applied retrospectively.