10-K 1 denn-20231227.htm 10-K denn-20231227
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 FORM 10-K
☑    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 For the fiscal year ended December 27, 2023

☐    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________

 Commission file number 0-18051

Dennys.gif

 DENNY’S CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware13-3487402
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
203 East Main Street
Spartanburg,South Carolina29319-9966
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (864) 597-8000

 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
$.01 Par Value, Common StockDENN The Nasdaq Stock Market

 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  ☑    No  ☐
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes  ☐    No  ☑
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 (§232.405 of this chapter) 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, a 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. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.   ☑   
If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ☐    No  ☑
The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $568,815,497 as of June 28, 2023, the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter, based upon the closing sales price of the registrant’s common stock on that date of $12.22 per share and, for purposes of this computation only, the assumption that all of the registrant’s directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of 10% or more of the registrant’s common stock are affiliates.
As of February 22, 2024, 52,253,719 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $.01 par value per share, were outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Form 10-K.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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F-1
  
 
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
The forward-looking statements included in the “Business,” “Risk Factors,” “Legal Proceedings,” “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” sections and elsewhere herein, which reflect our best judgment based on factors currently known, involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “hope,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such statements speak only as to the date thereof. Except as may be required by law, we expressly disclaim any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-K or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors including, but not limited to, the factors discussed in such sections and, in particular, those set forth in the cautionary statements contained in “Risk Factors.” The forward-looking information we have provided in this Form 10-K pursuant to the safe harbor established under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 should be evaluated in the context of these factors. 



PART I

Item 1.     Business
 
Description of Business
 
Denny’s Corporation, or the “Company”, a Delaware corporation, is one of America’s largest franchised full-service restaurant chains. The Company owns and operates the Denny’s brand (“Denny’s”) and the Keke’s Breakfast Cafe brand (“Keke’s”). As of December 27, 2023, the Company consisted of 1,631 restaurants, 1,558 of which were franchised/licensed restaurants and 73 of which were company operated.

The Denny’s Brand

Denny’s is known as “America’s Diner”, or in the case of our international locations, “the local diner.” Open 24/7 in most locations, we provide our guests quality food that emphasizes everyday value and new and innovative products through our compelling limited time only offerings, delivered in a warm, friendly “come as you are” atmosphere. Denny’s has been serving guests for nearly 70 years and is best known for its all day breakfast fare. The Grand Slam, one of our most popular menu items, was first introduced in 1977. Denny’s offers a wide selection of lunch and dinner items including entrees, burgers, sandwiches and salads, along with an assortment of appetizers and desserts. We have four dayparts, breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night, accounting for 27%, 36%, 21% and 16%, respectively, of average daily sales. Weekends have traditionally been the most popular time for guests to visit our restaurants. In 2023, 38% of an average week of sales occurred from Friday late night through Sunday lunch. Additionally, off-premises sales, including sales for delivery and through our two virtual brands, represented approximately 20% of total sales in 2023.

As of December 27, 2023, the Denny’s brand consisted of 1,573 franchised, licensed and company restaurants around the world, including 1,407 restaurants in the United States and 166 international restaurant locations. As of December 27, 2023, 1,508 of Denny’s restaurants were franchised or licensed, representing 96% of the total Denny’s restaurants, and 65 were company restaurants.

The Keke’s Brand

We acquired Keke's on July 20, 2022. Keke’s is a daytime eatery dedicated to providing a consistently outstanding breakfast experience through fresh food that is made to order, excellent service from a welcoming staff, and a clean and comfortable environment. Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m, Keke’s produces meals that are handmade using the best ingredients available, including fresh fruits and vegetables, and the highest quality bread and dairy products. In addition to Mornings from Scratch breakfast items, Keke’s also serves burgers, paninis, salads, and sandwiches. Approximately 48% of Keke’s total weekly sales occur on the weekends, and off-premises sales, including sales for delivery, represented approximately 14% of total sales in 2023.

As of December 27, 2023, the Keke’s brand consisted of 58 franchised and company restaurants in Florida, of which 50, representing 86% of total Keke’s restaurants, were franchised and eight were company restaurants.

Segment Information

We manage our business by brand and as a result have identified two operating segments, Denny’s and Keke’s. In addition, we have identified Denny’s as a reportable segment. Keke’s is presented as a component of Other in our segment disclosures. Additional information about our segments can be found in Note 21, “Segment Information” to our Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this report.

References to the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” in this Form 10-K are references to Denny’s Corporation and its subsidiaries. Reference to “Denny’s” or “Keke’s” are references to the specific brand. Financial information about our operations, including our revenues and net income for the fiscal years ended December 27, 2023, December 28, 2022, and December 29, 2021, and our total assets as of December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, is included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.




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Franchising and Development

Franchising
 
Our criteria to become a Denny’s franchisee include minimum liquidity and net worth requirements and appropriate operational experience. We believe that Denny’s is an attractive financial proposition for current and potential franchisees and that our fee structure is competitive with other full-service brands. Our current traditional twenty-year Denny’s franchise agreements have an initial fee of up to $30,000 and a royalty payment of up to 4.50% of gross sales. Additionally, our franchisees are currently contributing up to 3.25% of gross sales for marketing and may make additional advertising contributions as part of a local marketing co-operative. Approximately 81% of our Denny’s franchised restaurants were operating under this traditional agreement as of December 27, 2023. License agreements for nontraditional locations, such as university campuses, may contain higher royalty and lower advertising contribution rates than the traditional franchise agreements. Our domestic contractual royalty rate averaged approximately 4.36% during 2023.

We work closely with our franchisees to plan and execute many aspects of the business. The Denny’s Franchisee Association (“DFA”) was created to promote communication among our franchisees and between the Company and our franchise community. Members of the DFA’s board and Company management primarily work together through Brand Advisory Councils relating to Development, Marketing, Operations and Technology matters, as well as through a Supply Chain Oversight Committee for procurement and distribution matters.

Domestic Development
 
To accelerate the growth of the Denny’s brand in specific under-penetrated markets, we offer certain incentive programs. These programs provide incentives for franchisees to develop locations in areas where Denny’s has opportunities to grow market share. The benefits to franchisees can include reduced franchise fees, upfront cash payments, lower royalties and advertising contributions for a limited time period and credits toward certain development services, such as training fees.

In addition to these incentive programs, we increased our domestic development commitments through our refranchising and development strategy implemented during 2018 and 2019. These commitments were attached to the sale of 113 company restaurants during 2018 and 2019. At December 27, 2023, we had approximately 78 domestic development commitments.
  
International Development
 
In addition to the development agreements signed for domestic restaurants, as of December 27, 2023, we had potential to develop approximately 128 international franchised Denny’s restaurants with our current development partners in various locations including Canada, Central America, Indonesia, Mexico, the Middle East, the Philippines and the United Kingdom. The majority of these restaurants are expected to open over the next ten years. During 2023, we opened 11 international franchised locations, including five in the Philippines, four in Canada, one each in El Salvador and Puerto Rico.

While we anticipate the majority of the Denny’s restaurants related to various domestic and international development agreements will be opened generally as scheduled, from time to time some of our franchisees’ ability to grow and meet their development commitments may be hampered by the economy, the lending environment or other circumstances.

















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Franchise Focused Business Model

We expect the majority of our future restaurant openings and growth of the Denny’s brand to come primarily from the development of franchised restaurants. The table below sets forth information regarding the distribution of single-store and multi-store franchisees as of December 27, 2023:
Number of Denny’s Restaurants OwnedFranchiseesPercentage of FranchiseesRestaurantsPercentage of Restaurants
One79 38.0 %79 5.2 %
Two to five68 32.7 %215 14.3 %
Six to ten29 14.0 %227 15.0 %
Eleven to twenty16 7.7 %224 14.9 %
Twenty-one to thirty-five8 3.8 %230 15.3 %
Thirty-six and over8 3.8 %533 35.3 %
Total208 100.0 %1,508 100.0 %

Keke’s Development
We anticipate the first few Keke’s restaurant openings outside of Florida will likely be company operated restaurants to prove the appeal of the brand in new markets. Similar to Denny’s, we expect the majority of our future Keke’s restaurant openings and growth of the brand to come primarily from the development of franchised restaurants. As of December 27, 2023, we had 14 development agreements for 94 Keke’s franchised restaurants.

Site Selection

The success of any restaurant is significantly influenced by its location. Our development teams work closely with franchisees and real estate brokers to identify sites that meet specific standards. Sites are evaluated based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to:

•demographics;
•traffic patterns;
•visibility;
•building constraints;
•competition;
•environmental restrictions; and
•proximity to high-traffic consumer activities.

Product Development and Marketing

The Denny’s name has been associated with high-quality, reasonably priced entrees, appetizers, desserts, and beverages which have appealed to guests across all generations for nearly 70 years. As a leading full-service family dining brand, we’ve developed a craveable, indulgent menu that forges brand loyalty, attracts new guests to Denny’s and establishes the framework for our primary marketing strategies.

Menu Offerings

As “America’s Diner,” Denny’s has created a menu featuring a large selection of craveable items served in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for all guests. We offer a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night including classic entrees, salads, appetizers, desserts and beverages. Most Denny’s restaurants also offer kid’s menus and senior specials. Continuous product innovation is essential to meeting the needs of our consumers, including new offerings within our core breakfast platform, adding value across signature bundles, such as Super Slam, and delivering crave-worthy core menu and limited-time-only recipes. Our Denny’s menu can be conveniently enjoyed by guests either in our restaurants, via takeout, curb-side or delivery through our Denny’s on Demand platform and third-party delivery providers. 

Denny’s on Demand is our online ordering platform enabling our guests to order whatever they want, whenever they want. The new Denny’s mobile app, available for IOS and Android, provides a personalized online ordering experience. Guests can also order from Dennys.com. Both the mobile app and website make it easy for guests to order their favorite Denny’s items for
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takeout or delivery. Denny’s Rewards members can access their digital wallets to receive rewards and promotions, both in-restaurant, online and via the Denny’s mobile app.

Product Development
 
Denny’s, a consumer-driven brand focused on craveable food and hospitality, provides a variety of menu choices for any time of day in a warm and comfortable atmosphere. Our Product Development team innovates menu items that delight our guests. This team leverages insight from the most up-to-date trend data, primary and secondary qualitative and quantitative research, franchise expertise, vendor innovation and operator experiences. These insights come together to form the strategic foundation for menu architecture, pricing, promotion and advertising.

Before introducing a new menu item to market, we rigorously test it against consumer expectations. We ensure that our culinary standards, food science and technology efficiencies, nutritional analysis, financials and operational execution all meet the business requirements. This testing process ensures that new menu items are not only appealing, competitive, profitable and marketable, but can be prepared and delivered with excellence in our restaurants.

We continually evolve our menu with new innovations and improvements to meet the ever-changing consumer needs.

Product Sources and Availability
 
Most food products, paper and packaging supplies, and equipment used in all company and franchised restaurant operations are distributed to individual restaurants by third-party distribution companies. Our centralized purchasing programs are designed to ensure uniform product quality as well as to minimize food, beverage and supply costs. The size of our brands provide significant purchasing power, which often enables us to obtain products at favorable prices from nationally recognized suppliers.

In the United States, the majority of Denny’s products are purchased and distributed through McLane Company, Inc. under a long-term distribution contract. Outside the United States, we and our International Denny’s franchisees primarily use decentralized sourcing and distribution systems involving many different global, regional and local suppliers and distributors. Our international franchisees generally select and manage their own third-party suppliers and distributors, subject to our internal standards. All suppliers and distributors are expected to provide products and/or services that comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in the state and/or country in which they operate as well as comply with our internal standards.

We believe that satisfactory alternative sources of supplies are generally available for all of the items regularly used by our restaurants. We have not experienced any material shortages of food, equipment, or other products which are necessary to our restaurant operations.

Marketing and Advertising
 
We deploy national, local and co-operative marketing strategies to promote and amplify Denny’s brand strengths as “America’s Diner.” Through integrated marketing strategies, we promote our various breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night menu offerings and premium limited-time-only offerings as well as the convenience of online ordering and payment for takeout or delivery.

Through our marketing team, Denny’s anticipates consumer and market trends and fully leverages consumer insights to determine strategies for brand communication and demand generation. We participate in comprehensive, integrated marketing activities, including print, broadcast, radio, digital and social advertising; multicultural marketing; public relations and brand reputation; customer relationship management; field marketing; and national and local promotions.

Restaurant Operations

Management & Operations
 
We believe that the consistent and reliable execution of basic restaurant operations in each of our restaurants, whether it is company or franchised, is critical to our success. We expect both our company and franchised restaurants to maintain the same high brand standards. Our standards are, and have been, critical to Denny’s success. They include best in class quality and preparation of food, meeting and exceeding our guests’ expectations for service, cleanliness and value and providing a friendly experience at each restaurant.

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Brand Protection, Quality & Regulatory Compliance

Maintaining brand standards is of the utmost importance for each of our brands. We pride ourselves in serving our guests food that is safe, wholesome and meets our quality standards. Our systems are based on Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (“HACCP”) principles. To ensure this basic expectation of our guests, we have systems in place that require solely the use of approved vendors and distributors which can meet and follow our product specifications and food handling procedures. Vendors, distributors and restaurant employees follow regulatory requirements (federal, state and local), industry “best practices” and Brand Standards.

Human Capital
 
Human capital management considerations are at the core of Our Guiding Principles, the drivers of which include leveraging our culture of belonging and the capability of our people to fuel brand performance and franchise success, as well as recruiting and equipping high quality restaurant operators to deliver great customer experiences. As of December 27, 2023, we had approximately 3,500 employees of whom approximately 3,100 were employees of our company-owned restaurants and approximately 400 were corporate employees at our restaurant support centers or in the field. Our commitments and progress towards executing this strategy in support of employee experience and performance are reflected below.

Be Well

We focus on the whole person.

We offer comprehensive benefits that support our team members and their families’ overall well-being. We also contribute to programs that provide our team members with financial security, now and in the future. We offer a robust set of benefits and rewards that focus on recognition, career building, health and wellness, and other perks that are designed to make our employees’ experience productive and fun. We assess our culture and listen to our workforce through periodic employee engagement surveys. Numerous policy changes have been made or been influenced by the feedback we receive from our employees.

We are proud to offer Modern Health Mental Wellness benefits to all full-time employees and family members and a full featured Employee Assistance Program to all other employees. This confidential program is available 24/7 for personal or professional consultations. In addition, we provide our employees with access to a safe harbored 401(k) savings plan, tuition reimbursement, life insurance options, and a competitive vacation policy. Our compensation and performance evaluation systems are carefully designed to maintain pay equity by focusing pay decisions on experience and performance to ensure the Company retains a highly productive workforce to operate our business while providing a high level of service to our guests.

Learning and Development

We invest in team members’ success through education and training. Our Breakthrough Leadership Training and Development program provides our team members with exclusive access to numerous creative and interactive employee engagement curricula, leadership workshops, simulations, mobile learning and educational training videos. This unique program helps develop a wide range of skills, including leadership, people management, guest service, inventory management, food preparation and food safety—skills that help workers successfully operate in the restaurant industry.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Our investment in people includes creating a culture of belonging that attracts, retains and fosters the growth of the best people and creates high performance in our restaurants. We value and are proud of our community engagement including our investment in causes that are important to our people and communities, such as our education initiatives through our Denny’s Hungry for EducationTM Scholarship program, helping fight childhood hunger, and supporting diverse and disadvantaged businesses.

Additional components of our strategic areas of focus include:

Business Resource Leadership Groups

We have established seven business resource leadership groups for our employees to provide encouragement and an enhanced sense of belonging through informal mentoring, participation in professional and community events and access to personal and professional development and growth opportunities. Additionally, they help foster a more inclusive work environment, improve
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communication and trust among employees and enhance understanding of all employees about the value of diversity. The eight business resource groups include the African American Leadership Group, Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander Leadership Group, Emerging Leaders Group, Hispanic Leadership Group, LGBTQ+ Leadership Group, Veterans Leadership Group, Wellbeing Group, and Women’s Leadership Group.

Diversity Council

Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (“DEI”) Council collaborates on initiatives designed to renew our workplace and create business results that will increase and strengthen the reputations of our brands, guest satisfaction and market share. The council consists of 23 cross-functional members representing various positions throughout our organization, who serve as ambassadors, bridge builders, data collectors, educators, accountability partners and champions of DEI within our brands.

Diversity by the Numbers

Diverse team members make up approximately:

•75% of our total workforce and 80% of restaurant management
•63% of our domestic restaurants are owned by diverse franchisees
•21% of our domestic restaurants are owned by women who are actively engaged in the business
•Our Board of Directors consists of eight directors – 63% are from a diverse background and 63% are women
•6% of our domestic restaurants are owned by individuals who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community

We believe in accountability that starts with our leadership and extends to all of our team members. We have a world class DEI philosophy embraced by our workforce and we commit to support other companies in doing the same.
 
Information Technology

The mission of our Information Technology department is to align our technology strategy in support of our business strategies. We focus on leveraging technology to drive efficiencies, simplify and standardize operations, and streamline the guest experience. We also deliver solutions that support financial and regulatory needs in addition to necessary business improvements. 

We rely on information technology systems in all aspects of our operations. At the restaurant level, systems include point-of-sale platforms along with systems and tools for kitchen operations, labor scheduling, inventory management, cash management and credit card transaction processing. Our technology platform includes industry-standard market solutions as well as proprietary software and integration, yielding tools and information managers need to run efficient and effective restaurants. We invest in new technologies and R&D efforts to improve operations and enhance the guest experience through innovative solutions like online ordering and payment for pick-up and delivery.

At the corporate level, we have a robust Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) platform that supports finance, accounting, human resources and payroll functions. Our ERP is a cloud-based market solution, enabling us to take advantage of continual software improvements aligned with industry best practices. We also have and are continuing to develop systems that consolidate and report on data from our franchised and company restaurants, including transaction-level detail. These systems are collectively supported by an enterprise network that facilitates seamless connectivity for applications and data throughout our business infrastructure. 

Our information technology systems have been designed to protect against unauthorized access and data loss. We are continuously focused on enhancing our cybersecurity capabilities. We are required to maintain the highest level of Payment Card Industry (“PCI”) Data Security Standard (“DSS”) compliance. We are also required to protect critical and sensitive data for our employees, customers, and the Company. These standards are set by a consortium of major credit card companies and require certain levels of system security and procedures to protect our customers’ credit card and other personal information. We have deployed payment technologies that are Europay, Mastercard, Visa (“EMV”) certified, and we employ point-to-point encryption to ensure no credit card data is stored within our restaurants. Further, we monitor franchisees’ compliance with PCI standards. 

We have augmented our technology infrastructure, primarily within digital and in-restaurant systems, to support the changing dynamics of our industry and guest expectations. These enhancements were introduced through our standard change control mechanisms and followed prescribed standards for testing and introduction into our environment. There were no material changes introduced into the core of our technology operating systems, and all PCI—DSS compliance standards were followed.
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In addition to technology changes in direct response to changing business and guest expectations, we have benefited from our prior focus and investments in various technology platforms over the past few years. These investments include our ERP platform and enterprise communication and collaboration tools, which prepared us to make a quick transition from a centralized to a remote workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic with no significant additional risk or negative impact to business processing and continuity. These same investments that allowed us to transition to a remote workforce continue to support a hybrid wok environment under which many of our employees split time between working centrally and remotely.

In 2022, upon the acquisition of Keke’s, we integrated Keke’s systems and data into the enterprise systems currently employed. All Keke’s business leaders and employees outside the physical restaurant were provided with workstations that meet our existing standards for security and performance. Work is underway with Keke’s leadership to prioritize additional technology investments within the restaurants to support the needs of the brand, while also continuing the focus on security, scalability, and standardization.

See “Risk Factors” for further information regarding Information Technology and “Cybersecurity” for further information regarding our approach to cybersecurity. 

Seasonality
 
Restaurant sales are generally higher in the second and third calendar quarters (April through September) than in the fourth and first calendar quarters (October through March). Additionally, severe weather, storms and similar conditions may impact sales volumes seasonally in some operating regions.
 
Trademarks and Service Marks
 
Through our wholly-owned subsidiaries, we have certain trademarks and service marks registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in international jurisdictions, including, but not limited to, “Denny’s®,”  and “Keke’s Breakfast Cafe®.”  We consider our trademarks and service marks important to the identification of our company and franchised restaurants and believe they are of material importance to the conduct of our business. In addition, we have registered various domain names on the internet that incorporate certain of our trademarks and service marks. We believe these domain name registrations are an integral part of our identity. From time to time, we may resort to legal measures to defend and protect the use of our intellectual property. Generally, with appropriate renewal and use, the registration of our service marks and trademarks will continue indefinitely.
 
Competition
 
The restaurant industry is highly competitive. Restaurants compete on the basis of name recognition and advertising; the price, quality, variety and perceived value of their food offerings; the quality and speed of their guest service; the location and attractiveness of their facilities; and the convenience of to-go ordering and delivery options.
 
Our direct competition in the full-service category includes a collection of national and regional chains, as well as thousands of independent operators. We also compete with quick service restaurants as they attempt to upgrade their menus with premium sandwiches, entrée salads, new breakfast offerings and extended hours as well as grocery store chains as they enhance their ready-to-eat offerings to consumers.
 
We believe we have a number of competitive strengths, including strong brand recognition, well-located restaurants and market penetration. We benefit from economies of scale in a variety of areas, including advertising, purchasing and distribution. Additionally, we believe that we have competitive strengths in the value, variety and quality of our food products, and in the quality and training of our employees. See “Risk Factors” for additional factors relating to our competition in the restaurant industry.
 
Economic, Market and Other Conditions
 
The restaurant industry is affected by many factors, including changes in national, regional and local economic conditions affecting consumer spending; the political environment (including acts of war and terrorism); changes in customer travel patterns including changes in the price of gasoline; changes in socio-demographic characteristics of areas where restaurants are located; changes in consumer tastes and preferences; food safety and health concerns; outbreaks of flu or other viruses (such as COVID-19) or other diseases; increases in the number of restaurants; and unfavorable trends affecting restaurant operations,
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such as rising wage rates, health care costs, utility expenses and unfavorable weather. See “Risk Factors” for additional information.
 
Government Regulations
 
We and our franchisees are subject to federal, state, local and international laws and regulations governing various aspects of the restaurant business, such as compliance with various minimum wage, overtime, health care, sanitation, food safety, citizenship, and fair labor standards, as well as laws and regulations relating to safety, fire, zoning, building, consumer protection and taxation. We are subject to a variety of federal, state, and international laws governing franchise sales and the franchise relationship, as well as judicial and administrative interpretations of such laws.

Following the World Health Organization’s declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 11, 2020, federal, state and local governments responded by implementing restrictions on travel, “stay at home” directives, “social distancing” guidance, limitations of dine-in food service, and mandated dining room closures which collectively had a significant adverse impact on the Company’s business performance, results of operations and cash flows for the year ended December 29, 2021.

The operation of our franchise system is also subject to regulations enacted by a number of states and rules promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission. Such regulations impose registration and disclosure requirements on franchisors in the offer and sale of franchises and may also apply substantive standards to the relationship between franchisor and franchisee, including limitations on the ability of franchisors to terminate or alter franchise agreements. Due to our international franchising, we are subject to governmental regulations throughout the world impacting the way we do business with our international franchisees. These include antitrust and tax requirements, anti-boycott regulations, import/export/customs and other international trade regulations, the USA Patriot Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.

We believe we are in material compliance with applicable laws and regulations, but we cannot predict the effect on operations of the enactment of additional regulations in the future.

We have implemented applicable aspects of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act. However, the law or other related requirements may change.

See “Risk Factors” for a discussion of risks related to governmental regulation of our business.

Information about our Executive Officers

The following table sets forth information with respect to each executive officer as of the filing date of this report:

 Name
AgePositions
Stephen C. Dunn59Executive Vice President and Chief Global Development Officer
Jay C. Gilmore54Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller
Gail Sharps Myers54Executive Vice President, Chief Legal & Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary
Pankaj K. Patra47Executive Vice President, Chief Digital and Technology Officer
Kelli F. Valade54Chief Executive Officer
Robert P. Verostek52Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Dunn has been Executive Vice President and Chief Global Development Officer since April 2021. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Global Development Officer from July 2015 to April 2021, as Senior Vice President, Global Development from April 2011 to July 2015 and as Vice President, Company and Franchise Development from September 2005 to April 2011.

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Mr. Gilmore has been Senior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller since February 2021. He previously served as Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller from May 2007 to February 2021.

Ms. Sharps Myers has been Executive Vice President, Chief Legal & Administrative Officer and Corporate Secretary since February 2024. She previously served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary from August 2023 to February 2024, as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer, Chief People Officer and Corporate Secretary from February 2021 to August 2023 and as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary from June 2020 to February 2021. Prior to joining the Company, she served as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer and Secretary of American Tire Distributors, Inc. from May 2018 to May 2020, as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary at Snyder’s-Lance, Inc. from January 2015 to March 2018 and as Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel, Chief Compliance Counsel and Assistant Secretary from 2014 to 2015 at US Foods, Inc. (capping off a 10-year career there).

Mr. Patra has been Executive Vice President, Chief Digital and Technology Officer since October 2023. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer at Brinker International, Inc. (where he worked for about 15 years).

Ms. Valade has been Chief Executive Officer since September 2022. She joined the Company first serving as Chief Executive Officer and President from June 2022 to September 2022 and became a member of our Board of Directors in July 2022. Prior to joining the Company, she served as Chief Executive Officer of Red Lobster from August 2021 to April 2022, as Chief Executive Officer and President of Black Box Intelligence (the leading data and insights provider of workforce, guest, consumer and financial performance benchmarks for the hospitality industry) from January 2019 to July 2021, and as Chili’s Brand President from June 2016 to October 2018.

Mr. Verostek has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since February 2021. He previously served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from February 2020 to February 2021, as Senior Vice President, Finance from October 2016 to February 2020 and as Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis and Investor Relations from January 2012 to October 2016.

Available Information
 
We make available free of charge through our website at investor.dennys.com (in the SEC Filings section) copies of materials that we file with, or furnish to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such materials with, or furnish them to, the SEC. The SEC also maintains an internet website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. In addition, we have made available on our website (in the Corporate Governance - Code of Conduct section) our code of ethics entitled “Denny’s Code of Conduct” which is applicable to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller, all other executive officers, key financial and accounting personnel and each salaried employee of the Company.

We will post on our website any amendments to, or waivers from, a provision of the Denny’s Code of Conduct that applies to the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller or persons performing similar functions, and that relates to (i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely, and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that we file with, or submit to, the SEC and in other public communications made by us; (iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules and regulations; (iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of Denny’s Code of Conduct to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; or (v) accountability to adherence to the code.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
 
Various risks and uncertainties could affect our business. Any of the risk factors described below or elsewhere in this report or our other filings with the SEC could have a material and adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In any such event, the trading price of our common stock could decline. It is not possible to predict or identify all risk factors. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial may also impair our business operations.


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Risks Related to Macroeconomic Conditions

A decline in general economic conditions could adversely affect our financial results.

Consumer spending habits, including discretionary spending on dining at restaurants such as ours, are affected by many factors including:

•prevailing economic conditions, including interest rates;
•energy costs, especially gasoline prices;
•levels of employment;
•salaries and wage rates, including tax rates; and
•consumer confidence.

Weakness or uncertainty regarding the economy, both domestic and international, as a result of reactions to consumer credit availability, increasing energy prices, inflation, increasing interest rates, unemployment, pandemics such as the COVID-19 pandemic, war, terrorist activity or other unforeseen events could adversely affect consumer spending habits, which may result in lower operating revenue.

Risks Related to Restaurant Operations and the Restaurant Industry

The restaurant business is highly competitive, and if we are unable to compete effectively, our business will be adversely affected.
 
Each of our company and franchised restaurants competes with a wide variety of restaurants ranging from national and regional restaurant chains to locally owned restaurants. The following are important aspects of competition: 

•restaurant location;
•advantageous commercial real estate suitable for restaurants;
•number and location of competing restaurants;
•attractiveness and repair and maintenance of facilities;
•ability to develop and support evolving technology to deliver a consistent and compelling guest experience;
•food quality, new product development and value;
•dietary trends, including nutritional content;
•training, courtesy and hospitality standards;
•ability to attract and retain high quality staff;
•quality and speed of service; and
•the effectiveness of marketing and advertising programs, including the effective use of social media platforms and digital marketing initiatives.

If we are unable to compete effectively, we could experience lower demand for our products, downward pressure on prices, reduced margins, a loss of market share, reduced franchisee profitability and an inability to attract qualified franchisees in the future.

Our returns and profitability may be negatively impacted by a number of factors, including those described below.
 
Food service businesses and the performance of company and franchised restaurants may be materially and adversely affected by factors such as:
 
•consumer preferences, including nutritional and dietary concerns;
•consumer spending habits;
•global, national, regional and local economic conditions;
•demographic trends; 
•traffic patterns;
•the type, number and location of competing restaurants; and
•the ability to renew leased properties on commercially acceptable terms, if at all.

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Dependence on frequent deliveries of fresh produce and other food products subjects food service businesses to the risk that shortages or interruptions in supply caused by adverse weather, food safety warnings, animal disease outbreak or other conditions beyond our control could adversely affect the availability, quality and cost of ingredients. Our inability to effectively manage supply chain risk could increase our costs and limit the availability of products critical to restaurant operations.

In addition, the food service industry in general, and our results of operations and financial condition in particular, may be adversely affected by unfavorable trends or developments, such as:
 
•volatility in certain commodity markets;
•increased food costs;
•health concerns arising from food safety issues and other food-related pandemics, outbreaks of flu or viruses, such as COVID-19, or other diseases;
•increased energy costs;
•labor and employee benefits costs (including increases in minimum hourly wage, employment tax rates, health care costs and workers’ compensation costs);
•regional weather conditions;
•the availability of experienced management and hourly employees; and
•other general inflation impacts.

Operating results that are lower than our current estimates may cause us to incur impairment charges on certain long-lived assets and potentially close certain restaurants.

The financial performance of our franchisees can negatively impact our business.

As we are heavily franchised, our financial results are contingent upon the operational and financial success of our franchisees. We receive royalties, advertising contributions and, in some cases, lease payments from our franchisees. While our franchise agreements are designed to require our franchisees to maintain brand consistency, the significant percentage of franchise-operated restaurants may expose us to risks not otherwise encountered if we maintained ownership and control of the restaurants. If our franchisees do not successfully operate their restaurants in a manner consistent with our standards, or if customers have negative experiences due to issues with food quality or operational execution at our franchised locations, our brands could be harmed, which in turn could negatively impact our business. Additional risks include:

•franchisee defaults on their obligations to us arising from financial or other difficulties encountered by them, such as the inability to pay financial obligations including royalties, rent on leases on which we retain contingent liability, and certain loans;
•limitations on enforcement of franchisee obligations due to bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings;
•the inability to participate in business strategy changes due to financial constraints;
•failure to operate restaurants in accordance with required standards, including food quality and safety; and
•impacts of the financial performance of other businesses operated by franchisees on the overall financial performance and condition of the franchisee.

If a significant number of franchisees become financially distressed, it could harm our operating results. For 2023, our ten largest franchisees accounted for approximately 38% of our total franchise and license revenue. The balance of our franchise revenue was derived from the remaining 224 Denny’s and Keke’s franchisees.

The locations of company and franchised restaurants may cease to be attractive as demographic patterns change.
 
The success of our company and franchised restaurants is significantly influenced by location. Current locations may not continue to be attractive as demographic patterns change. It is possible that economic or other conditions where restaurants are located could decline in the future, potentially resulting in reduced sales at those locations.

Food safety and quality concerns may negatively impact our business and profitability.
 
Incidents or reports of foodborne or waterborne illness, or other food safety issues, food contamination or tampering, employee hygiene and cleanliness failures, improper employee conduct, or presence of communicable disease at our restaurants or suppliers could lead to product liability or other claims. Such incidents or reports could negatively affect our brands and reputation, and a decrease in customer traffic resulting from these reports could negatively impact our revenues and profits. Similar incidents or reports occurring at other restaurant brands unrelated to us could likewise create negative publicity, which
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could negatively impact consumer behavior towards us. In addition, if a regional or global health pandemic occurs, depending upon its location, duration and severity, our business could be severely affected.
 
We rely on our domestic and international vendors, as do our franchisees, to provide quality ingredients and to comply with applicable laws and industry standards. A failure of one of our domestic or international vendors to meet our quality standards, or meet domestic or international food industry standards, could result in a disruption in our supply chain and negatively impact our brand and our business and profitability. Our inability to manage an event such as a product recall or product related litigation could also cause our results to suffer.

Unfavorable publicity, or a failure to respond effectively to adverse publicity, could harm the reputations of our brands.

Multi-unit food service businesses such as ours can be materially and adversely affected by widespread negative publicity of any type, including food safety, outbreak of flu or viruses (such as COVID-19) or other health concerns, criminal activity, guest discrimination, harassment, employee relations or other operating issues. The increasing use of social media platforms has increased the speed and scope of unfavorable publicity and could hinder our ability to quickly and effectively respond to such reports. Regardless of whether the allegations or complaints are accurate or valid, negative publicity relating to a particular restaurant or a limited number of restaurants could adversely affect public perception of any of our brands.

A decline in general economic conditions could adversely affect our financial results.
 
Consumer spending habits, including discretionary spending on dining at restaurants such as ours, are affected by many factors including:
 
•prevailing economic conditions, including interest rates;
•energy costs, especially gasoline prices;
•inflationary pressures, including grocery prices;
•levels of employment;
•salaries and wage rates, including tax rates; and
•consumer confidence.

Weakness or uncertainty regarding the economy, both domestic and international, as a result of reactions to consumer credit availability, increasing energy prices, inflation, increasing interest rates, unemployment, war, terrorist activity or other unforeseen events could adversely affect consumer spending habits, which may result in lower operating revenue.

If we fail to recruit, develop and retain talented employees, our business could suffer.
 
Our future success significantly depends on the continued services and performance of our key management personnel. Our future performance will depend on our ability to attract, motivate and retain these and other key officers and key team members, particularly regional and area managers and restaurant general managers. Competition for these employees is intense.

If we fail to attract or retain key officers and team members, our succession planning and operations could be materially and adversely affected. We continue to recruit, retain and motivate management and other employees sufficiently to maintain our current business and support our projected growth. We have experienced and may continue to experience challenges in recruiting and retaining team members in various locations.

Risks Related to Development Strategies

Our growth strategy depends on our ability and that of our franchisees to open new restaurants. 

The development of new restaurants may be adversely affected by risks such as: 

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•inability to identify suitable franchisees;
•costs and availability of capital for the Company and/or franchisees;
•competition for restaurant sites;
•negotiation of favorable purchase or lease terms for restaurant sites;
•inability to obtain all required governmental approvals and permits;
•delays in completion of construction;
•cost of materials;
•challenge of identifying, recruiting and training qualified restaurant managers;
•restaurants not achieving the expected revenue or cash flow once opened;
•expansion of the Keke’s brand outside of the state of Florida due to lower customer awareness in a highly competitive category;
•challenges specific to the growth of international operations that are different from domestic development; and
•general economic conditions.

Delays or failures in opening new restaurants could adversely affect our planned growth and operating results.

The expansion of the Denny’s brand into international markets may present increased risks due to lower customer awareness of our brand, our unfamiliarity with those markets and other factors.

The international markets in which our franchisees currently operate, and any additional markets our franchisees may enter outside of the United States, have many differences compared to our domestic markets. There may be lower consumer familiarity with the Denny’s brand in these markets, as well as different competitive conditions, consumer tastes and economic, political and health conditions. Additionally, there are risks associated with sourcing quality ingredients and other commodities in a cost-effective and timely manner. As a result, franchised international restaurants may take longer to reach expected sales and profit levels, or may never do so, thereby affecting the brand’s overall growth and profitability. Building brand awareness may take longer than expected, which could negatively impact our profitability in those markets.
We are subject to governmental regulations in our international markets impacting the way we do business with our international franchisees. These include antitrust and tax requirements, anti-boycott regulations, import/export/customs and other international trade regulations, the USA Patriot Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Failure to comply with any such legal requirements could subject us to monetary liabilities and other sanctions, which could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

Legal and Regulatory Risks

Litigation may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to the risk of, or are involved in from time to time, complaints or litigation brought by former, current or prospective employees, customers, franchisees, vendors, landlords, regulatory agencies, shareholders or others. We assess contingencies to determine the degree of probability and range of possible loss for potential accrual in our financial statements. An estimated loss contingency is accrued if it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. Because lawsuits are inherently unpredictable and unfavorable resolutions could occur, assessing contingencies is highly subjective and requires judgments about future events. We regularly review contingencies to determine the adequacy of the accruals and related disclosures. However, the amount of ultimate loss may differ from these estimates. A judgment that is not covered by insurance or that is significantly in excess of our insurance coverage for any claims could materially adversely affect our financial condition or results of operations. In addition, regardless of whether any claims against us are valid or whether we are found to be liable, claims may be expensive to defend, and may divert management’s attention away from operations and hurt our performance. Further, adverse publicity resulting from claims may harm our business or that of our franchisees.

Our amended and restated by-laws provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, employees or agents.

Our amended and restated by-laws provide that consistent with the applicable provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), unless our Board of Directors, acting on behalf of the Company, consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any and all internal corporate claims, including but not limited to:

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•any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf;
•any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any stockholder, director, officer, other employee or stockholder of the Company to us or our stockholders;
•any action arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; and
•any action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

These provisions would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) or any claim for which the federal district courts of the United States of America have exclusive jurisdiction. Furthermore, Section 22 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all such Securities Act actions. Accordingly, both state and federal courts have jurisdiction to entertain such claims.

Our stockholders cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock will be deemed to have notice of, and consented to, the provisions of our amended and restated by-laws described in the preceding sentences.

While the Delaware courts have determined that such choice of forum provisions are facially valid, a stockholder may nevertheless seek to bring a claim in a venue other than that designated in the exclusive forum provisions. In such instance, we would expect to vigorously assert the validity and enforceability of the exclusive forum provisions of our amended and restated by-laws. This may require significant additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, and there can be no assurance that the provisions will be enforced by a court in those other jurisdictions.

This choice of forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees. If any other court of competent jurisdiction were to find the exclusive-forum provision in our amended and restated by-laws to be inapplicable or unenforceable, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions.

Numerous government regulations impact our business, and our failure to comply with them could adversely affect our business.
 
We are subject to federal, state, local and international laws and regulations governing, among other things:
 
•preparation, labeling, advertising and sale of food;
•sanitation;
•health and fire safety;
•land use, sign restrictions and environmental matters, including those associated with efforts to address climate change;
•employee health care requirements;
•management and protection of the personnel data of our guests, employees and franchisees;
•payment card regulation and related industry rules;
•the sale of alcoholic beverages;
•hiring and employment practices, including minimum wage and tip credit laws and fair labor standards; and
•Americans with Disabilities Act.

A substantial number of our employees are paid the minimum wage. Accordingly, increases in the minimum wage or decreases in the allowable tip credit (which reduces wages deemed to be paid to tipped employees in certain states) increase our labor costs. We have attempted to offset increases in the minimum wage through pricing and various cost control efforts; however, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in these efforts in the future.

The operation of our franchisee system is also subject to regulations enacted by a number of states and rules promulgated by the Federal Trade Commission. Due to our international franchising, we are subject to governmental regulations throughout the world impacting the way we do business with our international franchisees. These include antitrust and tax requirements, anti-boycott regulations, import/export/customs and other international trade regulations, the USA Patriot Act and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. Additionally, given our significant concentration of restaurants in California, changes in regulations in that state could have a disproportionate impact on our operations. If we or our franchisees fail to comply with these laws and regulations, we or our franchisees could be subjected to restaurant closure, fines, penalties and litigation, which may be costly and could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, the future enactment of additional legislation regulating the franchise relationship could adversely affect our operations.

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We have implemented applicable aspects of The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Health Care and Education Affordability Reconciliation Act. However, the law or other related requirements may change.

We are also subject to federal, state, local and international laws regulating the offer and sale of franchises. Such laws impose registration and disclosure requirements on franchisors in the offer and sale of franchises, and may contain provisions that supersede the terms of franchise agreements, including limitations on the ability of franchisors to terminate franchises and alter franchise arrangements.
 
Existing and changing legal and regulatory requirements, as well as an increasing focus on environmental, social and governance issues, could adversely affect our brand, business, results of operations and financial condition.

There has been increasing public focus by investors, environmental activists, the media and governmental and nongovernmental organizations on social and environmental sustainability matters, including packaging and waste, animal health and welfare, human rights, climate change, greenhouse gases and land, energy and water use. As a result, not only have we experienced increased pressure from our shareholders but they now have a heightened level of expectation for us to provide expanded disclosure and make commitments, establish goals or set targets with respect to various environmental and social issues and to take the actions necessary to meet those commitments, goals and targets. If we are not effective in addressing social and environmental sustainability matters, consumer trust in our brand may suffer. In addition, the actions needed to achieve our commitments, goals and targets could result in market, operational, execution and other costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely impacted if we are unable to effectively manage the risks or costs to us, our franchisees and our supply chain associated with social and environmental sustainability matters.

Being liable as a joint employer could adversely affect our business

Joint employer status is a developing area of franchise and labor and employment law that could be subject to changes in legislation, administrative agency interpretation or jurisprudential developments that may increase franchisor liability in the future. In October 2023, the National Labor Relations Board issued a new rule that would allow a party asserting a joint-employment relationship to establish joint-employer status by using evidence of indirect and reserved forms of control bearing on an employee’s essential terms and conditions of employment. Under this broader standard, which goes into effect on February 26, 2024, we could potentially be liable for unfair labor practices and other violations by franchisees or we could be required to conduct collective bargaining negotiations regarding employees of franchisees, who are independent employers. In such event, our operating costs may increase as a result of required modifications to business practices, increased litigation, governmental investigations or proceedings, administrative enforcement actions, fines and civil liability. Employee claims that are brought against us as a result of joint employer standards and status may also, in addition to legal and financial liability, create negative publicity that could adversely affect our brands and divert financial and management resources. A significant increase in the number of these claims, or an increase in the number of successful claims, could adversely impact the reputation of our brands, which may cause significant harm.

If our internal controls are ineffective, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud.

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. We maintain a documented system of internal controls which is reviewed and tested by the Company’s full time Internal Audit department. The Internal Audit department reports directly to the Audit and Finance Committee of the Board of Directors. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting is not intended to provide absolute assurance that we would prevent or detect a misstatement of our financial statements or fraud. Any failure to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting could limit our ability to report our financial results accurately and timely or to detect and prevent fraud. A significant financial reporting failure or material weakness in internal control over financial reporting could cause a loss of investor confidence and decline in the market price of our common stock.

Changes to existing accounting rules or the questioning of current accounting practices may adversely affect our reported financial results.

A change in accounting standards can have a significant effect on our reported financial results. New pronouncements and varying interpretations of pronouncements have occurred and may occur in the future. Additionally, generally accepted accounting principles and related accounting pronouncements, implementation guidelines and interpretations are highly complex and involve many subjective assumptions, estimates and judgments by us. Changes in these principles or their
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interpretations or changes in underlying assumptions, estimates and judgments by us could significantly change our reported or expected financial performance.

Information Technology Risks

Failure of computer systems, information technology, or the ability to provide a continuously secure network, or cyber attacks against our computer systems, could result in material harm to our reputation and business.

We and our franchisees rely heavily on computer systems and information technology to conduct business and operate efficiently. We have instituted monitoring controls intended to protect our computer systems, our point-of-sale systems and our information technology platforms and networks against external threats. Those controls include an annual proactive risk assessment, advanced comprehensive analysis of data threats, identification of business email compromise and proper security awareness education. The Audit & Finance Committee of our Board of Directors has oversight responsibility related to our cybersecurity risk management programs and periodically reviews reports on cybersecurity metrics, data privacy and other information technology risks.

We receive and maintain certain personal information about our guests, employees and franchisees. Our use of this information is subject to international, federal and state regulations, as well as conditions included in certain third-party contracts. If our cybersecurity is compromised and this information is obtained by unauthorized persons or used inappropriately, it could adversely affect our reputation, operations, results of operations and financial condition, and could result in litigation against us or the imposition of penalties. As privacy and information security laws and regulations change or cyber risks evolve, we may incur additional costs to ensure we remain compliant.

A material system failure or interruption, a breach in the security of our information technology systems caused by a cyber attack, or other failure to maintain a secure cyber network could result in reduced efficiency in our operations, loss or misappropriation of data, business interruptions, or could impact delivery of food to restaurants or financial functions such as vendor payment or employee payroll. We have disaster recovery and business continuity plans that are designed to anticipate and mitigate such failures, but it is possible that significant capital investment could be required to rectify these problems, or more likely that cash flows could be impacted, in the shorter term.

We rely on third parties for certain business processes and services. Failure or inability of such third-party vendors to perform subjects us to risks, including business disruption and increased costs.

We depend on suppliers and other third parties for the operation of certain aspects of our business. Some third-party business processes we utilize include information technology, payment processing, gift card authorization and processing, employee benefits, third-party delivery and other business services. We conduct third-party due diligence and seek to obtain contractual assurance that our vendors will maintain adequate controls, such as adequate security against data breaches. However, the failure of our suppliers to maintain adequate controls or comply with our expectations and standards could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Risks Related to Indebtedness

Our indebtedness could have an adverse effect on our financial condition and operations.

As of December 27, 2023, we had total indebtedness of $266.0 million, including finance leases. Although we believe that our existing cash balances, funds from operations and amounts available under our credit facility will be adequate to cover our cash flow and liquidity needs, we could seek additional sources of funds, including incurring additional debt or through the sale of real estate, to maintain sufficient cash flow to fund our ongoing operating needs, pay interest and scheduled debt amortization and fund anticipated capital expenditures. We have no material debt maturities scheduled until August 2026. The credit agreement governing most of our indebtedness contains various covenants that could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, merger, acquisition or other corporate opportunities and to fund our operations. Restrictions under our credit agreement could also restrict our ability to repurchase shares in the future. If we incur additional debt in the future, covenant limitations on our activities and risks associated with such increased debt levels generally could increase. If we are unable to satisfy or refinance our current debt as it comes due, we may default on our debt obligations and lenders could elect to declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable and terminate all commitments to extend further credit. For additional information concerning our indebtedness see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources.”


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Risks Related to our Common Stock

Many factors, including those over which we have no control, affect the trading price of our common stock.
 
Factors such as reports on the economy or the price of commodities, as well as negative or positive announcements by competitors, regardless of whether the report directly relates to our business, could have an impact on the trading price of our common stock. In addition to investor expectations about our prospects, trading activity in our common stock can reflect the portfolio strategies and investment allocation changes of institutional holders, as well as non-operating initiatives such as our share repurchase programs. Evolving business strategies or any failure to meet market expectations whether for same-store sales, restaurant unit growth, earnings per share, or other metrics could cause our share price to decline.
 
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
 
None.

Item 1C. Cybersecurity

Risk Management and Strategy

Denny’s recognizes that cybersecurity is a critical aspect of our business operations and that the protection of sensitive data and information systems is of paramount importance.

We have implemented cybersecurity measures and processes to address and mitigate material risks from cybersecurity threats. On an annual basis, we perform a cybersecurity risk assessment to identify and evaluate risks and potential vulnerabilities that could impact our business. Cybersecurity is also assessed as part of our enterprise risk management program. In addition, we have preventative and detective monitoring controls that include robust access controls, privileged access management, vulnerability scanning, penetration testing of our online systems and internal networks, annual employee-wide awareness education, data encryption and incident response plans. These controls help to ensure our cybersecurity program reduces the cyber risk for our environment.

We utilize third-party providers and acknowledge that these providers and partners may pose cybersecurity risks. We have implemented due diligence and oversight processes to ensure our third-party providers adhere to our cybersecurity standards when handling our data and accessing our systems. This includes a risk assessment before acceptance as a provider and continued monitoring through our third-party risk management program.

Denny’s faces various risks associated with cybersecurity threats that could materially affect our business. In the event of a material cybersecurity incident, we are committed to promptly informing our shareholders, customers, and regulatory authorities, as required by law and regulations.

Governance

Our Chief Digital & Technology Officer and Senior Director, IT Security & Compliance lead our cybersecurity efforts with bi-annual updates that include certain metrics, data privacy, and other information technology risks, provided to the Audit and Finance Committee of our Board of Directors. Cybersecurity is a top priority for our Audit Committee.

In addition, the Company has a Compliance Committee comprised of members of management from our IT Security & Compliance, Legal and Internal Audit teams who work cross-functionally to assess and manage enterprise-wide risks, including cybersecurity. Our Senior Director, IT Security & Compliance leads a team of qualified individuals with decades of combined experience in cybersecurity risk management and compliance.

Our cybersecurity program and leadership strive to appropriately protect our brands, employees and guests.

Item 2.     Properties
 
Most Denny’s restaurants are free-standing facilities with property sizes averaging approximately one acre. The restaurant buildings average between 3,800 - 5,000 square feet, allowing them to accommodate an average of 110 - 170 guests. Most Keke’s restaurants are attached to shopping centers. The restaurant buildings average between 4,000 - 5,000 square feet, allowing them to accommodate an average of 135 - 170 guests.
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The number and location of our restaurants as of December 27, 2023 are presented below:
United States - Denny’sCompanyFranchised / LicensedTotal
Alabama— 6 6 
Alaska — 1 1 
Arizona 1 83 84 
Arkansas — 10 10 
California 22 341 363 
Colorado — 20 20 
Connecticut — 5 5 
Delaware — 1 1 
District of Columbia — 2 2 
Florida 9 115 124 
Georgia — 11 11 
Hawaii 2 4 6 
Idaho — 11 11 
Illinois — 44 44 
Indiana — 30 30 
Iowa — 3 3 
Kansas — 4 4 
Kentucky — 11 11 
Louisiana — 6 6 
Maine — 3 3 
Maryland — 23 23 
Massachusetts 2 3 5 
Michigan — 13 13 
Minnesota — 13 13 
Mississippi — 4 4 
Missouri — 28 28 
Montana — 2 2 
Nebraska — 3 3 
Nevada 7 33 40 
New Hampshire 2 — 2 
New Jersey — 6 6 
New Mexico — 29 29 
New York — 37 37 
North Carolina — 18 18 
North Dakota — 3 3 
Ohio — 31 31 
Oklahoma — 10 10 
Oregon — 21 21 
Pennsylvania — 35 35 
Rhode Island — 2 2 
South Carolina 3 8 11 
South Dakota — 1 1 
Tennessee — 4 4 
Texas 14 190 204 
Utah — 24 24 
Vermont 1 — 1 
Virginia 2 18 20 
Washington — 41 41 
West Virginia — 4 4 
Wisconsin — 23 23 
Wyoming— 4 4 
Total Domestic - Denny’s65 1,342 1,407 
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International - Denny’sCompanyFranchised / LicensedTotal
Canada— 86 86 
Costa Rica— 3 3 
Curacao N.V.— 1 1 
El Salvador— 3 3 
Guam — 2 2 
Guatemala— 4 4 
Honduras— 6 6 
Indonesia— 2 2 
Mexico— 15 15 
New Zealand— 7 7 
Philippines— 15 15 
Puerto Rico— 16 16 
United Arab Emirates— 5 5 
United Kingdom— 1 1 
Total International - Denny’s— 166 166 
Total Domestic - Denny’s65 1,342 1,407 
Total - Denny’s65 1,508 1,573 
United States - Keke’sCompanyFranchised / LicensedTotal
Florida8 50 58 
Total Domestic - Keke’s8 50 58 
Total73 1,558 1,631 

Of our total 1,631 restaurants, our interest in restaurant properties consists of the following:

 Company RestaurantsFranchised RestaurantsTotal
Owned properties16 61 77 
Leased properties57 134 191 
 73 195 268 
 
We have generally been able to renew our restaurant leases as they expire at then-current market rates. The remaining terms of leases range from less than one to approximately 39 years, including optional renewal periods.

Our corporate offices include an owned building in Spartanburg, South Carolina and leased buildings in Irving, Texas and in Orlando, Florida. The Spartanburg office is an 18-story, 187,000 square foot office building where we occupy 16 floors with a portion of the building leased to others.
 
See Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for information concerning encumbrances on substantially all of our properties.
 
Item 3.     Legal Proceedings

There are various claims and pending legal actions against or indirectly involving us, incidental to and arising out of the ordinary course of the business. In the opinion of management, based upon information currently available, the ultimate liability with respect to these proceedings and claims will not materially affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.
 
Item 4.     Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Not applicable.
 
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PART II
 
Item 5.     Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Market Information
 
Our common stock is listed under the symbol “DENN” and trades on the Nasdaq Capital Market (“Nasdaq”). As of February 22, 2024, there were 52,253,719 shares of our common stock outstanding and approximately 36,000 record and beneficial holders of our common stock.
 
Dividends and Share Repurchases

Our credit facility allows for the payment of cash dividends and/or the repurchase of our common stock, subject to certain limitations and continued maintenance of all relevant covenants before and after any such payment of any dividend or stock purchase. An annual aggregate amount is available for such dividends or share repurchases as follows:

•an amount not to exceed $50.0 million if the Consolidated Leverage Ratio (as defined in the credit agreement, as amended) is 3.5x or greater and an unlimited amount if the Consolidated Leverage Ratio is below 3.5x, provided that, in each case, at least $20.0 million of availability is maintained under the revolving credit facility after such payment; and

•an additional aggregate amount equal to $0.05 times the number of outstanding shares of our common stock, as of August 16, 2021, plus each additional share of our common stock that is issued after such date.

Though we have not historically paid cash dividends and currently do not expect to do so in the foreseeable future, we have in recent years undertaken share repurchases. The table below provides information concerning repurchases of shares of our common stock during the quarter ended December 27, 2023.

Period 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
 
 
Average Price Paid Per Share (1)
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs (2)
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet be Purchased Under the Programs (2)
 (In thousands, except per share amounts) 
September 28, 2023 – October 25, 2023900 $8.52 900 $108,917 
October 26, 2023 – November 22, 2023600 8.94 600 $103,542 
November 23, 2023 – December 27, 2023292 10.09 292 $100,428 
Total1,792 $8.91 1,792  

(1)Average price paid per share excludes commissions.
(2)On December 2, 2019, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program, authorizing us to repurchase up to an additional $250 million of our common stock (in addition to prior authorizations). Such repurchases may take place from time to time on the open market (including pre-arranged stock trading plans in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act) or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to market and business conditions. During the quarter ended December 27, 2023, we purchased 1.8 million shares of our common stock for an aggregate consideration of $16.2 million pursuant to this share repurchase program.

20

Performance Graph
 
The following graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on our common stock for the five fiscal years ended December 27, 2023 (December 26, 2018 to December 27, 2023) against the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000® Index and a peer group, selected by us, of companies that we believe compose a representative sampling of public companies in our industry comparable to us in size and composition. The graph and table assume that $100 was invested on December 26, 2018 (the last day of fiscal year 2018) in each of the Company’s common stock, the Russell 2000® Index and the current and former peer groups and that all dividends were reinvested.

COMPARISON OF FIVE-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN
ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON DECEMBER 26, 2018
ASSUMES DIVIDENDS REINVESTED
FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 27, 2023
 
3405
 
 Russell 2000®
Index (1)		Peer Group (2)Denny’s Corporation
December 26, 2018$100.00 $100.00 $100.00 
December 25, 2019$128.02 $106.15 $124.54 
December 30, 2020$153.21 $124.28 $86.78 
December 29, 2021$175.71 $129.52 $96.56 
December 28, 2022$136.41 $110.20 $55.34 
December 27, 2023$166.29 $153.83 $67.08 
 
(1)The Russell 2000 Index is a broad equity market index of 2,000 companies that measures the performance of the small-cap segment of the U.S. equity universe. As of December 27, 2023, the weighted average market capitalization of companies within the index was approximately $2.7 billion with the median market capitalization being approximately $0.8 billion.
(2)The peer group consists of 14 public companies that operate in the restaurant industry. The peer group includes the following companies: BJ’s Restaurants, Inc. (BJRI), Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. (BLMN), Brinker International, Inc. (EAT), Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc. (CBRL), Dine Brands Global, Inc. (DIN), El Pollo Loco Holdings, Inc. (LOCO), Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (FRGI), Jack in the Box Inc. (JACK), Noodles & Company (NDLS), Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (RUTH), Shake Shack, Inc. (SHAK), Texas Roadhouse, Inc. (TXRH), The Cheesecake Factory Incorporated (CAKE), and Wingstop Inc. (WING). Del Taco Restaurants, Inc. (TACO), which had previously appeared in our peer group, was acquired and is no longer an independent public company.

21

Item 6.     Reserved

Item 7.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto.

Overview

We manage our business by brand and as a result have identified two operating segments, Denny’s and Keke’s. In addition, we have identified Denny’s as a reportable segment. The Denny’s reportable segment includes the results of all company and franchised and licensed Denny’s restaurants.

Denny’s restaurants are operated in 50 states, the District of Columbia, two U.S. territories and 12 foreign countries with principal concentrations in California (23% of total restaurants), Texas (13%) and Florida (8%). At December 27, 2023, the Denny’s brand consisted of 1,573 franchised, licensed and company restaurants. Of this amount, 1,508 of Denny’s restaurants were franchised or licensed, representing 96% of the total restaurants, and 65 were company restaurants.

We acquired Keke's on July 20, 2022. Total revenues at Keke’s for the year ended December 27, 2023 represented less than 5% of total consolidated revenues, therefore, the Keke’s operating segment is included in Other for segment reporting purposes. Our Keke’s operating segment includes the results of all company and franchised Keke’s restaurants. As of December 27, 2023, the Keke’s brand consisted of 58 franchised and company restaurants in Florida. Of this amount, 50 Keke’s restaurants were franchised, representing 86% of total Keke’s restaurants, and eight were company restaurants.

The primary sources of revenues for all operating segments are the sale of food and beverages at our company restaurants and the collection of royalties, advertising revenue, initial and other fees, including occupancy revenue, from restaurants operated by our franchisees. Sales and customer traffic at both company and franchised restaurants are affected by the success of our marketing campaigns, new product introductions, product quality enhancements, customer service, availability of off-premises dining options, and menu pricing, as well as external factors including competition, economic conditions affecting consumer spending and changes in guests’ tastes and preferences. Sales at company restaurants and royalty, advertising and fee income from franchised restaurants are also impacted by the opening of new restaurants, the closing of existing restaurants, the sale of company restaurants to franchisees and the acquisition of restaurants from franchisees.

Costs of company restaurant sales are exposed to volatility in two main areas: payroll and benefit costs and product costs. This volatility has been especially impactful during and in the periods following the COVID-19 pandemic. The volatility of payroll and benefit costs results primarily from changes in wage rates and increases in labor related expenses, such as medical benefit costs and workers’ compensation costs. Additionally, changes in guest counts and investments in store-level labor impact payroll and benefit costs as a percentage of sales. Many of the products sold in our restaurants are affected by commodity pricing and are, therefore, subject to price volatility. This volatility is caused by factors that are fundamentally outside of our control and are often unpredictable. In general, we purchase food products based on market prices or we set firm prices in purchase agreements with our vendors. In an inflationary commodity environment, our ability to lock in prices on certain key commodities is imperative to controlling food costs. In addition, our continued success with menu management helps us offer menu items that provide a compelling value to our customers while maintaining attractive product costs and profitability. Packaging costs and delivery fees (included as a component of other operating expenses) also fluctuate with changes in delivery and off-premises sales.

Our fiscal year ends on the last Wednesday in December. As a result, a fifty-third week is added to a fiscal year every five or six years. Fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021 each included 52 weeks of operations. Our next 53-week year will be fiscal 2025.

Factors Impacting Comparability

For 2023, 2022 and 2021, the following items impacted the comparability of our results:

•Company restaurant sales increased from $175.0 million in 2021 to $199.8 million in 2022 and $215.5 million in 2023, primarily from our progressive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic that began in 2020 and the acquisition of Keke’s in 2022.

22

•Royalty income, which is included as a component of franchise and license revenue, increased from $103.4 million in 2021 to $113.9 million in 2022 and $120.1 million in 2023, also related to our recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the acquisition of Keke’s in 2022.

•Initial and other fees increased from $8.0 million in 2021 to $28.3 million in 2022 and decreased to $13.9 million in 2023. This decrease was the result of completion of the kitchen modernization program in 2023 that began in early 2022. We billed our franchisees and recognized revenue when the related equipment was installed with a like amount recorded as a component of other direct costs.

•Occupancy revenues, included as a component of franchise and license revenue, result from leasing or subleasing restaurants to franchisees. When restaurants are sold and leased or subleased to franchisees, the occupancy costs related to these restaurants move from costs of company restaurant sales to costs of franchise and license revenue to match the related occupancy revenue. Additionally, as leases or subleases with franchisees expire, franchise occupancy revenue and costs could decrease if franchisees enter into direct leases with landlords. Occupancy revenue has decreased from $41.8 million in 2021 to $35.9 million in 2023 primarily as a result of lease expirations. At the end of 2023, we had 195 franchised restaurants that were leased or subleased from Denny’s, compared to 246 at the end of 2021.

•Information discussed in Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations relates to the Denny’s brand unless otherwise noted.

23

Statements of Income
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (Dollars in thousands)
Revenue:       
Company restaurant sales$215,532 46.5 %$199,753 43.8 %$175,017 44.0 %
Franchise and license revenue248,390 53.5 %256,676 56.2 %223,157 56.0 %
Total operating revenue 463,922 100.0 %456,429 100.0 %398,174 100.0 %
Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization (a):   
Product costs 55,789 25.9 %53,617 26.8 %42,982 24.6 %
Payroll and benefits 80,666 37.4 %76,412 38.3 %65,337 37.3 %
Occupancy 17,080 7.9 %15,154 7.6 %11,662 6.7 %
Other operating expenses 34,064 15.8 %34,275 17.2 %26,951 15.4 %
Total costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization187,599 87.0 %179,458 89.8 %146,932 84.0 %
Costs of franchise and license revenue (a) 122,452 49.3 %135,327 52.7 %109,140 48.9 %
General and administrative expenses 77,770 16.8 %67,173 14.7 %68,686 17.3 %
Depreciation and amortization 14,385 3.1 %14,862 3.3 %15,446 3.9 %
Goodwill impairment charges6,363 1.4 %— — %— — %
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net2,530 0.5 %(1,005)(0.2)%(46,105)(11.6)%
Total operating costs and expenses, net411,099 88.6 %395,815 86.7 %294,099 73.9 %
Operating income 52,823 11.4 %60,614 13.3 %104,075 26.1 %
Interest expense, net 17,597 3.8 %13,769 3.0 %15,148 3.8 %
Other nonoperating income, net8,288 1.8 %(52,585)(11.5)%(15,176)(3.8)%
Net income before income taxes26,938 5.8 %99,430 21.8 %104,103 26.1 %
Provision for income taxes6,993 1.5 %24,718 5.4 %26,030 6.5 %
Net income$19,945 4.3 %$74,712 16.4 %$78,073 19.6 %
(a)Costs of company restaurant sales percentages are as a percentage of company restaurant sales. Costs of franchise and license revenue percentages are as a percentage of franchise and license revenue. All other percentages are as a percentage of total operating revenue.













24


Statistical Data
Fiscal Year Ended
December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
(Dollars in thousands)
Denny’s
Company average unit sales$3,073$2,985$2,709
Franchise average unit sales$1,843$1,729$1,597
Company equivalent units (a)656565
Franchise equivalent units (a)1,5221,5611,581
Company same-store sales increase vs. prior year (b)(c)2.7%10.4%55.3%
Domestic franchised same-store sales increase vs. prior year (b)(c)3.6%6.0%40.1%
Keke’s (d)
Company average unit sales$1,796$772N/A
Franchise average unit sales$1,828$802N/A
Company equivalent units (a)84N/A
Franchise equivalent units (a)4820N/A
Company same-store sales decrease (b)(1.1)%N/AN/A
Franchise same-store sales decrease (b)(4.4)%N/AN/A

(a)Equivalent units are calculated as the weighted average number of units outstanding during a defined time period.
(b)Same-store sales include sales from company restaurants or non-consolidated franchised and licensed restaurants that were open the same period in the prior year. While we do not record franchise and licensed sales as revenue in our consolidated financial statements, we believe domestic franchised same-store sales information is useful to investors in understanding our financial performance, as our sales-based royalties are calculated based on a percentage of franchise sales. Accordingly, domestic franchised same-store sales should be considered as a supplement to, not a substitute for, our results as reported under GAAP.
(c)Prior year amounts have not been restated for 2023 comparable restaurants.
(d)Effective July 20, 2022, the Company acquired Keke’s, and as such, data for the year ended December 28, 2022 only represent post-acquisition results.


Unit Activity

 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
Denny’s
Company restaurants, beginning of period66 65 65 
Units acquired from franchisees— 1 — 
Units closed(1)— — 
End of period65 66 65 
Franchised and licensed restaurants, beginning of period
1,536 1,575 1,585 
Units opened 28 28 20 
Units acquired by Company— (1)— 
Units closed(56)(66)(30)
End of period1,508 1,536 1,575 
Total restaurants, end of period1,573 1,602 1,640 

25

 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
Keke’s
Company restaurants, beginning of period8 — — 
Units acquired— 8 — 
End of period8 8 — 
Franchised and licensed restaurants, beginning of period
46 — — 
Units opened 4 2 — 
Units acquired— 44 — 
End of period50 46 — 
Total restaurants, end of period58 54 — 


Company Restaurant Operations

Company restaurant sales for 2023 increased $15.8 million, or 7.9%, primarily driven by a 2.7% increase in Denny’s company same-store sales and the operation of Keke’s for a full year in 2023. The increase in Denny’s company same-store sales primarily resulted from price increases to partially offset inflationary pressures. Company restaurant sales from Keke’s increased $8.2 million in 2023. Company restaurant sales for 2022 increased $24.7 million, or 14.1%, primarily driven by a 10.4% increase in Denny’s company same-store sales resulting from price increases to partially offset inflationary costs. The increase in sales in 2022 includes $6.2 million from Keke’s.

Total costs of company restaurant sales as a percentage of company restaurant sales were 87.0% in 2023, 89.8% in 2022 and 84.0% in 2021 consisting of the following:

Product costs as a percentage of company restaurant sales were 25.9% in 2023, 26.8% in 2022 and 24.6% in 2021. For 2023, the decrease as a percentage of sales was primarily due to increased pricing to offset a portion of higher commodity costs. For 2022, the increase as a percentage of sales was primarily due to increased commodity costs.

Payroll and benefits as a percentage of company restaurant sales were 37.4% in 2023, 38.3% in 2022 and 37.3% in 2021. The 2023 decrease as a percentage of sales was primarily due to a 0.4 percentage point decrease in team labor costs, 0.5 percentage point decrease in incentive compensation and a 0.2 percentage point decrease in payroll taxes and fringe benefits. Team labor costs decreased due to the leveraging effect of higher sales and efficiency gains. The 2023 decrease was partially offset by a 0.5 percentage point increase in workers’ compensation costs. The 2022 increase as a percentage of sales was primarily due to a 0.9 percentage point increase in team labor due to higher wage rates. In addition, a 0.4 percentage point increase in workers’ compensation costs was partially offset by a 0.4 percentage point decrease in group insurance costs.

Occupancy costs as a percentage of company restaurant sales were 7.9% in 2023, 7.6% in 2022 and 6.7% in 2021. The 2023 increase as a percentage of sales was primarily due to new Keke’s leases for restaurants that have yet to open. The 2022 increase as a percentage of sales was primarily due to general liability insurance cost increases in the current year in addition to a prior year decrease, as well as higher rents.

Other operating expenses consisted of the following amounts and percentages of company restaurant sales:

 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (Dollars in thousands)
Utilities$7,848 3.6 %$7,273 3.6 %$5,814 3.3 %
Repairs and maintenance3,661 1.7 %3,874 1.9 %2,743 1.6 %
Marketing5,603 2.6 %5,294 2.7 %4,594 2.6 %
Legal settlements2,302 1.1 %4,224 2.1 %2,134 1.2 %
Other direct costs14,650 6.8 %13,610 6.8 %11,666 6.7 %
Other operating expenses$34,064 15.8 %$34,275 17.2 %$26,951 15.4 %
26


For 2023, legal settlement costs were lower as a percentage of sales primarily due to unfavorable developments in certain claims during the prior year. For 2022, legal settlement costs were higher as a percentage of sales primarily due to unfavorable developments in certain claims.

Franchise Operations

Franchise and license revenue and costs of franchise and license revenue consisted of the following amounts and percentages of franchise and license revenue for the periods indicated:
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (Dollars in thousands)
Royalties$120,131 48.4 %$113,891 44.4 %$103,425 46.3 %
Advertising revenue78,494 31.6 %75,926 29.6 %69,957 31.3 %
Initial and other fees13,882 5.6 %28,262 11.0 %8,009 3.6 %
Occupancy revenue35,883 14.4 %38,597 15.0 %41,766 18.7 %
Franchise and license revenue$248,390 100.0 %$256,676 100.0 %$223,157 100.0 %
Advertising costs$78,494 31.6 %$75,926 29.6 %$69,957 31.3 %
Occupancy costs22,160 8.9 %24,090 9.4 %26,237 11.8 %
Other direct costs21,798 8.8 %35,311 13.8 %12,946 5.8 %
Costs of franchise and license revenue$122,452 49.3 %$135,327 52.7 %$109,140 48.9 %
 
Royalties increased by $6.2 million, or 5.5%, in 2023 primarily resulting from a 3.6% increase in Denny’s domestic franchise same-store sales as compared to the prior year. Royalties from Keke’s franchise restaurants increased $3.0 million as a result of operating for a full year in 2023. The 2023 increase was partially offset by a decrease of 39 Denny’s franchise equivalent units. In 2022, royalties increased by $10.5 million, or 10.1% primarily resulting from a 6.0% increase in Denny’s domestic franchise same-store sales as compared to the prior year. The increase in royalties included $2.2 million from Keke’s. The average domestic contractual royalty rate was 4.42%, 4.39% and 4.35% for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Advertising revenue increased $2.6 million, or 3.4%, in 2023 primarily resulting from the increase in Denny’s domestic franchise same-store sales. The increase also includes $0.6 million collected from Keke’s franchised restaurants. The 2023 increase was partially offset by a decrease of 39 Denny’s franchise equivalent units. Advertising revenue increased $6.0 million, or 8.5%, in 2022 primarily resulting from the increase in domestic franchise same-store sales.

Initial and other fees decreased $14.4 million, or 50.9%, in 2023 primarily resulting from a decrease in revenue from the sale of equipment to franchisees, as our kitchen modernization program was completed in 2023. Initial and other fees increased $20.3 million, or 252.9%, in 2022 primarily resulting from the recognition of $19.1 million of revenue from the sale and installation of kitchen equipment at franchise restaurants.

Occupancy revenue decreased $2.7 million, or 7.0%, in 2023 primarily due to lease terminations. Occupancy revenue decreased $3.2 million, or 7.6%, in 2022 primarily due to lease terminations.

Costs of franchise and license revenue decreased $12.9 million, or 9.5%, in 2023. Advertising costs increased $2.6 million, or 3.4%, which corresponds to the related advertising revenue increases noted above. Occupancy costs decreased $1.9 million, or 8.0%, in 2023, primarily related to lease terminations. Other direct costs decreased $13.5 million, or 38.3%, primarily due to the completion of our kitchen modernization program at franchise restaurants as mentioned above. As a result, costs of franchise and license revenue as a percentage of franchise and license revenue decreased to 49.3% for 2023 from 52.7% in 2022.

Costs of franchise and license revenue increased $26.2 million, or 24.0%, in 2022. Advertising costs increased $6.0 million, or 8.5%, which corresponds to the related advertising revenue increases noted above. Occupancy costs decreased $2.1 million, or 8.2%, in 2022, primarily related to lease terminations. Other direct costs increased $22.4 million, or 172.8%, primarily due to $19.1 million of expense as part of the installation of kitchen equipment at franchise restaurants as mentioned above. As a result, costs of franchise and license revenue as a percentage of franchise and license revenue increased to 52.7% for 2022 from 48.9% in 2021.
27


Other Operating Costs and Expenses
 
Other operating costs and expenses such as general and administrative expenses and depreciation and amortization expense relate to both company and franchise operations.
 
General and administrative expenses consisted of the following:
 Fiscal Year Ended
  December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Corporate administrative expenses$60,339 $52,115 $44,367 
Share-based compensation8,880 11,400 13,602 
Incentive compensation6,640 5,811 8,628 
Deferred compensation valuation adjustments1,911 (2,153)2,089 
Total general and administrative expenses$77,770 $67,173 $68,686 
 
Total general and administrative expenses increased by $10.6 million, or 15.8%, in 2023 and decreased by $1.5 million, or 2.2%, in 2022.

Corporate administrative expenses increased by $8.2 million in 2023 and increased by $7.7 million in 2022. The 2023 increase was primarily due to compensation increases and administrative costs related to Keke’s. The 2022 increase was primarily due to compensation increases in the current year and prior year temporary cost reductions related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including net reductions in tax credits related to the CARES Act of approximately $0.5 million.

Share-based compensation decreased by $2.5 million in 2023 and by $2.2 million in 2022. The 2023 decrease was primarily due to forfeitures and our performance against plan metrics. The 2022 decrease was primarily due to the 2020 long-term incentive plan having a two-year vesting period compared to a typical three-year vesting period. The 2020 long-term incentive plan became fully vested in May 2022. Incentive compensation increased by $0.8 million in 2023 and decreased by $2.8 million in 2022. The changes in incentive compensation for both periods primarily resulted from our performance against plan metrics. Changes in deferred compensation valuation adjustments have offsetting gains or losses on the underlying nonqualified deferred plan investments included as a component of other nonoperating expense (income), net, for the corresponding periods.

Depreciation and amortization consisted of the following:
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Depreciation of property and equipment$10,720 $11,118 $11,441 
Amortization of finance right-of-use assets1,451 1,704 1,895 
Amortization of intangible and other assets2,214 2,040 2,110 
Total depreciation and amortization expense$14,385 $14,862 $15,446 

The decreases in total depreciation and amortization expense during 2023 and 2022 were primarily due to certain assets becoming fully depreciated.

Goodwill impairment charges were $6.4 million in 2023. We performed an annual impairment test of goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives as of December 27, 2023 and determined that a portion of the goodwill related to Keke’s was impaired as a result of lower than forecasted near-term sales and cash flows as well as higher discount rates post-acquisition that were used to determine the fair value of goodwill. Sales and cash flows in 2023 were impacted by reduced tourism in Florida as well as a slower pace of restaurant development than originally anticipated. In addition, investments in general and administrative expenses to support the growth of the brand and an extended development cycle have also impacted near-term cash flow projections.

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Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net consisted of the following:

 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Gains on sales of assets and other, net$(2,220)$(3,378)$(47,822)
Restructuring charges and exit costs2,536 1,410 1,275 
Impairment charges (1)
2,214 963 442 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net$2,530 $(1,005)$(46,105)
(1) Impairment charges include impairments related to property, operating right-of-use assets, finance right-of-use assets, and reacquired franchise rights.

Gains on sales of assets and other, net for 2023, 2022, and 2021 were primarily related to the sales of real estate.

Restructuring charges and exit costs consisted of the following:
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Exit costs $190 $86 $323 
Severance and other restructuring charges2,346 1,324 952 
Total restructuring and exit costs$2,536 $1,410 $1,275 
 
Total restructuring and exit costs for 2023 and 2022 primarily consisted of severance costs. Total restructuring and exit costs for 2021 were primarily made up of relocation costs associated with moving certain employees to our support center in Irving, Texas.

Impairment charges of $2.2 million, $1.0 million and $0.4 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, primarily resulted from our assessment of underperforming restaurants.
 
Operating income was $52.8 million in 2023, $60.6 million in 2022 and $104.1 million in 2021.
 
Interest expense, net consisted of the following:

 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Interest on credit facilities$18,929 $8,478 $5,478 
Interest on interest rate swaps(5,028)1,310 4,023 
Interest on finance lease liabilities2,139 2,350 2,960 
Letters of credit and other fees738 1,053 1,438 
Interest income(171)(87)(25)
Total cash interest16,607 13,104 13,874 
Amortization of deferred financing costs635 634 1,105 
Amortization of interest rate swap losses353 29 167 
Interest accretion on other liabilities2 2 2 
Total interest expense, net$17,597 $13,769 $15,148 
 
Interest expense, net increased during 2023 primarily due to increased average borrowings and higher average interest rates, partially offset by receipts from our interest rate swaps. Interest expense, net decreased during 2022 primarily due to decreased deferred financing cost amortization and decreased financing lease interest.

29

Other nonoperating expense (income), net was expense of $8.3 million, income of $52.6 million and income of $15.2 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Nonoperating expense for 2023 includes $10.6 million of losses related to valuation adjustments for dedesignated interest rate hedges, partially offset by gains of $2.1 million on deferred compensation plan investments. Nonoperating income for 2022 includes $55.0 million of gains related to dedesignated interest rate swap valuation adjustments, partially offset by losses of $2.2 million on deferred compensation plan investments. Nonoperating income for 2021 includes $12.8 million of gains related to dedesignated interest rate swap valuation adjustments and $2.2 million in gains on deferred compensation investments. For additional details related to the interest rate swaps, see Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The provision for income taxes was $7.0 million for 2023, $24.7 million for 2022 and $26.0 million for 2021. The effective tax rate was 26.0% for 2023, 24.9% for 2022 and 25.0% for 2021.

For 2023, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to state and foreign taxes, partially offset by the generation of employment and foreign tax credits. The 2023 rate was also impacted by $1.9 million of disallowed compensation deductions.

For 2022, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to state and foreign taxes, partially offset by the generation of employment and foreign tax credits.

For 2021, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to state and foreign taxes, partially offset by the generation of employment credits. The 2021 rate was also impacted by $1.3 million of disallowed compensation deductions.

For additional details related to the provision for income taxes as well as changes in the effective tax rate, see Note 15 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net income was $19.9 million for 2023, $74.7 million for 2022 and $78.1 million for 2021.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
Summary of Cash Flows
 
Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash generated from operations and borrowings under our credit facility (as described below). Principal uses of cash are operating expenses, acquisitions and capital expenditures and the repurchase of shares of our common stock.
 
The following table presents a summary of our sources and uses of cash and cash equivalents for the periods indicated:

 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Net cash provided by operating activities$72,125 $39,452 $76,173 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities(7,564)(86,596)29,014 
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities(63,191)20,043 (78,455)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$1,370 $(27,101)$26,732 

Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $72.1 million for the year ended December 27, 2023 compared to net cash flows provided by operating activities of $39.5 million for the year ended December 28, 2022. The increase in cash flows provided by operating activities was primarily due to the timing of inventory purchases, receivables collections, and accrual payments related to our franchise kitchen equipment project over the past two years. Net cash flows provided by operating activities were $39.5 million for the year ended December 28, 2022 compared to net cash flows provided by operating activities of $76.2 million for the year ended December 29, 2021. The decrease in cash flows provided by operating activities in 2022 compared to 2021 was primarily due to increased operating costs at company restaurants and the timing of prior year accrual payments and receivable collections. We believe that our estimated cash flows from operations for 2024, combined with our capacity for additional borrowings under our credit facility, will enable us to meet our anticipated cash requirements and fund capital expenditures over the next twelve months.
 
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Net cash flows used in investing activities were $7.6 million for the year ended December 27, 2023. These cash flows included capital expenditures of $10.0 million, investment purchases of $1.3 million, and a real estate acquisition of $1.2 million, partially offset by net proceeds from the sale of three parcels of real estate for $3.2 million and net investment proceeds of $1.9 million. Net cash flow used in investing activities were $86.6 million for the year ended December 28, 2022. These cash flows included $82.5 million for the acquisition of Keke’s and capital expenditures of $11.8 million, partially offset by proceeds from the sale of real estate and other assets of $4.1 million and collections on real estate acquisitions of $3.6 million. Net cash flows provided by investing activities were $29.0 million for the year ended December 29, 2021. These cash flows were primarily proceeds from the sale of real estate and other assets of $50.1 million, partially offset by acquisition of restaurants and real estate of $10.4 million, capital expenditures of $7.4 million and deposits on real estate acquisitions of $3.6 million.
Our principal capital requirements have been largely associated with the following:
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Facilities$4,378 $4,596 $3,206 
New construction 3,782 91 — 
Remodeling394 3,846 1,477 
Information technology827 2,638 1,410 
Other597 673 1,262 
Capital expenditures (excluding acquisitions)$9,978 $11,844 $7,355 
 
Cash flows used in financing activities were $63.2 million for the year ended December 27, 2023, which included cash payments for stock repurchases of $52.1 million, net debt payments of $7.8 million and payments of tax withholding on share-based compensation of $3.0 million. Cash flows provided by financing activities were $20.0 million for the year ended December 28, 2022, which included net debt borrowings of $89.5 million, partially offset by cash payments for stock repurchases of $65.0 million and payments of tax withholding on share-based compensation of $4.8 million. Cash flows used in financing activities were $78.5 million for the year ended December 29, 2021, which included net debt repayments of $42.1 million, cash payments for stock repurchases of $30.0 million, net bank overdraft payments of $3.1 million, and deferred financing costs of $1.9 million.
Our working capital deficit was $59.3 million at December 27, 2023 compared with $43.3 million at December 28, 2022, primarily due to a decrease in receivables and inventories related to our franchise equipment projects in 2023. We are able to operate with a substantial working capital deficit because (1) restaurant operations and most food service operations are conducted primarily on a cash and cash equivalent basis with a low level of accounts receivable, (2) rapid turnover allows a limited investment in inventories and (3) accounts payable for food, beverages and supplies usually become due after the receipt of cash from the related sales.

Credit Facility

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have a credit facility consisting of a five-year $400 million senior secured revolver (with a $25 million letter of credit sublimit). The credit facility includes an accordion feature that would allow us to increase the size of the revolver to $450 million. Borrowings bear a tiered interest rate, which is based on the Company's consolidated leverage ratio. The maturity date for the credit facility is August 26, 2026.

The credit facility is available for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. The credit facility is guaranteed by the Company and its material subsidiaries and is secured by assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the stock of its subsidiaries (other than its insurance captive subsidiary). It includes negative covenants that are usual for facilities and transactions of this type. The credit facility also includes certain financial covenants with respect to a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 27, 2023.

As of December 27, 2023, we had outstanding revolver loans of $255.5 million and outstanding letters of credit under the credit facility of $11.5 million. These balances resulted in unused commitments of $133.0 million as of December 27, 2023 under the credit facility.

31

As of December 27, 2023, borrowings under the credit facility bore interest at a rate of Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus 2.00%. Letters of credit under the credit facility bore interest at a rate of 2.13%. The commitment fee, paid on the unused portion of the credit facility, was set to 0.30%.

Prior to considering the impact of our interest rate swaps, described below, the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding revolver loans was 7.41% and 6.37% as of December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, respectively. Taking into consideration our interest rate swaps that are designated as cash flow hedges, the weighted-average interest rate of outstanding revolver loans was 5.04% and 5.31% as of December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, respectively.

Interest Rate Hedges
We have interest rate swaps to hedge a portion of the forecasted cash flows of our floating rate debt. See Part II Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk for details on our interest rate swaps.
Technology Transformation and Kitchen Modernization Initiatives

The Company has committed to investing approximately $4 million toward a new cloud-based restaurant technology platform in domestic franchise restaurants, which will lay the foundation for future technology initiatives to further enhance the guest experience. We currently expect the rollout to occur in 2024 and 2025.

During 2023, the Company completed the process of upgrading and improving kitchen equipment throughout the domestic system. This investment is expected to yield long-term benefits through menu enhancements across all dayparts, with new and improved food offerings. The new equipment is also expected to provide immediate benefits through increased kitchen efficiency and productivity while also reducing food waste.

Contractual Obligations
 
Our future contractual obligations and commitments at December 27, 2023 consisted of the following:
 
 Payments Due by Period
 TotalLess than 1 Year1-2 Years3-4 Years5 Years and Thereafter
 (In thousands)
Long-term debt (a)$255,500 $— $255,500 $— $— 
Finance lease obligations (b)(c)23,368 3,312 5,991 4,136 9,929 
Operating lease obligations (b) 167,787 21,977 41,424 35,097 69,289 
Interest obligations (c)33,910 12,538 21,372 — — 
Defined benefit plan obligations (d)1,205 582 230 159 234 
Purchase obligations (e) 202,018 202,018 — — — 
Unrecognized tax benefits (f)445 — — — — 
Total $684,233 $240,427 $324,517 $39,392 $79,452 
 
(a)Refer to Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of our long-term debt and timing of expected payments.
(b)Refer to Note 9 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of our lease obligations and timing of expected payments.
(c)Interest obligations represent payments related to our long-term debt outstanding at December 27, 2023. For long-term debt with variable rates, we have used the rate applicable at December 27, 2023 to project interest over the periods presented in the table above, taking into consideration the impact of the interest rate swaps that are designated as cash flow hedges for the applicable periods. The finance lease obligation amounts above are inclusive of interest.
(d)Refer to Note 12 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of our defined benefit plan obligations and timing of expected payments.
(e)Refer to Note 19 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of our purchase obligations and timing of expected payments.
(f)Unrecognized tax benefits are related to uncertain tax positions. As we are not able to reasonably estimate the timing or amount of these payments, the related balances have not been reflected in this table.
32

 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
Our reported results are impacted by the application of certain accounting policies that require us to make subjective or complex judgments. These judgments involve estimations of the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain and may significantly impact our quarterly or annual results of operations or financial condition. Changes in the estimates and judgments could significantly affect our results of operations and financial condition and cash flows in future years.

Our significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements. We consider financial reporting and disclosure practices and accounting policies quarterly to ensure that they provide accurate and transparent information relative to the current economic and business environment. We have not made any material changes to the accounting methodologies used to assess the areas discussed below, unless noted otherwise. Descriptions of what we consider to be our most significant critical accounting policies are as follows:

Self-insurance liabilities. We are self-insured for a portion of our losses related to certain medical plans, workers’ compensation, general, product and automobile insurance liability. In estimating these liabilities, we utilize independent actuarial estimates of expected losses, which are based on statistical analysis of historical data, including certain actuarial assumptions regarding the frequency and severity of claims and claim development history and settlement practices.

We have not made any material changes in the methodology used to establish our insurance liabilities during the past three years and do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions used to calculate the insurance reserves. However, our estimates of expected losses are adjusted over time based on changes to the actual costs of the underlying claims, which could result in additional expense or reversal of expense previously recorded. Additionally, the change in the number of company restaurants impacts the balance of liabilities over time.

Total workers’ compensation, general, product and automobile insurance liabilities were $9.7 million at December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, respectively.

See Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for a further discussion of our policies regarding self-insurance liabilities.

Impairment of long-lived assets. We evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment at the restaurant level on a quarterly basis, when assets are identified as held for sale or whenever changes or events indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. For assets identified as held for sale, we use the market approach and consider proceeds from similar asset sales. We assess impairment of restaurant-level assets based on the operating cash flows of the restaurant, expected proceeds from the sale of assets and our plans for restaurant closings. For underperforming assets, we use the income approach to determine both the recoverability and estimated fair value of the assets. To estimate future cash flows, we make certain assumptions about expected future operating performance, such as revenue growth, operating margins, risk-adjusted discount rates, and future economic and market conditions. If the long-lived assets of a restaurant are not recoverable based upon estimated future, undiscounted cash flows, we write the assets down to their fair value.

We have not made any material changes in our methodology for assessing impairments during the past three years and we do not believe that there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the estimates or assumptions used by us to assess impairment of long-lived assets. However, if actual results are not consistent with our estimates and assumptions used in estimating future cash flows and fair values of long-lived assets, we may be exposed to losses that could be material.

Impairment charges of $2.2 million, $1.0 million and $0.4 million for the years ended December 27, 2023, December 28, 2022 and December 29, 2021, respectively, primarily resulted from our assessment of underperforming restaurants.

See Note 2 and Note 14 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our policies regarding impairment of long-lived assets.

Impairment of Goodwill. We perform our annual goodwill impairment test as of the end of each fiscal year, or more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired, at the reporting unit level. The fair value of each reporting unit will generally be calculated using either the income approach or the market approach or a blend of both those approaches. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit.

The income approach involves the use of estimates and assumptions including forecasted future revenues and operating margins, including projected growth in restaurant unit counts and average unit volumes, royalty rate, and discount rates. Inputs used are generally obtained from historical data supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions and growth rates.
33

The market approach involves the selection and application of cash flows multiples of a group of similar companies to the projected cash flows of the reporting unit.

Considerable management judgment is necessary in determining the inputs to these approaches. Changes in our assumptions or estimates could materially affect the estimation of the fair value of a reporting unit and, therefore, could reduce the excess of fair value over the carrying value of a reporting unit entirely and could result in goodwill impairment. Events and conditions that could indicate impairment include a sustained drop in the market price of our common stock, increased competition or loss of market share, changes to restaurant development strategies, or changes in general economic conditions.

For the year ended December 27, 2023, we recorded goodwill impairment charges related to Keke’s of $6.4 million. No impairment charges related to goodwill were recorded for the years ended December 28, 2022 and December 29, 2021. The fair value of the reporting unit's goodwill is sensitive to differences between estimated and actual cash flows, including changes in the projected revenue, projected operating margins, discount rate and the selection of market multiples used to evaluate the fair value of the reporting unit. For example, if the discount rate increased by 0.5%, the impairment would have increased by approximately $1.5 million. Although we believe our estimate of fair value is reasonable, the reporting unit's future financial performance is dependent on our ability to execute our business plan and to successfully implement certain strategic actions which we expect will improve our long-term operating margin and cash flows. We cannot guarantee that we will not record a material impairment charge in the future. At December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, the carrying value of Keke’s goodwill totaled approximately $28.4 million and $35.2 million, respectively.

See Note 2, Note 6 and Note 8 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of our policies regarding impairment of goodwill.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
See the Accounting Standards to be Adopted section of Note 2 to our Consolidated Financial Statements for further details of recent accounting pronouncements.
 
Item 7A.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
Interest Rate Risk
 
We have exposure to interest rate risk related to certain instruments entered into for other than trading purposes. Specifically, as of December 27, 2023, borrowings under our credit facility bore interest at variable rates based on Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus 2.00% per annum.


We have receive-variable, pay-fixed interest rate swaps to hedge the forecasted cash flows of our floating rate debt. A summary of our interest rate swaps as of December 27, 2023 is as follows:
Trade DateEffective DateMaturity DateNotional AmountFair ValueFixed Rate
(In thousands)
Swaps designated as cash flow hedges
March 20, 2015March 29, 2018March 31, 2025$120,000 $3,162 2.34 %
October 1, 2015March 29, 2018March 31, 2026$50,000 $1,680 2.37 %
February 15, 2018March 31, 2020December 31, 2033$37,000 (1)$4,046 3.09 %
Total$207,000 $8,888 

(1)     The notional amounts of the swaps entered into on February 15, 2018 increase periodically until they reach the maximum notional amount of $335 million on August 31, 2033.

34

On March 31, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment of its interest rate swaps. The amendment transitions our interest rate swap benchmark interest rates from LIBOR to Daily Simple SOFR, and as such the fixed rates in the table above have been adjusted to the appropriate fixed rates. The conversion to Daily Simple SOFR did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operation.

As of December 27, 2023, our swaps effectively increase our ratio of fixed rate debt from 4% of total debt to 82% of total debt. Based on the levels of borrowings under the credit facility as of December 27, 2023, if interest rates changed by 100 basis points, our annual cash flow and income before taxes would change by $0.3 million. This computation is determined by considering the impact of hypothetical interest rates on the credit facility at December 27, 2023, taking into consideration the interest rate swaps that will be in effect during the next 12 months. However, the nature and amount of our borrowings may vary as a result of future business requirements, market conditions and other factors.

Depending on market considerations, fluctuations in the fair values of our interest rate swaps could be significant. With the exception of these changes in the fair value of our interest rate swaps and in the levels of borrowings under our credit facility, there have been no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative market risks since the prior reporting period. For additional information related to our interest rate swaps, including changes in the fair value, refer to Notes 8, 10 and 18 to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
Commodity Price Risk
 
We purchase certain food products, such as beef, poultry, pork, eggs and coffee, and utilities such as gas and electricity, that are affected by commodity pricing and are, therefore, subject to price volatility caused by weather, production problems, delivery difficulties and other factors that are outside our control and which are generally unpredictable. Changes in commodity prices affect us and our competitors, generally and often simultaneously. In general, we purchase food products and utilities based upon market prices established with vendors. Although many of the items purchased are subject to changes in commodity prices, the majority of our purchasing arrangements are structured to contain features that minimize price volatility by establishing fixed pricing and/or price ceilings and floors. We use these types of purchase arrangements to control costs as an alternative to using financial instruments to hedge commodity prices. In many cases, we believe we will be able to address commodity cost increases which are significant and appear to be long-term in nature by adjusting our menu pricing or managing the menu. However, competitive circumstances could limit such actions and, in those circumstances, increases in commodity prices could lower our margins. Because of the often short-term nature of commodity pricing aberrations and our ability to change menu pricing or manage the menu in response to commodity price increases, we believe that the impact of commodity price risk is not significant.
 
We have established a process to identify, control and manage market risks which may arise from changes in interest rates, commodity prices and other relevant rates and prices. We do not use derivative instruments for trading purposes. 

Item 8.     Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
 
See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements which appears on page F-1 herein.
 
Item 9.     Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
 
None.

Item 9A.     Controls and Procedures
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive and financial officers, including the Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (the “CFO”), evaluated the effectiveness of our design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to and as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report.

Based on their assessment as of December 27, 2023, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

35

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have integrated Keke's Breakfast Cafe into our overall internal control structure over financial reporting processes.

Other than as discussed above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(d) of the Exchange Act that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f). Our internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2023 based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on that evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 27, 2023.

The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2023 has also been audited by KPMG LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report that appears herein.

































36

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
 
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Denny’s Corporation:

Opinion on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We have audited Denny's Corporation and subsidiaries' (the Company) internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 27, 2023, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements), and our report dated February 26, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audit also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed 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. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
 
/s/ KPMG LLP 

Greenville, South Carolina
February 26, 2024


37

Item 9B.     Other Information
 
During the quarter ended December 27, 2023, none of the Company’s directors or officers informed the Company of the adoption or termination of a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as those terms are defined in Regulation S-K, Item 408.
 
Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections

None.

PART III
 
Item 10.     Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
 
Information required by this item with respect to our executive officers and directors; compliance by our directors, executive officers and certain beneficial owners of our common stock with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act; the committees of our Board of Directors; our Audit Committee Financial Expert; and our Code of Ethics is furnished by incorporation by reference to information under the captions entitled “General-Equity Security Ownership,” “Election of Directors,” “Executive Compensation,” “Related Party Transactions” and “Code of Ethics” in the proxy statement (to be filed hereafter) in connection with Denny’s Corporation’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “proxy statement”) and possibly elsewhere in the proxy statement (or will be filed by amendment to this report). Additional information required by this item related to our executive officers appears in Item 1 of Part I of this report under the caption “Information about our Executive Officers.”
 
Item 11.     Executive Compensation
 
The information required by this item is furnished by incorporation by reference to information under the captions entitled “Executive Compensation” and “Election of Directors” in the proxy statement and possibly elsewhere in the proxy statement (or will be filed by amendment to this report).
 
Item 12.     Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
 
The security ownership of certain beneficial owners information required by this item is furnished by incorporation by reference to information under the caption “Equity Security Ownership” in the proxy statement and possibly elsewhere in the proxy statement (or will be filed by amendment to this report).

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
 
The following table sets forth information as of December 27, 2023 with respect to our compensation plans under which equity securities of Denny’s Corporation are authorized for issuance.
 
Plan categoryNumber of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights Weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rightsNumber of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans 
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders
4,225,772 (1)$— 1,544,103 (2)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders
— — 704,166 (3)
Total4,225,772  $— 2,248,269  
 
(1)Includes shares issuable in connection with our outstanding performance share awards and restricted stock units awards.
(2)Includes shares of our common stock available for issuance as awards of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units and performance share units under the Denny’s Corporation 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan.
(3)Includes shares of our common stock available for issuance as awards of stock options and restricted stock units outside of the Denny’s Incentive Plans in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
 
38

Item 13.     Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
 
The information required by this item is furnished by incorporation by reference to information under the captions “Related Party Transactions” and “Election of Directors” in the proxy statement and possibly elsewhere in the proxy statement (or will be filed by amendment to this report).
 
Item 14.     Principal Accountant Fees and Services
 
The information required by this item is furnished by incorporation by reference to information under the caption entitled “Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” in the proxy statement and possibly elsewhere in the proxy statement (or will be filed by amendment to this report).
 
PART IV
 
Item 15.     Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
 
(a)(1)   Financial Statements: See the Index to Consolidated Financial Statements which appears on page F-1 hereof.
 
(a)(2)   Financial Statement Schedules: No schedules are filed herewith because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the information called for is in our Consolidated Financial Statements or notes thereto appearing elsewhere herein.
 
(a)(3)   Exhibits: Certain of the exhibits to this Report, indicated by an asterisk, are hereby incorporated by reference from other documents on file with the Commission with which they are electronically filed, under File No. 001-18051, to be a part hereof as of their respective dates.
39

Exhibit No.Description
 *2.1
 *2.2
 *3.1
  
 *3.2
  
 *4.1
 +*10.1
 *10.2
Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of August 26, 2021 among Denny's, Inc., as the Borrower, Denny's Corporation, as Parent, and Certain Subsidiaries of Parent, as Guarantors, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent and L/C Issuer, Truist Bank, Bank of the West, and Regions Bank, as Co-Syndication Agents, Cadence Bank N.A. and Fifth Third Bank, National Association as Co-Documentation Agents, and The Other Lenders Party Hereto, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Truist Securities, Inc., Bank of the West, and Regions Capital Markets, A Division of Regions Bank, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K of Denny's Corporation filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 26, 2021).
 *10.3
*10.4
 +*10.5
 +*10.6
 +*10.7
40

 +*10.8
 +*10.9
 +*10.10
 +*10.11
 +*10.12
 21.1
 23.1
 31.1
 31.2
 32.1
 97.1
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).
+Denotes management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements.
*Incorporated by reference.

Item 16.     Form 10-K Summary
 
None.

41

DENNY’S CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
  
 Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (KPMG LLP, Greenville, SC Auditor Firm ID: 185)
F-2
Consolidated Balance SheetsF-4
Consolidated Statements of IncomeF-5
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive IncomeF-6
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ DeficitF-7
Consolidated Statements of Cash FlowsF-8
Notes to Consolidated Financial StatementsF-9
 
 




 
F - 1

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors
Denny’s Corporation:

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Denny's Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ deficit, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 27, 2023, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 27, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 27, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 26, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Evaluation of assumptions underlying self-insurance liabilities

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company’s self-insurance liabilities related to workers’ compensation, general, product and automobile insurance as of December 27, 2023 were $9.7 million. The liabilities represent estimated incurred losses. These estimates include assumptions regarding frequency and severity of claims as well as changes in the Company’s business environment, medical costs and the regulatory environment that could impact the overall self-insurance costs.

We identified the evaluation of assumptions underlying self-insurance liabilities as a critical audit matter. Specifically, inherent uncertainty in the frequency and severity of claims assumptions that are used to actuarially estimate the self-insurance liabilities involved especially subjective auditor judgment. It also required professionals with specialized skills and knowledge to evaluate these key assumptions and the impact of these assumptions on the self-insurance liabilities.
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The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls over the Company’s self-insurance process, including controls related to the underlying claims data used to develop the frequency and severity of historical claims. We evaluated the Company’s ability to accurately estimate claims expense by comparing the prior estimated claim payments to actual claim payments. We also assessed the Company’s estimate of the self-insurance liabilities by evaluating facts and circumstances related to incurred claims received after year-end but before the consolidated financial statements were issued, to identify the presence of trends not considered by the Company when it developed its assumptions. We involved actuarial professionals with specialized skills and knowledge, who assisted with:

•performing an independent assessment of the frequency and severity of the claims used by the Company to estimate the self-insurance liabilities

•developing an independent acceptable range for the self-insurance liabilities using the Company’s underlying historical claims data, which involved assessing the frequency and severity of the Company’s claims assumptions.

/s/ KPMG LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2003.

Greenville, South Carolina
February 26, 2024



F - 3

Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets  
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
 (In thousands, except per share amounts)
Assets  
Current assets:  
Cash and cash equivalents$4,893 $3,523 
Investments1,281 1,746 
Receivables, net21,391 25,576 
Inventories2,175 5,538 
Assets held for sale1,455 1,403 
Prepaid and other current assets12,855 12,529 
Total current assets44,050 50,315 
Property, net of accumulated depreciation of $159,879 and $153,334, respectively
93,494 94,469 
Financing lease right-of-use assets, net of accumulated amortization of $8,220 and $9,847, respectively
6,098 6,499 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net116,795 126,065 
Goodwill65,908 72,740 
Intangible assets, net93,428 95,034 
Deferred financing costs, net1,702 2,337 
Other noncurrent assets43,343 50,876 
Total assets$464,818 $498,335 
Liabilities  
Current liabilities:  
Current finance lease liabilities$1,383 $1,683 
Current operating lease liabilities14,779 15,310 
Accounts payable24,070 19,896 
Other current liabilities63,068 56,762 
Total current liabilities103,300 93,651 
Long-term liabilities:  
Long-term debt255,500 261,500 
Noncurrent finance lease liabilities9,150 9,555 
Noncurrent operating lease liabilities114,451 123,404 
Liability for insurance claims, less current portion6,929 7,324 
Deferred income taxes, net6,582 7,419 
Other noncurrent liabilities31,592 32,598 
Total long-term liabilities424,204 441,800 
Total liabilities527,504 535,451 
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders’ deficit  
Common stock $0.01 par value; shares authorized - 135,000; December 27, 2023: 52,906 shares issued and 52,239 shares outstanding; December 28, 2022: 64,998 shares issued and 56,728 shares outstanding
529 650 
Paid-in capital6,688 142,136 
Deficit(21,784)(41,729)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net(41,659)(42,697)
Treasury stock, at cost, 667 and 8,270 shares, respectively
(6,460)(95,476)
Total shareholders’ deficit(62,686)(37,116)
Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit$464,818 $498,335 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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 Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Income
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands, except per share amounts)
Revenue:   
Company restaurant sales$215,532 $199,753 $175,017 
Franchise and license revenue248,390 256,676 223,157 
Total operating revenue463,922 456,429 398,174 
Costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization:  
Product costs55,789 53,617 42,982 
Payroll and benefits80,666 76,412 65,337 
Occupancy17,080 15,154 11,662 
Other operating expenses34,064 34,275 26,951 
Total costs of company restaurant sales, excluding depreciation and amortization187,599 179,458 146,932 
Costs of franchise and license revenue122,452 135,327 109,140 
General and administrative expenses77,770 67,173 68,686 
Depreciation and amortization14,385 14,862 15,446 
Goodwill impairment charges6,363 — — 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net2,530 (1,005)(46,105)
Total operating costs and expenses, net411,099 395,815 294,099 
Operating income52,823 60,614 104,075 
Interest expense, net17,597 13,769 15,148 
Other nonoperating expense (income), net8,288 (52,585)(15,176)
Net income before income taxes26,938 99,430 104,103 
Provision for income taxes6,993 24,718 26,030 
Net income$19,945 $74,712 $78,073 
Net income per share - basic$0.36 $1.23 $1.20 
Net income per share - diluted$0.35 $1.23 $1.19 
Basic weighted average shares outstanding55,984 60,771 65,171 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding56,196 60,879 65,573 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
 


F - 5


Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Net income$19,945 $74,712 $78,073 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Minimum pension liability adjustment, net of tax of $(151), $113 and $35, respectively
218 345 78 
Changes in the fair value of cash flow derivatives, net of tax of $1,927, $3,214 and $1,386, respectively
4,335 10,405 2,889 
Reclassification of cash flow derivatives to interest expense, net of tax of $(1,247), $309 and $1,179, respectively
(3,781)1,001 2,844 
Amortization of unrealized losses related to dedesignated derivatives to interest expense, net of tax of $87, $7 and $42, respectively
266 22 124 
Other comprehensive income1,038 11,773 5,935 
Total comprehensive income$20,983 $86,485 $84,008 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


F - 6


Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Deficit
 Common StockTreasury StockPaid-in Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive		Total
Shareholders’
 SharesAmountSharesAmountCapital(Deficit)Loss, NetDeficit
 (In thousands)
Balance, December 30, 202063,962 $640 — $— $123,833 $(194,514)$(60,405)$(130,446)
Net income— — — — — 78,073 — 78,073 
Other comprehensive income— — — — — — 5,935 5,935 
Share-based compensation on equity classified awards, net— — — — 11,649 — — 11,649 
Purchase of treasury stock— — (1,990)(30,592)— — — (30,592)
Issuance of common stock for share-based compensation208 2 — — (2)— — — 
Exercise of common stock options30 — — — 116 — — 116 
Balance, December 29, 202164,200 $642 (1,990)$(30,592)$135,596 $(116,441)$(54,470)$(65,265)
Net income— — — — — 74,712 — 74,712 
Other comprehensive income— — — — — — 11,773 11,773 
Share-based compensation on equity classified awards, net— — — — 6,548 — — 6,548 
Purchase of treasury stock— — (6,280)(64,884)— — — (64,884)
Issuance of common stock for share-based compensation798 8 — — (8)— — — 
Balance, December 28, 202264,998 $650 (8,270)$(95,476)$142,136 $(41,729)$(42,697)$(37,116)
Net income— — — — — 19,945 — 19,945 
Other comprehensive income— — — — — — 1,038 1,038 
Share-based compensation on equity classified awards, net— — — — 5,546 — — 5,546 
Purchase of treasury stock— — (5,202)(52,099)— — — (52,099)
Retirement of treasury stock(12,805)(128)12,805 141,115 (140,987)— — — 
Issuance of common stock for share-based compensation713 7 — — (7)— — — 
Balance, December 27, 202352,906 $529 (667)$(6,460)$6,688 $(21,784)$(41,659)$(62,686)
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

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Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
 
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:   
Net income$19,945 $74,712 $78,073 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash flows provided by operating activities:  
Depreciation and amortization14,385 14,862 15,446 
Goodwill impairment charges6,363 — — 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net2,530 (1,005)(46,105)
Losses (gains) and amortization on interest rate swap derivatives, net10,959 (54,989)(12,629)
Amortization of deferred financing costs635 634 1,105 
(Gains) losses on investments(85)305 21 
Losses (gains) on early termination of debt and leases17 (37)(523)
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense(1,703)14,732 14,097 
Increase (decrease) of tax valuation allowance205 546 (5,031)
Share-based compensation expense8,880 11,400 13,602 
Changes in assets and liabilities, excluding acquisitions and dispositions:   
Receivables3,904 (5,892)1,373 
Inventories3,362 (460)(3,879)
Prepaids and other current assets(325)(1,138)7,454 
Other assets(2,509)(2,129)(1,881)
   Operating lease assets and liabilities(628)(696)(1,521)
Accounts payable4,032 3,918 6,608 
Other accrued liabilities3,356 (8,798)15,480 
Other noncurrent liabilities(1,198)(6,513)(5,517)
Net cash flows provided by operating activities72,125 39,452 76,173 
Cash flows from investing activities:   
Capital expenditures(9,978)(11,844)(7,355)
Acquisitions of restaurant and real estate(1,227)(750)(10,369)
Acquisition of Keke’s Breakfast Cafe— (82,500)— 
Collections (deposits) on real estate acquisitions— 3,624 (3,624)
Initial operating lease direct costs(400)— — 
Proceeds from sales of real estate and other assets3,211 4,144 50,098 
Investment purchases(1,300)(1,200)(500)
Proceeds from sale of investments1,850 1,700 200 
Collections on notes receivable573 246 684 
Issuance of notes receivable(293)(16)(120)
Net cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities(7,564)(86,596)29,014 
Cash flows from financing activities:   
Revolver borrowings148,300 175,325 185,000 
Revolver payments(154,300)(83,825)(225,000)
Long-term debt payments(1,786)(2,020)(2,118)
Tax withholding on share-based payments(3,007)(4,781)(1,516)
Deferred financing costs— — (1,853)
Purchase of treasury stock(52,079)(64,975)(29,959)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options— — 116 
Net bank overdrafts(319)319 (3,125)
Net cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities(63,191)20,043 (78,455)
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents1,370 (27,101)26,732 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period3,523 30,624 3,892 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$4,893 $3,523 $30,624 
 
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F - 8


Denny’s Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1.     Introduction and Basis of Reporting
 
Denny’s Corporation, or the Company, is one of America’s largest franchised full-service restaurant chains based on number of restaurants. As of December 27, 2023, the Company consisted of 1,631 restaurants, 1,558 of which were franchised/licensed restaurants and 73 of which were company operated. The Company consists of the Denny’s brand (“Denny’s”) and the Keke’s Breakfast Café brand (“Keke’s”). Keke’s was acquired on July 20, 2022. See Note 3 for details.

At December 27, 2023, the Denny’s brand consisted of 1,573 restaurants, 1,508 of which were franchised or licensed restaurants and 65 of which were company restaurants. Denny’s restaurants are operated in 50 states, the District of Columbia, two U.S. territories and 12 foreign countries with principal concentrations in California (23% of total restaurants), Texas (13%) and Florida (8%).
At December 27, 2023, the Keke's brand consisted of 58 restaurants, 50 of which were franchised restaurants and eight of which were company operated. All Keke’s restaurants are located in Florida.

Note 2.     Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
The following accounting policies significantly affect the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements:
 
Use of Estimates. In preparing our Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), management is required to make certain assumptions and estimates that affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and the disclosure of contingencies. In making these assumptions and estimates, management may from time to time seek advice and consider information provided by actuaries and other experts in a particular area. Actual amounts could differ materially from these estimates.

Consolidation Policy. Our Consolidated Financial Statements include the financial statements of Denny’s Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries: Denny’s, Inc., DFO, LLC, Denny’s Realty, LLC, Keke’s Inc., Keke’s Franchise Organization and East Main Insurance Company. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
 
Fiscal Year. Our fiscal year ends on the last Wednesday in December. As a result, a fifty-third week is added to a fiscal year every five or six years. Fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021 each included 52 weeks of operations. Our next 53-week year will be fiscal 2025.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. Our policy is to invest cash in excess of operating requirements in short-term highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less, which we consider to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include short-term investments of $0.1 million and $0.4 million at December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, respectively. 
 
Receivables. Receivables, which are recorded at net realizable value, primarily consist of trade accounts receivables and financing receivables from franchisees, vendor receivables and credit card receivables. Trade accounts receivables from franchisees consist of royalties, advertising and rent. Financing receivables from franchisees primarily consist of notes from franchisees related to the roll-out of restaurant equipment. We accrue interest on notes receivable based on the contractual terms. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on management’s estimates of expected credit losses based on the Company’s historical loss experience, adjusted for current and reasonable and supportable forecasts of economic conditions and other pertinent factors affecting the Company’s customers such as known credit risk or industry trends. Receivables that are ultimately deemed to be uncollectible, and for which collection efforts have been exhausted, are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts.
 
Inventories. Inventories consist primarily of food, beverages and, in some periods, equipment and are valued at the lower of first-in, first-out cost or net realizable value.

Property and Depreciation. Owned property is stated at cost. Property under finance leases is stated at the lesser of its fair value or the net present value of the related minimum lease payments at the lease inception. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. We depreciate owned property over its estimated useful life using the straight-line method. We amortize property held under finance leases (at capitalized value) over the lesser of its estimated useful life or the lease term. Building
F - 9

assets are assigned estimated useful lives that range from five to 30 years. Other property and equipment assets are assigned lives that range from two to ten years. Leasehold improvements are generally assigned lives between five and 15 years limited by the expected lease term.

Goodwill. Amounts recorded as goodwill primarily represent excess reorganization value recognized as a result of our 1998 bankruptcy and from our acquisition of Keke’s in 2022. We also record goodwill in connection with the acquisition of restaurants from franchisees. Likewise, upon the sale of restaurant operations to franchisees, goodwill is decremented. We test goodwill for impairment at each fiscal year end and more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may exist. Such indicators include, but are not limited to, a significant decline in our expected future cash flows, a significant adverse decline in our stock price, significantly adverse legal developments and a significant change in the business climate.
 
Intangible Assets. Intangible assets consist primarily of trade names, franchise agreements and reacquired franchise rights. Trade names are considered indefinite-lived intangible assets and are not amortized. Franchise agreements are amortized using the straight-line basis over the term of the related franchise agreement. Reacquired franchise rights are amortized using the straight-line basis over the term of the related franchise agreement. Franchise agreements and reacquired franchise rights resulting from acquisitions are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting and are estimated by management based on the fair value of the assets received.

We test trade name assets for impairment at each fiscal year end, and more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may exist. We assess impairment of reacquired franchise rights and franchise agreements whenever changes or events indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable. Costs incurred to renew or extend the term of recognized intangible assets are recorded in general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
Marketable Securities. Marketable securities included in investments consist of available for sale equity instruments and are recorded at fair market value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The aggregate cost and fair value of these marketable securities was $1.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively, at December 27, 2023 and $1.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively, at December 28, 2022. Unrealized gains (losses) included in fair value were gains of $0.1 million, losses of $0.2 million and gains of $0.1 million at December 27, 2023, December 28, 2022 and December 29, 2021, respectively.

Marketable securities included in other noncurrent assets consist of trading debt and equity mutual funds and are recorded at fair market value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These securities represent the plan assets of our nonqualified deferred compensation plan (the “plan assets”). The plan assets are held in a rabbi trust. Each plan participant’s account consists of their contribution, our matching contribution (made prior to 2016) and each participant’s share of earnings or losses in the plan. We have recorded offsetting deferred compensation liabilities as a component of other noncurrent liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The realized and unrealized holding gains and losses related to marketable securities are recorded in other nonoperating income with an offsetting amount recorded in general and administrative expenses related to deferred compensation plan liabilities. During 2023, 2022 and 2021, we incurred a net gain of $2.1 million, a net loss of $2.2 million and a net gain of $2.2 million, respectively, related to marketable securities.
 
Deferred Financing Costs. Costs related to the issuance of debt are deferred and amortized as a component of interest expense using the effective interest method over the terms of the respective debt issuances.
 
Self-insurance Liabilities. We record liabilities for insurance claims during periods in which we have been insured under large deductible programs or have been self-insured for our medical claims and workers’ compensation, general, product and automobile insurance liabilities. The liabilities represent estimated incurred losses. These estimates include assumptions regarding claims frequency and severity as well as changes in our business environment, medical costs and the regulatory environment that could impact our overall self-insurance costs.

Total workers’ compensation, general, product and automobile insurance liabilities were $9.7 million at December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, respectively.

F - 10

Income Taxes. We account for income taxes 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. All deferred taxes are reported as noncurrent in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. A valuation allowance reduces our net deferred tax asset to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. We make certain estimates and judgments in the calculation of our provision for incomes taxes, in the resulting tax liabilities, and in the recoverability of deferred tax assets.

We recognize positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return in the Consolidated Financial Statements when it is more-likely-than-not that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit with greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We recognize any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Assessment of uncertain tax positions requires judgments relating to the amounts, timing and likelihood of resolution. 
Leases and Subleases.

Lessee

We lease certain real estate and equipment for our restaurants and support facilities. At contract inception, we determine whether a contract is, or contains, a lease by determining whether it conveys the right to control the use of the identified asset for a period of time. We recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset at the lease commencement date.

For operating leases, the lease liability is initially and subsequently measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease commencement date. For finance leases, the lease liability is initially measured in the same manner and date as for operating leases, and is subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method.

Operating lease ROU assets are initially and subsequently measured throughout the lease term at the carrying amount of the lease liability adjusted for initial direct costs, prepayments, accrued payments and lease incentives, if any. Lease cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Operating lease payments are classified as cash flows for operating activities with ROU asset amortization and the change in the lease liability combined as "Operating lease assets/liabilities" in the reconciliation of net income to net cash flows provided by operating activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Finance lease ROU assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently amortized on a straight-line basis over the lesser of the useful life or the lease term. Finance lease principal payments are classified as cash flows used in financing activities in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Operating and finance lease ROU assets are assessed for impairment using long-lived assets impairment guidance.

We use a consistent lease term for calculating the depreciation period for the related assets, classifying the lease and computing periodic rent expense where the lease terms include escalations in rent over the lease term.

The lease guidance provides for certain practical expedients and accounting elections. We elected the practical expedient to not separate nonlease components (such as common area maintenance) from lease components in regard to all leases and the portfolio approach in applying the discount rate to our leases.

Key estimates and judgments include how we determine (1) lease payments, (2) lease term and (3) the discount rate used to discount the unpaid lease payments to present value.

We have certain lease agreements structured with both a fixed base rent and a contingent rent based on a percentage of sales over contractual levels, others with only contingent rent based on a percentage of sales and some with a fixed base rent adjusted periodically for inflation or changes in the fair market rent rate. Contingent rent is recognized as sales occur. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

The exercise of lease renewal options is at our sole discretion, except in certain sublease situations in which we have determined that it is reasonably certain that one or more options will be exercised, including where the exercise of a sublease option compels us to exercise the renewal option of the underlying master lease. Renewal option periods are included in the measurement of lease ROU asset and lease liability where the exercise is reasonably certain to occur. 

The discount rate used to determine the present value of the lease payments is our estimated collateralized incremental borrowing rate, based on the yield curve for the respective lease terms, as we generally cannot determine the interest rate implicit in the lease.

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Abatements or deferrals in rents received from landlords as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are recognized as reductions in variable lease payments.

Lessor

We lease or sublease certain restaurant properties to our franchisees and occasionally to third parties. The lease descriptions, terms, variable lease payments and renewal options are the same as the lessee leases described above. Contingent rental income is recognized when earned. Similar to our lessee accounting, we elected the lessor practical expedient to not separate nonlease components from lease components in regard to all leases.

Employee Benefit Plans. Each year we measure and recognize the funded status of our defined benefit plans in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31. That date represents the month-end that is closest to our fiscal year-end. The funded status is adjusted for any contributions or significant events (such as a plan amendment, settlement, or curtailment that calls for a remeasurement) that occurs between our fiscal year-end and December 31.

Derivative Instruments. We use derivative financial instruments to manage our exposure to interest rate risk. We do not enter into derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. All derivatives are recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Changes in the fair values of derivatives are recorded in earnings or other comprehensive income (“OCI”), based on whether the instrument is designated as a hedge transaction. Gains or losses on derivative instruments reported in OCI are classified to earnings in the period the hedged item affects earnings. If the underlying hedge transaction ceases to exist, any associated amounts reported in OCI are reclassified to earnings. By entering into derivative instruments, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk. When the fair value of a derivative instrument is in an asset position, the counterparty has a liability to us, which creates credit risk for us. We manage our exposure to this risk by selecting counterparties with investment grade credit ratings and regularly monitoring our market position with each counterparty.
 
Contingencies and Litigation. We are subject to legal proceedings involving ordinary and routine claims incidental to our business, as well as legal proceedings that are nonroutine and include compensatory or punitive damage claims. Settlement costs are accrued when they are deemed estimable and probable. Our ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to such matters cannot be estimated with certainty and requires the use of estimates in recording liabilities for potential litigation settlements. When the reasonable estimate is a range, the recorded loss will be the best estimate within the range. We record legal settlement costs as other operating expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income as those costs are incurred.
 
Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income includes net income and OCI items that are excluded from net income under U.S. GAAP. OCI items include additional minimum pension liability adjustments, the effective unrealized portion of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges, and the reclassification and amortization of loss related to the dedesignation of cash flow derivatives.

Revenues.

Company Restaurant Revenue. Company restaurant revenue is recognized at the point in time when food and beverage products are sold at company restaurants. We present company restaurant sales net of sales-related taxes collected from customers and remitted to governmental taxing authorities.

Franchise Revenue. Franchise and license revenues consist primarily of royalties, advertising revenue, initial and other fees and occupancy revenue.

Under franchise agreements we provide franchisees with a license of our respective brands’ symbolic intellectual property, administration of advertising programs (including local co-operatives), and other ongoing support functions. These services are highly interrelated so we do not consider them to be individually distinct performance obligations, and therefore account for them as a single performance obligation.

Royalty and advertising revenues represent sales-based royalties that are recognized in the period in which the sales occur. Sales-based royalties are variable consideration related to our performance obligation to our franchisees to maintain the intellectual property being licensed. Under our franchise agreements, franchisee advertising contributions must be spent on marketing and related activities. Advertising revenues and expenditures are recorded on a gross basis within the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Initial and other fees include initial, successor and assignment franchise fees (“initial franchise fees”). Initial franchise fees are billed and received upon the signing of the franchise agreement. Recognition of these fees is deferred until the commencement
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date of the agreement and occurs over time based on the term of the underlying franchise agreement. Acquired initial franchise fees are recognized from the acquisition date over time based on the term of the underlying franchise agreement. In the event a franchise agreement is terminated, any remaining deferred fees are recognized in the period of termination.

Initial and other fees also include revenue that are distinct from the franchise agreement and are separate performance obligations. Training and other franchise services fees are billed and recognized at a point in time as services are rendered. Equipment revenues are billed and recognized as the equipment is installed. Similar to advertising revenue, equipment revenues and other franchise services fees are recorded on a gross basis within the Consolidated Statements of Income.

We record contract assets related to incentives and subsidies provided to franchisees related to new unit openings and/or equipment upgrades. These contract assets are presented within prepaid and other current assets and other noncurrent assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These assets are amortized as a reduction to franchise and license revenue within our Consolidated Statements of Income over the remaining term of the underlying franchise agreement.

Occupancy revenue results from leasing or subleasing restaurants to franchisees and is recognized over the term of the lease agreement.

With the exception of initial and other franchise fees, revenues are typically billed and collected on a weekly basis. Our ten largest franchisees accounted for 38%, 37%, and 37% of our franchise revenues for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Gift cards. Company restaurants, franchised restaurants and certain third party retailers sell gift cards which have no stated expiration dates. We recognize revenue when a gift card is redeemed in one of our company restaurants. We maintain a gift card liability for cards sold in our company restaurants and for cards sold by third parties. Gift card breakage is recognized proportionally as redemptions occur. Our gift card breakage primarily relates to cards sold by third parties and is recorded as advertising revenue (included as a component of franchise and license revenue).

Advertising Costs. We expense production costs for radio and television advertising in the year in which the commercials are initially aired and other advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs for company restaurants are recorded as a component of other operating expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income and were $5.6 million, $5.3 million and $4.6 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Advertising costs related to franchised restaurants are recorded as a component of franchise and license costs and were $78.5 million, $75.9 million and $70.0 million in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Under our franchise agreements, advertising contributions received from franchisees must be spent on marketing and related activities. As the Company is contractually required to spend these contributions on advertising costs, the obligations are accrued and advertising costs expensed when the related revenues are recognized.
 
Restructuring and Exit Costs. Restructuring and exit costs are included as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net in our Consolidated Statements of Income. Restructuring costs consist primarily of severance and other restructuring charges for terminated employees. Amounts recorded as exit costs include period costs related to closed units.
 
Disposal or Impairment of Long-lived Assets. We evaluate our long-lived assets for impairment at the restaurant level on a quarterly basis, when assets are identified as held for sale or whenever changes or events indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. For assets identified as held for sale, we use the market approach and consider proceeds from similar asset sales. We assess impairment of restaurant-level assets based on the operating cash flows of the restaurant, expected proceeds from the sale of assets and our plans for restaurant closings. For underperforming assets, we use the income approach to determine both the recoverability and estimated fair value of the assets. To estimate future cash flows, we make certain assumptions about expected future operating performance, such as revenue growth, operating margins, risk-adjusted discount rates, and future economic and market conditions. If the long-lived assets of a restaurant are not recoverable based upon estimated future, undiscounted cash flows, we write the assets down to their fair value. If these estimates or their related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record additional impairment charges. These charges are included as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net in our Consolidated Statements of Income.

Assets held for sale consist of real estate properties and/or restaurant operations that we expect to sell within the next year. The assets are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell. Fair value is based upon Level 2 inputs, which include sales agreements. We cease recording depreciation on assets that are classified as held for sale. If the determination is made that we no longer expect to sell an asset within the next year, the asset is reclassified out of held for sale.

F - 13

Discontinued Operations. We evaluate restaurant closures and assets reclassified to assets held for sale for potential disclosure as discontinued operations. Only disposals resulting in a strategic shift that will have a major effect on our operations and financial results are reported as discontinued operations. There have been no such disposals, nor any disposals of individually significant components. The gains and losses related to restaurant closures and assets reclassified to assets held for sale are included as a component of operating (gain), losses and other charges, net in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
Gains and Losses on Sales of Restaurants Operations to Franchisees, Real Estate and Other Assets. Generally, gains and losses on sales of restaurant operations to franchisees (which may include real estate), real estate properties and other assets are recognized when the sales are consummated and certain other gain recognition criteria are met. Total gains and losses are included as a component of operating (gains), losses and other charges, net in our Consolidated Statements of Income.
 
Share-based Compensation. Share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period. Share-based compensation expense is included as a component of general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income. We account for forfeitures as they occur. Excess tax benefits recognized related to share-based compensation are included as a component of provision for income taxes in our Consolidated Statements of Income and are classified as operating activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Generally, compensation expense related to performance share units and restricted stock units is based on the number of units granted, the period over which they are expected to vest and the fair market value of our common stock on the date of the grant. For restricted stock units and performance share units that contain a market condition, compensation expense is based on the Monte Carlo valuation method, which utilizes multiple input variables to determine the probability of the Company achieving the market condition and the fair value of the award. The key assumptions used include expected volatility and risk-free interest rates over the term of the award.

We generally recognize compensation cost associated with performance share units over the entire performance period on a straight-line basis. For performance share units awarded to certain retirement eligible individuals with accelerated vesting terms, compensation cost is recognized on a graded-vesting basis. We generally recognize compensation cost associated restricted stock units on a straight-line basis over the entire performance period of the award.

Subsequent to the vesting period, earned stock-settled restricted stock units and performance share units (both of which are equity classified) are paid to the holder in shares of our common stock, provided the holder was still employed with the Company or an affiliate as of the vesting date or eligible for retirement at their termination date.
  
Earnings Per Share. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding during the period.

Business Combinations. We account for acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting. Accordingly, assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired, including the amount assigned to identifiable intangible assets, is recorded as goodwill.

Newly Adopted Accounting Standards

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” which was later clarified in January 2021 by ASU 2021-01, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Scope”. Additionally, in December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848”, which allows ASU 2020-04 to be adopted and applied prospectively to contract modifications made on or before December 31, 2024. The guidance provides optional guidance, for a limited time, to ease the potential burden in accounting for or recognizing the effects of reference rate reform on financial reporting. The Company adopted ASU 2020-04 on March 12, 2020. The adoption of and future elections under this new guidance did not and are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations. The guidance is effective through December 31, 2024.

Additional new accounting guidance became effective for us as of December 27, 2023 that we reviewed and concluded was either not applicable to our operations or had no material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

F - 14

Accounting Standards to be Adopted

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures”. The new guidance requires enhanced reportable segment disclosures to include significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2023 (our fiscal 2024). We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this new guidance will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and will add necessary disclosures upon adoption.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures”. The new guidance requires enhanced effective tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid disclosures. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024 (our fiscal 2025). We are currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this new guidance will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and will add necessary disclosures upon adoption.

We reviewed all other newly issued accounting pronouncements and concluded that they are either not applicable to our business or are not expected to have a material effect on our Consolidated Financial Statements as a result of future adoption.

Note 3. Acquisition of Keke’s Breakfast Cafe

On July 20, 2022, the Company completed its acquisition of Keke's pursuant to that certain Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Purchase Agreement"), dated May 3, 2022, which was subsequently amended by the First Amendment to Asset Purchase Agreement (the "First Amendment"), dated July 11, 2022, by and between the Company, as purchaser, and K2 Restaurants, Inc. together with the other sellers and principals party thereto, for the acquisition of certain assets and assumption of certain liabilities of the franchise business, consisting of 44 franchised restaurants, and eight company owned and operated restaurants.

Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, we agreed to purchase Keke's for a purchase price of $82.5 million. The purchase price was funded by utilizing cash on hand as well as funds from the Company's revolving credit facility.

The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. The allocation of the purchase price is based on management's analysis, including work performed by third party valuation specialists.

The components of the purchase price allocation were as follows:

(In thousands)
Total consideration paid$82,500 
Assets:
Property2,015 
Operating lease ROU assets7,908 
Franchise agreements10,700 
Trade name35,600 
Liabilities:
Operating lease liabilities7,908 
Deferred franchise revenue992 
Other liabilities36 
Net assets acquired, excluding goodwill47,287 
Goodwill$35,213 

The Keke's trade name has been assigned an indefinite life, and therefore, will not be amortized, but rather tested annually for impairment. At the acquisition date, franchise agreements had a weighted average useful life of approximately 15 years. Goodwill attributable to the Keke's acquisition will be deductible and amortized for tax purposes. Goodwill is considered to represent the value associated with the workforce and synergies anticipated to be realized as a combined company.

Acquisition transaction costs totaling approximately $0.6 million during the year ended December 28, 2022 were recorded in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Keke’s results are included in the Other segment results beginning with the fiscal 2022 third quarter.

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Results of operations starting from the date of acquisition of Keke's have been included in our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 28, 2022. The Keke's acquisition is not material to our Consolidated Financial Statements, and therefore, supplemental pro forma financial information for the year ended December 28, 2022 and the respective prior year periods related to the acquisition is not included herein.

Note 4.     Receivables
 
Receivables, net consisted of the following:
 
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
 (In thousands)
Receivables, net:  
Trade accounts receivable from franchisees$14,092 $13,314 
Notes and loan receivables from franchisees584 6,731 
Vendor receivables4,059 3,466 
Credit card receivables995 896 
Other1,862 1,545 
Allowance for doubtful accounts(201)(376)
Total receivables, net$21,391 $25,576 
  
During 2023, 2022 and 2021, we recorded reversals of credit losses of $0.1 million, $0.1 million, and $1.1 million, respectively, based on actual and expected losses on franchise-related receivables. The reversal in 2021 was primarily the result of the collection of amounts for which credit losses were previously recorded due to uncertainties related to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Note 5.     Property
 
Property, net consisted of the following:
 
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
 (In thousands)
Land$43,577 $42,374 
Buildings and leasehold improvements169,005 164,782 
Other property and equipment40,791 40,647 
Total property253,373 247,803 
Less accumulated depreciation159,879 153,334 
Property, net$93,494 $94,469 
  
F - 16

The following table reflects the property assets, included in the table above, and buildings with finance leases which were leased to franchisees:
 
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
 (In thousands)
Land$23,825 $23,825 
Buildings and leasehold improvements66,763 67,283 
Total property owned, leased to franchisees90,588 91,108 
Less accumulated depreciation58,006 57,253 
Property owned, leased to franchisees, net32,582 33,855 
Buildings held under finance leases, leased to franchisees5,505 7,047 
Less accumulated amortization3,218 4,339 
Property held under finance leases, leased to franchisees, net2,287 2,708 
Total property leased to franchisees, net$34,869 $36,563 
 
Depreciation expense, including amortization of property under finance leases, for 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $12.2 million, $12.8 million and $13.3 million, respectively. Substantially all owned property is pledged as collateral for our Credit Facility. See Note 10.
 
Note 6.     Goodwill and Intangible Assets
     
The following table reflects the changes in carrying amounts of goodwill and goodwill by segment:
 
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
 (In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year$72,740 $36,884 
Additions related to acquisition of Keke’s— 35,213 
Adjustments related to the acquisition of a Denny’s franchise unit— 643 
Reclassifications to assets held for sale(469)— 
Impairment charges related to Keke’s$(6,363)$— 
Balance, end of year (1)
$65,908 $72,740 
Goodwill by segment
Denny’s$37,527 $37,527 
Other28,381 35,213 
Total goodwill$65,908 $72,740 
(1)
Net of accumulated impairment losses of $6.4 million.

F - 17

Intangible assets consist of the following:
 
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
 Gross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationGross Carrying AmountAccumulated Amortization
 (In thousands)
Intangible assets with indefinite lives:    
Trade names$79,687 $— $79,687 $— 
Liquor licenses120 — 120 — 
Intangible assets with definite lives:  
Reacquired franchise rights9,470 5,614 10,489 5,697 
Franchise agreements10,700 935 10,700 265 
Intangible assets, net$99,977 $6,549 $100,996 $5,962 
 
The weighted-average life of reacquired franchise rights is six years. The weighted-average life of franchise agreements is 14 years. The amortization expense for definite-lived intangibles and other assets for 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $2.2 million, $2.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for intangible assets with definite lives in the next five years is as follows: 
 (In thousands)
2024$1,525 
20251,469 
20261,302 
20271,255 
20281,081 

We performed an annual impairment test of goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives as of December 27, 2023 and determined that a portion of the goodwill related to Keke’s was impaired as a result of lower than forecasted sales and cash flows. Near-term sales and cash flows in 2023 were impacted by reduced tourism in Florida as well as a slower pace of restaurant development than originally anticipated. In addition, investments in general and administrative expenses to support the growth of the brand and an extended development cycle have also impacted near-term cash flow projections. Accordingly, we recognized $6.4 million of impairment charges related to the Keke’s goodwill. See Note 8. The balance of this goodwill is included in the Other segment. As it relates to the remainder of goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, we concluded that the fair value of these assets substantially exceeded their carrying values. However, we recorded less than $0.1 million of impairment related to reacquired franchise rights during the year ended December 27, 2023. See Note 14.


F - 18

Note 7.     Other Current Liabilities
 
Other current liabilities consisted of the following:
 
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
 (In thousands)
Accrued payroll$16,400 $17,903 
Accrued insurance, primarily current portion of liability for insurance claims
3,758 3,492 
Accrued taxes4,699 4,452 
Accrued advertising10,664 6,069 
Gift cards7,838 7,675 
Accrued legal settlements7,488 5,446 
Accrued interest4,530 1,142 
Other7,691 10,583 
Other current liabilities$63,068 $56,762 
 
Note 8.     Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Assets and Liabilities Measured on a Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis
 
Financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below:
 TotalQuoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets/Liabilities
(Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
 
(In thousands)
Fair value measurements as of December 27, 2023:
Deferred compensation plan investments (1)
$12,225 $12,225 $— $— 
Interest rate swaps (2)
8,888 — 8,888 — 
Investments (3)
1,281 — 1,281 — 
Total$22,394 $12,225 $10,169 $— 
Fair value measurements as of December 28, 2022:
Deferred compensation plan investments (1)
$10,818 $10,818 $— $— 
Interest rate swaps (2)
20,047 — 20,047 — 
Investments (3)
1,746 — 1,746 — 
Total$32,611 $10,818 $21,793 $— 

(1)    The fair values of our deferred compensation plan investments are based on the closing market prices of the elected investments and are included in other noncurrent assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(2)    The fair values of our interest rate swaps are based upon Level 2 inputs, which include valuation models. The key inputs for the valuation models are quoted market prices, interest rates, forward yield curves and credit risk adjustments that are necessary to reflect the probability of default by the counterparty or us. For disclosures about the fair value measurements of our derivative instruments, see Note 10.
(3)    The fair value of investments is valued using a readily determinable net asset value per share based on the fair value of the underlying securities. There are no significant redemption restrictions associated with these investments.
 








F - 19

Those assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis are summarized below:
 
 Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)		Impairment Charges
 
Fair value measurements as of December 27, 2023:
Assets held and used, including other intangible assets (1)
$— $375 
Goodwill (2)
$28,381 $6,363 
(1)As of December 27, 2023, impaired assets were written down to their fair value. To determine fair value, we used the income approach, which assumes that the future cash flows reflect current market expectations. These fair value measurements require significant judgment using Level 3 inputs, such as discounted cash flows from operations, which are not observable from the market, directly or indirectly. There is uncertainty in the projected future cash flows used in the Company’s impairment analysis, which requires the use of estimates and assumptions. If actual performance does not achieve the projections, of if the assumptions used change in the future, the Company may be required to recognize impairment charges in future periods.
(2)As of December 27, 2023, impaired Keke’s goodwill was written down to fair value. To determine fair value, we used an income approach and market approach, with equal weighting given to each approach, to value the goodwill subject to the impairment. These fair value measurements require significant judgment using Level 3 inputs. The income approach involves the use of estimates and assumptions including forecasted future revenues and operating margins, including projected growth in restaurant unit counts and average unit volumes, royalty rate, and discount rates. Inputs used are generally obtained from historical data supplemented by current and anticipated market conditions and growth rates. The market approach involves the selection and application of cash flows multiples of a group of similar companies to the projected cash flows of the operating segment.

Assets that are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis include property, operating right-of-use assets, finance right-of-use assets, goodwill and reacquired franchise rights. During the year ended December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, we recognized impairment charges of $8.6 million and $1.0 million, respectively, related to certain of these assets. See Note 6 and Note 14.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses are deemed to approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these instruments. The fair value of notes receivable approximates the carrying value after consideration of recorded allowances and related risk-based interest rates. The liabilities under our credit facility are carried at historical cost, which approximates fair value. The fair value of our senior secured revolver approximates its carrying value since it is a variable rate facility (Level 2). The determinations of fair values of certain tangible and intangible assets for purposes of the application of the acquisition method of accounting to the acquisition of Keke’s were based on Level 3 inputs.

Note 9.     Leases
 
Lessee

Our operations utilize property, facilities and equipment leased from others. Buildings and facilities are primarily used for restaurants and support facilities. Many of our restaurants are operated under lease arrangements which generally provide for a fixed base rent, and, in many instances, contingent rent based on a percentage of gross revenues. Initial terms of land and restaurant building leases generally range from 10 to 20 years, exclusive of options to renew, which are typically for five year periods. Leases of equipment consist primarily of restaurant equipment, computer equipment and vehicles. Initial terms of equipment leases generally range from three to five years.

Lessor

We lease or sublease certain restaurant properties to our franchisees and occasionally to third parties. The lease descriptions, terms, variable lease payments and renewal options are generally the same as the lessee leases described above.










F - 20


The components of lease costs were as follows:
 Fiscal Year Ended
 ClassificationDecember 27, 2023December 28, 2022
 (In thousands)
Lease costs
Finance lease costs:
Amortization of right-of-use assets
Depreciation and amortization
$1,451 $1,704 
Interest on lease liabilitiesInterest expense, net2,139 2,350 
Operating lease costs:
Operating lease costs - company
Occupancy
8,841 7,624 
Operating lease costs - franchise
Costs of franchise and license revenue
14,022 15,541 
Operating lease costs - general and administrative
General and administrative expenses629 564 
Operating lease costs - closed storesRestructuring charges and exit costs175 201 
Variable lease costs:
Variable lease costs - companyOccupancy4,803 3,988 
Variable lease costs - franchiseCosts of franchise and license revenue6,232 6,596 
Variable lease costs - general and administrative
General and administrative expenses
271 255 
Variable lease costs - closed stores
Restructuring charges and exit costs
46 34 
Sublease income:
Sublease income - franchise
Franchise and license revenue
(24,966)(27,445)
Sublease income - closed stores
Restructuring charges and exit costs(166)(229)
Total lease costs
$13,477 $11,183 


Lease terms and discount rates were as follows:
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years):
Finance leases
8.08.4
Operating leases8.89.4
Weighted-average discount rate:
Finance leases23.1 %23.5 %
Operating leases6.0 %5.8 %


The components of lease income were as follows:
 Fiscal Year Ended
 ClassificationDecember 27, 2023December 28, 2022
 (In thousands)
Lease income
Operating lease income - franchise
Franchise and license revenue
$26,353 $28,473 
Operating lease income - closed stores
Restructuring charges and exit costs
119 183 
Operating lease income - general and administrativeGeneral and administrative expenses118 140 
Variable lease income - franchise
Franchise and license revenue
9,530 10,124 
Variable lease income - closed stores
Restructuring charges and exit costs
47 46 
Total lease income$36,167 $38,966 

F - 21

Cash and supplemental noncash amounts were as follows:
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
(In thousands)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from finance leases
$2,139 $2,350 
Operating cash flows from operating leases$24,310 $24,626 
Financing cash flows from finance leases$1,786 $2,020 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new finance lease liabilities
$1,071 $537 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities (1)
$7,047 $16,040 
    
(1)    Right-of-use assets obtained in 2022 includes $7.9 million from the acquisition of Keke’s. See Note 3.

Maturities of lease liabilities and receipts as of December 27, 2023 were as follows:
 Lease LiabilitiesLease Receipts
 FinanceOperatingOperating
 (In thousands)
2024$3,312 $21,977 $23,950 
20253,171 21,022 23,943 
20262,820 20,402 23,567 
20272,408 18,539 22,133 
20281,728 16,558 20,317 
Thereafter9,929 69,289 117,351 
Total undiscounted cash flows23,368 167,787 $231,261 
Less: interest12,835 38,557  
Present value of lease liabilities10,533 129,230  
Less: current lease liabilities1,383 14,779 
Long-term lease liabilities$9,150 $114,451 


Note 10.     Long-Term Debt
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
 (In thousands)
Revolving loans$255,500 $261,500 
Finance lease obligations10,533 11,238 
Total long-term debt266,033 272,738 
Less current maturities of finance lease obligations1,383 1,683 
Noncurrent portion of long-term debt$264,650 $271,055 
 
There are no scheduled maturities of our revolving loans due in 2024 through 2025. The $255.5 million of revolving loans are due August 26, 2026.

The Company and certain of its subsidiaries have a credit facility consisting of a five-year $400 million senior secured revolver (with a $25 million letter of credit sublimit). The credit facility includes an accordion feature that would allow us to increase the size of the revolver to $450 million. Borrowings bear a tiered interest rate, which is based on the Company's consolidated leverage ratio. On March 31, 2023, the credit facility was amended to change the benchmark interest rate from LIBOR to Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR. The maturity date for the credit facility is August 26, 2026.

F - 22

The credit facility is available for working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes. The credit facility is guaranteed by the Company and its material subsidiaries and is secured by assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including the stock of its subsidiaries (other than its insurance captive subsidiary). It includes negative covenants that are usual for facilities and transactions of this type. The credit facility also includes certain financial covenants with respect to a maximum consolidated leverage ratio and a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio. We were in compliance with all financial covenants as of December 27, 2023.

As of December 27, 2023, we had outstanding revolver loans of $255.5 million and outstanding letters of credit under the credit facility of $11.5 million. These balances resulted in unused commitments of $133.0 million as of December 27, 2023 under the credit facility. After December 27, 2023, we increased our letters of credit to $17.0 million.

As of December 27, 2023, borrowings under the credit facility bore interest at a rate of Adjusted Daily Simple SOFR plus 2.00%. Letters of credit under the credit facility bore interest at a rate of 2.13%. The commitment fee, paid on the unused portion of the credit facility, was set to 0.30%.

Prior to considering the impact of our interest rate swaps, described below, the weighted-average interest rate on outstanding revolver loans was 7.41% and 6.37% as of December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, respectively. Taking into consideration our interest rate swaps that are designated as cash flow hedges, the weighted-average interest rate of outstanding revolver loans was 5.04% and 5.31% as of December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, respectively.

Interest Rate Hedges

We have receive-variable, pay-fixed interest rate swaps to hedge the forecasted cash flows of our floating rate debt. A summary of our interest rate swaps as of December 27, 2023 is as follows:

Trade DateEffective DateMaturity DateNotional AmountFair ValueFixed Rate
(In thousands)
Swaps designated as
cash flow hedges
March 20, 2015March 29, 2018March 31, 2025$120,000 $3,162 2.34 %
October 1, 2015March 29, 2018March 31, 2026$50,000 $1,680 2.37 %
February 15, 2018March 31, 2020December 31, 2033$37,000 (1)$4,046 3.09 %
Total$207,000 $8,888 

(1)     The notional amount of the swaps entered into on February 15, 2018 increase periodically until they reach the maximum notional amount of $335 million on August 31, 2033.

On March 31, 2023, the Company entered into an amendment of its interest rate swaps. The amendment transitions our interest rate swap benchmark interest rates from LIBOR to Daily Simple SOFR, and as such the fixed rates in the table above have been adjusted to the appropriate fixed rates. The conversion to Daily Simple SOFR did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

Termination and Designation of Certain Interest Rate Swaps

During the quarter ended March, 29, 2023, we terminated a portion of our hedging relationship entered into in 2018 (“2018 Swaps”), reducing the previous maximum notional amount of $425 million on August 31, 2033 to $335 million. As a result, we expect our total swaps to approximate 80% of our outstanding debt prospectively. We received $1.5 million of cash as a result of the termination which is recorded as a component of operating activities in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 27, 2023.

In addition, during the year ended December 27, 2023, we designated the remaining 2018 Swaps as cash flow hedges of our exposure to variability in future cash flows attributable to variable rate interest payments due on forecasted notional amounts.

Changes in Fair Value of Interest Rate Swaps

To the extent the swaps are highly effective in offsetting the variability of the hedged cash flows, changes in the fair value of the swaps are not included in the Consolidated Statements of Income but are reported as a component of other comprehensive
F - 23

income (loss). Our interest rate swaps are designated as cash flow hedges with unrealized gains and losses recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net.

As of December 27, 2023, the fair value of swaps designated as cash flow hedges was an asset of $8.9 million and was recorded as a component of other noncurrent assets.The designated swaps have an offsetting amount (before taxes) recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 18 for the amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to the interest rate swaps. We expect to reclassify approximately $6.1 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net as a reduction to interest expense, net in our Consolidated Statements of Income related to swaps designated as cash flow hedges during the next twelve months.

For the periods prior to their designation as cash flow hedges, changes in the fair value of the 2018 Swaps were recorded as a component of other nonoperating expense (income), net in our Consolidated Statements of Income. For the year ended December 27, 2023, we recorded expense of $10.6 million, and for the years ended December 28, 2022 and December 29, 2021, we recorded income of $55.0 million and $12.8 million, respectively, as a component of other nonoperating expense (income), net related to the 2018 Swaps resulting from changes in fair value.

Amortization of Certain Amounts Included In Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss, Net

At December 27, 2023, we had a total of $64.2 million (before taxes) included in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net related to i) the discontinuance of hedge accounting treatment related to certain cash flow hedges in prior years and ii) the fair value of certain swaps at the date of designation as cash flow hedges that are being amortized into our Consolidated Statements of Income as a component of interest expense, net over the remaining term of the related swap. We reclassified unrealized losses of $0.4 million, less than $0.1 million, and $0.2 million to interest expense, net related to the 2018 Swaps, for the years ended December 27, 2023, December 28, 2022, and December 29, 2021, respectively. We expect to amortize approximately $0.8 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss, net to interest expense, net in our Consolidated Statements of Income related to dedesignated interest rate swaps during the next twelve months.    

Note 11.     Revenues

The following table disaggregates our revenue by sales channel and type of good or service:
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Company restaurant sales$215,532 $199,753 $175,017 
Franchise and license revenue:
Royalties120,131 113,891 103,425 
Advertising revenue78,494 75,926 69,957 
Initial and other fees13,882 28,262 8,009 
Occupancy revenue 35,883 38,597 41,766 
Franchise and license revenue 
248,390 256,676 223,157 
Total operating revenue$463,922 $456,429 $398,174 

Balances related to contracts with customers consists of receivables, contract assets, deferred franchise revenue and deferred gift card revenue. See Note 4 for details on our receivables.

Deferred franchise revenue consists primarily of the unamortized portion of initial franchise fees that are currently being amortized into revenue and amounts related to development agreements and unopened restaurants that will begin amortizing into revenue when the related restaurants are opened. Deferred franchise revenue represents our remaining performance obligations to our franchisees, excluding amounts of variable consideration related to sales-based royalties and advertising.






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The components of the change in deferred franchise revenue are as follows:
 (In thousands)
Balance, December 28, 2022$20,751 
Fees received from franchisees1,729 
Revenue recognized, net (1)
(3,330)
Balance, December 27, 202319,150 
Less current portion included in other current liabilities2,164 
Deferred franchise revenue included in other noncurrent liabilities$16,986 

(1) Of this amount $2.7 million was included in the deferred franchise revenue balance as of December 28, 2022.

We record contract assets related to incentives and subsidies provided to franchisees related to new unit openings and/or equipment upgrades. These amounts will be recognized as a component of franchise and license revenue over the remaining term of the related franchise agreements.The components of the change in contract assets are as follows:
 (In thousands)
Balance, December 28, 2022$5,361 
Franchisee deferred costs2,689 
Contract asset amortization(1,442)
Balance, December 27, 20236,608 
Less current portion included in other current assets1,050 
Contract assets included in other noncurrent assets$5,558 

The Company purchases equipment related to various programs for franchise restaurants, including kitchen and point-of-sale system equipment. We bill our franchisees and recognize revenue when the related equipment is installed, less amounts contributed from the Company, which have been deferred as contract assets in the table above. We recognized $4.8 million and $19.3 million of revenue related to the sale of equipment to franchisees during the years ended December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, respectively. As of December 27, 2023, we had $0.6 million in inventory and $0.3 million in receivables related to the purchased equipment. As of December 28, 2022, we had $3.6 million in inventory and $6.6 million in receivables related to the kitchen equipment rollout.

As of December 27, 2023, deferred franchise revenue, net of contract asset amortization, expected to be recognized in the future is as follows:
 (In thousands)
2024$1,114 
20251,132 
20261,130 
20271,099 
2028969 
Thereafter7,098 
Deferred franchise revenue, net$12,542 

Deferred gift card liabilities consist of the unredeemed portion of gift cards sold in company restaurants and at third party locations. The balance of deferred gift card liabilities represents our remaining performance obligations to customers. The balance of deferred gift card liabilities as of December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022 was $7.8 million and $7.7 million, respectively. During the year ended December 27, 2023, we recognized revenue of $0.5 million from gift card redemptions at company restaurants.






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Note 12.     Employee Benefit Plans
 
We maintain defined contribution plans and defined benefit plans which cover a substantial number of employees.

Defined Contribution Plans

Eligible employees can elect to contribute up to 25% of their compensation to our 401(k) plan. Effective January 1, 2016, the plan was amended and restated to incorporate Safe Harbor Plan design features which included changes to participant eligibility, company contribution amounts and vesting. As a result, we match up to a maximum of 4% of compensation deferred by the participant.

In addition, a non-qualified deferred compensation plan is offered to certain employees. This plan allows participants to defer up to 50% of annual salary and up to 75% of bonuses and incentive compensation awards, on a pre-tax basis. There are no matching contributions made under this plan. 

We made total contributions of $1.8 million, $1.7 million and $1.5 million for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, under these plans.

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Defined Benefit Plans
 
Benefits under our defined benefit plans are based upon each employee’s years of service and average salary. The following table provides a reconciliation of the changes in the benefit obligations, plan assets, and funded status of our defined benefit plans:
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
 (In thousands)
Change in Benefit Obligation:  
Benefit obligation at beginning of year
$1,606 $2,219 
Interest cost53 36 
Actuarial gain(29)(261)
Benefits paid(131)(151)
Settlements(421)(237)
Benefit obligation at end of year
$1,078 $1,606 
Accumulated benefit obligation$1,078 $1,606 
Change in Plan Assets:  
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year
$— $— 
Employer contributions552 388 
Benefits paid(131)(151)
Settlements(421)(237)
Fair value of plan assets at end of year
$— $— 
Unfunded status at end of year$(1,078)$(1,606)
Amounts recognized on the balance sheet:
Other current liabilities $(582)$(972)
Other noncurrent liabilities(496)(634)
Net amount recognized $(1,078)$(1,606)
Amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss not yet reflected in net period benefit cost:
Unamortized actuarial losses, net$(449)$(516)
Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net:
Benefit obligation actuarial gain (loss)$(98)$261 
Amortization of net loss56 123 
Settlement loss recognized35 74 
Plan closure loss74 — 
Other comprehensive income$67 $458 
 
The components of net periodic benefit cost, which are included in general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income, were as follows:
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Interest cost$53 $36 $26 
Amortization of net loss56 123 159 
Settlement loss recognized35 74 — 
Plan experience gain(53)— — 
Net periodic benefit cost$91 $233 $185 

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Assumptions

The discount rates used to determine the benefit obligations as of December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022 were 4.93% and 5.26%, respectively. The discount rates used to determine net period pension costs for 2023, 2022 and 2021 were 5.26%, 1.99% and 1.34%, respectively.
 
In determining the discount rates, we have considered long-term bond indices of bonds having similar timing and amounts of cash flows as our estimated defined benefit payments. We use a yield curve based on high quality, long-term corporate bonds to calculate the single equivalent discount rate that results in the same present value as the sum of each of the plan’s estimated benefit payments discounted at their respective spot rates.

Contributions and Expected Future Benefit Payments

We made contributions of $0.6 million and $0.4 million to our defined benefit plans during the years ended December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, respectively. We expect to contribute $0.6 million to our defined benefit plans during 2024.

Benefits expected to be paid for each of the next five years and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years from 2028 through 2032 are as follows:
 Defined Benefit Plans
 (In thousands)
2024$582 
2025116 
2026114 
202786 
202873 
2028 through 2032234 
 
Note 13.     Share-Based Compensation
 
Share-Based Compensation Plans

The Denny’s Corporation 2021 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “2021 Omnibus Plan”) is used to grant share-based compensation to selected employees, officers and directors of Denny’s and its affiliates. However, we reserve the right to pay discretionary bonuses, or other types of compensation, outside of this plan. At December 27, 2023, there were 1.5 million shares available for grant under the 2021 Omnibus Plan. In addition, we have 0.7 million shares available to be issued outside of the 2021 Omnibus Plan pursuant to the grant or exercise of employment inducement awards of stock options and restricted stock units in accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
 
Share-Based Compensation Expense
 
Total share-based compensation expense included as a component of net income was as follows:
 
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Employee share awards$7,991 $10,470 $12,708 
Restricted stock units for board members889 930 894 
Total share-based compensation$8,880 $11,400 $13,602 
 
The income tax benefits recognized as a component of the provision for income taxes in our Consolidated Statements of Income related to share-based compensation expense were $2.3 million, $2.9 million and $3.4 million during the years ended December 27, 2023, December 28, 2022 and December 29, 2021, respectively.


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Employee Share Awards

Employee share awards consist of performance share units (“PSUs”) and restricted stock units ("RSUs") (which are equity classified). The number of shares that are ultimately issued is dependent upon the level of obtainment of the market and performance conditions. The following table summarizes the employee share awards activity during the year ended December 27, 2023:
 UnitsWeighted Average Grant Date
Fair Value
 
 (In thousands)
Outstanding, beginning of year1,297 $18.30 
Granted1,297 $13.43 
Converted(194)$14.41 
Forfeited(410)$16.36 
Outstanding, end of year1,990 $15.90 
Convertible, end of year621 $18.95 

During the year ended December 27, 2023, we granted certain employees 0.3 million performance share units ("PSUs") with a weighted average grant date fair value of $18.39 per share that vest based on the total shareholder return (“TSR”) of our common stock compared to the TSRs of a group of peer companies and 0.3 million PSUs with a weighted average grant date fair value of $11.90 per share that vest based on our Adjusted EPS growth rate versus plan, as defined under the terms of the award. As the TSR based PSUs contain a market condition, a Monte Carlo valuation was used to determine the grant date fair value. The performance period for these PSUs is the three year fiscal period beginning December 29, 2022 and ending December 31, 2025. The PSUs will completely vest and be earned at the end of the performance period at which point the relative TSR and Adjusted EPS growth rate achievement percentages will be applied to the vested units (from 0% to 200% of the target award). We recognize compensation cost associated with 0.5 million of these PSU awards over the entire performance period on a straight-line basis, with compensation cost for the remaining 0.1 million PSU awards recognized on a graded-vesting basis due to the accelerated vesting terms for certain retirement eligible individuals.

We also granted certain employees 0.7 million restricted stock units (“RSUs”) with a weighted average grant date fair value of $11.83 per share. These RSUs generally vest evenly over the three-year fiscal period beginning December 29, 2022 and ending December 31, 2025. We recognize compensation cost associated with these RSU awards on a straight-line basis over the entire performance period of the award.

For 2023, 2022 and 2021, the weighted average grant date fair value of awards granted was $13.43, $16.22 and $21.83, respectively.

The following table presents the weighted-average assumptions used in the Monte Carlo simulations to determine the fair value of PSU awards at the grant date, along with the related weighted-average grant date fair value of PSU awards:

 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
Risk-free interest rate3.75%1.96%0.18%
Expected term (in years)3.02.83.0
Expected volatility69.7%66.0%64.9%
Expected dividend yield0.0%0.0%0.0%
Grant date fair value per unit$18.39$21.05$24.74

The risk-free interest rate was based on U.S. Treasury bond yield with a term equal to the expected life assumed at the date of grant. The expected term represents the period of time the awards are expected to be outstanding. Expected volatility was based on historical volatility of the Company. The expected dividend yield is based on the Company’s history and expectations of dividend payouts at the time of grant.

We made payments of $0.1 million, $0.4 million and $0.2 million during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to converted performance and restricted share units. Payments relate to the payment of payroll taxes. The fair value of units
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converted was $8.6 million, $13.8 million and $4.3 million during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. As of December 27, 2023, we had $9.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested employee share awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 1.8 years.
 
Restricted Stock Units for Board Members
 
During the year ended December 27, 2023, we granted less than 0.1 million RSUs (which are equity classified) with a weighted average grant date fair value of $10.71 per unit to non-employee members of our Board. The restricted stock units vest after a one year service period. A director may elect to convert these awards into shares of common stock on a specific date in the future (while still serving as a member of our Board), upon termination as a member of our Board or in three equal annual
installments commencing after termination of service as a member of our Board. During the year ended December 27, 2023, 0.2 million restricted stock units were converted into shares of common stock.

There were 0.7 million and 0.8 million RSUs outstanding as of December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, respectively. As of December 27, 2023, we had $0.3 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to all unvested RSU awards outstanding, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average of 0.4 years.

Stock Options

Prior to 2012, stock options were granted that vest evenly over three years, have a 10-year contractual life and are issued at the market value at the date of grant. There were no options granted in 2023, 2022 or 2021. There were no stock options outstanding at December 27, 2023, and there were no stock options exercised for the years ended December 27, 2023 or December 28, 2022. The total intrinsic value of the options exercised was $0.3 million during the year ended December 29, 2021.
  
Note 14.     Operating (Gains), Losses and Other Charges, Net

Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net consists of the following:
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Gains on sales of assets and other, net$(2,220)$(3,378)$(47,822)
Restructuring charges and exit costs2,536 1,410 1,275 
Impairment charges (1)
2,214 963 442 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net$2,530 $(1,005)$(46,105)
(1)
Impairment charges include impairments related to property, operating right-of-use assets, finance right-of-use assets, and reacquired franchise rights.

Gains on sales of assets and other, net for the years ended December 27, 2023, December 28, 2022, and December 29, 2021, were primarily related to the sales of real estate.
Restructuring charges and exit costs consists of the following: 
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Exit costs$190 $86 $323 
Severance and other restructuring charges2,346 1,324 952 
Total restructuring charges and exit costs$2,536 $1,410 $1,275 

Exit costs primarily consists of costs related to closed restaurants. Exit cost liabilities related to lease costs are included as a component of operating lease liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 9.
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Severance and other restructuring charges primarily consist of severance costs for the years ended December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022. Severance and other restructuring charges for the year ended December 29, 2021 were primarily related to the relocation of certain support functions to our support center in the Dallas, Texas area. As of December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022, we had accrued severance and other restructuring charges of $1.4 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The balance as of December 27, 2023 is expected to be paid during the next 12 months.

We recorded impairment charges of $2.2 million for the year ended December 27, 2023 primarily resulting from underperforming units. The $2.2 million included $1.3 million related to property and $0.9 million related to operating lease right-of-use assets, less than $0.1 million related to finance lease right-of-use assets, and less than $0.1 million related to reacquired franchise rights. We recorded impairment charges of $1.0 million for the year ended December 28, 2022 primarily resulting from underperforming units. The $1.0 million included $0.6 million related to property, $0.3 million related to operating lease right-of-use assets, and less than $0.1 million related to finance lease right-of-use assets. We recorded impairment charges of $0.4 million for the year ended December 29, 2021 primarily resulting from an underperforming unit. The $0.4 million included $0.3 million related to property, $0.1 million related to finance lease right-of-use assets, and less than $0.1 million related to operating lease right-of-use assets.
 
Note 15.     Income Taxes
 
The provisions for (benefits from) income taxes were as follows:
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Current:   
Federal$4,649 $6,128 $12,997 
State and local2,409 2,160 3,105 
Foreign1,433 1,152 862 
Deferred:   
Federal(1,876)11,043 6,826 
State and local173 3,689 7,271 
 Increase (decrease) of valuation allowance205 546 (5,031)
Total provision for income taxes$6,993 $24,718 $26,030 
 
The reconciliation of income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to our effective tax rate was as follows: 
 
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
Statutory provision rate21 %21 %21 %
State and local taxes, net of federal income tax benefit6 5 5 
Foreign taxes5 1 — 
Change in state valuation allowance1 — (1)
General business credits generated(5)(1)(2)
Foreign tax credits generated(5)(1)1 
Section 162(m) and share-based compensation7 — 1 
Insurance premiums(2)— — 
Other(2)— — 
Effective tax rate26 %25 %25 %

For 2023, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to state and foreign taxes, partially offset by the generation of employment and foreign tax credits. The 2023 rate was also impacted by $1.9 million of disallowed compensation deductions.

For 2022, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to state and foreign taxes, partially offset by the generation of employment and foreign tax credits.
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For 2021, the difference in the overall effective rate from the U.S. statutory rate was primarily due to state and foreign taxes and the generation of employment credits. The 2021 rate was also impacted by $1.3 million of disallowed compensation deductions. On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law as a response to the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of the CARES Act, during 2021 the Company carried back 2020’s net operating loss to years 2015 and forward, to obtain $1.5 million in federal income tax refunds. See Note 16 for a discussion of other items related to the CARES Act.


The following table represents the approximate tax effect of each significant type of temporary difference that resulted in deferred income tax assets or liabilities.  
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
 (In thousands)
Deferred tax assets:  
Self-insurance accruals$2,536 $2,094 
Finance lease liabilities1,119 1,230 
Operating lease liabilities30,445 33,028 
Accrued exit costs 5 21 
Pension, other retirement and compensation plans7,127 11,239 
Deferred income4,617 4,396 
Other accruals478 918 
General business and foreign tax credit carryforwards - state and federal3,472 2,387 
Net operating loss carryforwards - state848 1,157 
Total deferred tax assets before valuation allowance50,647 56,470 
Less: valuation allowance(2,943)(2,738)
Total deferred tax assets47,704 53,732 
Deferred tax liabilities:  
Intangible assets(15,044)(15,706)
Contract assets(1,460)(1,360)
Deferred finance costs(181)(250)
Operating lease right-of-use assets(27,307)(29,822)
Fixed assets(8,074)(9,291)
Interest rate swaps(2,220)(4,722)
Total deferred tax liabilities(54,286)(61,151)
Net deferred tax liabilities$(6,582)$(7,419)
 
The Company’s state net operating loss tax asset of $0.8 million includes $0.6 million related to Pennsylvania and South Carolina.
Of the $2.9 million valuation allowance, $0.4 million relates to Pennsylvania and South Carolina net operating loss carryforwards, $1.0 million relates to California enterprise zone credits and $1.5 million relates to foreign tax credit carryforwards, all of which may never be utilized, prior to their expiration.
It is more likely than not that we will be able to utilize all of our existing temporary differences and most of our remaining state tax net operating losses and state credit tax carryforwards, net of existing valuation allowance, prior to their expiration.
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The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits:

 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
 (In thousands)
Balance, beginning of year$869 $1,047 
Decreases related to prior year tax positions(424)(178)
Balance, end of year$445 $869 

There was no interest expense associated with unrecognized tax benefits for the years ended December 27, 2023 and December 28, 2022.
 
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdictions and various state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2020. We remain subject to examination for U.S. federal taxes from 2020 onward, and in the following major state jurisdictions: California (2018 onward), Florida (2020 onward) and Texas (2019 onward).

Note 16. Other CARES Act Provisions

The CARES Act allowed eligible employers to claim employee retention tax credits (“ERTC”) for qualified wages paid after March 12, 2020 and before January 1, 2021. The ERTC was extended to June 30, 2021 under the passage of the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Relief Act of 2020 (“ACT”) which was signed into law on December 27, 2020. We qualified for credits under the provisions of the CARES Act for the entire period subsequent to March 12, 2020 through January 1, 2021 and for the entire period subsequent to January 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021.

The total amount of credits recorded in 2021 related to the ERTC was $0.8 million, of which $0.3 million was included as a component of costs of company restaurant sales and $0.5 million was included as a component of general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 29, 2021.

In addition, as allowed under the CARES Act, we deferred $3.1 million of our portion of FICA taxes in 2020 which were paid in 2021.

Note 17. Net Income Per Share

The amounts used for the basic and diluted net income per share calculations are summarized below: 
 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands, except per share amounts)
Net income$19,945 $74,712 $78,073 
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic55,984 60,771 65,171 
Effect of dilutive share-based compensation awards212 108 402 
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted56,196 60,879 65,573 
Net income per share - basic$0.36 $1.23 $1.20 
Net income per share - diluted$0.35 $1.23 $1.19 
Anti-dilutive share-based compensation awards 726 709 420 
 





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Note 18.     Shareholders’ Equity

Share Repurchases

Our credit facility permits the repurchase of Denny’s stock and the payment of cash dividends subject to certain limitations. Our Board of Directors approves share repurchases of our common stock. Under these authorizations, we may, from time to time, purchase shares in the open market (including pre-arranged stock trading plans in accordance with the guidelines specified in Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to market and business conditions. Currently, we are operating under a $250 million share repurchase authorization approved by the Board of Directors in December 2019.

During 2023, we repurchased a total of 5.2 million shares of our common stock for $52.1 million, including excise taxes. During 2022, we repurchased a total of 6.3 million shares of our common stock for $64.9 million. During 2021, we repurchased a total of 2.0 million shares of our common stock for $30.6 million.

Repurchased shares are included as treasury stock in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and our Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Deficit.

Retirement of Treasury Stock

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023, the Board approved the retirement of 12.8 million shares of treasury stock at a weighted average share price of $11.02, including excise taxes. As of the year ended December 27, 2023, 0.7 million shares remained in treasury.




































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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The components of the change in accumulated other comprehensive loss were as follows:

PensionsDerivativesAccumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
(In thousands)
Balance as of December 30, 2020$(978)$(59,427)$(60,405)
Benefit obligation actuarial loss(46)— (46)
Amortization of net loss (1)
159 — 159 
Changes in the fair value of cash flow derivatives— 4,275 4,275 
Reclassification of cash flow derivatives to interest expense, net (2)
— 4,023 4,023 
Amortization of unrealized losses related to dedesignated derivatives to interest expense, net — 166 166 
Income tax expense(35)(2,607)(2,642)
Balance as of December 29, 2021$(900)$(53,570)$(54,470)
Benefit obligation actuarial gain261 — 261 
Amortization of net loss (1)
123 — 123 
Settlement loss recognized74 — 74 
Changes in the fair value of cash flow derivatives— 13,619 13,619 
Reclassification of cash flow derivatives to interest expense, net (2)
— 1,310 1,310 
Amortization of unrealized losses related to dedesignated derivatives to interest expense, net— 29 29 
Income tax expense(113)(3,530)(3,643)
Balance as of December 28, 2022$(555)$(42,142)$(42,697)
Benefit obligation actuarial loss(98)— (98)
Amortization of net loss (1)
56 — 56 
Settlement loss recognized35 — 35 
Plan closure loss74 — 74 
Changes in the fair value of cash flow derivatives— 6,262 6,262 
Reclassification of cash flow derivatives to interest expense, net (2)
— (5,028)(5,028)
Amortization of unrealized losses related to dedesignated derivatives to interest expense, net — 353 353 
Income tax benefit (expense)151 (767)(616)
Balance as of December 27, 2023$(337)$(41,322)$(41,659)

(1)    Before-tax amount that was reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss and included as a component of pension expense within general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 12 for additional details.
(2)    Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into income represent payments made to (received from) the counterparty for the effective portions of the interest rate swaps. These amounts are included as a component of interest expense, net in our Consolidated Statements of Income. We expect to receive payments from the counterparty and reclassify $6.1 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our interest rate swaps during the next twelve months. See Note 10 for additional details.


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Note 19.     Commitments and Contingencies
 
Legal Proceedings
There are various claims and pending legal actions against or indirectly involving us, incidental to and arising out of the ordinary course of the business. In the opinion of management, based upon information currently available, the ultimate liability with respect to these proceedings and claims will not materially affect the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.  
Purchase Obligations

We have commitments related to company and franchised restaurants under purchase contracts for food and non-food products. Many of these agreements do not obligate us to purchase any specific volumes and include provisions that would allow us to cancel such agreements with appropriate notice. Our future purchase obligation payments due by period for both company and franchised restaurants at December 27, 2023 consist of the following:
 (In thousands)
Less than 1 year$202,018 
1-2 years— 
3-4 years— 
5 years and thereafter— 
Total$202,018 
 
For agreements with cancellation provisions, amounts included in the table above represent our estimate of purchase obligations during the periods presented if we were to cancel these contracts with appropriate notice.
 
Note 20.     Supplemental Cash Flow Information

 Fiscal Year Ended
 December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
 (In thousands)
Income taxes paid, net$9,195 $9,296 $9,942 
Interest paid$13,390 $12,939 $14,159 
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Receipt of real estate receivable$— $3,000 $— 
Accrued purchase of property$756 $283 $231 
Issuance of common stock, pursuant to share-based compensation plans$5,638 $9,547 $3,087 
Execution of finance leases$1,071 $537 $998 
Treasury stock payable$563 $542 $633 
 
Note 21. Segment Information

We manage our business by brand and as a result have identified two operating segments, Denny’s and Keke’s. In addition, we have identified Denny’s as a reportable segment. The Denny’s reportable segment includes the results of all company and franchised and licensed Denny’s restaurants. Our Keke’s operating segment, which includes the results of all company and franchise restaurants, is included in Other.

The primary sources of revenues for all operating segments are the sale of food and beverages at our company restaurants and the collection of royalties, advertising revenue, initial and other fees, including occupancy revenue, from restaurants operated by our franchisees. We do not rely on any major customer as a source of sales and the customers and assets of all operating segments are located predominantly in the United States. There are no material transactions between segments.

F - 36

Management’s measure of segment income is restaurant-level operating margin. The Company defines restaurant-level operating margin as operating income excluding the following three items: general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, goodwill impairment charges, and operating (gains), losses and other charges, net. The Company excludes general and administrative expenses, which include primarily non restaurant-level costs associated with support of company and franchised restaurants and other activities at their corporate office. The Company excludes depreciation and amortization expense, substantially all of which is related to company restaurant-level assets, because such expenses represent historical sunk costs which do not reflect current cash outlays for the restaurants. The Company excludes operating (gains), losses and other charges, net, to provide a clearer perspective of its ongoing operating performance and a more relevant comparison to prior period results. Restaurant-level operating margin is used by our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) to evaluate restaurant-level operating efficiency and performance.

The following tables present revenues by segment and a reconciliation of restaurant-level operating margin to net income:
Fiscal Year Ended
December 27, 2023December 28, 2022December 29, 2021
Revenues by operating segment:(In thousands)
Denny’s$443,106 $447,687 $398,174 
Other20,816 8,742 — 
Total operating revenue$463,922 $456,429 $398,174 
Segment income:
Denny’s$146,833 $138,555 $142,102 
Other7,038 3,089 — 
Total restaurant-level operating margin$153,871 $141,644 $142,102 
General and administrative expenses$77,770 $67,173 $68,686 
Depreciation and amortization14,385 14,862 15,446 
Goodwill impairment charges6,363 — — 
Operating (gains), losses and other charges, net2,530 (1,005)(46,105)
Total other operating expenses101,048 81,030 38,027 
Operating income52,823 60,614 104,075 
Interest expense, net17,597 13,769 15,148 
Other nonoperating expense (income), net8,288 (52,585)(15,176)
Net income before income taxes26,938 99,430 104,103 
Provision for income taxes6,993 24,718 26,030 
Net income $19,945 $74,712 $78,073 

Fiscal Year Ended
December 27, 2023December 28, 2022
Segment assets:(In thousands)
Denny’s$340,136 $394,051 
Other124,682 104,284 
Total assets$464,818 $498,335 
F - 37

SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: February 26, 2024
 DENNY’S CORPORATION
  
BY:/s/ Robert P. Verostek
 Robert P. Verostek
 Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

SignatureTitleDate
   
/s/ Kelli F. ValadeChief Executive Officer and DirectorFebruary 26, 2024
(Kelli F. Valade)(Principal Executive Officer) 
   
/s/ Robert P. VerostekExecutive Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerFebruary 26, 2024
(Robert P. Verostek)(Principal Financial Officer) 
   
/s/ Jay C. GilmoreSenior Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate ControllerFebruary 26, 2024
(Jay C. Gilmore)(Principal Accounting Officer) 
   
/s/ Brenda J. LauderbackDirector and Chair of the Board of DirectorsFebruary 26, 2024
(Brenda J. Lauderback)  
   
/s/ Bernadette S. AulestiaDirectorFebruary 26, 2024
(Bernadette S. Aulestia)  
   
/s/ Olu BeckDirectorFebruary 26, 2024
(Olu Beck)
/s/ Gregg R. DedrickDirectorFebruary 26, 2024
(Gregg R. Dedrick)  
   
/s/ José M. GutiérrezDirectorFebruary 26, 2024
(José M. Gutiérrez)
/s/ John C. MillerDirectorFebruary 26, 2024
(John C. Miller)
 
/s/ Laysha WardDirectorFebruary 26, 2024
(Laysha Ward)