What is the lowest level at which Carls groups assets for impairment testing?
Carls Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of assets may be impaired, we evaluate our restaurant-level long-lived assets for impairment. For purposes of impairment testing, assets are grouped at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities, which is generally the individual restaurant level for fixed assets, finance lease assets and operating lease assets. For each asset group, we evaluate whether there are indicators of impairment such as sequential annual cash flow losses or adverse changes in the physical condition or expected use of the asset group. When indicators of impairment exist, we evaluate whether the assets are recoverable by comparing the undiscounted future cash flows that we expect to generate from their use and disposal to their carrying value. Restaurant-level assets that are not deemed to be recoverable are written down to their estimated fair value, which is determined by assessing the highest and best use of the assets and the amounts that would be received for such assets in an orderly transaction between market participants.
Source: Item 21 — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (FDD pages 79–80)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Carls's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, when evaluating assets for impairment, they are grouped at the lowest level where identifiable cash flows are largely independent of other assets and liabilities. For Carls, this is generally at the individual restaurant level, specifically for fixed assets, finance lease assets, and operating lease assets.
Carls evaluates restaurant-level long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances suggest that the carrying value of these assets may be impaired. This involves assessing factors like sequential annual cash flow losses or adverse changes in the physical condition or expected use of the asset group. If these indicators exist, Carls determines whether the assets are recoverable by comparing the undiscounted future cash flows expected from their use and disposal to their carrying value.
If the restaurant-level assets are not deemed recoverable, they are written down to their estimated fair value. This fair value is determined by assessing the highest and best use of the assets and the amounts that would be received for such assets in an orderly transaction between market participants. This process involves significant management judgment to estimate future cash flows, closure costs, expected sublease income, and refranchising proceeds, which means actual results could significantly differ from these estimates.