TAST-2012.12.30-10K
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-K
x
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission File Number: 001-33174
CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
16-1287774
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
 
968 James Street, Syracuse, New York
13203
(Address of principal executive office)
(Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (315) 424-0513 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class:
Name on each exchange on which registered:
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share
The NASDAQ Global 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  x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.    Yes    ¨    No  x
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  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer
o
Accelerated filer
x
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
o
Smaller reporting company
o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý

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As of March 5, 2013 Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. had 23,669,558 shares of its common stock, $.01 par value, outstanding. The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates as of July 1, 2012 of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. was $106,967,930.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
Portions of the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc's 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is expected to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A no later than 120 days after the conclusion of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s fiscal year ended December 30, 2012 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this annual report.
 
 
 


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CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
FORM 10-K
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
PART I
Throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we refer to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. as “Carrols Restaurant Group” and, together with its consolidated subsidiaries, as “we”, “our” and “us” unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires. Any reference to “Carrols” refers to our wholly-owned subsidiary, Carrols Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires. Any reference to “Carrols LLC” refers to Carrols' direct subsidiary, Carrols LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires. Any reference to “Fiesta Restaurant Group” or “Fiesta” refers to our former indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires.
We use a 52 or 53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. Our fiscal years ended December 28, 2008, January 2, 2011, January 1, 2012 and December 30, 2012 each contained 52 weeks. Our fiscal year ended January 3, 2010 contained 53 weeks.
In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we refer to information, forecasts and statistics regarding the restaurant industry. Unless otherwise indicated, all restaurant industry data in this Annual Report on Form 10-K refers to the U.S. restaurant industry and is taken from or based upon the Technomic Inc. (“Technomic”) report entitled “2012 Technomic Top 500 Chain Restaurant Report.” In this Annual Report on Form 10-K we also refer to information, forecasts and statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Any reference to BKC in this Annual Report on Form 10-K refers to Burger King Worldwide, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Burger King Corporation. Unless otherwise indicated, information regarding BKC in this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been made publicly available by BKC. The information, forecasts and statistics we have used from Technomic may reflect rounding adjustments.
Forward-Looking Statements
This 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Statements that are predictive in nature or that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions are forward-looking statements. These statements are often identified by the words “may,” “might,” “will,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “hope”, “plan” or similar expressions. In addition, expressions of our strategies, intentions or plans are also forward looking statements. These statements reflect management's current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their date. There are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, many of which are beyond our control. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. We have identified significant factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those stated or implied in the forward-looking statements. For more information, please see Item 1A-Risk Factors. We believe important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include the following, in addition to other risks and uncertainties discussed herein:
•
The effect of the tax-free spin-off of Fiesta by us;
•
The potential tax liability associated with the spin-off of Fiesta by us;
•
Effectiveness of the Burger King advertising programs and the overall success of the Burger King brand;
•
Increases in food costs and other commodity costs;
•
Competitive conditions;
•
Our ability to integrate any businesses we acquire, including the 278 restaurants we acquired from BKC in 2012;
•
Regulatory factors;
•
Environmental conditions and regulations;
•
General economic conditions, particularly in the retail sector;
•
Weather conditions;
•
Fuel prices;
•
Significant disruptions in service or supply by any of our suppliers or distributors;
•
Changes in consumer perception of dietary health and food safety;

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•
Labor and employment benefit costs, including the effects of healthcare reform;
•
The outcome of pending or future legal claims or proceedings;
•
Our ability to manage our growth and successfully implement our business strategy;
•
Our borrowing costs and credit ratings, which may be influenced by the credit ratings of our competitors;
•
The availability and terms of necessary or desirable financing or refinancing and other related risks and uncertainties;
•
The risk of an act of terrorism or escalation of any insurrection or armed conflict involving the United States or any other national or international calamity;
•
Factors that affect the restaurant industry generally, including recalls if products become adulterated or misbranded, liability if our products cause injury, ingredient disclosure and labeling laws and regulations, reports of cases of food borne illnesses such as “mad cow” disease and avian flu, and the possibility that consumers could lose confidence in the safety and quality of certain food products, as well as negative publicity regarding food quality, illness, injury or other health concerns; and
•
Other factors discussed under Item 1A - "Risk Factors" and elsewhere herein.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview
Our Company
We are the largest Burger King® franchisee in the world, based on number of restaurants, and have operated Burger King restaurants since 1976. As of December 30, 2012, we owned and operated 572 Burger King restaurants located in 13 Northeastern, Midwestern and Southeastern states. Burger King restaurants feature the popular flame-broiled Whopper® sandwich, as well as a variety of hamburgers, chicken and other specialty sandwiches, french fries, salads, breakfast items, snacks, smoothies, frappes and other offerings. We believe that our size, seasoned management team, extensive operating infrastructure, experience and proven operating disciplines differentiate us from many of our competitors as well as many other Burger King operators.
On May 7, 2012, we completed the spin-off of Fiesta Restaurant Group, which included the Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana restaurant businesses, through the distribution in the form of a pro rata dividend of all of Fiesta Restaurant Group's issued and outstanding common stock to our stockholders whereby each stockholder of record of Carrols Restaurant Group on April 26, 2012 received one share of Fiesta Restaurant Group's common stock for every one share of our common stock held, which we refer to as the "spin-off". As a result of the spin-off, Fiesta Restaurant Group is now an independent public company whose common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “FRGI.” We continue to own and operate Burger King® restaurants as a franchisee.
On May 30, 2012, we completed the acquisition of 278 Burger King restaurants from BKC, which we refer to as the "acquisition", for a purchase price consisting of (i) a 28.9% equity ownership interest in Carrols Restaurant Group, (ii) $3.8 million for cash on hand and inventory at the acquired restaurants and (iii) $9.4 million of franchise fees and $3.8 million for BKC’s assignment of its right of first refusal on franchisee restaurant transfers in 20 states ("ROFR") pursuant to an Operating Agreement, which we refer to as the "operating agreement", dated as of May 30, 2012 with BKC. The amount for the ROFR is payable in quarterly payments over five years and the first quarterly payment of $0.2 million was made at closing on May 30, 2012. We also entered into new franchise agreements pursuant to the acquisition purchase agreement and operating agreement and entered into leases with BKC for all of the acquired restaurants, including leases for 81 restaurants owned in fee by BKC and subleases for 197 restaurants under terms substantially the same as BKC’s underlying leases for those properties. Pursuant to the operating agreement, we also agreed to remodel 455 Burger King restaurants to BKC’s 20/20 restaurant image, including 57 restaurants in 2012, 154 restaurants in 2013, 154 restaurants in 2014 and 90 restaurants in 2015.
We refer to the 278 restaurants acquired from BKC as our "acquired restaurants" and our restaurants operated prior to the acquisition are referred to as our "legacy restaurants". For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012, our legacy restaurants generated revenues of $365.3 million, our legacy comparable Burger King restaurant sales increased 7.1%, and generated average annual sales per restaurant of $1,244,000. For the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012, the acquired restaurants had total revenues of $174.3 million.
Industry
The Restaurant Market
According to Technomic, in 2011, total restaurant industry revenues in the United States were approximately $370.2 billion, representing an increase of 2.5% from 2010. Technomic projects total restaurant industry revenue to grow by 2.9% in 2012. Restaurant sales historically have closely tracked several macroeconomic indicators and we believe that “away-from-home” food

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consumption will continue to rebound as the economy recovers. Historically, unemployment has been inversely related to restaurant sales and, as the unemployment rate decreases, and disposable income increases restaurant sales have increased. In 2011, 47.5% of food dollars were spent on food away from home and demand continues to outpace at-home dining, with food away from home projected to surpass at-home dining in 2021 according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Limited-service Restaurants.    Limited-service restaurants are distinguished by high speed of service and efficiency, convenience, limited menu and service and value pricing. According to Technomic in 2011, sales at all limited-service restaurants in the United States were $200.9 billion, an increase of 3.1% from 2010 and representing 54.3% of total U.S. restaurant industry sales. This constitutes an increase in overall market share when compared to the 53.9% of total U.S. restaurant industry sales attributed to limited-service restaurants in 2010. According to Technomic, in 2012, sales for limited-service restaurants are projected to increase 3.5%.
Technomic reports that sales in the limited-service industry in 2011 were divided by menu category as follows:
 

At $68.9 billion in sales in 2011, the Burger menu category is the largest within the limited-service segment, representing 34% of limited-service restaurant 2011 sales. According to Technomic, sales in the Burger menu category grew by 3.7% in 2011 and are forecasted to grow by 4.1% in 2012, outpacing the overall limited-service segment. The Burger menu category is the fifth fastest-growing menu category in the limited-service restaurant segment by sales.
According to Technomic, in 2011, franchises contributed 72% of sales to the limited-service restaurant segment and accounted for eight out of ten stores.
According to BKC, as of December 31, 2012, there were a total of 12,997 Burger King restaurants, of which 12,579 were franchised restaurants and 7,476 were located in the United States and Canada. Burger King is the second largest hamburger restaurant chain in the world (as measured by number of restaurants) and we believe that the Burger King brand is one of the world's most recognized consumer brands. Burger King restaurants are part of the Burger menu category within the limited service segment. Burger King restaurants have a distinctive image and are generally located in high-traffic areas throughout the United States. Burger King restaurants are designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of consumers, with multiple day-part meal segments targeted to different groups of consumers.
BKC's marketing strategy is characterized by its HAVE IT YOUR WAY® service, flame grilling, generous portions and competitive prices. Burger King restaurants feature flame-grilled hamburgers, the most popular of which is the Whopper sandwich, a large, flame-grilled hamburger garnished with mayonnaise, lettuce, onions, pickles and tomatoes. The basic menu of all Burger King restaurants also includes a variety of hamburgers, chicken and other specialty sandwiches, french fries, salads, breakfast items, snacks, and other offerings. BKC and its franchisees have historically spent between 4% and 5% of their respective sales on marketing, advertising and promotion to sustain high brand awareness. In 2012, BKC launched marketing initiatives to reach a more diverse consumer base and has introduced a number of new and enhanced menu items to broaden offerings and drive customer traffic in all day parts.

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Our Burger King restaurants are typically open seven days per week and generally have operating hours ranging from 6:00 am to midnight on Sunday to Wednesday and 2:00 am on Thursday to Saturday.
We believe that the competitive attributes of Burger King restaurants include significant brand recognition, convenience of location, quality, speed of service and price.
Our existing restaurants consist of one of several building types with various seating capacities. Our typical freestanding restaurant contains approximately 2,800 to 3,200 square feet with seating capacity for 90 to 100 customers, has drive-thru service windows and has adjacent parking areas. The building types for recently constructed or remodeled Burger King restaurants utilize 2,600 square feet and typically have seating capacity for 60 to 70 customers. As of December 30, 2012, almost all of our restaurants were freestanding. We operate our restaurants under franchise agreements with BKC.
Our Competitive Strengths
We believe we have the following competitive strengths pertaining to our restaurants:
Largest Burger King Franchisee.    We are BKC's largest franchisee in the world, based on number of restaurants, and are well positioned to leverage the scale and marketing of one of the most recognized brands in the restaurant industry. We believe the geographic dispersion of our restaurants will provide us with stability and enhanced growth opportunities in many of the markets in which we operate. We also believe that our large number of restaurants increases our ability to effectively manage the brand awareness of the Burger King brand in certain markets.
Operational Expertise.     Our focus is on leveraging our operational expertise in order to optimize the performance of our restaurants. We have developed sophisticated information and operating systems that enable us to measure and monitor key metrics in order to optimize operational performance, sales and profitability. We believe that our experienced management team, operating culture, effective operating systems and infrastructure enable us to operate more efficiently than many other Burger King operators, resulting in better restaurant margins and overall performance.
Distinct Brand with Global Recognition, Innovative Marketing and New Product Development.     As Burger King's largest franchisee, we benefit from, and rely on, BKC's extensive marketing, advertising and product development capabilities to drive sales and generate restaurant traffic. Over the years, BKC has launched innovative and creative multimedia advertising campaigns that highlight the popular relevance of the Burger King brand. Ad Week has named Burger King one of the top three industry-changing advertisers within the last three decades.

Consistent Operating History.    We believe our long-term track record of operating and financial management capabilities has resulted in consistent and stable cash flows and has demonstrated our ability to prudently manage financial leverage through a variety of economic cycles. We believe our cash flow will continue to allow us to fund our ongoing operations and capital expenditure needs while also providing the capital necessary to service our debt.

Strategic Relationship with Burger King Corporation.    We believe that the structure of the acquisition of the acquired restaurants strengthens our well-established relationship with BKC and further aligns our common interests to grow our business and the Burger King business as a whole. The consideration to BKC included a 28.9% equity interest in Carrols Restaurant Group. BKC's President, North America, Steven M. Wiborg, and Chief Financial Officer, Daniel Schwartz, joined our board of directors upon the closing of the acquisition of the acquired restaurants on May 30, 2012.
Experienced Management Team with a Proven Track Record.    We believe that our senior management team's extensive experience in the restaurant industry and its long and successful history of developing, acquiring, integrating and operating quick-service restaurants provides us with a competitive advantage. Our operations are overseen by our Chief Executive Officer, Dan Accordino, who has over 40 years of Burger King and quick-service restaurant experience and eight Regional Directors that have an average of 26 years of Burger King restaurant experience. Seventy-three district managers support the Regional Directors, many of which have over 15 years of restaurant management experience in the Burger King system. Our operations management is further supported by our infrastructure of financial, information systems, real estate and human resources professionals. Our management team has a successful history of managing strategic transformations, and over the past 20 years, we have (prior to giving effect to the acquisition of the acquired restaurants) doubled the number of Burger King restaurants we own and operate, largely through acquisitions. In addition, we successfully acquired, integrated and expanded the Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana brands, which we acquired in 1998 and in 2000, respectively. The Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana brands are now owned and operated by Fiesta Restaurant Group which was spun-off by us on May 7, 2012.

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Our Business Strategies
Our primary business strategies are as follows:
Increase Restaurant Sales and Customer Traffic.    BKC has identified and implemented a number of strategies to reinvigorate the brand, increase market share, improve overall operations and drive future growth. These strategies are central to our strategic objectives to deliver profitable growth.
•
Product. On April 2, 2012, BKC launched one of the broadest expansions of food offerings in its 58-year history, including the introduction of Thick Cut Fries, Garden Fresh Salads, Wraps, Real Fruit Smoothies and Frappes. There have also been a number of enhancements to food preparation procedures to improve the quality of BKC's existing products. These new menu platforms and quality improvements form the backbone of BKC's strategy to appeal to a broader consumer base and to increase restaurant sales.
•
Image. We have agreed to remodel 455 restaurants over the next three and a half years beginning in 2012 to BKC's “20/20” restaurant image which features a fresh, sleek, eye-catching design. The restaurant redesign incorporates easy-to-navigate digital menu boards in the dining room, streamlined merchandising at the drive-thru, flat screen televisions in the dining area and new employee uniforms. We believe the restaurant remodeling plan will improve our guests' dining experience, increase dining frequency and help drive increases in average check size from more dine-in visits.
•
Advertising. We believe that we will continue to benefit from BKC's advertising support of its new menu, product enhancement and reimaging initiatives. In late 2011, BKC launched a revamped national, multi-platform marketing campaign centered on the quality of its food, featuring both new and core offerings. The campaign, which featured celebrities, highlighted the new menu platforms and returned the brand to its roots with a refreshed focus on the flagship Whopper sandwich. This campaign has, and we believe will continue to, broaden the appeal of the brand while increasing customer frequency and brand loyalty.
Improve Profitability of Acquired Restaurants by Leveraging Our Existing Infrastructure and Best-Practices.    With the acquisition of 278 restaurants from BKC, we believe we can realize benefits from economies of scale, including leveraging our existing infrastructure across a larger number of restaurants. Additionally, we believe that our skilled management team, sophisticated information technology, operating systems and training and development programs support our ability to enhance operating efficiencies at the acquired restaurants. We have identified a number of opportunities to enhance the profitability of the newly acquired restaurants and we believe, over time, these new restaurants can achieve comparable levels of profitability and operational efficiency as our current store base.
Selectively Acquire and Develop Additional Burger King Restaurants.    As of December 30, 2012 we operated 572 Burger King restaurants, making us the largest Burger King franchisee in the world. In addition, as a part of the acquisition, BKC assigned to us its ROFR and granted us certain pre-approval rights to acquire additional franchised restaurants and to develop new restaurants in certain markets. Due to the number of restaurants and franchisees in the Burger King franchise system and our historical success in acquiring and integrating restaurants, we believe that there is considerable opportunity for future growth. While our primary focus in the near-term is to successfully integrate, remodel and improve the profitability of the acquired restaurants, we believe that the assignment of the ROFR and the pre-approval to acquire and develop additional restaurants provide us with the opportunity to expand our ownership of Burger King restaurants in the future through selective acquisitions and new restaurant openings.

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Restaurant Economics
Selected restaurant operating data for our restaurants is as follows:
 
 
Year Ended  
 
January 2, 2011 (1)
 
January 1, 2012 (1)
 
December 30, 2012 (1)
Average weekly sales per restaurant:
 
 
 
 
 
Legacy
$
22,346

 
$
22,187

 
$
23,931

Acquired
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
20,681

Average sales transaction
$
5.44

 
$
5.80

 
$
6.00

Drive-through sales as a percentage of total sales
65.0
%
 
64.9
%
 
64.9
%
Day-part sales percentages:
 

 
 

 
 

Breakfast
13.8
%
 
13.1
%
 
14.3
%
Lunch
31.9
%
 
32.1
%
 
31.5
%
Dinner
26.8
%
 
27.1
%
 
26.6
%
Afternoon and late night
27.5
%
 
27.7
%
 
27.6
%
 
(1)
Average weekly sales per restaurant are derived by dividing restaurant sales by the average number of restaurants operating during the period.
Restaurant Capital Costs
The initial cost of the franchise fee, equipment, seating, signage and other interior costs of a standard new Burger King restaurant currently is approximately $350,000 (excluding the cost of the land, building and site improvements). In the markets in which we primarily operate, the cost of land generally ranges from $600,000 to $800,000 and the cost of building and site improvements generally ranges from $650,000 to $700,000.
With respect to development of freestanding restaurants, we generally seek to acquire the land to construct the building, and thereafter enter into an arrangement to sell and leaseback the land and building under a long-term lease. Historically, we have been able to acquire and finance many of our locations under such leasing arrangements. Where we are unable to purchase the underlying land, we enter into a long-term lease for the land and fund the construction of the building from cash generated from our operations or with borrowings under our senior credit facility rather than through long-term leasing arrangements.
The cost of developing and equipping new restaurants can vary significantly and depends on a number of factors, including the local economic conditions and the characteristics of a particular site. Accordingly, the cost of opening new restaurants in the future may differ substantially from, and may be significantly higher than, both the historical cost of restaurants previously opened and the estimated costs above.
We anticipate that the cost of remodeling certain of our restaurants and certain of the acquired restaurants to BKC's 20/20 restaurant image pursuant to the operating agreement will generally range from $200,000 to $500,000 per restaurant with an average cost of approximately $300,000 per restaurant.
Seasonality
Our business is moderately seasonal due to regional weather conditions. Due to the location of our restaurants, sales are generally higher during the summer months than during the winter months. The acquired restaurants have somewhat moderated the seasonal impact on our business.

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Restaurant Locations
The following table details the locations of our 572 Burger King restaurants as of December 30, 2012:
 
State 
Total Restaurants  
Indiana
73

Kentucky
17

Maine
4

Massachusetts
1

Michigan
23

New Jersey
2

New York
116

North Carolina
140

Ohio
85

Pennsylvania
34

South Carolina
32

Vermont
1

Virginia
44

Total
572


Operations
Management Structure
We conduct substantially all of our executive management, finance, marketing and operations support functions from our corporate headquarters in Syracuse, New York. Carrols Restaurant Group is led by our Chief Executive Officer and President, Daniel T. Accordino. Mr. Accordino has over 40 years of Burger King and quick-service restaurant experience at our company.
Our Burger King operations for our restaurants are overseen by eight Regional Directors, three of whom are Vice Presidents, that have an average of over 26 years of Burger King restaurant experience. Seventy three district managers support the Regional Directors for our restaurants.
For our restaurants, a district manager is responsible for the direct oversight of the day-to-day operations of an average of approximately seven restaurants. Typically, district managers have previously served as restaurant managers at one of our restaurants. Regional directors, district managers and restaurant managers are compensated with a fixed salary plus an incentive bonus based upon the performance of the restaurants under their supervision. Typically, our restaurants are staffed with hourly employees who are typically supervised by a salaried manager and two or three salaried assistant managers.
Training
We maintain a comprehensive training and development program for all of our personnel and provide both classroom and in-restaurant training for our salaried and hourly personnel. The program emphasizes system-wide operating procedures, food preparation methods and customer service standards. BKC's training and development programs are also available to us as a franchisee.
Management Information Systems
Our sophisticated management information systems provide us with the ability to efficiently and effectively manage our restaurants and to ensure consistent application of operating controls at our restaurants. Our size also affords us the ability to maintain an in-house staff of information technology and restaurant systems professionals dedicated to continuously enhancing our systems. In addition, these capabilities allow us to integrate newly developed restaurants or restaurants that we acquire and achieve greater economies of scale and operating efficiencies. We retained the existing point-of-sale (POS) systems used at the acquired restaurants following the acquisition while implementing our critical labor and inventory management systems. We plan to implement our POS system software at the acquired restaurants beginning in 2013.
We installed new POS systems at all of our legacy restaurants in 2011 and in the first half of 2012. Our restaurants employ touch-screen POS systems that are designed to facilitate accuracy and speed of order taking. These systems are user-friendly, require limited cashier training and improve speed-of-service through the use of conversational order-taking techniques. The POS systems are integrated with PC-based applications at the restaurant that are designed to facilitate financial and management control of our restaurant operations.

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Our restaurant systems provide daily tracking and reporting of traffic counts, menu item sales, labor and food data including costs, and other key operating information for each restaurant. We communicate electronically with our restaurants on a continuous basis, which enables us to collect this information for use in our corporate management systems in near real-time. Our corporate headquarters manages web-based systems that support all of our accounting, operating and reporting systems. We also operate a 24-hour, seven-day help desk at our corporate headquarters that enables us to provide systems and operational support to our restaurant operations as required. Among other things, our restaurant information systems provide us with the ability to:
•
monitor labor utilization and sales trends on a real-time basis at each restaurant, enabling the restaurant manager to effectively manage to our established labor standards on a timely basis;
•
reduce inventory shrinkage using restaurant-level inventory management and centralized standard costing systems;
•
analyze sales and product mix data to help restaurant managers forecast production levels;
•
monitor day-part drive-thru speed of service at each of our restaurants;
•
systematically communicate human resource and payroll data to our administrative offices for efficient centralized management of labor costs and payroll processing;
•
employ centralized control over price, menu and inventory management activities at the restaurant utilizing the remote management capabilities of our systems;
•
take advantage of electronic commerce including our ability to place orders with suppliers and to integrate detailed invoice, receiving and product data with our inventory and accounting systems; and
•
provide analyses, reporting and tools to enable all levels of management to review a wide-range of financial, product mix and operational data.
Critical information from our systems is available in near real-time to our restaurant managers, who are expected to react quickly to trends or situations in their restaurant. Our district managers also receive near real-time information from all restaurants under their control and have computer access to key operating data on a remote basis using our corporate intranet. Management personnel at all levels, from the restaurant manager through senior management, utilize key restaurant performance indicators to manage our business.
Site Selection
We believe that the location of our restaurants is a critical component of each restaurant's success. We evaluate potential new sites on many critical criteria including accessibility, visibility, costs, surrounding traffic patterns, competition and demographic characteristics. Our senior management determines the acceptability of all acquisition prospects and new sites, based upon analyses prepared by our real estate, financial and operations professionals.
Pursuant to the operating agreement, we agreed to remodel 455 Burger King restaurants to BKC's 20/20 restaurant image, including a minimum of 57 restaurants in 2012, 154 restaurants in 2013, 154 restaurants in 2014 and 90 restaurants in 2015, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the operating agreement. We completed 80 restaurant remodels to the 20/20 image in 2012. BKC's 20/20 restaurant design draws inspiration from its signature flame-grilled cooking process and incorporates a variety of innovative elements to a backdrop that evokes the industrial look of corrugated metal, brick, wood and concrete.
Burger King Franchise Agreements
Each of our Burger King restaurants operates under a separate franchise agreement with BKC. Our franchise agreements with BKC generally require, among other things, that all restaurants comply with specified design criteria and operate in a prescribed manner, including utilization of the standard Burger King menu. In addition, our Burger King franchise agreements generally require that our restaurants conform to BKC's current image and provide for remodeling of our restaurants during the tenth year of the agreements to conform to such current image, which may require the expenditure of considerable funds. These franchise agreements with BKC generally provide for an initial term of 20 years and currently have an initial franchise fee of $50,000. In the event that we terminate any franchise agreement and close the related BKC restaurant prior to the expiration of its term, we may be required to pay BKC an amount based on the net present value of the royalty stream that would have been realized by BKC had such franchise agreement not been terminated. Any franchise agreement, including renewals, can be extended at our discretion for an additional 20-year term, with BKC's approval, provided that, among other things, the restaurant meets the current Burger King operating and image standards and that we are not in default under the terms of the franchise agreement. The franchise agreement fee for subsequent renewals is currently $50,000. BKC may terminate any of the franchise agreements if an act of default is committed by us under these agreements and such default is not cured. Defaults under the franchise agreements include, among other things, our failure to operate such Burger King restaurant in accordance with the operating standards and specifications established by BKC (including failure to use equipment, uniforms or decor approved by BKC), our failure to sell products approved or designated by BKC, our failure to pay royalties or advertising and sales promotion contributions as required, our unauthorized sale, transfer or assignment of such franchise agreement or the related restaurant, certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to us, conduct by us or our employees that has a harmful effect on the Burger King restaurant system, conviction of us or

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our executive officers for certain indictable offenses, our failure to maintain a responsible credit rating or the acquisition by us of an interest in any other hamburger restaurant business. We are not in default under any of the franchise agreements with BKC.
Pursuant to the operating agreement, we entered into franchise agreements with BKC for the acquired restaurants with terms of varying durations up to 20 years, depending upon the term of the underlying leases or subleases. Each franchise agreement provides for a royalty rate of 4.5% of sales, an advertising contribution payment of 4% of sales and investment spending on advertising of no less than 0.75% of restaurant sales in the designated market areas where the franchised restaurants are located (unless a lessor amount is approved by 66.7% of the franchisees in the respective DMA). Pursuant to the new franchise agreements for the acquired restaurants, we paid BKC a franchise fee of $50,000 for each franchise agreement with a term of 20 years with a pro rata reduction in the amount of the franchise fee for franchise agreements with terms of less than 20 years. We paid BKC approximately $13.3 million in the aggregate for franchise fees with respect to the acquired restaurants.
In order to obtain a successor franchise agreement with BKC, a franchisee is typically required to make capital improvements to the restaurant to bring it up to BKC's current image standards. The cost of these improvements may vary widely depending upon the magnitude of the required changes and the degree to which we have made interim improvements to the restaurant. At December 30, 2012, including the franchise agreements we entered into with BKC for the acquired restaurants, we have 9 franchise agreements due to expire in 2013, 34 franchise agreements due to expire in 2014 and 28 franchise agreements due to expire in 2015. In recent years, the historical costs of improving our Burger King restaurants in connection with franchise renewals generally have ranged from $200,000 to $500,000 per restaurant. The cost of capital improvements made in connection with future franchise agreement renewals may differ substantially from past franchise renewals depending on the current image requirements established from time to time by BKC. Certain of our restaurants with franchise agreements due to expire in 2013, 2014 and 2015, if the franchise agreements for such restaurants are renewed, are included in the remodel plan set forth in the operating agreement.
We believe that we will be able to satisfy BKC's normal franchise agreement renewal criteria. Accordingly, we believe that renewal franchise agreements will be granted on a timely basis by BKC at the expiration of our existing franchise agreements. Historically, BKC has granted all of our requests for successor franchise agreements. However, there can be no assurances that BKC will grant these requests in the future.
We evaluate the performance of our Burger King restaurants on an ongoing basis. Such evaluation depends on many factors, among other things, including our assessment of the anticipated future operating results of the subject restaurants and the cost of required capital improvements that we would need to commit for such restaurants. If we determine that a Burger King restaurant is under-performing, or that we do not anticipate an adequate return on the capital required to renew the franchise agreement, we may elect to close such restaurant. We may also relocate (offset) a restaurant within its trade area and build a new Burger King restaurant as part of the franchise renewal process. In 2012, we closed four Burger King restaurants, which included one acquired restaurant. In 2011, we closed a total of nine Burger King restaurants, which included one location that was offset. However, based on the current operating results of these restaurants, we believe that the impact on our results of operations as a result of such restaurant closures will not be material, although there can be no assurance in this regard. Our determination to close these restaurants is subject to further evaluation and may change. Additionally, we will have the right, at our election, to close a very small number of acquired restaurants predetermined under the terms of the operating agreement. We may also elect to close additional Burger King restaurants in the future.
In addition to the initial franchise fee, we generally pay BKC a monthly royalty. The royalty rate for both new restaurants and for successor franchise agreements is 4.5% of sales. The royalty rate was increased from 3.5% to 4.5% of sales in 2000, and generally for restaurants in existence in 2000, becomes effective upon the renewal of the franchise agreement. Burger King royalties, as a percentage of our Burger King restaurant sales, were 4.2% in 2012 and 4.0% in both 2011 and 2010. Royalty payments to BKC under new franchise agreements for the acquired restaurants are at a contractual rate of 4.5%. We anticipate our Burger King royalties, as a percentage of our Burger King restaurant sales, including the acquired restaurants, will increase to 4.3% in 2013 as a result of the terms outlined above.
We also generally contribute 4% of restaurant sales from our Burger King restaurants to fund BKC's national and regional advertising. BKC engages in substantial national and regional advertising and promotional activities and other efforts to maintain and enhance the Burger King brand. From time to time we supplement BKC's marketing with our own local advertising and promotional campaigns. See “- Advertising and Promotion” below.
Our franchise agreements with BKC do not give us exclusive rights to operate Burger King restaurants in any defined territory. Although we believe that BKC generally seeks to ensure that newly granted franchises do not materially adversely affect the operations of existing Burger King restaurants, we cannot assure you that franchises granted by BKC to third parties will not adversely affect any Burger King restaurants that we operate.
Except as set forth in the operating agreement, we are required to obtain BKC's consent before we acquire existing Burger King restaurants from other franchisees or develop new Burger King restaurants. BKC also has the right of first refusal to purchase any Burger King restaurant that is being offered for sale by a franchisee. To date, BKC has approved almost all of our acquisitions of Burger King restaurants from other franchisees. Pursuant to the operating agreement, BKC assigned its ROFR to us in 20 states as follows: Connecticut (except Hartford county), Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts (except for

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Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk counties), Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (except for Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk and Westchester counties), North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, and West Virginia and granted us franchise pre-approval to build new Burger King restaurants or acquire Burger King restaurants from Burger King franchisees until the date that we operate 1,000 Burger King restaurants.
Advertising and Promotion
We are generally required to contribute 4% of restaurant sales from our restaurants to an advertising fund utilized by BKC for its advertising, promotional programs and public relations activities. Pursuant to the operating agreement, the franchise agreements for the acquired restaurants provide for an advertising contribution of 4% of restaurant sales and investment spending of no less than 0.75% of restaurant sales in the designated market areas where the franchised restaurants are located, subject to certain other conditions and limitations. BKC's advertising programs consist of national campaigns supplemented by local advertising. BKC's advertising campaigns are generally carried on television, radio and in circulated print media (national and regional newspapers and magazines). As a percentage of our restaurant sales advertising expense was 4.1% in 2012 and 4.2% in each of 2011 and 2010. For 2013 we anticipate advertising expense to be approximately 4.8% of restaurant sales.
The efficiency and quality of advertising and promotional programs can significantly affect the quick-service restaurant businesses. We believe that one of the major advantages of being a Burger King franchisee is the value of the extensive national and regional advertising and promotional programs conducted by BKC. In addition to the benefits derived from BKC's advertising spending, we sometimes supplement BKC's advertising and promotional activities with our own local advertising and promotions, including the purchase of additional television, radio and print advertising. The concentration of our Burger King restaurants in many of our markets permits us to leverage advertising in those markets. We also utilize promotional programs, such as combination value meals and discounted prices, targeted to our customers, in order to create a flexible and directed marketing program.
In connection with BKC's 2011 initiatives to support the installation of digital menu boards, the introduction of new menu items and enhancements to the quality of our food preparation, we made expenditures in our restaurants of approximately $9.0 million in 2011 and $0.5 million in 2012. Beginning in 2012, BKC reduced the required advertising contribution by $5,400 per restaurant per year through 2015, for those restaurants whose expenditures included a digital menu board, and $3,000 per restaurant per year through 2015, for those restaurants whose expenditures excluded a digital menu board. At December 30, 2012 we had 284 Burger King restaurants qualifying for the $5,400 per year advertising reduction and 11 Burger King restaurants qualifying for the $3,000 per year advertising reduction. In addition, to receive the advertising reductions prospectively we must be in full compliance with our franchise agreements including being current on all payments to BKC for royalties, advertising and occupancy related charges.
Suppliers
We are a member of a national purchasing cooperative, Restaurant Services, Inc., which we refer to as "RSI", created for the Burger King system. RSI is a non-profit independent cooperative that acts as the purchasing agent for approved distributors to the Burger King system and serves to negotiate the lowest cost for the system. We use our purchasing power to negotiate directly with certain other vendors, to obtain favorable pricing and terms for supplying our restaurants. For our restaurants, we are required to purchase all of our foodstuffs, paper goods and packaging materials from BKC-approved suppliers. We currently utilize three distributors, Maines Paper & Food Service, Inc., Reinhart Food Service L.L.C. and MBM Food Service Inc., to supply our restaurants with the majority of their foodstuffs and, as of December 30, 2012, such distributors supplied 37%, 33% and 30%, respectively, of our restaurants. We may purchase non-food items such as kitchen utensils, equipment maintenance tools and other supplies from any suitable source so long as such items meet BKC product uniformity standards. All BKC-approved distributors are required to purchase foodstuffs and supplies from BKC-approved manufacturers and purveyors. BKC is responsible for monitoring quality control and supervision of these manufacturers and conducts regular visits to observe the preparation of foodstuffs, and to run various tests to ensure that only quality foodstuffs are sold to its approved suppliers. In addition, BKC coordinates and supervises audits of approved suppliers and distributors to determine continuing product specification compliance and to ensure that manufacturing plant and distribution center standards are met. Although we believe that we have alternative sources of supply available to our restaurants, in the event any distributor or supplier for our restaurants was unable to service us, this could lead to a disruption of service or supply at our restaurants until a new distributor or supplier is engaged, which could have an adverse effect on our business.
Quality Assurance
Our operational focus is closely monitored to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction via speed of service, order accuracy and quality of service. Our senior management and restaurant management staffs are principally responsible for ensuring compliance with BKC's required operating procedures. We have uniform operating standards and specifications relating to the quality, preparation and selection of menu items, maintenance and cleanliness of the premises and employee conduct. In order to maintain compliance with these operating standards and specifications, we distribute to our restaurant operations management

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team detailed reports measuring compliance with various customer service standards and objectives, including feedback obtained directly from our customers through instructions given to them at the point of sale. The customer feedback is monitored by an independent agency and us and consists of evaluations of speed of service, quality of service, quality of our menu items and other operational objectives including the cleanliness of our restaurants. We also have our own staff that handle customer inquiries and complaints.
We operate in accordance with quality assurance and health standards mandated by federal, state and local governmental laws and regulations. These standards include food preparation rules regarding, among other things, minimum cooking times and temperatures, maximum time standards for holding prepared food, food handling guidelines and cleanliness. To maintain these standards, we conduct unscheduled inspections of our restaurants. In addition, restaurant managers conduct internal inspections for taste, quality, cleanliness and food safety on a regular basis.
Trademarks
As a franchisee of Burger King, we also have contractual rights to use certain BKC-owned trademarks, service marks and other intellectual property relating to the Burger King concept. We have no proprietary intellectual property other than the Carrols logo and trademark.
Government Regulation
Various federal, state and local laws affect our business, including various health, sanitation, fire and safety standards. Restaurants to be constructed or remodeled are subject to state and local building code and zoning requirements. In connection with the development and remodeling of our restaurants, we may incur costs to meet certain federal, state and local regulations, including regulations promulgated under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
We are subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and various other federal and state laws governing such matters as:
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minimum wage requirements;
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unemployment compensation;
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overtime; and
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other working conditions and citizenship requirements.
A significant number of our food service personnel are paid at rates related to the federal, and where applicable, state minimum wage and, accordingly, increases in the minimum wage have increased and in the future will increase wage rates at our restaurants.
We are assessing the various provisions of the comprehensive federal health care reform law enacted in 2010, including the impact on our business of this new law as it becomes effective. There are no assurances that a combination of cost management and menu price increases can accommodate all of the potential increased costs associated with these regulations.
We are also subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws, rules and regulations. We believe that we conduct our operations in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations. Our costs for compliance with environmental laws or regulations have not had a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition in the past.
Competition
The restaurant industry is highly competitive with respect to price, service, location and food quality. In each of our markets, our restaurants compete with a large number of national and regional restaurant chains, as well as locally owned restaurants, offering low and medium-priced fare. We also compete with convenience stores, delicatessens and prepared food counters in supermarkets, grocery stores, cafeterias and other purveyors of moderately priced and quickly prepared foods.
We believe that:
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product quality and taste;
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brand recognition;
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convenience of location;
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speed of service;
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menu variety;
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price; and
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ambiance

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are the most important competitive factors in the quick-service restaurant segment and that our restaurants effectively compete in each category.
Our largest competitors are McDonald's and Wendy's restaurants. According to Technomic, McDonald's restaurants had aggregate U.S. system-wide sales of $34.2 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 and operated 14,098 restaurants in the United States at that date, and Wendy's restaurants had aggregate system-wide sales of $8.5 billion for the year ended December 31, 2011 and operated 5,876 restaurants in the United States at that date.
Employees
As of December 30, 2012, we employed approximately 17,050 persons of which approximately 170 were administrative personnel and approximately 16,880 were restaurant operations personnel. None of our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. We believe that our overall relations with our employees are good.
Availability of Information
We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The public may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1 800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.
We make available through our internet website (www.carrols.com) our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such material with the SEC. The reference to our website address is a textual reference only, meaning that it does not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on the website and should not be considered part of this document.
ITEM  1A.
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as other information and data included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any of the following risks could materially adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition or results of operations.
Risks Related to Our Business
Intense competition in the restaurant industry could make it more difficult to expand our business and could also have a negative impact on our operating results if customers favor our competitors or we are forced to change our pricing and other marketing strategies.
The restaurant industry is highly competitive. In each of our markets, our restaurants compete with a large number of national and regional restaurant chains, as well as locally owned restaurants, offering low and medium-priced fare. We also compete with convenience stores, delicatessens and prepared food counters in grocery stores, supermarkets, cafeterias and other purveyors of moderately priced and quickly prepared food. Our largest competitors are McDonald's and Wendy's restaurants.
Due to competitive conditions, we, as well as certain of the other major quick-service restaurant chains, have periodically offered select food items and combination meals at discounted prices. These pricing and marketing strategies have had, and in the future may have, a negative impact on our sales and earnings.
Factors applicable to the quick-service restaurant segment may adversely affect our results of operations, which may cause a decrease in earnings and revenues.
The quick-service restaurant segment is highly competitive and can be materially adversely affected by many factors, including:
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changes in local, regional or national economic conditions;
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changes in demographic trends;
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changes in consumer tastes;
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changes in traffic patterns;
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increases in fuel prices and utility costs;
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consumer concerns about health, diet and nutrition;
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increases in the number of, and particular locations of, competing restaurants;
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changes in discretionary consumer spending;

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•
inflation;
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increases in the cost of food, such as beef, chicken, produce and packaging;
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increased labor costs, including healthcare, unemployment insurance and minimum wage requirements;
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the availability of experienced management and hourly-paid employees; and
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regional weather conditions.  

We are highly dependent on the Burger King system and our ability to renew our franchise agreements with BKC. The failure to renew our franchise agreements or Burger King's failure to compete effectively could materially adversely affect our results of operations.
Due to the nature of franchising and our agreements with BKC, our success is, to a large extent, directly related to the success of the Burger King system including its financial condition, advertising programs, new products, overall quality of operations and the successful operation of Burger King restaurants owned by other franchisees. We cannot assure you that Burger King will be able to compete effectively with other quick-service restaurants. As a result, any failure of Burger King to compete effectively would likely have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Under each of our franchise agreements with BKC, we are required to comply with operational programs established by BKC. For example, our franchise agreements with BKC require that our restaurants comply with specified design criteria. In addition, BKC generally has the right to require us during the tenth year of a franchise agreement to remodel our restaurants to conform to the then-current image of Burger King, which may require the expenditure of considerable funds. In addition we may not be able to avoid adopting menu price discount promotions or permanent menu price decreases instituted by BKC that may be unprofitable.
Our franchise agreements typically have a 20-year term after which BKC's consent is required to receive a successor franchise agreement. Our franchise agreements with BKC that are set to expire over the next three years are as follows: 9 in 2013, 34 in 2014 and 28 in 2015.
We cannot assure you that BKC will grant each of our future requests for successor franchise agreements, and any failure of BKC to renew our franchise agreements could adversely affect our operating results. In addition, as a condition of approval of a successor franchise agreement, BKC may require us to make capital improvements to particular restaurants to bring them up to Burger King current image standards, which may require us to incur substantial costs.
In addition, our franchise agreements with BKC do not give us exclusive rights to operate Burger King restaurants in any defined territory. Although we believe that BKC generally seeks to ensure that newly granted franchises do not materially adversely affect the operations of existing restaurants, we cannot assure you that franchises granted by BKC to third parties will not adversely affect any restaurants that we operate.
Additionally, as a franchisee, we have no control over the Burger King brand. If BKC does not adequately protect the Burger King brand and other intellectual property, our competitive position and operating results could be harmed.

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Our strategy includes pursuing acquisitions of additional Burger King restaurants and we may not find Burger King restaurants that are suitable acquisition candidates or successfully operate or integrate any Burger King restaurants we may acquire.
As part of our strategy, we intend to pursue the acquisition of additional Burger King restaurants. Pursuant to the operating agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, between BKC and Carrols LLC, BKC assigned to us its right of first refusal under its franchise agreements with its franchisees to purchase all of the assets of a restaurant or all or substantially all of the voting stock of the franchisee, whether direct or indirect, on the same terms proposed between such franchisee and a third party purchaser in 20 states as follows: Connecticut (except Hartford county), Delaware, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts (except for Middlesex, Norfolk and Suffolk counties), Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York (except for Bronx, Kings, Nassau, New York, Queens, Richmond, Suffolk and Westchester counties), North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia, Washington DC, and West Virginia, which we refer to as the "DMAs". In addition, pursuant to the operating agreement, BKC will grant us, on a non-exclusive basis, franchise pre-approval to, among other things, acquire restaurants from Burger King franchisees in the DMAs until the date that we operate 1,000 Burger King restaurants. As part of the franchise pre-approval, BKC will grant us pre-approval for acquisitions of restaurants from franchisees in the DMAs where we then have an existing Burger King restaurant, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the operating agreement. Although we believe that opportunities for future acquisitions may be available from time to time, competition for acquisition candidates may exist or increase in the future. Consequently, there may be fewer acquisition opportunities available to us as well as higher acquisition prices. There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify, acquire, manage or successfully integrate additional restaurants without substantial costs, delays or operational or financial problems. In the event we are able to acquire additional restaurants, the integration and operation of any acquired restaurants, including the acquired restaurants may place significant demands on our management, which could adversely affect our ability to manage our existing restaurants. We may be required to obtain additional financing to fund future acquisitions. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms or at all. Both the new senior credit facility and the indenture governing the $150 million of 11.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2018 (the "Notes") contain restrictive covenants that may prevent us from incurring additional debt or acquiring additional Burger King restaurants.
We could be adversely affected by food-borne illnesses, as well as widespread negative publicity regarding food quality, illness, injury or other health concerns.
Negative publicity about food quality, illness, injury or other health concerns (including health implications of obesity) or similar issues stemming from one restaurant or a number of restaurants could materially adversely affect us, regardless of whether they pertain to our own restaurants, other Burger King restaurants, or to restaurants owned or operated by other companies. For example, health concerns about the consumption of beef or chicken or by specific events such as the outbreak of “mad cow” disease and “avian” flu could lead to changes in consumer preferences, reduce consumption of our products and adversely affect our financial performance. These events could also reduce the available supply of beef or chicken or significantly raise the price of beef or chicken.
In addition, we cannot guarantee that our operational controls and employee training will be effective in preventing food-borne illnesses, food tampering and other food safety issues that may affect our restaurants. Food-borne illness or food tampering incidents could be caused by customers, employees or food suppliers and transporters and, therefore, could be outside of our control. Any publicity relating to health concerns or the perceived or specific outbreaks of food-borne illnesses, food tampering or other food safety issues attributed to one or more of our restaurants, could result in a significant decrease in guest traffic in all of our restaurants and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. In addition, similar publicity or occurrences with respect to other restaurants or restaurant chains could also decrease our guest traffic and have a similar material adverse effect on our business.

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We may incur significant liability or reputational harm if claims are brought against us or the Burger King brand.
We may be subject to complaints, regulatory proceedings or litigation from guests or other persons alleging food-related illness, injuries suffered in our premises or other food quality, health or operational concerns, including environmental claims. In addition, in recent years a number of restaurant companies have been subject to lawsuits, including class action lawsuits, alleging, among other things, violations of federal and state law regarding workplace and employment matters, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and wage, rest break, meal break and overtime compensation issues and, in the case of quick service restaurants, alleging that they have failed to disclose the health risks associated with high fat or high sodium foods and that their marketing practices have encouraged obesity. We may also be subject to litigation or other actions initiated by governmental authorities, our employees, among others, based upon these and other matters. Adverse publicity resulting from such allegations or occurrences or alleged discrimination or other operating issues stemming from one or a number of our locations could adversely affect our business, regardless of whether the allegations are true, or whether we are ultimately held liable. Any cases filed against us could materially adversely affect us if we lose such cases and have to pay substantial damages or if we settle such cases. In addition, any such cases may materially and adversely affect our operations by increasing our litigation costs and diverting our attention and resources to address such actions. In addition, if a claim is successful, our insurance coverage may not cover or be adequate to cover all liabilities or losses and we may not be able to continue to maintain such insurance, or to obtain comparable insurance at a reasonable cost, if at all. If we suffer losses, liabilities or loss of income in excess of our insurance coverage or if our insurance does not cover such loss, liability or loss of income, there could be a material adverse effect on our results of operations.  

Changes in consumer taste could negatively impact our business.
We obtain a significant portion of our revenues from the sale of hamburgers and various types of sandwiches. If consumer preferences for these types of foods change, it could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. The quick-service restaurant segment is characterized by the frequent introduction of new products, often supported by substantial promotional campaigns, and is subject to changing consumer preferences, tastes, and eating and purchasing habits. Our success depends on our ability to anticipate and respond to changing consumer preferences, tastes and dining and purchasing habits, as well as other factors affecting the restaurant industry, including new market entrants and demographic changes. We may be forced to make changes to our menu items in order to respond to changes in consumer tastes or dining patterns, and we may lose customers who do not prefer the new menu items. In recent years, numerous companies in the quick-service restaurant segments have introduced products positioned to capitalize on the growing consumer preference for food products that are, or are perceived to be, promoting good health, nutritious, low in calories and low in fat content. If BKC does not continually develop and successfully introduce new menu offerings that appeal to changing consumer preferences or if we do not timely capitalize on new products, our operating results could suffer. In addition, any significant event that adversely affects consumption of our products, such as cost, changing tastes or health concerns, could adversely affect our financial performance.
We are required to make substantial capital expenditures in connection with the acquisition of the acquired restaurants.
The remodeling of our Burger King restaurants (including the acquired restaurants) pursuant to the agreed upon remodel plan set forth in the operating agreement may be substantially costlier than we currently anticipate. In addition, we may incur substantial capital expenditures as a result of exercising the ROFR. If we are required to make greater than anticipated capital expenditures in connection with either or both of these activities, our business, financial condition and cash flows could be adversely affected.
We may experience difficulties in integrating the acquired restaurants with our existing business.
The acquisition involves the integration of the acquired restaurants with our existing business. The difficulties of integration include:
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coordinating and consolidating geographically separated systems and facilities;
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integrating the management and personnel of the acquired restaurants, maintaining employee morale and retaining key employees;
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implementing our management information systems; and
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implementing operational procedures and disciplines to control costs and increase profitability.
The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of our business and the loss of key personnel. The diversion of management's attention and any delays or difficulties encountered in connection with the acquisition and the integration of the acquired restaurants' operations could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Achieving the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of the acquired restaurants will depend in part upon whether we can integrate the acquired restaurants in an efficient and effective manner. We may not accomplish this integration process smoothly

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or successfully. If management is unable to successfully integrate the acquired restaurants, the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of the acquired restaurants may not be realized.
If a significant disruption in service or supply by any of our suppliers or distributors were to occur, it could create disruptions in the operations of our restaurants, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our financial performance is dependent on our continuing ability to offer fresh, quality food at competitive prices. If a significant disruption in service or supply by our suppliers or distributors were to occur, it could create disruptions in the operations of our restaurants, which could have a material adverse effect on us.
We are a member of a national purchasing cooperative, Restaurant Services, Inc., or “RSI,” which serves as the purchasing agent for approved distributors to the Burger King system. We are required to purchase all of our foodstuffs, paper goods and packaging materials from BKC-approved suppliers. We currently utilize three distributors for our restaurants, Maines Paper & Food Service, Inc., Reinhart Food Service L.L.C. and MBM Food Service Inc., to supply our restaurants in various geographical areas. As of December 30, 2012, such distributors supplied 37%, 33% and 30%, respectively of our restaurants. Although we believe that we have alternative sources of supply, in the event any distributors or suppliers are unable to service us, this could lead to a disruption of service or supply until a new distributor or supplier is engaged, which could have an adverse effect on our business.
If labor costs increase, we may not be able to make a corresponding increase in our prices and our operating results may be adversely affected.
Wage rates for a substantial number of our employees are at or above the federal and or state minimum wage rates. As federal and/or state minimum wage rates increase, we may need to increase not only the wage rates of our minimum wage employees but also the wages paid to the employees at wage rates which are above the minimum wage, which will increase our costs. To the extent that we are not able to raise our prices to compensate for increases in wage rates, including increases in state unemployment insurance costs or other costs including mandated health insurance, this could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. In addition, even if minimum wage rates do not increase, we may still be required to raise wage rates in order to compete for an adequate supply of labor for our restaurants.  

The efficiency and quality of our competitors' advertising and promotional programs and the extent and cost of our advertising could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
The success of our restaurants depends in part upon the effectiveness of the advertising campaigns and promotions by BKC. If our competitors increase spending on advertising and promotion, or the cost of television or radio advertising increases, or BKC's or our advertising and promotions are less effective than our competitors', there could be a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Our business is regional and we therefore face risks related to reliance on certain markets as well as risks for other unforeseen events.
After giving effect to the acquisition of the acquired restaurants in the second quarter of 2012, at December 30, 2012 35% of our restaurants are located in New York and Ohio and 30% of our restaurants are located in North Carolina and South Carolina. Therefore, the economic conditions, state and local government regulations, weather conditions or other conditions affecting New York, Ohio, North Carolina and South Carolina and other unforeseen events, including war, terrorism and other international conflicts may have a material impact on the success of our restaurants in those locations.
Many of our restaurants are located in regions that may be susceptible to severe weather conditions such as harsh winter weather. As a result, adverse weather conditions in any of these areas could damage these restaurants, result in fewer guest visits to these restaurants and otherwise have a material adverse impact on our business.
Economic downturns may adversely impact consumer spending patterns.
The U.S. economy has recently undergone a significant slowdown and volatility due to uncertainties related to availability of credit, difficulties in the banking and financial services sectors, softness in the housing market, diminished market liquidity, falling consumer confidence and high unemployment rates. Our business is dependent to a significant extent on national, regional and local economic conditions, particularly those that affect our guests that frequently patronize our restaurants. In particular, where our customers' disposable income is reduced (such as by job losses, credit constraints and higher housing, tax, energy, interest or other costs) or where the perceived wealth of customers has decreased (because of circumstances such as lower residential real estate values, increased foreclosure rates, increased tax rates or other economic disruptions), our restaurants have in the past experienced, and may in the future experience, lower sales and customer traffic as customers choose lower-cost alternatives or choose alternatives to dining out. The resulting decrease in our customer traffic or average sales per transaction has had an adverse effect in the past, and could in the future have a material adverse effect, on our business.

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We cannot assure you that the current locations of our restaurants will continue to be economically viable or that additional locations will be acquired at reasonable costs.
The location of our restaurants has significant influence on their success. We cannot assure you that current locations will continue to be economically viable or that additional locations can be acquired at reasonable costs. In addition, the economic environment where restaurants are located could decline in the future, which could result in reduced sales in those locations. We cannot assure you that new sites will be profitable or as profitable as existing sites.
The loss of the services of our senior management could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Our success depends to a large extent upon the continued services of our senior management who have substantial experience in the restaurant industry. We believe that it could be difficult to replace our senior management with individuals having comparable experience. Consequently, the loss of the services of members of our senior management could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Government regulation could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to extensive laws and regulations relating to the development and operation of restaurants, including regulations relating to the following:
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zoning;
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requirements relating to labeling of caloric and other nutritional information on menu boards, advertising and food packaging;
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the preparation and sale of food;
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employer/employee relationships, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, working and safety conditions, and citizenship requirements;
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health care; and
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federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination and laws regulating design and operation of, and access to, facilities, such as the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.
In the event that legislation having a negative impact on our business is adopted, it could have a material adverse impact on us. For example, substantial increases in the minimum wage or state or Federal unemployment taxes could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Local zoning or building codes or regulations can cause substantial delays in our ability to build and open new restaurants. Any failure to obtain and maintain required licenses, permits and approvals could adversely affect our operating results.
We are assessing the various provisions of the comprehensive federal health care reform law enacted in 2010, including its impact on our business as provisions becomes effective. There are no assurances that a combination of cost management and menu price increases can offset all of the potential increased costs associated with these regulations.
Federal, state and local environmental regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge, emission and disposal of hazardous materials could expose us to liabilities, which could adversely affect our results of operations.
We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local environmental regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge, emission and disposal of hazardous substances or other regulated materials, release of pollutants into the air, soil and water, and the remediation of contaminated sites.
Failure to comply with environmental laws could result in the imposition of fines or penalties, restrictions on operations by governmental agencies or courts of law, as well as investigatory or remedial liabilities and claims for alleged personal injury or damages to property or natural resources. Some environmental laws impose strict, and under some circumstances joint and several, liability for costs of investigation and remediation of contaminated sites on current and prior owners or operators of the sites, as well as those entities that send regulated materials to the sites. We cannot assure you that we have been or will be at all times in complete compliance with such laws, regulations and permits. Therefore, our costs of complying with current and future environmental, health and safety laws could adversely affect our results of operations.
We are subject to all of the risks associated with leasing property subject to long-term non-cancelable leases.
The leases for our restaurant locations, including those of the acquired restaurants (except for acquired restaurants sub-leased by BKC to us which have an underlying lease term of less than 20 years) generally have initial terms of 20 years, and typically provide for renewal options in five year increments as well as for rent escalations. Generally, our leases are “net” leases, which require us to pay all of the costs of insurance, taxes, maintenance and utilities. We generally cannot cancel these leases. Additional sites that we lease are likely to be subject to similar long-term non-cancelable leases. If an existing or future restaurant

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is not profitable, and we decide to close it, we may nonetheless be obligated to perform our monetary obligations under the applicable lease including, among other things, paying all amounts due for the balance of the lease term. In addition, as each of our leases expire, we may fail to negotiate renewals, either on commercially acceptable terms or at all, which could cause us to close restaurants in desirable locations.
An increase in food costs could adversely affect our operating results.
Our profitability and operating margins are dependent in part on our ability to anticipate and react to changes in food costs. Changes in the price or availability of certain food products could affect our ability to offer a broad menu and price offering to guests and could materially adversely affect our profitability and reputation. The type, variety, quality and price of produce, beef and poultry and cheese can be subject to change and to factors beyond our control, including weather, governmental regulation, availability and seasonality, each of which may affect our food costs or cause a disruption in our supply. For example, weather patterns in recent years have resulted in lower than normal levels of rainfall in key agricultural states such as California, impacting the price of water and the corresponding prices of food commodities grown in states facing drought conditions. Our food distributors or suppliers also may be affected by higher costs to produce and transport commodities used in our restaurants, higher minimum wage and benefit costs and other expenses that they pass through to their customers, which could result in higher costs for goods and services supplied to us. Although RSI is able to contract for certain food commodities for periods up to one year, the pricing and availability of some commodities used in our operations are not locked in for periods of longer than one week or at all. We do not use financial instruments to hedge our risk to market fluctuations in the price of beef, produce and other food products at this time. We may not be able to anticipate and react to changing food costs (including anticipated increases in food costs in 2013) through menu price adjustments in the future, which could negatively impact our results of operations.
Security breaches of confidential guest information in connection with our electronic processing of credit and debit card transactions may adversely affect our business.
A significant amount of our restaurant sales are by credit or debit cards. Other restaurants and retailers have experienced security breaches in which credit and debit card information of their customers has been stolen. We may in the future become subject to lawsuits or other proceedings for purportedly fraudulent transactions arising out of the actual or alleged theft of our guests' credit or debit card information. Any such claim or proceeding, or any adverse publicity resulting from these allegations, may have a material adverse effect on us and our restaurants.
We are dependent on information technology and any material failure of that technology could impair our ability to efficiently operate our business.
We rely on information systems across our operations, including, for example, point-of-sale processing in our restaurants, management of our supply chain, collection of cash, and payment of obligations and various other processes and procedures. Our ability to efficiently manage our business depends significantly on the reliability and capacity of these systems. The failure of these systems to operate effectively, problems with maintenance, upgrading or transitioning to replacement systems or a breach in security of these systems could cause delays in customer service and reduce efficiency in our operations. Significant capital investments might be required to remediate any problems.
 
Carrols is currently a guarantor under 38 Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana restaurant property leases and the primary lessee on five Pollo Tropical restaurant property leases, and any default under such property leases by Fiesta may result in substantial liabilities to us.
Carrols currently is a guarantor under 38 Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana restaurant property leases. The Separation and Distribution Agreement, which we refer to as the "separation agreement", dated as of April 24, 2012 and entered into in connection with the spin-off among Carrols, Fiesta and us provides that the parties will cooperate and use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the release of such guarantees. Unless and until any such guarantees are released, Fiesta agrees to indemnify Carrols for any losses or liabilities or expenses that it may incur arising from or in connection with any such lease guarantees.
Carrols is currently a primary lessee of five Pollo Tropical restaurants which it subleases to a subsidiary of Fiesta. The separation agreement provides that the parties will cooperate and use their commercially reasonable efforts to cause Fiesta or a subsidiary of Fiesta to enter into a new master lease or individual leases with the lessor with respect to the Pollo Tropical restaurants where Carrols is currently a lessee. The separation agreement provides that until such new master lease or such individual leases are entered into, (i) Carrols will perform its obligations under the master lease for the five Pollo Tropical restaurants where it is a lessee and (ii) the parties will cooperate and use their commercially reasonable efforts to enter into with the lessor a non-disturbance agreement or similar agreement which shall provide that Fiesta or one of its subsidiaries shall become the lessee under such master lease with respect to such Pollo Tropical restaurants and perform Carrols' obligations under such master lease in the event of a breach or default by Carrols.
Such guarantees may never be released and a new master lease with respect to the five Pollo Tropical properties where Carrols is the primary lessee may never be entered into by Fiesta. Any losses or liabilities that may arise in connection such

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guarantees or the master lease where Carrols is not able to receive indemnification from Fiesta may result in substantial liabilities to us and could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We, Fiesta and our stockholders may be subject to substantial liabilities if the spin-off is treated as a taxable transaction.
We have received a private letter ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the "IRS" to the effect that, among other things, the spin-off will qualify as a tax-free distribution for U.S. federal income tax purposes under Section 355 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which we refer to as the "Code", and as part of a tax-free reorganization under Section 368(a)(1)(D) of the Code, and the transfer to Fiesta of assets and the assumption by Fiesta of liabilities in connection with the spin-off will not result in the recognition of any gain or loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes to us. Our tax advisor provided a tax opinion covering certain matters not covered in the private letter ruling. The tax opinion is not binding on the IRS or the courts.
Although a private letter ruling is generally binding on the IRS, the continuing validity of the ruling will be subject to the accuracy of factual representations and assumptions made in connection with obtaining such private letter ruling, including with respect to post-spin-off operations and conduct of the parties. Also, as part of the IRS's general policy with respect to rulings on spin-off transactions under Section 355 of the Code, the private letter ruling we obtained is based upon representations by us that certain conditions which are necessary to obtain tax-free treatment under the Code have been satisfied, rather than a determination by the IRS that these conditions have been satisfied. Failure to satisfy such necessary conditions, or any inaccuracy in any representations made by us in connection with the ruling, could invalidate the ruling.
If the spin-off does not qualify for tax-free treatment for U.S. federal income tax purposes, then, in general, we would be subject to tax as if we had sold the common stock of Fiesta in a taxable sale for its fair market value, and our stockholders would be subject to tax as if they had received a taxable distribution in an amount equal to the fair market value of Fiesta common stock distributed to them. If the transfer to Fiesta of assets and the assumption by Fiesta of liabilities in connection with the spin-off do not qualify for tax-free treatment, then, in general, we would be subject to tax as if we had sold assets to Fiesta in exchange for the financing proceeds distributed from Fiesta to us and the assumption of liabilities by Fiesta. It is expected that the amount of any such taxes to our stockholders and to us would be substantial.
The Tax Matters Agreement, which we refer to as the "tax matters agreement", dated as of April 24, 2012 and entered into by Fiesta with us in connection with the spin-off (1) governs the allocation of the tax assets and liabilities between Fiesta, and us, (2) provides for certain restrictions and indemnities in connection with the tax treatment of the spin-off and (3) addresses certain other tax related matters including, without limitation, those relating to (a) the obligations of Fiesta and us with respect to the preparation of filing of tax returns for all periods, and (b) the control of any income tax audits and any indemnities with respect thereto. In the tax matters agreement, we agree to indemnify Fiesta for losses and taxes imposed on Fiesta and its affiliates resulting from our breach of our representations or covenants or our undertaking not to take certain post-spin-off actions, including with respect to our stock or assets, that would be inconsistent with or cause to be untrue any material information, covenant, or representation made in connection with the private letter ruling obtained by us from the IRS or otherwise cause the spin-off or the transfer to Fiesta of assets and the assumption by Fiesta of liabilities in connection with the spin-off to be subject to tax. Further, the tax matters agreement provides that we will be responsible for 50% of the losses and taxes of Carrols Restaurant Group and our affiliates and Fiesta and its affiliates resulting from the spin-off or the related transfer of assets and assumption of liabilities that are not attributable to any such action of ours or an equivalent action by Fiesta and its affiliates.
The tax matters agreement also provides that Fiesta will indemnify us for losses and taxes imposed on Carrols Restaurant Group and our affiliates resulting from the spin-off or the related transfer of assets and assumption of liabilities that are attributable to any such action by Fiesta and its affiliates. However, in such a case, we would be directly liable to the IRS for any such resulting taxes and would need to seek indemnification from Fiesta.
We have agreed to certain restrictions in order to comply with U.S. federal income tax requirements for a tax-free spin-off and may not be able to engage in acquisitions with related parties and other strategic transactions that may otherwise be in our best interests.
Current U.S. federal tax law that applies to spin-offs generally creates a presumption that the spin-off would be taxable to us (but not to our stockholders) if we engage in, or enter into an agreement to engage in, a plan or series of related transactions that would result in the acquisition of a 50% or greater interest (by vote or by value) in our stock ownership during the four-year period beginning on the date that begins two years before the spin-off, unless it is established that the transaction is not pursuant to a plan related to the spin-off. United States Treasury Regulations generally provide that whether an acquisition of our stock and a spin-off are part of a plan is determined based on all of the facts and circumstances, including specific factors listed in the regulations. In addition, the regulations provide certain “safe harbors” for acquisitions of our stock that are not considered to be part of a plan related to the spin-off.

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There are other restrictions imposed on us under current U.S. federal tax law for spin-offs and with which we will need to comply in order to preserve the favorable tax treatment of the distribution, such as limitations on sales or redemptions of our common stock for cash or other property following the spin-off.
In the tax matters agreement with Fiesta, we accepted that, among other things, we will not take any actions that would result in any tax being imposed on us as a result of the spin-off. Further, for the two-year period following the spin-off, we agreed not to: (1) enter into, approve, agree to enter into, or substantially negotiate any transaction or series of transactions (in whatever form) resulting in a greater than 45% change in ownership of the vote or value of our equity or the equity of the surviving or successor entity, (2) merge, consolidate, liquidate, or partially liquidate Carrols Restaurant Group or any of the entities conducting the business relied upon in the IRS ruling as the “active business” of Carrols Restaurant Group, (3) permit the termination, sale, or transfer of, or a material change in, the business relied upon in the IRS ruling as the “active business” of Carrols Restaurant Group or the sale, issuance, or other disposition of the equity of the entities conducting such business, (4) sell or otherwise dispose of assets in a way that would adversely affect tax-free status, (5) repurchase any of our stock except in circumstances permitted by IRS guidelines, or (6) take any actions inconsistent with the representations or covenants in the IRS ruling request, inconsistent with the ruling or tax opinion, or that would be reasonably likely to otherwise jeopardize tax-free status.
We will, however, be permitted to take certain actions otherwise prohibited by the tax matters agreement if we provide Fiesta with an opinion of tax counsel or private letter ruling from the IRS, reasonably acceptable to Fiesta, to the effect that these actions will not affect the tax-free nature of the spin-off. These restrictions could substantially limit our strategic and operational flexibility, including our ability to finance our operations by issuing equity securities, make acquisitions using equity securities, repurchase our equity securities, raise money by selling assets, or enter into business combination transactions.
The terms of the spin-off of Fiesta may reduce the likelihood of any potential change of control or unsolicited acquisition proposal that you might consider favorable.
The terms of the spin-off of Fiesta could delay or prevent a change of control that you may favor. An acquisition or issuance of our common stock could trigger the application of Section 355(e) of the Code, which would result in the imposition of a substantial federal income tax liability on us. Further, under the tax matters agreement that we and Carrols entered into with Fiesta in connection with the spin-off, we are required to indemnify Fiesta for any resulting tax imposed on it or its affiliates in connection with such an acquisition or issuance. This tax liability and indemnity obligation might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control that you may consider favorable.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance.
The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially. The price of our common stock that will prevail in the market may be higher or lower than the price you pay, depending on many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Broad market and industry factors may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. The fluctuations could cause a loss of all or part of an investment in our common stock. Factors that could cause fluctuation in the trading price of our common stock may include, but are not limited to the following:
 
•
price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time;
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significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of companies generally or restaurant companies;
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actual or anticipated variations in the earnings or operating results of our company or our competitors;
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actual or anticipated changes in financial estimates by us or by any securities analysts who might cover our stock or the stock of other companies in our industry;
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market conditions or trends in our industry and the economy as a whole;
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announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships or divestitures and our ability to complete any such transaction;
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announcements of investigations or regulatory scrutiny of our operations or lawsuits filed against us;
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capital commitments;
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changes in accounting principles;
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additions or departures of key personnel; and
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sales of our common stock, including sales of large blocks of our common stock or sales by our directors and officers.
In addition, if the market for restaurant company stocks or the stock market in general experiences loss of investor confidence, the trading price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, results of operations or financial

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condition. The trading price of our common stock might also decline in reaction to events that affect other companies in our industry (including BKC) or related industries even if these events do not directly affect us.
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, class action securities litigation has often been brought against that company. Due to the potential volatility of our stock price, we may therefore be the target of securities litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management's attention and resources from our business, and could also require us to make substantial payments to satisfy judgments or to settle litigation.
The concentrated ownership of our capital stock by insiders will likely limit your ability to influence corporate matters.
Our executive officers, directors and BKC together beneficially own approximately 32.8% of our outstanding common stock as of March 5, 2013. In addition, due to the issuance of Series A Preferred Stock to BKC in connection with our acquisition of the acquired restaurants, BKC beneficially owns approximately 28.5% of our common stock as of March 5, 2013. In addition, our executive officers and directors (excluding directors affiliated with BKC) together beneficially own approximately 6.0% of our common stock outstanding as of March 5, 2013. As a result, our executive officers, directors and BKC, if they act as a group, will be able to significantly influence matters that require approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions such as mergers and acquisitions. The directors will have the authority to make decisions affecting our capital structure, including the issuance of additional debt and the declaration of dividends. BKC may also have interests that differ from yours and may vote in a way with which you disagree and which may be adverse to your interests. Corporate action might be taken even if other stockholders oppose them. This concentration of ownership might also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of us that other stockholders may view as beneficial, could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale of our company and might ultimately depress the market price of our common stock.
We do not expect to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future, and the indenture governing the Notes and the senior credit facility limit Carrols and its subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to us and consequently our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
We do not anticipate that we will pay any cash dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. The absence of a dividend on our common stock may increase the volatility of the market price of our common stock or make it more likely that the market price of our common stock will decrease in the event of adverse economic conditions or adverse developments affecting our company. We are a holding company and conduct all of our operations through our direct and indirect subsidiaries. As a result, for us to pay dividends, we would need to rely on dividends or distributions to us from Carrols and indirectly from subsidiaries of Carrols. The indenture governing the Notes and our new senior credit facility limit, and the debt instruments that we and our subsidiaries may enter into in the future may limit the ability of the subsidiaries of Carrols to pay dividends to Carrols and, in turn, Carrols' ability to pay dividends to us and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or if they downgrade our stock, the price of our stock could decline.
The trading market for our common stock will rely in part on the research and reports that industry or financial analysts publish about us or our business. We cannot assure you that these analysts will publish research or reports about us or that any analysts that do so will not discontinue publishing research or reports about us in the future. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade our stock, our stock price could decline rapidly. If analysts do not publish reports about us or if one or more analysts cease coverage of our stock, we could lose visibility in the market, which in turn could cause our stock price to decline.
Provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as amended, or Delaware law might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our management and, therefore, depress the trading price of our common stock.
Delaware corporate law and our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as amended, contain provisions that could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or changes in our management that the stockholders of our company may deem advantageous. These provisions:
 
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require that special meetings of our stockholders be called only by our board of directors or certain of our officers, thus prohibiting our stockholders from calling special meetings;
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deny holders of our common stock cumulative voting rights in the election of directors, meaning that stockholders owning a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock will be able to elect all of our directors;
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authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that our board could issue to dilute the voting and economic rights of our common stock and to discourage a takeover attempt;

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•
provide that approval of our board of directors or a supermajority of stockholders is necessary to make, alter or repeal our amended and restated bylaws and that approval of a supermajority of stockholders is necessary to amend, alter or change certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation;
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establish advance notice requirements for stockholder nominations for election to our board or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings;
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divide our board into three classes of directors, with each class serving a staggered 3-year term, which generally increases the difficulty of replacing a majority of the directors;
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provide that directors only may be removed for cause by a majority of the board or by a supermajority of our stockholders; and
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require that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing.
Risks Related to Our Indebtedness
Our substantial indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition.
As a result of our substantial indebtedness, a significant portion of our cash flow will be required to pay interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness, and we may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or have future borrowings available under our new senior credit facility, to enable us to repay our indebtedness, including the Notes, or to fund other liquidity needs. As of December 30, 2012, we had approximately $161.5 million of total indebtedness outstanding (consisting of $150.0 million of Notes, $1.2 million of lease financing obligations and $10.3 million of capital leases and other debt) and $14.6 million of availability under our senior credit facility (after reserving $5.4 million for letters of credit under our senior credit facility), which would effectively rank senior to the Notes.
Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences to you. For example, it could:
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make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Notes and our other debt;
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increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;
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require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness and related interest, including indebtedness we may incur in the future, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures (including restaurant remodeling obligations under the operating agreement) and other general corporate purposes;
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limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;
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increase our cost of borrowing;
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place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that may have less debt; and
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limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements or general corporate purposes.
We expect to use cash flow from operations to meet our current and future financial obligations, including funding our operations, debt service and capital expenditures. Our ability to make these payments depends on our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic and other factors, many of which we cannot control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future, which could result in our being unable to repay indebtedness, or to fund other liquidity needs. If we do not have enough money, we may be forced to reduce or delay our business activities and capital expenditures (including our restaurant remodeling obligations under the operating agreement), sell assets, obtain additional debt or equity capital or restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt, including our new senior credit facility and the Notes, on or before maturity. We cannot make any assurances that we will be able to accomplish any of these alternatives on terms acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, the terms of existing or future indebtedness, including the agreements for our new senior credit facility, may limit our ability to pursue any of these alternatives.
Despite current indebtedness levels and restrictive covenants, we may still be able to incur more debt or make certain restricted payments, which could further exacerbate the risks described above.
We and our subsidiaries may be able to incur additional debt in the future, including debt that may be secured on a first lien basis or pari passu with the Notes. Although the new senior credit facility and the indenture governing the Notes contains restrictions on our ability to incur indebtedness, those restrictions are subject to a number of exceptions. In addition, if we are able to designate some of our restricted subsidiaries under the indenture governing the Notes as unrestricted subsidiaries, those unrestricted subsidiaries would be permitted to borrow beyond the limitations specified in the indenture governing the Notes and engage in other activities in which restricted subsidiaries may not engage. We may also consider investments in joint ventures or acquisitions, which may increase our indebtedness. Moreover, although our new senior credit facility and the indenture governing the Notes

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contains restrictions on our ability to make restricted payments, including the declaration and payment of dividends, we are able to make such restricted payments under certain circumstances. Adding new debt to current debt levels or making restricted payments could intensify the related risks that we and our subsidiaries now face.
The agreements governing our debt agreements restrict our ability to engage in some business and financial transactions and contain certain other restrictive terms.
Our debt agreements, such as the indenture governing the notes and the agreement governing our senior credit facility, restrict our ability in certain circumstances to, among other things:
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incur additional debt;
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pay dividends and make other distributions on, redeem or repurchase, capital stock;
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make investments or other restricted payments;
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enter into transactions with affiliates;
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engage in sale and leaseback transactions;
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sell all, or substantially all, of our assets;
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create liens on assets to secure debt; or
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effect a consolidation or merger.
Additionally, our senior credit facility requires cash collateralization of $20.0 million, the entire amount committed under the facility, whether drawn or undrawn, until such time as our lease adjusted leverage ratio (as defined in the senior credit facility) is less than 6.00x for two consecutive fiscal quarters.
These covenants limit our operational flexibility and could prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities as they arise, growing our business or competing effectively. In addition, our senior credit facility requires us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy other financial condition tests. Our ability to meet these financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet these tests.
 
A breach of any of these covenants or other provisions in our debt agreements could result in an event of default, which if not cured or waived, could result in such debt becoming immediately due and payable. This, in turn, could cause our other debt to become due and payable as a result of cross-acceleration provisions contained in the agreements governing such other debt. In the event that some or all of our debt is accelerated and becomes immediately due and payable, we may not have the funds to repay, or the ability to refinance, such debt. In addition, in the event that the notes become immediately due and payable, the holders of the notes would not be entitled to receive any payment in respect of the notes until all of our senior debt has been paid in full.
Our ability to make payments on the notes depends on our ability to receive dividends and other distributions from our subsidiaries.
We are a holding company and have no direct operations and depend on dividends and other payments from our subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet our financial obligations, including the payment of principal and interest on their outstanding debt. Our subsidiaries are legally distinct from us. Payment to us by our subsidiaries will be contingent upon our subsidiaries' earnings and other business considerations. The ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends, make distributions, provide loans or make other payments to us may be restricted by applicable state and foreign laws, potentially adverse tax consequences and their agreements, including agreements governing their debt. As a result, we may not be able to access their cash flow to service our debt, including the notes, and we cannot assure you that the amount of cash and cash flow reflected on our financial statements will be fully available to us.
We may not have the funds necessary to satisfy all of our obligations under the new senior credit facility, the Notes or other indebtedness in connection with certain change of control events.
Upon the occurrence of specific kinds of change of control events, the indenture governing the Notes requires us to make an offer to repurchase all outstanding Notes at 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest (and additional interest, if any) to the date of repurchase. However, it is possible that we will not have sufficient funds, or the ability to raise sufficient funds, at the time of the change of control to make the required repurchase of the Notes. In addition, restrictions under our new senior credit facility may not allow us to repurchase the Notes upon a change of control. If we could not refinance such debt or otherwise obtain a waiver from the holders of such debt, we would be prohibited from repurchasing the Notes, which would constitute an event of default under the indenture. Certain important corporate events, such as leveraged recapitalizations that would increase the level of our indebtedness, would not constitute a “Change of Control” under the indenture.
In addition, our new senior credit facility provides that certain change of control events constitute an event of default under such new senior credit facility. Such an event of default entitles the lenders thereunder to, among other things, cause all outstanding

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debt obligations under the new senior credit facility to become due and payable and to proceed against the collateral securing such new senior credit facility. Any event of default or acceleration of the new senior credit facility will likely also cause a default under the terms of our other indebtedness.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
As of December 30, 2012, we owned seven and leased 565 Burger King restaurant properties including six restaurants located in mall shopping centers, two restaurants located on military bases and twenty-two co-branded locations.
We typically enter into leases (including renewal options) ranging from 20 to 40 years. The average remaining term for all leases, including options, was approximately 20.9 years at December 30, 2012. Generally, we have been able to renew leases, upon or prior to their expiration, at the prevailing market rates, although there can be no assurance that this will continue to occur.
Most of our Burger King restaurant leases are coterminous with the related franchise agreements. We believe that we generally will be able to renew, at commercially reasonable rates, the leases whose terms expire prior to the expiration of that location's Burger King franchise agreement, although there can be no assurance that this will occur.
Most leases require us to pay utility and water charges and real estate taxes. Certain leases also require contingent rentals based upon a percentage of gross sales of the particular restaurant that exceed specified minimums. In some of our mall locations, we are also required to pay certain other charges such as a pro rata share of the mall's common area maintenance costs, insurance and security costs.
In addition to the restaurant locations set forth under Item 1. “Business-Restaurant Locations”, we own a building with approximately 25,300 square feet at 968 James Street, Syracuse, New York, which houses our executive offices and most of our administrative operations for our Burger King restaurants. We also lease six small regional offices that support the management of our Burger King restaurants.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On November 16, 1998, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York (the “Court”), under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, against Carrols. The complaint alleged that Carrols engaged in a pattern or practice of unlawful discrimination, harassment and retaliation against former and current female employees. The EEOC ultimately attempted to present evidence of 511 individuals that it believed constituted the “class” of claimants for which it was seeking monetary and injunctive relief from Carrols. On April 20, 2005, the Court issued a decision and order granting Carrols' Motion for Summary Judgment that it filed in January 2004, dismissing the EEOC's pattern or practice claim. Carrols then moved for summary judgment against the claims of the 511 individual claimants. On March 2, 2011, the Court issued a decision and order granting summary judgment against the claims of all but 131 of the 511 individual claimants and dismissed 380 of the individual claimants from the case. Both the EEOC and Carrols subsequently filed motions for reconsideration in part of the Court's March 2, 2011 decision and order, which motions were denied by the Court in a decision and order issued February 10, 2012. Pursuant to the Court's order the parties submitted on March 1, 2012 letter briefs outlining their respective proposals on how the Court should proceed with the trials of the remaining claimants. The Court had ruled in part on the March 1, 2012 letter briefs requiring that depositions of the remaining claimants and other identified witnesses was to be completed in 2012.
On January 8, 2013, Carrols and the EEOC agreed to settle the above described claims and entered into a Consent Decree (the "Consent Decree") which fully resolved and settled all remaining claims without any admission of wrongdoing by Carrols. Under the Consent Decree, (1) Carrols agreed to make cash payments to the 89 remaining claimants in the lawsuit totaling $2.5 million, with allocations among the claimants being determined by the EEOC; (2) Carrols agreed to continue to uphold its obligations under Title VII and to continue to maintain its existing and comprehensive anti-harassment policies and procedures and training programs; and (3) Carrols agreed to make certain enhancements to such existing policies and procedures and training programs and to report on the results of its efforts to the EEOC over a two year period. On January 10, 2013, the Court approved the Consent Decree.  Pursuant to the Consent Decree, we established a reserve for $2.5 million as of December 30, 2012. We paid the amounts due under the Consent Decree in the first quarter of 2013. 
The Company is a party to various litigation matters incidental to the conduct of the Company's business. The Company does not believe that the outcome of any of these other matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
PART II
ITEM  5.
MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock trades on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “TAST”. The common stock has been quoted on The NASDAQ Global Market since December 15, 2006. On March 5, 2013, there were 23,669,558 shares of our common stock outstanding held by 813 holders of record. The number of record holders was determined from the records of our transfer agent and does not include beneficial owners of our common stock whose shares are held in the names of various securities brokers, dealers, and registered clearing agencies. The closing price of our common stock on March 5, 2013 was $5.24. The closing price of our common stock on May 7, 2012, the date of the spin-off, was $15.08. The closing price of our common stock on May 8, 2012, the date following the spin-off, was $4.44.
The following table sets for the range of high and low closing prices of our common stock for the periods indicated, as reported by The NASDAQ Global Market and after May 7, 2012, reflects the spin-off of Fiesta Restaurant Group:  
 
Common Stock Price (1)
 
High 
 
Low
Year Ended December 30, 2012
 
 
 
First Quarter
$
15.42

 
$
11.02

Second Quarter
15.51

 
4.44

Third Quarter
6.17

 
5.18

Fourth Quarter
6.65

 
5.92

 
 
 
 
Year Ended January 1, 2012
 
 
 
First Quarter
$
9.54

 
$
6.95

Second Quarter
10.64

 
8.81

Third Quarter
10.89

 
7.97

Fourth Quarter
11.79

 
8.47


(1) Stock prices prior to the second quarter of 2012 were before the spin-off of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.
Dividends
We did not pay any cash dividends during the fiscal years 2012 or 2011. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all available funds to fund the development and growth of our business. In addition, we are a holding company and conduct all of our operations through our direct and indirect subsidiaries. As a result, for us to pay dividends, we need to rely on dividends or distributions to us from Carrols and indirectly from subsidiaries of Carrols. The indenture governing the Notes and our new senior credit facility limits, and debt instruments that we and our subsidiaries may enter into in the future may limit, our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph compares from December 31, 2007 the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock over the cumulative total returns of The NASDAQ Composite Index and a peer group, The S&P SmallCap 600 Restaurants Index. We have elected to use the S&P SmallCap 600 Restaurant Index in compiling our stock performance graph because we believe the S&P SmallCap 600 Restaurant Index represents a comparison to competitors with similar market capitalization as us. The following graph is based on the closing price of our common stock from December 31, 2007 through December 31, 2012.

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Table of Contents

        
 
12/31/07
12/31/08
12/31/09
12/31/10
12/31/11  
12/31/12
Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.
$
100.00

$
28.18

$
73.80

$
77.45

$
120.77

$
224.10

NASDAQ Composite
$
100.00

$
59.03

$
82.25

$
97.32

$
98.63

$
110.78

S&P SmallCap 600 Restaurants
$
100.00

$
66.19

$
90.28

$
122.57

$
122.25

$
146.60

 
ITEM 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The information in the following table should be read together with "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data," and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Reported amounts below present the historical operating results and cash flows of Fiesta Restaurant Group as discontinued operations. The results of operations of the acquired restaurants are included in our consolidated operating results from May 30, 2012, the day following the closing of the acquisition. These historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected in the future. Our fiscal years ended December 28, 2008, January 2, 2011, January 1, 2012 and December 30, 2012 each contained 52 weeks. Our fiscal year ended January 3, 2010 contained 53 weeks.
 

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Table of Contents

 
Year Ended
 
December 28, 2008
 
January 3, 2010
 
January 2, 2011
 
January 1, 2012
 
December 30, 2012
 
(In thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)
Statements of operations data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restaurant sales
$
391,549

 
$
384,020

 
$
357,073

 
$
347,518

 
$
539,608

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
110,575

 
105,376

 
105,399

 
103,860

 
172,698

Restaurant wages and related expenses
120,005

 
119,321

 
112,534

 
109,155

 
169,857

Restaurant rent expense
24,306

 
23,981

 
23,169

 
22,665

 
37,883

Other restaurant operating expenses
60,010

 
57,377

 
54,602

 
53,389

 
88,883

Advertising expense
17,469

 
16,213

 
14,966

 
14,424

 
22,257

General and administrative (1)
19,970

 
20,561

 
19,210

 
20,982

 
36,085

Depreciation and amortization
15,454

 
14,714

 
15,354

 
16,058

 
26,321

Impairment and other lease charges
150

 
487

 
709

 
1,293

 
977

Other (income) expense (2)
—

 
79

 
(444
)
 
(720
)
 
(717
)
Total operating expenses
367,939

 
358,109

 
345,499

 
341,106

 
554,244

Income (loss) from operations
23,610

 
25,911

 
11,574

 
6,412

 
(14,636
)
Interest expense
12,125

 
8,907

 
8,957

 
7,353

 
12,764

Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt
(4,368
)
 
—

 
—

 
1,244

 
1,509

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
15,853

 
17,004

 
2,617

 
(2,185
)
 
(28,909
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
5,633

 
5,930

 
807

 
(1,661
)
 
(10,093
)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
10,220

 
11,074

 
1,810

 
(524
)
 
(18,816
)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
2,532

 
10,761

 
10,106

 
11,742

 
(72
)
Net income (loss)
$
12,752

 
$
21,835

 
$
11,916

 
$
11,218

 
$
(18,888
)
Per share data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.47

 
$
0.51

 
$
0.08

 
$
(0.02
)
 
$
(0.83
)
Discontinued operations
$
0.12

 
$
0.50

 
$
0.47

 
$
0.54

 
$
—

Diluted net income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
0.47

 
$
0.51

 
$
0.08

 
$
(0.02
)
 
$
(0.83
)
Discontinued operations
$
0.12

 
$
0.49

 
$
0.46

 
$
0.54

 
$
—

Weighted average shares used in computing net income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic net income (loss) per share
21,573,500

 
21,594,366

 
21,620,550

 
21,677,837

 
22,580,468

Diluted net income (loss) per share
21,575,773

 
21,768,683

 
21,835,417

 
21,677,837

 
22,580,468


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Table of Contents

 
Year Ended
 
December 28, 2008
 
January 3, 2010
 
January 2, 2011
 
January 1, 2012
 
December 30, 2012
 
(In thousands of dollars, except restaurant weekly sales data)
Other financial data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net cash provided from operating activities
$
6,483

 
$
46,409

 
$
32,260

 
$
33,448

 
$
18,207

Total capital expenditures
18,236

 
20,817

 
13,649

 
27,771

 
37,642

Net cash used for investing activities
9,592

 
17,459

 
12,626

 
25,961

 
65,908

Net cash provided from (used for) financing activities
(929
)
 
(29,276
)
 
(19,621
)
 
2,943

 
69,301

Operating Data:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Restaurants (at end of period)
315

 
312

 
305

 
298

 
572

Average number of restaurants
319.3

 
313.2

 
307.3

 
301.2

 
457.0

Restaurant sales
$
391,549

 
$
384,020

 
$
357,073

 
$
347,518

 
$
539,608

Average weekly sales per restaurant - legacy (3)
23,582

 
23,134

 
22,346

 
22,187

 
23,931

Average weekly sales per restaurant - acquired (3)
—

 
—

 
—

 
—

 
20,681

Adjusted EBITDA (4)
40,037

 
41,980

 
28,521

 
25,258

 
24,972

Change in comparable restaurant sales (5)
3.5
%
 
(2.6
)%
 
(4.3
)%
 
(1.4
)%
 
7.1
%
Balance sheet data (at end of period):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total assets
$
450,198

 
$
439,977

 
$
426,302

 
$
458,392

 
$
346,256

Working capital
(41,570
)
 
(40,170
)
 
(39,646
)
 
(11,620
)
 
7,478

Debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Senior and senior subordinated debt
300,000

 
271,900

 
252,250

 
267,375

 
150,000

Capital leases
1,295

 
1,193

 
1,202

 
1,144

 
10,295

Lease financing obligations
14,859

 
9,999

 
10,061

 
10,064

 
1,197

Total debt
$
316,154

 
$
283,092

 
$
263,513

 
$
278,583

 
$
161,492

Stockholders’ equity
$
8,459

 
$
31,404

 
$
44,907

 
$
59,157

 
$
90,173

 
(1)
General and administrative expenses include stock-based compensation expense for the year ended December 28, 2008, January 3, 2010, January 2, 2011, January 1, 2012 and December 30, 2012 of $823, $868, $884, $1,037 and $925, respectively.
(2)
In 2012, we recorded net gains of $0.7 million related to property insurance recoveries from fires at two restaurants. In fiscal 2011, we recorded other income of $0.7 million which included a gain of $0.3 million related to the sale of a non-operating Burger King property, gains of $0.3 million related to property insurance recoveries from fires at two Burger King restaurants and a gain of $0.1 million related to a business interruption insurance recovery from storm damage at a Burger King restaurant. Other income in fiscal 2010 was related to a property insurance recovery from a fire at a Burger King restaurant. Other expense in fiscal 2009 included a loss of $0.1 million associated with a sale-leaseback of a restaurant property. See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements.
(3)
Average weekly sales per restaurant are derived by dividing restaurant sales by the average number of restaurants operating during the period.
(4)
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA represents net income (loss) from continuing operations, before provision (benefit) for income taxes, interest expense and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA as adjusted to exclude impairment and other lease charges, acquisition and integration costs, EEOC litigation and settlement costs, stock compensation expense and gains and losses on extinguishment of debt. We exclude these items from EBITDA when evaluating our operating performance and believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides a more meaningful comparison than EBITDA of our core business operating results, as well as with those of other similar companies. Management believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, when viewed with our results of operations calculated in accordance with GAAP and our reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) from continuing operations, provide useful information about our operating performance and period-over-period growth, and provide additional information that is useful for evaluating the operating performance of our core business without regard to potential distortions. Additionally, management believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA permit investors to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our ongoing cash earnings, from which capital investments are made and debt is serviced. However, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and, accordingly, should not be considered as alternatives to net income (loss) from continuing operations or cash flow from operating activities as indicators of operating performance or liquidity. Also, these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled captions of other companies.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, have important limitations as analytical tools.  These limitations include the following:
•
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our capital expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments to purchase capital equipment;
•
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service principal or interest payments on our debt;

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Table of Contents

•
Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets that we currently depreciate and amortize will likely have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the cash required to fund such replacements; and
•
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the effect of earnings or charges resulting from matters that our management does not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operations.  However, some of these charges (such as impairment expense) have recurred and may reoccur.
A reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) from continuing operations is as follows:
 
Year Ended
 
December 28, 2008
 
January 3, 2010
 
January 2, 2011
 
January 1, 2012
 
December 30, 2012
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
$
10,220

 
$
11,074

 
$
1,810

 
$
(524
)
 
$
(18,816
)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
5,633

 
5,930

 
807

 
(1,661
)
 
(10,093
)
Interest expense
12,125

 
8,907

 
8,957

 
7,353

 
12,764

Depreciation and amortization
15,454

 
14,714

 
15,354

 
16,058

 
26,321

EBITDA
43,432

 
40,625

 
26,928

 
21,226

 
10,176

Impairment and other lease charges
150

 
487

 
709

 
1,293

 
977

EEOC litigation and settlement costs
—

 
—

 
16

 
190

 
5,343

Acquisition and integration costs
—

 
—

 
—

 
458

 
6,042

Stock-based compensation expense
823

 
868

 
884

 
1,037

 
925

Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt
(4,368
)
 
—

 
—

 
1,244

 
1,509

Adjusted EBITDA
$
40,037

 
$
41,980

 
$
28,537

 
$
25,448

 
$
24,972


(1)
Restaurants are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been open or owned for 12 months.
ITEM 7—MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We use a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. The fiscal years ended December 30, 2012, January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011 each contained 52 weeks.
Introduction
We are a holding company and conduct all of our operations through our direct and indirect subsidiaries and have no assets other than the shares of capital stock of Carrols, our direct wholly-owned subsidiary. The following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (“MD&A”) is written to help the reader understand our company. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying financial statement footnotes appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The overview provides our perspective on the individual sections of MD&A, which include the following:
Company Overview—a general description of our business and our key financial measures.
Recent and Future Events Affecting Our Results of Operations—a description of recent events that affect, and future events that may affect, our results of operations.
Operating Results from Continuing Operations—an analysis of our results of operations for the years ended December 30, 2012, January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011 including a review of the material items and known trends and uncertainties.
Liquidity and Capital Resources—an analysis of historical information regarding our sources of cash and capital expenditures, the existence and timing of commitments and contingencies, changes in capital resources and a discussion of cash flow items affecting liquidity.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies—an overview of accounting policies requiring critical judgments and estimates.
Effects of New Accounting Standards—a discussion of new accounting standards and any implications related to our financial statements.

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Table of Contents

Company Overview
We are one of the largest restaurant companies in the United States and have been operating restaurants for more than 50 years. We are the largest Burger King franchisee in the world and have operated Burger King restaurants since 1976. As of December 30, 2012, we operated 572 Burger King restaurants in 13 states. On May 30, 2012, we acquired 278 restaurants from BKC, which we refer to as the "acquired restaurants". Our restaurants operated prior to the acquisition are referred to as our "legacy restaurants". Our former indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., which we refer to as "Fiesta”, was spun off by us to our stockholders on May 7, 2012. The results of operations and cash flows of Fiesta are presented as discontinued operations in our consolidated financial statements for all periods presented. The discussion in our MD&A is focused on our continuing Burger King restaurant operations. Sales from our acquired restaurants are excluded from changes in our comparable restaurant sales in 2012.
The following is an overview of the key financial measures discussed in our results of operations:
•
Restaurant sales consist of food and beverage sales, net of discounts, at our restaurants. Restaurant sales are influenced by changes in comparable restaurant sales, menu price increases, new restaurant openings and closures of restaurants. Restaurants are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been open for 12 months. For comparative purposes, the calculation of the changes in comparable restaurant sales is based on a 52-week year.
•
Cost of sales consists of food, paper and beverage costs including packaging costs, less purchase discounts. Cost of sales is generally influenced by changes in commodity costs, the sales mix of items sold and the effectiveness of our restaurant-level controls to manage food and paper costs.
•
Restaurant wages and related expenses include all restaurant management and hourly productive labor costs and related benefits, employer payroll taxes and restaurant-level bonuses. Payroll and related benefits are subject to inflation, including minimum wage increases and increased costs for health insurance, workers’ compensation insurance and state unemployment insurance.
•
Restaurant rent expense includes base rent and contingent rent on our leases characterized as operating leases, reduced by the amortization of deferred gains on sale-leaseback transactions.
•
Other restaurant operating expenses include all other restaurant-level operating costs, the major components of which are royalty expenses paid to BKC, utilities, repairs and maintenance, real estate taxes and credit card fees.
•
Advertising expense includes all promotional expenses including advertising payments based on a percentage of sales as required under our franchise agreements.
•
General and administrative expenses are comprised primarily of (1) salaries and expenses associated with corporate and administrative functions that support the development and operations of our restaurants, (2) legal, auditing and other professional fees and (3) stock-based compensation expense. Historical general and administrative expenses exclude all amounts associated with Fiesta as those amounts are included in income (loss) from discontinued operations and include an offset to general administrative expenses as if the transition services agreement with Fiesta was in place for all periods presented.
•
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA represents net income (loss) from continuing operations, before provision (benefit) for income taxes, interest expense and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA as adjusted to exclude impairment and other lease charges, acquisition and integration costs, EEOC litigation and settlement costs, stock compensation expense and loss on extinguishment of debt. We exclude these items from EBITDA when evaluating our operating performance and believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides a more meaningful comparison than EBITDA of our core business operating results, as well as with those of other similar companies that may have different capital structures. Management believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, when viewed with our results of operations calculated in accordance with GAAP and our reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) from continuing operations, provide useful information about our operating performance and period-over-period growth, and provide additional information that is useful for evaluating the operating performance of our core business without regard to potential distortions. Additionally, management believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA permit investors to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our ongoing cash earnings, from which capital investments are made and debt is serviced. However, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and, accordingly, should not be considered as alternatives to net income (loss) from continuing operations or cash flow from operating activities as indicators of operating performance or liquidity. Also, these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled captions of other companies. For a reconciliation between net income (loss) from continuing operations and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA see page 35.
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, have important limitations as analytical tools.  These limitations include the following:

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Table of Contents

•
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect our capital expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments to purchase capital equipment;
•
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service principal or interest payments on our debt;
•
Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets that we currently depreciate and amortize will likely have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the cash required to fund such replacements; and
•
EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect the effect of earnings or charges resulting from matters that our management does not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operations.  However, some of these charges (such as impairment expense) have recurred and may reoccur.
•
Depreciation and amortization primarily includes the depreciation of fixed assets, including equipment, owned buildings and leasehold improvements utilized in our restaurants and the amortization of franchise rights from our acquisitions of restaurants and franchise fees paid to BKC.
•
Impairment and other lease charges are determined through our assessment of the recoverability of property and equipment and intangible assets by determining whether the carrying value of these assets can be recovered over their respective remaining lives through undiscounted future operating cash flows. A potential impairment charge is evaluated whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be fully recoverable. Lease charges are recorded for our obligations under the related leases for closed locations net of estimated sublease recoveries. There are no lease charges accrued for closed locations at December 30, 2012.
•
Interest expense consists primarily of interest expense associated with our 11.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2018, borrowings under our prior Carrols LLC senior secured credit facility and the amortization of deferred financing costs. There were no borrowings under our new senior credit facility in 2012.
Recent and Future Events Affecting our Results of Operations
Acquisition of Burger King Restaurants

On May 30, 2012, we completed the acquisition of 278 restaurants from BKC, for a purchase price consisting of (i) a 28.9% equity ownership interest, (ii) a net cash purchase price of $12.1 million (net of $0.4 million of cash on hand) and (iii) additional consideration of $4.3 million including $3.6 million for BKC’s assignment of its right of first refusal on franchisee restaurant transfers in 20 states pursuant to an operating agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012 with BKC. The amount for the ROFR is payable in quarterly payments over five years and the first quarterly payment of $0.2 million was made at closing on May 30, 2012. We also entered into new franchise agreements pursuant to the purchase and operating agreements and entered into leases with BKC for all of the acquired restaurants, including leases for 81 restaurants owned in fee by BKC and subleases for 197 restaurants under terms substantially the same as BKC’s underlying leases for those properties. Pursuant to the operating agreement, we also agreed to remodel 455 Burger King restaurants to BKC’s 20/20 restaurant image by 2015. As of December 30, 2012 we had remodeled 80 restaurants to the 20/20 restaurant image. In 2013 we currently anticipate remodeling 90 to 120 restaurants.

The results of operations of the acquired restaurants have been included in our operating results from May 31, 2012, the day following the closing of the acquisition.
Refinancing of Outstanding Indebtedness
On May 30, 2012, we issued $150.0 million of 11.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2018 and entered into a new senior credit facility that provides for up to $20.0 million of revolving credit borrowings (which was undrawn at closing). The net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes were used to (i) repay all outstanding borrowings under the prior Carrols LLC senior credit facility of $64.8 million (ii) pay $12.1 million related to the acquisition of the acquired restaurants from BKC and (iii) fees and expenses related to the offering of the Notes. The remainder of the net proceeds will be used together with operating cash flow and the cash collateral account, as it becomes unrestricted, to fund the restaurant remodeling obligations committed to in connection with the acquisition of the acquired restaurants, and to fund future payments to BKC for the ROFR. Interest expense associated with this indebtedness, including the amortization of deferred financing costs, will be approximately $17.8 million in 2013.
Spin-off of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.
On April 16, 2012, our board of directors approved the spin-off of Fiesta, which through its subsidiaries, owns and operates the Pollo Tropical and Taco Cabana restaurant brands. In connection with the spin-off, on April 24, 2012, we and Carrols entered

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into several agreements that govern our post spin-off relationship with Fiesta, including a Separation and Distribution Agreement, Tax Matters Agreement, Employee Matters Agreement and Transition Services Agreement.
Fiesta filed with the SEC a Form 10 registration statement, File No. 001-35373, as amended, which included as an exhibit an information statement which describes the spin-off. The Form 10 registration statement, which registered the common stock of Fiesta under the Exchange Act, was declared effective by the SEC on April 25, 2012.
On May 7, 2012, we completed the spin-off of Fiesta in the form of a pro rata dividend of all of the issued and outstanding common stock of Fiesta to Carrols Restaurant Group’s stockholders whereby each stockholder of Carrols Restaurant Group’s common stock of record on April 26, 2012 received one share of Fiesta common stock for every one share of Carrols Restaurant Group common stock held. As a result of the spin-off, Fiesta is an independent public company whose common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “FRGI.”
The historical operating results of Fiesta are included in our operating results as income (loss) from discontinued operations for all periods presented.
Operating Results from Continuing Operations
The following table sets forth, for the years ended December 30, 2012, January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011 selected operating results from continuing operations as a percentage of restaurant sales for all of our restaurants, our legacy restaurants and the acquired restaurants:
 
Year Ended
 
December 30, 2012
 
January 1, 2012
 
January 2, 2011
Costs and expenses (all restaurants):
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
32.0
%
 
29.9
%
 
29.5
%
Restaurant wages and related expenses
31.5
%
 
31.4
%
 
31.5
%
Restaurant rent expense
7.0
%
 
6.5
%
 
6.5
%
Other restaurant operating expenses
16.5
%
 
15.4
%
 
15.3
%
Advertising expense
4.1
%
 
4.2
%
 
4.2
%
General and administrative
6.7
%
 
6.0
%
 
5.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses (legacy restaurants):
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
30.6
%
 
29.9
%
 
29.5
%
Restaurant wages and related expenses
30.6
%
 
31.4
%
 
31.5
%
Restaurant rent expense
6.3
%
 
6.5
%
 
6.5
%
Other restaurant operating expenses
15.0
%
 
15.4
%
 
15.3
%
Advertising expense
3.9
%
 
4.2
%
 
4.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
Costs and expenses (acquired restaurants):
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
34.9
%
 
 
 
 
Restaurant wages and related expenses
33.3
%
 
 
 
 
Restaurant rent expense
8.5
%
 
 
 
 
Other restaurant operating expenses
19.5
%
 
 
 
 
Advertising expense
4.6
%
 
 
 
 
Fiscal 2012 compared to Fiscal 2011
In addition to acquiring the 278 restaurants from BKC, we closed four restaurants in 2012.
Restaurant Sales. Restaurant sales in 2012 increased 55.3% to $539.6 million from $347.5 million in 2011 due to sales at the acquired restaurants of $174.3 million and an increase in comparable restaurant sales for our legacy restaurants of 7.1%, from both increases in customer traffic of approximately 3.3% and average check of approximately 3.8%, partially offset by net closures of eleven restaurants since the beginning of 2011. In 2012, the effect of menu price increases compared to the prior year was 2.3%.

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Operating Costs and Expenses (percentages stated as a percentage of restaurant sales for the restaurants being discussed). Cost of sales for all restaurants increased to 32.0% in 2012 from 29.9% in 2011. Cost of sales at our legacy restaurants increased to 30.6% in 2012 from 29.9% in 2011 due primarily to higher commodity prices (1.1%), including higher beef and pork prices (0.8%) and higher sales discounts (0.6%) partially offset by a favorable sales mix compared to 2011 and the effect of menu price increases taken in the last twelve months. Cost of sales for our acquired restaurants was 34.9% in 2012 and higher than our legacy restaurants due primarily to inefficiencies, shrinkage and higher waste and, to a much lesser extent, lower margins on soft drink sales.
Restaurant wages and related expenses for all restaurants increased to 31.5% in 2012 from 31.4% in 2011. Restaurant wages and related expenses for our legacy restaurants decreased to 30.6% in 2012 from 31.4% in 2011 due to the effects of higher sales volumes on fixed labor costs, lower medical claims costs (0.2%) and lower restaurant-level incentive bonuses. Restaurant wages and related expenses for our acquired restaurants was 33.3% and higher than our legacy restaurants due primarily to our integration efforts including an over-investment in productive labor of $1.8 million prior to implementing our labor scheduling and management systems at the acquired restaurants late in the third quarter of 2012 and the effect of fixed labor costs on lower sales volumes at our acquired restaurants.
Other restaurant operating expenses for all restaurants increased to 16.5% in 2012 from 15.4% in 2011. Other restaurant operating expenses for our legacy restaurants decreased to 15.0% in 2012 from 15.4% in 2011 due primarily to lower utility costs (0.2%) and the effect of sales increases on fixed operating costs. Other restaurant operating expenses at the acquired restaurants were 19.5% and were higher than our legacy restaurants due to higher repairs and maintenance expenses which included an estimated $2.1 million of excess repairs required to address deferred maintenance at the acquired restaurants, higher BKC royalty expense at the acquired restaurants, as a percentage of sales, and the effect of fixed operating costs on lower sales volumes at our acquired restaurants compared to our legacy restaurants.
Advertising expense for all restaurants decreased to 4.1% in 2012 from 4.2% in 2011 due to advertising credits received from BKC for investments that we made in equipment related to 2012 menu enhancement initiatives and our installation of digital menu boards.
Restaurant rent expense for all restaurants increased to 7.0% in 2012 from 6.5% in 2011 due primarily to higher rent, as a percentage of restaurant sales, associated with the acquired restaurants which was 8.5% in part reflecting the lower sales volumes at the acquired restaurants. Rent expense for our legacy restaurants decreased to 6.3% in 2012 from 6.5% in 2011 due to the effect of higher sales volumes on fixed rental costs.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $15.1 million in 2012 to $36.1 million and, as a percentage of total restaurant sales, increased to 6.7% in 2012 from 6.0% in 2011, due primarily to an additional $5.3 million in legal and settlement costs related to the conclusion and settlement of our long-standing litigation with the EEOC, $1.2 million of legal and other costs related to the acquisition of the acquired restaurants, additional salaries and other costs for the ongoing operational oversight associated with the acquired restaurants, $0.5 million of incremental costs related to recruitment, training, travel, meetings and moving expenses related to the integration of the acquired restaurants and higher performance-based administrative bonus accruals of $0.2 million.
Adjusted EBITDA. As a result of the factors above Adjusted EBITDA was $25.0 million in 2012 compared to $25.4 million in 2011. Adjusted EBITDA excludes a total of $11.4 million of integration costs and legal and other transaction costs related to the acquisition of the acquired restaurants and EEOC litigation and settlement costs mentioned above. For a reconciliation between net income (loss) from continuing operations and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA see page 35.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $26.3 million in 2012 from $16.1 million in 2011 due primarily to the addition of the acquired restaurants and from point-of-sale systems installed at our legacy restaurants in 2012 and the second half of 2011.
Impairment and Other Lease Charges. Impairment and other lease charges were $1.0 million in 2012 compared to $1.3 million in 2011 and consisted of impairment charges associated with underperforming restaurants.
Interest Expense. Interest expense increased $5.4 million to $12.8 million in 2012 due to the impact of our refinancing and issuance of the Notes in May of 2012 associated with the acquisition of the acquired restaurants. The weighted average interest rate on our long-term debt, excluding lease financing obligations, was 9.6% in 2012 compared to 6.0% in 2011 due to the issuance of the Notes in 2012.
Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. The benefit for income taxes for 2012 has an effective annual income tax rate of 34.9%. In 2012, we recorded a valuation allowance of $2.1 million against deferred tax assets associated with certain state net operating loss carryforwards which reduced the benefit for income taxes. Legislation which reinstated the Work Opportunity Tax

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Credit ("WOTC") for 2012 was passed after our fiscal 2012 year-end. As a result, we will recognize the benefit of the 2012 WOTC tax credits in the first quarter of 2013. This credit is estimated to be approximately $1.0 million. The benefit for income taxes for 2011 has an effective annual income tax rate of 76.0%.
Net Income (loss) from Continuing Operations. As a result of the foregoing, net loss from continuing operations was $18.8 million in 2012, or $0.83 per diluted share, compared to a net loss from continuing operations of $0.5 million in 2011, or $0.02 per diluted share. As discussed above, net loss from continuing operations in 2012 included acquisition and integration-related costs, costs for the conclusion and settlement of the EEOC litigation and a loss from our refinancing completed in May 2012. In aggregate these charges were approximately $12.9 million or $0.35 per diluted share net of tax. Net loss from continuing operations in 2011 included charges of $1.9 million, or $0.05 per diluted share after tax, related to the acquisition, the EEOC litigation and a loss on the 2011 refinancing.
A reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss) from continuing operations for the years ended December 30, 2012, January 1, 2012, and January 2, 2011 is as follows:
 
Year Ended
 
December 30, 2012
 
January 1, 2012
 
January 2, 2011
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(18,816
)
 
$
(524
)
 
$
1,810

Provision (benefit) for income taxes
(10,093
)
 
(1,661
)
 
807

Interest expense
12,764

 
7,353

 
8,957

Depreciation and amortization
26,321

 
16,058

 
15,354

EBITDA
10,176

 
21,226

 
26,928

Impairment and other lease charges
977

 
1,293

 
709

Acquisition and integration costs
6,042

 
458

 
—

EEOC litigation and settlement costs
5,343

 
190

 
16

Stock compensation expense
925

 
1,037

 
884

Loss on extinguishment of debt
1,509

 
1,244

 
—

Adjusted EBITDA
$
24,972

 
$
25,448

 
$
28,537

Fiscal 2011 Compared to Fiscal 2010
In 2011, we opened two new Burger King restaurants. One of the new Burger King restaurants was a relocation of an existing restaurant within its market area. During the same period we closed eight Burger King restaurants, excluding the restaurant relocated.
Restaurant Sales. Total restaurant sales in 2011 decreased 2.7% to $347.5 million from $357.1 million, due to a decrease in comparable restaurant sales of 1.4% from lower customer traffic and the closure, excluding relocations, of fifteen Burger King restaurants since the beginning of 2010. The decrease in customer traffic was partially offset by an increase in average check of 6.6% from sales mix changes and the effect of menu price increases in 2011 of 4.3%.
Operating Costs and Expenses (percentages stated as a percentage of restaurant sales). Cost of sales increased to 29.9% in 2011 from 29.5% in 2010 due primarily to increases in commodity costs (2.4%) including beef costs (1.2%) and higher promotional discounting (0.3%) which were partially offset by the effect of menu price increases and a favorable sales mix primarily from the discontinuation of the Buck Double in 2011.
Restaurant wages and related expenses decreased to 31.4% in 2011 from 31.5% in 2010 due to leveraging management and productive labor efficiencies and lower restaurant level bonus accruals. These factors were substantially offset by the effect of lower sales volumes on fixed labor costs and higher workers compensation and medical claim costs (0.3%).
Other restaurant operating expenses increased to 15.4% in 2011 from 15.3% in 2010 due primarily to the effect of lower sales volumes on fixed operating costs. Advertising expense was 4.2% in both 2011 and 2010.
Restaurant Rent Expense. Restaurant rent expense, as a percentage of total restaurant sales, was 6.5% in both 2011 and 2010.
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased $1.8 million in 2011 to $21.0 million and, as a percentage of total restaurant sales, increased to 6.0% from 5.4% in 2010 due primarily to an increase of $1.2 million in performance-based administrative bonus accruals, and higher stock-based compensation expense of $0.2 million.

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Adjusted EBITDA. As a result of the factors above, Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $25.4 million in 2011 from $28.5 million in 2010.
Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased to $16.1 million in 2011 from $15.4 million in 2010 due primarily from our capital expenditures in 2011 of $27.8 million.
Impairment and Other Lease Charges. In 2011 and 2010 we recorded total impairment and other lease charges of $1.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively, which included impairment charges for certain underperforming restaurants.
Interest Expense. Total interest expense decreased $1.6 million to $7.4 million in 2011 due primarily to lower debt balances resulting from our and Fiesta Restaurant Group's financing transactions in the third quarter of 2011. The weighted average interest rate on our long-term debt, excluding lease financing obligations, for 2011 decreased to 6.0% from 6.1% in 2010.
Provision for Income Taxes. The effective tax rate for 2011 increased to 76.0% from 30.8% in 2010 due primarily from higher Work Opportunity Tax Credits and the HIRE act retention tax credits in 2011, and the disproportionate relationship of these credits to the amount of the pre-tax loss in 2011.
Net Income (loss) from Continuing Operations. As a result of the foregoing, net income (loss) from continuing operations was a net loss of $0.5 million in 2011 compared to net income of $1.8 million in 2010.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We do not have significant receivables or inventory and receive trade credit based upon negotiated terms in purchasing food products and other supplies. We are able to operate with a substantial working capital deficit because:
•
restaurant operations are primarily conducted on a cash basis;
•
rapid turnover results in a limited investment in inventories; and
•
cash from sales is usually received before related liabilities for food, supplies and payroll become due.
On May 30, 2012, Carrols Restaurant Group issued $150.0 million of Notes pursuant to an indenture dated as of May 30, 2012 governing such Notes. Proceeds from the issuance of the Notes were used to repay $64.8 million of borrowings under the prior Carrols LLC senior credit facility, to pay $12.1 million related to the acquisition of the acquired restaurants, to pay $4.5 million for fees and expenses related to the offering of the Notes and to fund a $20.0 million cash collateral account required under our new senior credit facility discussed below. The remainder of the proceeds of $48.6 million is being used together with operating cash flow and the senior credit facility to fund the restaurant remodeling obligations committed to in connection with the acquisition and to fund future payments to BKC for the ROFR acquired in the acquisition.
On May 30, 2012, we also entered into a new senior credit facility, which provides for aggregate revolving credit borrowings of up to $20.0 million (including $15.0 million available for letters of credit) maturing on May 30, 2017. The senior credit facility also provides for incremental borrowing increases of up to $25.0 million, in the aggregate.
Interest payments under our debt obligations, capital expenditures, including our commitment to BKC to remodel restaurants in 2013, and payments related to our lease obligations represent significant liquidity requirements for us. We believe net proceeds from the issuance of the Notes, cash generated from our operations, and availability of revolving credit borrowings under our senior credit facility will provide sufficient cash availability to cover our anticipated working capital needs, capital expenditures and debt service requirements for the next twelve months.
Operating activities. Net cash provided from operating activities from continuing operations for the years ended December 30, 2012, January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011 was $18.2 million, $33.4 million and $32.3 million. Net cash provided by operating activities in 2012 decreased $15.2 million compared to 2011 due primarily to a reduction of income from continuing operations of $18.3 million partially offset by an increase in cash from changes in net working capital of $6.3 million.
Net cash provided by operating activities in 2011 increased $1.2 million compared to 2010 due primarily to an increase in cash from the changes in net working capital.
Investing activities. Net cash used for investing activities from continuing operations for the years ended December 30, 2012, January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011 was $65.9 million, $26.0 million and $12.6 million, respectively. Capital expenditures are the largest component of our investing activities and include: (1) new restaurant development, which may include the purchase of real estate; (2) restaurant remodeling, which includes the renovation or rebuilding of the interior and exterior of our existing restaurants, including expenditures associated with our commitment to BKC to remodel restaurants to the 20/20 image and franchise

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agreement renewals; (3) other restaurant capital expenditures, which include capital maintenance expenditures for the ongoing reinvestment and enhancement of our restaurants including expenditures in 2012 and 2011 to support BKC’s new menu enhancement initiatives; and (4) corporate and restaurant information systems, including expenditures in 2012 and 2011 for new point-of-sale systems for our restaurants.
The following table sets forth our capital expenditures for the periods presented (in thousands):
         
Year Ended December 30, 2012:
 
 
New restaurant development
 
$
—

Restaurant remodeling
 
21,342

Other restaurant capital expenditures (1)
 
6,247

Corporate and restaurant information systems
 
10,053

Total capital expenditures
 
$
37,642

Number of new restaurant openings
 
—

Year Ended January 1, 2012:
 
 
New restaurant development
 
$
1,757

Restaurant remodeling
 
8,533

Other restaurant capital expenditures (1)
 
12,632

Corporate and restaurant information systems
 
4,849

Total capital expenditures
 
$
27,771

Number of new restaurant openings (2)
 
2

Year Ended January 2, 2011:
 
 
New restaurant development
 
$
2,697

Restaurant remodeling
 
5,541

Other restaurant capital expenditures (1)
 
4,177

Corporate and restaurant information systems
 
1,234

Total capital expenditures
 
$
13,649

Number of new restaurant openings (2)
 
1

 
(1)
Excludes restaurant repair and maintenance expenses included in other restaurant operating expenses in our consolidated financial statements of approximately $14.2 million, $8.1 million and $8.5 million for the years ended December 30, 2012, January 1, 2012 and January 2, 2011, respectively.
(2)
Includes one restaurant which was relocated under a new franchise agreement in the same market area.
Investing activities also included sale-leaseback transactions related to our restaurant properties, the net proceeds from which were $1.2 million in 2012, $2.8 million in 2011 and $3.4 million in 2010. In both 2012 and 2011 we sold one non-operating restaurant property for net proceeds of $2.1 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The net proceeds from these sales were used to reduce our outstanding borrowings under the prior senior credit facility. We also had expenditures related to the purchase of restaurant properties to be sold in future sale-leaseback transactions of $2.1 million in 2011 and $2.4 million in 2010.
Financing activities. Net cash provided by financing activities from continuing operations the years ended December 30, 2012 and January 1, 2012 was $69.3 million and $2.9 million, respectively. Net cash used for financing activities for the year ended January 2, 2011 was $19.6 million.
Cash provided by financing activities in 2012 included proceeds from the sale of the Notes discussed above, net of related fees and expenses, of $144.1 million. Total payments on the prior Carrols LLC senior credit facility including amounts paid in connection with the issuance of the Notes totaled $67.4 million in 2012. Proceeds from stock option exercises and related income tax benefits, including tax benefits from the conversion of vested stock options to shares of our common stock, in connection with the spin-off, were $1.2 million in 2012. Cash of Fiesta that was deconsolidated as a result of the spin-off included in our 2012 financing activities was $5.5 million.
Cash provided by financing activities in 2011 included proceeds from term loan borrowings under the Carrols LLC credit facility of $65.0 million, repayment of $165.0 million of Carrols 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013 ("Carrols Notes"), proceeds received from Fiesta's 2011 financing of $192.3 million, and a capital contribution to Fiesta of $3.3 million. Prior to the refinancing, in August 2011 we made scheduled principal payments under Carrols’ prior senior credit facility of $7.0 million. Subsequent to the refinancing in 2011 we made principal payments of $1.6 million on term loan borrowings under the prior Carrols

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LLC senior secured credit facility and had net revolving credit borrowings under the prior Carrols LLC senior credit facility of $4.0 million. In 2011 we also deferred $1.8 million of financing costs pertaining to the Carrols LLC refinancing discussed above.
In 2010 we made net repayments under Carrols’ prior senior credit facility of revolving credit borrowings of $1.9 million, scheduled term loan principal payments of $11.7 million, a voluntary principal payment of $5.0 million and a principal payment based on excess cash flow for 2009 of $1.0 million.
Carrols Restaurant Group Senior Secured Second Lien Notes. On May 30, 2012, we issued $150.0 million of Notes pursuant to an indenture dated as of May 30, 2012 governing such Notes. The Notes mature and are payable on May 15, 2018. Interest is payable semi-annually on May 15 and November 15. The Notes are guaranteed by our subsidiaries and are secured by second-priority liens on substantially all of ours and our subsidiaries' assets (including a pledge of all of the capital stock and equity interests of our subsidiaries).
The Notes are redeemable at our option in whole or in part at any time after May 15, 2015 at a price of 105.625% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, if redeemed before May 15, 2016, 102.813% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, if redeemed after May 15, 2016 but before May 15, 2017 and 100% of the principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, if redeemed after May 15, 2017. Prior to May 15, 2015, we may redeem some or all of the Notes at a redemption price of 100% of the principal amount of each Note plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, and a make-whole premium. In addition, the indenture governing the Notes also provides that we may redeem up to 35% of the Notes using the proceeds of certain equity offerings completed before May 15, 2015.

The Notes are jointly and severally guaranteed, unconditionally and in full by our subsidiaries which are directly or indirectly 100% owned by us. There are no significant restrictions on our ability or any of the guarantor subsidiaries to obtain funds from its respective subsidiaries.

The indenture governing the Notes includes certain covenants, including limitations and restrictions on our and our subsidiaries who are guarantors under such indenture to, among other things: incur indebtedness or issue preferred stock; incur liens; pay dividends or make distributions in respect of capital stock or make certain other restricted payments or investments; sell assets; agree to payment restrictions affecting certain subsidiaries; enter into transaction with affiliates; or merge, consolidate or sell substantially all of our assets.

The indenture governing the Notes and the security agreement provide that any capital stock and equity interests of any of
our subsidiaries will be excluded from the collateral to the extent that the par value, book value or market value of such capital stock or equity interests exceeds 20% of the aggregate principal amount of the Notes then outstanding.

The indenture governing the Notes contains customary default provisions, including without limitation, a cross default provision pursuant to which it is an event of default under the Notes and the indenture governing the Notes if there is a default under any of our indebtedness having an outstanding principal amount of $15.0 million or more which results in the acceleration of such indebtedness prior to its stated maturity or is caused by a failure to pay principal when due. We were in compliance as of December 30, 2012 with the restrictive covenants of the indenture governing the Notes.
Carrols Restaurant Group Senior Credit Facility. On May 30, 2012, we entered into a senior credit facility, which provides for aggregate revolving credit borrowings of up to $20.0 million (including $15.0 million available for letters of credit) maturing on May 30, 2017. The senior credit facility also provides for incremental borrowing increases of up to $25.0 million, in the aggregate.

Under the senior credit facility (all terms not otherwise defined herein are defined in our senior credit facility), we have deposited $20.0 million in an account with the Administrative Agent as collateral for the senior credit facility until the date on which our Adjusted Leverage Ratio is less than 6.00x for two consecutive fiscal quarters (the “Cash Collateral Release Date"). This amount is classified as restricted cash on our consolidated balance sheet at December 30, 2012.
Prior to the Cash Collateral Release Date, revolving credit borrowings under the facility bear interest at a rate per annum, at our option, of:
(i) the Alternate Base Rate plus the applicable margin of 0.75% or
(ii) the LIBOR Rate plus the applicable margin of 1.75%.
Following the Cash Collateral Release Date, borrowings under the senior credit facility will bear interest at a rate per annum, at our option, of

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(i) the Alternate Base Rate plus the applicable margin of 2.50% to 3.25% based on our Adjusted Leverage Ratio, or
(ii) the LIBOR Rate plus the applicable margin of 3.50% to 4.25% based on our Adjusted Leverage Ratio.

Our obligations under the senior credit facility are guaranteed by our subsidiaries and are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of our assets and our subsidiaries, including a pledge of all of the capital stock and equity interests of our subsidiaries.
Under the senior credit facility, we will be required to make mandatory prepayments of borrowings in the event of dispositions of assets, debt issuances and insurance and condemnation proceeds (all subject to certain exceptions). The senior credit facility contains certain covenants, including, without limitation, those limiting our and our subsidiaries' ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the character of its business in all material respects, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments, make certain restricted payments or pay dividends. In addition, the senior credit facility requires us to meet certain financial ratios, including the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and the Adjusted Leverage Ratio; however, we are not required to be in compliance with such ratios so long as the senior credit facility is cash collateralized.
The senior credit facility contains customary default provisions, including that the lenders may terminate their obligation to advance and may declare the unpaid balance of borrowings, or any part thereof, immediately due and payable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of customary defaults which include, without limitation, payment default, covenant defaults, bankruptcy type defaults, cross-defaults on other indebtedness, judgments or upon the occurrence of a change of control.
At December 30, 2012 there were no outstanding borrowings under the senior credit facility. After reserving $5.4 million for letters of credit issued under the facility for workers’ compensation and other insurance policies, $14.6 million was available for borrowing under the senior credit facility at December 30, 2012.
Prior Carrols LLC Senior Credit Facility. On August 5, 2011 Carrols LLC entered into a senior credit facility, which provided for $65.0 million aggregate term loan borrowings and aggregate revolving credit borrowings of up to $20.0 million (including $10.0 million available for letters of credit) both maturing on August 5, 2016.
The term loan borrowings under the prior Carrols LLC senior credit facility were payable in consecutive quarterly principal payments of $1.625 million. All obligations under this credit facility were paid off in connection with the issuance of the Notes in May 2012.
Carrols Prior Senior Subordinated Notes. On December 15, 2004, Carrols issued $180.0 million of Carrols Notes that bore interest at a rate of 9% payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 and were scheduled to mature on January 15, 2013. The Carrols Notes were repurchased in connection with the 2011 refinancing.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments as of December 30, 2012 (in thousands):
 
 
 
Payments due by period
Contractual Obligations
 
Total
 
Less than
1 Year
 
1 – 3
Years
 
3 – 5
Years
 
More than
5 Years
Long-term debt obligations, including interest (1)
 
$
242,813

 
$
16,875

 
$
33,750

 
$
33,750

 
$
158,438

Capital lease obligations, including interest (2)
 
13,238

 
1,714

 
3,430

 
3,430

 
4,664

Operating lease obligations (3)
 
527,634

 
45,056

 
83,509

 
76,023

 
323,046

Lease financing obligations, including interest (4)
 
2,291

 
101

 
205

 
209

 
1,776

Total contractual obligations
 
$
785,976

 
$
63,746

 
$
120,894

 
$
113,412

 
$
487,924

 
(1)
Our long term debt at December 30, 2012 included $150.0 million of Notes. Total interest payments on our Notes of $92.8 million for all years presented are included at the coupon rate of 11.25%.
(2)
Includes total interest of $2.9 million for all years presented.
(3)
Represents the aggregate minimum lease payments under operating leases. Many of our leases also require contingent rent based on a percentage of sales in addition to the minimum base rent and require expenses incidental to the use of the property all of which have been excluded from this table.
(4)
Includes total interest of $1.1 million for all years presented.
We have not included obligations under our postretirement medical benefit plans in the contractual obligations table as our postretirement plan is not required to be funded in advance, but is funded as retiree medical claims are paid. Also excluded from

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the contractual obligations table are payments we may make for workers' compensation, general liability and employee healthcare claims for which we pay all claims, subject to annual stop-loss limitations both for individual claims and claims in the aggregate. The majority of our recorded liabilities related to self-insured employee health and insurance plans represent estimated reserves for incurred claims that have yet to be filed or settled.
Future restaurant remodeling obligations committed to in connection with the acquisition have also been excluded from the table above.
Long-Term Debt Obligations. Refer to Note 9 of our consolidated financial statements for details of our long-term debt.
Lease Guarantees. As of December 30, 2012, we are a guarantor under 38 Fiesta restaurant property leases, with lease terms expiring on various dates through 2030, and we are the primary lessee on five Pollo Tropical restaurant property leases, which we sublease to Fiesta. We are fully liable for all obligations under the terms of the leases in the event that Fiesta fails to pay any sums due under the lease, subject to indemnification provisions of the separation and distribution agreement entered into in connection with the spin-off.
The maximum potential liability for future rental payments we could be required to make under these leases at December 30, 2012 was $59.1 million. The obligations under these leases will generally continue to decrease over time as these operating leases expire. No payments have been made to date and none are expected to be required to be made in the future. We have not recorded a liability for those guarantees in accordance with ASC 460 - Guarantees as Fiesta has indemnified us for all such obligations and we did not believe it was probable we would be required to perform under any of the guarantees or direct obligations.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements other than our operating leases, which are primarily for our restaurant properties and not recorded on our consolidated balance sheet.
Inflation
The inflationary factors that have historically affected our results of operations include increases in food and paper costs, labor and other operating expenses and energy costs. Wages paid in our restaurants are impacted by changes in the Federal and state hourly minimum wage rates. Accordingly, changes in the Federal and state hourly minimum wage rates directly affect our labor costs. We typically attempt to offset the effect of inflation, at least in part, through periodic menu price increases and various cost reduction programs. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able to offset such inflationary cost increases in the future.
Application of Critical Accounting Policies
Our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Preparing consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by the application of our accounting policies. Our significant accounting policies are described in the “Significant Accounting Policies” footnote in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. Critical accounting estimates are those that require application of management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.
Sales recognition at our restaurants is straightforward as customers pay for products at the time of sale and inventory turns over very quickly. Payments to vendors for products sold in the restaurants are generally settled within 30 days. The earnings reporting process is covered by our system of internal controls and generally does not require significant management estimates and judgments. However, critical accounting estimates and judgments, as noted below, are inherent in the assessment and recording of insurance liabilities, income taxes, the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets for impairment, assessing impairment of long-lived assets and lease accounting matters. While we apply our judgment based on assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could vary from these assumptions. It is possible that materially different amounts would be reported using different assumptions.
Acquisition Accounting. We account for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, "Business Combinations" ("ASC 805"). As required by ASC 805, assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination are recorded at their respective fair values as of the business combination date. The most difficult estimations of individual fair values are those involving long-lived assets, such as property, equipment and intangible assets. We use available information to make these fair value determinations and, when necessary, engage an independent valuation specialist to assist in the fair value determination of the acquired long-lived assets and intangible assets.

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Insurance liabilities. The amount of liability we record for claims related to insurance requires us to make judgments about the amount of expenses that will ultimately be incurred. We are insured for certain losses related to workers’ compensation, general liability and medical insurance claims under policies where we pay all claims, subject to annual stop-loss insurance limitations both for individual claims and claims in the aggregate. We record insurance liabilities based on historical and industry trends, which are continually monitored, and adjust accruals as warranted by changing circumstances. Since there are estimates and assumptions inherent in recording these insurance liabilities, including the ability to estimate the future development of incurred claims based on historical claims experience and loss reserves, current claim data, and the severity of the claims, differences between actual future events and prior estimates and assumptions could result in adjustments to these liabilities. As of December 30, 2012, we had $4.3 million accrued for these insurance claims.
Evaluation of Goodwill. We must evaluate our recorded goodwill for impairment on an ongoing basis. We have elected to conduct our annual impairment review of goodwill at our fiscal year end and we determined that we have one reporting unit at that date. We may first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment test. In reviewing goodwill for impairment, we compare the net book value of the reporting unit to its estimated fair value. In determining the estimated fair value of the reporting unit, we employ a combination of a discounted cash flow analysis and a market-based approach. Assumptions include our anticipated growth rates and the weighted average cost of capital. The results of these analyses are corroborated with other value indicators where available, such as comparable company earnings multiples. This annual evaluation of goodwill requires us to make estimates and assumptions to determine the fair value of our reporting units including projections regarding future operating results and market values. We had one reporting unit with goodwill balances as of our most recent measurement date. Our impairment test at December 30, 2012 indicated the estimated fair value of our reporting unit exceeded the carrying value by approximately $196 million. This estimate may differ from actual future events and if this estimate or related projections change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for this asset. We did not record any impairment of goodwill during the years ended December 30, 2012, January 1, 2012 or January 2, 2011.
Impairment of Long-lived Assets. We assess the potential impairment of long-lived assets, principally property and equipment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We determine if there is impairment at the restaurant level by comparing undiscounted future cash flows from the related long-lived assets to their respective carrying values. In determining future cash flows, significant estimates are made by us with respect to future operating results of each restaurant over its remaining lease term, including sales trends, labor rates, commodity costs and other operating cost assumptions. If assets are determined to be impaired, the impairment charge is measured by calculating the amount by which the asset carrying amount exceeds its fair value. This process of assessing fair values requires the use of estimates and assumptions, including our ability to sell the related assets and market conditions, which are subject to a high degree of judgment. If these assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets.
Impairment of Burger King Franchise Rights. We assess the potential impairment of Burger King franchise rights whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. We determine if there is impairment by comparing the aggregate undiscounted future cash flows from those acquired restaurants with the respective carrying value of franchise rights for each Burger King acquisition. In determining future cash flows, significant estimates are made by us with respect to future operating results of the acquired restaurants including sales trends, labor rates, commodity costs and other operating cost assumptions over their remaining franchise life. If acquired franchise rights are determined to be impaired, the impairment charge is measured by calculating the amount by which the franchise rights carrying amount exceeds its fair value. This process requires the use of estimates and assumptions, which are subject to a high degree of judgment. If these assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets.
Lease Accounting. Judgments made by management for our lease obligations include the length of the lease term, which includes the determination of renewal options that are reasonably assured. The lease term can affect the classification of a lease as capital or operating for accounting purposes, the term over which related leasehold improvements for each restaurant are amortized, and any rent holidays and/or changes in rental amounts for recognizing rent expense over the term of the lease. These judgments may produce materially different amounts of depreciation, amortization and rent expense than would be reported if different assumed lease terms were used.
We also must evaluate sales of our restaurants which occur in sale-leaseback transactions to determine the proper accounting for the proceeds of such sales either as a sale or a financing. This evaluation requires certain judgments in determining whether clauses in the lease or any related agreements constitute continuing involvement. For those sale-leasebacks that are accounted for as financing transactions, we must estimate our incremental borrowing rate, or another rate in cases where the incremental borrowing rate is not appropriate to utilize, for purposes of determining interest expense and the resulting amortization of the lease financing obligation. Changes in the determination of the incremental borrowing rates or other rates utilized in connection with the accounting for lease financing transactions could have a significant effect on the interest expense and underlying balance of the lease financing obligations.

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Income Taxes. We must make estimates of certain items that comprise our income tax provision and the related current and deferred tax liabilities. These estimates include employer tax credits for items such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, as well as estimates of tax depreciation based on methods anticipated to be used on our tax returns. These estimates are made based on the best available information at the time of the provision and historical experience.
As part of the computation of the income tax provision, we identify and measure deferred tax assets and liabilities. We weigh available evidence in determining the realization of deferred tax assets. Available evidence includes our historical, current and future financial performance. We also consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. If we determine it is more likely than not that some portion or the entire deferred tax asset will not be recognized, the deferred tax asset will be reduced by a valuation allowance. At December 30, 2012, we had a deferred tax valuation allowance of $2.1 million related to certain state income tax net operating loss carryforwards.
ITEM  7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to market risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates, primarily limited to the senior credit facility. At December 30, 2012, there were no outstanding revolving credit borrowings under the senior credit facility. Under the senior credit facility, we have deposited $20.0 million in an account with the Administrative Agent as collateral for the senior credit facility until the date on which its Adjusted Leverage Ratio is less than 6.00x for two consecutive fiscal quarters (the “Cash Collateral Release Date"). Prior to the Cash Collateral Release Date, revolving credit borrowings under the facility bear interest at a rate per annum, at our option, of (all terms as defined in the senior credit facility):
(i)
the Alternate Base Rate plus the applicable margin of 0.75% or
(ii)
the LIBOR Rate plus the applicable margin of 1.75%
Following the Cash Collateral Release Date, borrowings under the senior credit facility will bear interest at a rate per annum, at our option, of
(i)
the Alternate Base Rate plus the applicable margin of 2.50% to 3.25% based on our Adjusted Leverage Ratio, or
(ii)
the LIBOR Rate plus the applicable margin of 3.50% to 4.25% based on our Adjusted Leverage Ratio.
Commodity Price Risk
We are exposed to market price fluctuations in beef and other food product prices caused by weather, market conditions and other factors which are not considered predictable or within our control. Given the historical volatility of beef and other food product prices, this exposure can impact our food and beverage costs. Although many of the products purchased are subject to changes in commodity prices, certain purchasing contracts or pricing arrangements have been negotiated in advance to minimize price volatility. Where possible, we use these types of purchasing techniques 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 that are significant and appear to be long-term in nature by adjusting our menu pricing. However, long-term increases in commodity prices may result in lower restaurant-level operating margins.
ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The financial statements and supplementary data of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. required by this Item are described in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are presented beginning on page F-1.

ITEM  9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM  9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our senior management is responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed,

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summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as well as other key members of our management. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 30, 2012.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. No changes occurred in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2012 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our senior management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act), designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.
Because of inherent limitations, a system of 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.
Management has evaluated the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2012 based on the criteria set forth in a report entitled Internal Control-Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, we have concluded that, as of December 30, 2012, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.
Our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and their report is included herein.


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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.
Syracuse, NY

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and subsidiary (the “Company”) as of December 30, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. 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 conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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 included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel 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 the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2012, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedule as of and for the year ended December 30, 2012 of the Company and our report dated March 12, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedule and included an explanatory paragraph regarding the presentation of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (“Fiesta”), prior to the separation of Fiesta from Carrols Corporation, as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

 
 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Rochester, NY
March 12, 2013

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ITEM  9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Incorporated by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
We have adopted a written code of ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees in accordance with the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market and the SEC. We make our code of ethics available free of charge through our internet website, www.carrols.com. We will disclose on our website amendments to or waivers from our code of ethics in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Incorporated by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Incorporated by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Incorporated by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Incorporated by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

(a) (1) Financial Statements - Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and Subsidiary

 
  
Page
CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
  
 
  
Financial Statements:
  
 
  
  
  
  
  


(a) (2) Financial Statement Schedule

Schedule
Description
Page
 
 
 
II

Schedules other than those listed are omitted for the reason that they are not required, not applicable, or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto.

(a) (3) Exhibits

EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
 
Number
Description
2.1
Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2012, among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols LLC and Burger King Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2012)
3.1
Form of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-137524))
3.2
Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-137524)
3.3
Amendment to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 6, 2012)
3.4
Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)
4.1
Form of Registration Agreement by and among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Atlantic Restaurants, Inc., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, L.P., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners II, L.P., Alan Vituli, Daniel T. Accordino and Joseph A. Zirkman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to Carrols Corporation's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K)
4.2
Registration Rights Agreement, relating to the 9% Senior Subordinated Notes, dated as of December 15, 2004 by and among Carrols Corporation, the guarantors named therein, J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Banc of America Securities LLC, Lehman Brothers Inc., Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and SunTrust Capital Markets, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Corporation's Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2004)
4.3
Form of Stock Certificate for Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 10, 2012)

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Exhibit
 
Number
Description
4.4
Indenture governing the 9% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013, dated as of December 15, 2004, between Carrols Corporation, the Guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Corporation's Form 8-K filed on December 21, 2004)
4.5
Form of First Supplement to Indenture by and between Carrols Corporation and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-137524))
4.6
Second Supplement to Indenture dated as of May 29, 2008 by and among Carrols Corporation, Carrols LLC and The Bank of New York (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on August 6, 2008)
4.7
Third Supplement to Indenture dated as of May 4, 2011 by and among Carrols Corporation, Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon (formerly known as The Bank of New York) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on May 12, 2011)
4.8
Fourth Supplement to Indenture, dated as of August 5, 2011 by and among Carrols Corporation and The Bank of New York Mellon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2011)
4.9
Indenture governing the 8.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2016, dated as of August 5, 2011, between Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2011)
4.10
Form of 8.875% Senior Secured Second Lien Note due 2016 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9)
4.11
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2011, between Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2011)
4.12
Form of Registration Rights Agreement between Carrols Restaurant Group Inc. and Burger King Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2012)
4.13
Indenture governing the 11.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2018, dated as of May 30, 2012, between Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)
4.14
Form of 11.25% Senior Secured Second Lien Note due 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13)
4.15
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, between Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)
10.1
Carrols Corporation Retirement Savings Plan dated April 1, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Carrols Corporation's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K) †
10.2
Carrols Corporation Retirement Savings plan July 1, 2002 Restatement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Carrols Corporation's September 29, 2002 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) †
10.3
Addendum incorporating EGTRRA Compliance Amendment to Carrols Corporation Retirement Savings Plan dated September 12, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to Carrols Corporation's September 29, 2002 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) †
10.4
First Amendment, dated as of January 1, 2004, to Carrols Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Carrols Corporation's December 31, 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K) †
10.5
2006 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-137524)) †
10.6
Amendment to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, dated as of March 24, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 28, 2011) †
10.7
Amendment to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, dated as of April 11, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 28, 2011) †
10.8
Form of Change of Control/Severance Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-137524)) †
10.9
Form of Agreement, by and among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, L.P., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, II, L.P., BIB Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd., Alan Vituli, Daniel T. Accordino and Joseph A. Zirkman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-137524))

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Exhibit
 
Number
Description
10.10
Form of Amendment No. 1 to Registration Agreement, by and among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, L.P., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, II, L.P., BIB Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd., Alan Vituli, Daniel T. Accordino and Joseph A. Zirkman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-137524))
10.11
Loan Agreement dated as of March 9, 2007 among Carrols Corporation, Wachovia Bank, National Association, Bank of America, N.A., Raymond James Bank, FSB, Wells Fargo Bank National Association, Manufacturers, Traders Trust Company and each of the lenders who are or may from time to time become a party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Form 8-K filed on March 13, 2007)
10.12
Pledge Agreement dated as of March 9, 2007 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols Corporation and the Subsidiary Pledgors (as defined therein) in favor of Wachovia Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Form 8-K filed on March 13, 2007)
10.13
Parent Guaranty Agreement dated as of March 9, 2007 by Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., in favor of Wachovia Bank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Form 8-K filed on March 13, 2007)
10.14
Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement dated as of March 9, 2007 among each of the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined in the Subsidiary Guaranty Agreement) in favor of the Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Form 8-K filed on March 13, 2007)
10.15
First Amendment to Loan Agreement dated as of July 2, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on August 10, 2007.)
10.16
Credit Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2011, between Carrols LLC, the lenders named therein, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, M&T Bank, as syndication agent and Regions Bank, as documentation agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2011)
10.17
First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of December 14, 2011 among Carrols LLC, the lenders named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2011)
10.18
Security Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2011, between Carrols LLC, the lenders named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2011)
10.19
Pledge Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2011, between Carrols LLC, the lenders named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2011)
10.20
Holdings Pledge Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2011, between Carrols Corporation, the lenders named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2011)
10.21
Credit Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2011, between Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, the lenders named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2011)
10.22
First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of December 14, 2011 among Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, the lenders named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2011)
10.23
First Lien Security Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2011, between Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2011)
10.24
Second Lien Security Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2011, between Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2011)
10.25
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated as of December 13, 2008 by and among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols Corporation and Daniel T. Accordino (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Carrols Restaurant Group's and Carrols Corporation's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K) †
10.26
Employment Agreement dated as of December 22, 2011 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols LLC and Daniel T. Accordino (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2011) †

48
Table of Contents

Exhibit
 
Number
Description
10.27
Amended and Restated Carrols Corporation and Subsidiaries Deferred Compensation Plan dated December 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Carrols Restaurant Group's and Carrols Corporation's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K) †
10.28
Joinder Agreement dated as of May 28, 2008 by and among Carrols Corporation, certain subsidiaries of Carrols Corporation, Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols LLC and Wachovia Bank, National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on August 6, 2008.)
10.29
Joinder Agreement dated as of May 4, 2011 by and among Carrols Corporation, certain subsidiaries of Carrols Corporation, Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. and Well Fargo Bank, National Association (successor by merger to Wachovia Bank, National Association) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on May 12, 2011)
10.30
Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 16, 2009, by and among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Jefferies Capital Partners IV LP, Jefferies Employee Partners IV LLC and JCP Partners IV LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Form 10-Q filed on August 5, 2009)
10.31
Voting Agreement, dated as of July 27, 2011, between Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and Jefferies Capital Partners IV L.P., Jefferies Employee Partners IV LLC and JCP Partners IV LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2011)
10.32
Management Services Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2011, between Carrols Corporation and Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2011)
10.33
Management Services Agreement, dated as of August 5, 2011, between Carrols Corporation and Carrols LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s and Carrols Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 12, 2011)
10.34
Voting Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2012, between Burger King Corporation and Jefferies Capital Partners IV L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2012)
10.35
Voting Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2012, between Burger King Corporation and Jefferies Employee Partners IV LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2012)
10.36
Voting Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2012, between Burger King Corporation and JCP Partners IV LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2012)
10.37
Voting Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2012, between Burger King Corporation and Daniel T. Accordino (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2012)
10.38
Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols Corporation, Carrols LLC and Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2012)
10.39
Tax Matters Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols Corporation, Carrols LLC and Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2012)
10.40
Employee Matters Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols Corporation, Carrols LLC and Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2012)
10.41
Transition Services Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols Corporation, Carrols LLC and Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2012)
10.42
Second Lien Security Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, between Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)
10.43
First Lien Security Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, between Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)

49
Table of Contents

Exhibit
 
Number
Description
10.44
Amendment No. 1 to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols LLC and Burger King Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)
10.45
Operating Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, between Carrols LLC and Burger King Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)
10.46
First Amendment to the Voting Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, between Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and Jefferies Capital Partners IV L.P., Jefferies Employee Partners IV LLC and JCP Partners IV LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)
10.47
Credit Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, between Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, the lenders named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)
14.1
Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and Carrols Corporation Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.’s and Carrols Corporation’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K)
21.1
List of Subsidiaries #
23.1
Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP #
31.1
Chief Executive Officer's Certificate Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.#
31.2
Chief Financial Officer's Certificate Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.#
32.1
Chief Executive Officer's Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.#
32.2
Chief Financial Officer's Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.#
*101.INS
XBRL Instance Document
*101.SCH
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
*101.CAL
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
*101.DEF
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
*101.LAB
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
*101.PRE
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

#
Filed herewith.
†
Compensatory plan or arrangement
*
As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is deemed furnished and not filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


50
Table of Contents

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.
Syracuse, NY

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and subsidiary (the “Company”) as of December 30, 2012 and January 1, 2012, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 2012. Our audits also included the consolidated financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15. These consolidated financial statements and the consolidated financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements and consolidated financial statement schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 30, 2012 and January 1, 2012, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 30, 2012, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
As discussed in Notes 1 and 3 to the consolidated financial statements, on May 7, 2012 the Company completed the spin-off of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (“Fiesta”). As a result of the spin-off, the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and statements of cash flows related to Fiesta have been presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 30, 2012, based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 12, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
 
Rochester, NY
March 12, 2013




F-1
Table of Contents


CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 30, 2012 AND JANUARY 1, 2012
(In thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)
 
December 30, 2012
 
January 1, 2012
ASSETS
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash
$
38,290


$
24,661

Trade and other receivables
6,418

 
6,673

Inventories
7,729

 
5,601

Prepaid rent
2,435

 
4,077

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
2,911

 
5,522

Refundable income taxes
43

 
2,239

Deferred income taxes (Note 12)
2,442

 
3,484

Total current assets
60,268

 
52,257

Restricted cash (Note 9)
20,000

 
—

Property and equipment, net (Note 4)
135,926

 
190,310

Franchise rights, net (Note 5)
94,170

 
67,238

Goodwill (Note 5)
8,162

 
124,934

Franchise agreements, at cost less accumulated amortization of $7,188 and $6,504, respectively
12,993

 
5,225

Favorable leases, net (Note 5)
3,287

 
—

Deferred financing fees
5,340

 
8,670

Deferred income taxes
2,222

 
—

Other assets
3,888

 
9,758

Total assets
$
346,256

 
$
458,392

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Current portion of long-term debt (Note 9)
$
1,062

 
$
6,553

Accounts payable
20,075

 
14,759

Accrued interest
2,138

 
7,178

Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits
15,223

 
21,796

Accrued real estate taxes
4,041

 
4,812

Other liabilities
10,251

 
8,779

Total current liabilities
52,790

 
63,877

Long-term debt, net of current portion (Note 9)
159,233

 
261,966

Lease financing obligations (Note 10)
1,197

 
10,064

Deferred income—sale-leaseback of real estate (Note 8)
18,623

 
37,372

Deferred income taxes (Note 12)
—

 
2,234

Accrued postretirement benefits (Note 18)
2,622

 
2,055

Unfavorable leases, net (Note 5)
9,045

 
—

Other liabilities (Note 7)
12,573

 
21,667

Total liabilities
256,083

 
399,235

Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
 
 
 
Stockholders’ equity (Note 13):
 
 
 
Preferred stock, par value $.01; authorized 20,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding—100 shares and zero, respectively (Note 16)
—

 
—

Voting common stock, par value $.01; authorized—100,000,000 shares, issued—23,682,869 and 22,135,663 shares, respectively, and outstanding—22,748,241 and 21,750,237 shares, respectively
227

 
218

Additional paid-in capital
68,056

 
6,954

Retained earnings
21,362

 
51,041

Accumulated other comprehensive income (Notes 9 and 18)
669

 
1,085

Treasury stock, at cost
(141
)
 
(141
)
Total stockholders’ equity
90,173

 
59,157

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
346,256

 
$
458,392


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
F-2
Table of Contents

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 30, 2012, JANUARY 1, 2012, AND JANUARY 2, 2011
(In thousands of dollars, except share and per share amounts)

 
December 30, 2012
 
January 1, 2012
 
January 2, 2011
Restaurant sales
$
539,608

 
$
347,518

 
$
357,073

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of sales
172,698

 
103,860

 
105,399

Restaurant wages and related expenses
169,857

 
109,155

 
112,534

Restaurant rent expense
37,883

 
22,665

 
23,169

Other restaurant operating expenses
88,883

 
53,389

 
54,602

Advertising expense
22,257

 
14,424

 
14,966

General and administrative (including stock-based compensation expense of $925, $1,037, and $884, respectively)
36,085

 
20,982

 
19,210

Depreciation and amortization
26,321

 
16,058

 
15,354

Impairment and other lease charges (Note 6)
977

 
1,293

 
709

Other income (Note 11)
(717
)
 
(720
)
 
(444
)
Total operating expenses
554,244

 
341,106

 
345,499

Income (loss) from operations
(14,636
)