Quarterlytics / Consumer Cyclical / Restaurants / Nathan's Famous, Inc. / FY2021 Annual Report

Nathan's Famous, Inc.
Annual Report 2021

NATH · NASDAQ Consumer Cyclical
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Ticker NATH
Exchange NASDAQ
Sector Consumer Cyclical
Industry Restaurants
Employees 147
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FY2021 Annual Report · Nathan's Famous, Inc.
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A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
 
 
 
 
 
C O R P O R A T E   P R O F I L E

Over one hundred years ago, Nathan’s began as a nickel hot dog stand on Coney Island in 1916 and, over the past century, 
has become a much-loved “New York institution” that has evolved into a highly recognized brand throughout the United 
States and the world.

Through our innovative points-of-distribution strategies, Nathan’s products are marketed within our restaurant system and 
throughout a broad spectrum of other food-service and retail environments. Our programs provide for the sale of Nathan’s 
World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut French fries and other famous favorites to retail and food-service locations 
nationwide and within sixteen foreign territories and countries. In total, Nathan’s products are marketed for sale in 
approximately 79,000 locations, including supermarkets, mass merchandisers and club stores throughout the United States. 

Successful market penetration of our highly-recognized valued brand and products, through a wide variety of distribution 
channels, continues to provide new and exciting growth opportunities.

2 0 2 1   F I N A N C I A L   H I G H L I G H T S

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Fiscal Year(1)

Selected Consolidated Financial Data:
As reported
Total revenues
Income from operations(2)
Net income
Income per share
  Basic
  Diluted
Weighted average shares used in computing income per share
  Basic
  Diluted
Supplemental Non-GAAP information(3)
EBITDA(4)
Adjusted EBITDA(5)

$75,839
$25,515
$11,075

$103,325
$  27,172
$  13,435

$101,849
$  27,976
$  21,493

$ 104,201
$  27,100
$  2,630

$96,256
$26,280
$  7,485

$    2.69
$    2.69

$ 
$ 

3.19
3.19

$ 
$ 

5.13
5.09

$ 
$ 

0.63
0.62

$    1.79
$    1.78

4,116
4,116

4,216
4,216

4,187
4,220

4,181
4,221

4,172
4,206

$27,109
$27,225

$  29,848
$  29,964

$  41,414
$  30,399

$  19,055
$  29,115

$27,766
$28,348

(1)  Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in March, which results in a 52- or 53-week year. The fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 were each on the basis of a 

52-week reporting period. The fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 was on the basis of a 53-week reporting period. The fiscal years ended March 25, 2018 and March 26, 2017 were 
each on the basis of a 52-week reporting period.   

(2)  Represents total revenues less (i) cost of sales; (ii) restaurant operating expenses; (iii) general and administrative expenses; (iv) depreciation and amortization and (v) Advertising 

fund expense. 

(3)  EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures. The Company has provided EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA that the Company believes will impact the comparabil-
ity of its results of operations. The Company believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are useful to investors to assist in assessing and understanding the Company’s operating 
performance and underlying trends in the Company’s business because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are (i) among the measures used by management in evaluating performance 
and (ii) are frequently used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties as a common performance measure. EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms 
under US GAAP and should not be viewed as alternatives to net income or other measures of financial performance or liquidity in conformity with US GAAP. Additionally, our defini-
tions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may differ from other companies. Analysis of results and outlook on a non-US GAAP basis should be used as a complement to, and in con-
junction with, data presented in accordance with US GAAP. Please see a reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to net income in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 
fiscal year ended March 28, 2021, included herein.

(4) EBITDA represents net income adjusted for the reversal of (i) interest expense; (ii) provision for income taxes and (iii) depreciation and amortization expense.
(5)  Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA adjusted for the reversal of (i) gain on sale of property and equipment in fiscal 2019; (ii) loss on debt extinguishment in fiscal 2018; (iii) impair-

ment charge on long-lived assets in fiscal 2018; and (iv) share-based compensation.

Total Revenues 
($ in millions)

Income From Operations(2) 
($ in millions)

Adjusted EBITDA(5) 
($ in millions)

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

120

$104.2

100

$96.3

$101.8

$103.3

$104.2

$101.8

$103.3

$75.8

$75.8

80

60

40

20

30

120

$96.3

25

100

20

80

15

60

10

40

5

20

$96.3

25

20

15

10

5

$75.8

30

25

25

20

20

15

15

10

10

5

5

’17

’18

’19

’20

’21

’17

0

’18

’17

’19

’18

’20

’19

’21

’20

’21

0

0

’17

’17

’17

’18

’18

’18

’19

’19

’19

’20

’20

’20

’21

’21

’21

’17

’17

’18

0
’18

’17
’19

’19

’18
’20

’20

’19
’21

’20

’21

’21

0

’17

0
’18

’17

’17

’18

’18

’19

’19

’19

’20

25

20

15

10

5

0

’20
’21

’20

’21

’21

’17

’17

’18

’18

’17
’19

’19

’18
’20

’20

’19
’21
’21

’20

’21

’17

’17

’18

’18

’19

’19

’20

’20

’21

’21

’17

’18

’19

’20

’21

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

$26.3

$27.1

30
$104.2

$28.0

$27.2

$101.8

$103.3

$25.5

30

35
$27.1

$28.0

$27.2

$26.3

$25.5

$26.3

$28.3

35

$28.0

$30.4

$27.1

$29.1

30

$27.2

$30.0

$25.5

$27.2

$28.3

$29.1

$30.4

$30.0

$27.2

$28.3

$29.1

$30.4

$30.0

$27.2

 
 
 
 
 
S H A R E H O L D E R ’ S   L E T T E R

Fiscal 2021 was another successful year for Nathan’s Famous, despite 
the enormous challenges presented by the global COVID-19 pandemic. 

Our business model is aimed at increasing the number 
of distribution points for our signature products in three 
distinct business channels. As of March 28, 2021: (1) our 
consumer-packaged goods were sold through more 
than 65,000 locations in supermarket/grocery channels 
in the United States; (2) our bulk foodservice-packaged 
goods were sold through 14,000 locations in foodservice 
channels in North America; and (3) the Company had 4 
company-owned restaurants in the United States and 213 
franchised restaurants and 130 “ghost” kitchens through-
out the world. The diversity of these business lines 
drove the Company’s performance in fiscal 2021, as our 
increases in grocery channels offset a significant amount 
of the unavoidable and expected declines caused by the 
pandemic in our foodservice and restaurant businesses.

OPERATIONAL AND FINANCIAL RESULTS
On an overall basis, results for fiscal 2021 compared to  
fiscal 2020 were as follows: (1) controllable operating 
income was $25.88 Million, a decrease of only 1.3%;  
(2) EBITDA1, a non-GAAP financial measure, was $27.1 
Million, a decrease of 9.2%; (3) pre-tax income was $15.3 
Million, a decrease of 14.9%; (4) net income was $11.08 
Million, a decrease of 17.5%; and (5) diluted earnings per 
share were $2.69, a decrease of 15.7%.

Product Licensing
Our licensing program, which consists primarily of the 
sale of Nathan’s Famous branded consumer packaged 
goods through supermarkets, club stores and mass 
merchandisers, is the largest part of our business today, 
both from the perspective of profit contribution and 
points of distribution. Overall, license royalties during 
fiscal 2021 increased 21.3% to $31.37 Million.

Our most significant licensing agreement is with 
Smithfield Foods, and covers the sale of our portfolio of 
consumer packaged and certain bulk packaged Nathan’s 
Famous hot dog products to retailers throughout the 
United States. In fiscal 2021, royalties earned under this 
agreement increased by 24.5% to $27.8 Million. 

Other licenses in our licensing program include licenses 
to sell at retail Nathan’s Famous Crinkle Cut French Fries, 
Nathan’s Famous Beer Batter Onion Rings, mustards, 
pickles, franks ’n blankets, mini bagel dogs and mozza-
rella sticks. 

Clearly, this part of our business benefited during the  
pandemic as people were forced and/or chose to eat 
more at home.

The Branded Products Program
The Branded Products Program is our foodservice 
sales program which features the bulk sale of Nathan’s 
Famous hot dogs to the food service industry. Our prod-
ucts are sold through the Branded Products Program 
at over 14,000 points of distribution, to include several 
large national and regional restaurant, movie theater and 
convenience store chains, as well as thousands of other 
locations including ballparks, arenas, amusement parks, 
college campuses, hospitals, casinos, resorts and school 
systems. Through the Branded Products Program, we do 
business with all of the major foodservice distributors 
in the United States, including SYSCO, US Foodservice, 
PFG and McLane, as well as many regional distributors.

Fiscal 2021 was a challenging year for the Branded 
Products Program, as a significant component of this 
part of our business is focused on venues where people 

1 Please see definition of EBITDA and the reconciliation of EBITDA to net income in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2021, included herein.

1

NATHAN’S FAMOUS, INC.

congregate, such as malls, sports stadiums, amusement 
parks and airports. Due to the various shut-down orders 
across the country during the pandemic, the unit volume of 
products sold during the year fell 40.9%, and, as a conse-
quence, operating profit fell 38.9% to $6.38 Million. 

Restaurant Operations
As of the end of fiscal 2021, our Restaurant Operations con-
sisted of 4 Company-owned locations, 213 franchised units 
and 130 licensed “ghost kitchen” locations. Revenues from 
Restaurant Operations in fiscal 2021 declined 46.9% to  
$9.31 Million. 

In fiscal 2020, we undertook activities to re-position our 
restaurant system, developing new, higher quality menu 
items and modern prototypes and were preparing to roll 
the results out just as COVID-19 hit. Given the significant 
impact we knew the pandemic would have on our restau-
rant operations and development activities, we chose to 
wait on the roll-out of our new prototypes and instead focus 
on developing a “ghost kitchen” program to offer our exist-
ing “Nathan’s Famous” menu and our brand new “Wings 
of New York” menu virtually through delivery services and 
apps such as DoorDash and UberEats. We opened our first 
“ghost kitchen” in October of 2020, and by the end of fiscal 
2021 in March we had 130 in operation. 

RETURNING CAPITAL TO SHAREHOLDERS
The success of our current business model has allowed us 
to return significant capital to our shareholders. Since the 
early 2000s, we have repurchased more than 5.2 million 
shares of our common stock. At an average price of just 
over $16.13 per share, we reduced our outstanding share 
count by more than 50%, creating, we believe, significant 
value for all of our shareholders. 

In fiscal 2015, our capital return strategy shifted to divi-
dends. At that time, and again in fiscal 2018, we paid one-
time special dividends to all of our shareholders. Together, 
more than $137 Million, or $30 per share, was returned to 
shareholders in a tax efficient manner through dividends. In 
Fiscal 2019, we declared and paid the first regular quarterly 
dividend in the Company’s long history — $0.25 per share 
per quarter, or $1.00 per share for the fiscal year. In fiscal 
2020, we raised that quarterly dividend to $0.35 per share, 
or $1.40 for the fiscal year. 

In all, between stock buybacks and cash dividends, a total 
of approximately $238 Million has been returned to share-
holders over the last 20 years — almost 12 times more than 
the company’s market capitalization of less than $30 Million 
at the beginning of those 20 years!

IN CONCLUSION
Our focused strategies, creative approaches, and ever- 
expanding opportunities should afford us with the ability 
to continue to expose the Nathan’s Famous brand and 
advance the sale of Nathan’s Famous products through a 
broad variety of environments and distribution channels. 
As we seek to continue to expand and pursue profitable, 
new opportunities, we will retain our steadfast commit-
ment to quality and endeavor to serve our shareholders 
responsibly. We remain extremely appreciative of your 
continued support.

Eric Gatoff 
Chief Executive Officer 

2

NATHAN’S FAMOUS, INC.

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UNITED STATES 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-K 
(Mark One) 

☒ ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
For the fiscal year ended March 28, 2021 
or 
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 
For the transition period from _________to__________ 

Commission File No. 001-35962 

NATHAN’S FAMOUS, INC.  
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

Delaware 
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 

11-3166443 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 

One Jericho Plaza, Jericho, New York 
(Address of principal executive offices) 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 

11753 
(Zip Code) 

516-338-8500  

Title of each class 
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share 

Trading Symbol(s) 
NATH 

Name of each exchange on which registered 
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 ☒ 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 
during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing 
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐ 

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether  the  registrant  has  submitted  electronically,  every  Interactive  Data  File  required  to  be  submitted  and  to  Rule  405  of 

Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an 
emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” 
in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One): 

Large accelerated filer 

Non-accelerated filer 

☐ 
☐ 

Accelerated filer 

Smaller reporting company 

Emerging growth company 

☒ 
☒ 
☐ 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any 

new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal 

control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that 
prepared or issued its audit report. ☒ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒ 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of the last business day of the 

registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter – September 25, 2020 - was approximately $147,783,000, which value, solely for the purposes 
of this calculation excludes shares held by the registrant’s officers and directors. Such exclusion shall not be deemed a determination by registrant that all 
such individuals are, in fact, affiliates of the registrant. 

As of June 4, 2021, there were outstanding 4,114,934 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share. 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE– The information required by Part III, Items 10, 11, 12 and 13 is incorporated by reference from 

the registrant’s definitive proxy statement for the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders which is expected to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A of the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 no later than 120 days after the conclusion of Nathan Famous, Inc.’s fiscal year ended March 28, 2021. 

 
 
 
  
  
  
                                                
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
                                                                
  
  
  
  
  
          
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

PART I 

Item 1. 
Business. .......................................................................................................................................................   4 
Item 1A.  Risk Factors. .................................................................................................................................................   21 
Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments.........................................................................................................................   35 
Properties. .....................................................................................................................................................   36 
Item 2. 
Legal Proceedings. .......................................................................................................................................   36 
Item 3. 
Mine Safety Disclosures. ..............................................................................................................................   36 
Item 4. 

PART II 

Item 5. 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 

Securities. ..................................................................................................................................................   37 
Selected Financial Data. ...............................................................................................................................   38 
Item 6. 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. ......................   39 
Item 7. 
Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. .....................................................................   52 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. ...........................................................................................   53 
Item 8. 
Item 9. 
Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. .....................   53 
Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures. ..............................................................................................................................   53 
Item 9B.  Other Information. ........................................................................................................................................   53 

PART III 

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. ..........................................................................   55 
Executive Compensation. .............................................................................................................................   55 
Item 11. 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. ....   55 
Item 12. 
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. ............................................   55 
Item 13. 
Principal Accountant Fees and Services. ......................................................................................................   56 
Item 14. 

PART IV 

Item 15. 
Item 16. 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. ...............................................................................................   57 
Form 10-K Summary. ...................................................................................................................................   58 

Signatures    

Index to Financial Statements .......................................................................................................................................   F-1 

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Forward-Looking Statements 

PART I 

This Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 
1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, that involve risks and uncertainties. 
You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “believes”, “expects”, “projects”, “may”, 
“would”, “should”, “seeks”, “intends”, “plans”, “estimates”, “anticipates” or similar expressions that relate to our strategy, 
plans or intentions. All statements we make relating to our estimated and projected earnings, margins, costs, expenditures, 
cash flows, growth rates and financial results or to our expectations regarding future industry trends are forward-looking 
statements.  In  addition,  we,  through  our  senior  management,  from  time  to  time  make  forward-looking  public  statements 
concerning our expected future operations and performance and other developments. These forward-looking statements are 
subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may change at any time, and, therefore, our actual 
results  may  differ  materially  from  those  that  we  expected.  We  derive  many  of  our  forward-looking  statements  from  our 
operating budgets and forecasts, which are based upon many detailed assumptions. While we believe that our assumptions 
are reasonable, we caution that it is very difficult to predict the impact of known factors, and, of course, it is impossible for 
us to anticipate all factors that could affect our actual results. All forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K 
are based upon information available to us on the date of this Form 10-K. 

Item 1.         Business. 

As used herein, unless we otherwise specify, the terms “we,” “us,” “our,” “Nathan’s,” “Nathan’s Famous” and the 
“Company” mean Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including NF Treacher’s Corp. References to the fiscal 2021 
period mean the fiscal year ended March 28, 2021 and references to the fiscal 2020 period mean the fiscal year ended March 
29, 2020. In addition, references to the “Notes”, “2025 Notes” or the “2025 Senior Secured Notes” refer to the $150,000,000 
6.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 and references to the “2020 Notes” or the “2020 Senior Secured Notes” refer to the 
$135,000,000 10.000% Senior Secured Notes which were redeemed on November 16, 2017. 

We are a leading branded licensor, wholesaler and retailer of products marketed under our Nathan’s Famous brand, 
including our popular Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs. What began as a nickel hot dog stand on Coney Island in 
1916 has evolved into a highly recognized brand throughout the United States and the world. Our innovative business model 
seeks to maximize the points of distribution for and the consumption of Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut 
French fries and our other products across a wide-range of grocery retail and foodservice formats. Our products are currently 
marketed for sale in approximately 79,000 locations, including supermarkets, mass merchandisers and club stores, selected 
foodservice locations and our Company-owned and franchised restaurants throughout the United States and in sixteen foreign 
territories  and  countries.  The  Company  considers  itself  to  be  in  the  foodservice  industry,  and  has  pursued  co-branding 
initiatives within other foodservice environments. Our major channels of distribution are as follows: 

●  Our licensing program contracts with certain third parties to manufacture, distribute, market and sell a broad
variety of Nathan’s Famous branded products including our hot dogs, sausage and corned beef products, frozen
French  fries  and  additional  products  through  retail  grocery  channels  and  club  stores  throughout  the  United
States.  As  of  March  28,  2021,  packaged  Nathan’s  World  Famous  Beef  Hot  Dogs  continued  to  be  sold  in 
supermarkets,  mass  merchandisers  and  club  stores  including  Walmart,  Kroger,  Ahold,  Publix,  Albertsons,
Safeway,  ShopRite,  Target, Sam’s  Club,  Costco  and  BJ’s Wholesale  Club  located  in  all  50  states.  We  earn
revenue through royalties on products sold by our licensees. 

●  The Branded Product Program (“BPP”) provides foodservice operators in a variety of venues the opportunity
to capitalize on our Nathan’s Famous brand by marketing and selling certain Nathan’s Famous hot dog products.
We  believe  that  the  program  has  broad  appeal  to  foodservice  operators  due  to  its  flexibility  to  deliver  our
products to a wide variety of distribution channels. In conjunction with the program, operators are granted a
limited use of the Nathan’s Famous trademark, as well as Nathan’s point of purchase materials. Unlike our
licensing and franchise programs, we do not generate revenue from royalties, but rather by selling our hot dog
products either directly to foodservice operators or to various foodservice distributors who resell the products
to foodservice operators. 

4 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
●  Operating quick-service restaurants featuring Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut French fries, 
and a variety of other menu offerings, which operate under the name “Nathan’s Famous,” the name first used 
at our original Coney Island restaurant which opened in 1916. 

●  Our  franchised  restaurant  operations  are  comprised  predominately  of  our  Nathan’s  Famous  concept,  which
features a menu consisting of Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut French fries and beverages
as  well  as  other  items.  We  earn  royalties  on  restaurant  sales  at  these  franchise  locations.  In  addition  to  our 
traditional franchised restaurants, we enable approved foodservice operators to offer a Nathan’s Famous menu
of Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut French fries, proprietary toppings and a limited menu
of  other  Nathan’s  products  through  our  Branded  Menu  Program  (“BMP”).  We  earn  royalties  on  Nathan’s
products purchased by our BMP franchise operators. 

We also own, through our subsidiary NF Treacher’s Corp., the Arthur Treacher’s brand and trademarks. We use the 
Arthur Treacher’s brand, products and trademarks as a branded seafood menu-line extension for inclusion in certain Nathan’s 
Famous restaurants. Currently, we operate seven Arthur Treacher’s BMP locations. 

Our brand is widely recognized by virtue of our long history and broad geographic footprint, which allows us to 
enjoy high consumer awareness in the United States and abroad and the ability to grow in markets and channels where the 
brand is known but has not yet achieved optimal market penetration. We believe that our highly visible brand and reputation 
for high quality products have allowed us to expand our food offerings beyond our signature hot dogs and command a price 
premium across our portfolio of products. Over time, we have expanded menu options so that our Company-owned restaurants 
and franchisees can supplement their core menu of Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut French fries and 
beverages with a variety of other quality menu choices. We have also developed a portfolio of licensed products for sale at 
retail and grocery locations. During the fiscal 2021 period, we expanded our brand presence by opening Nathan’s Famous 
virtual  kitchens,  or  “ghost  kitchens.”  We  have  partnered  with  existing  branded  restaurants  and  utilizing  their  existing 
equipment allow them to sell Nathan’s Famous branded products through third party delivery platforms such as UberEats, 
DoorDash and GrubHub. We have also developed a virtual chicken wing concept called the Wings of New York, with a 
menu made up of chicken wings, chicken tenderloins and waffles. 

We seek to maintain the same quality standard with each of our supplemental menu items and licensed products as 
we do with our core hot dog and French fries menu. We intend to continue to leverage our highly recognized global brand 
and iconic products to introduce new products into our existing distribution network, open new points of distribution and 
grow our overall sales. We believe that there is potential to increase our sales by converting existing sales of non-branded 
products to Nathan’s Famous branded products throughout the foodservice industry. 

In  recent  years,  our  primary  focus  has  been  to  expand  the  market  penetration  of  the  Nathan’s  Famous  brand. 
Specifically, we have sought to increase the number of points of brand representation and grow product sales throughout our 
various channels of distribution. In this regard, we have concentrated our efforts on: 

● 

● 

● 

● 

● 

expanding our licensing programs for packaged Nathan’s Famous products through new product introductions
and geographic expansion; 

expanding the number of foodservice locations and distributors participating in the Nathan’s Famous Branded
Product Program; 

expanding the number of domestic franchised Nathan’s Famous restaurant units through the opening of new
and innovative types of locations, including the Branded Menu Program, as well as continuing to develop master
franchising programs in foreign countries; 

expanding the number of virtual kitchens domestically and internationally helping to grow our Nathan’s Famous
brand and Wings of New York concept; and 

continuing to operate our iconic Company-owned restaurants, and opportunistically seek to invest in Company-
owned restaurant expansion. 

5 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
As of March 28, 2021: 

●  our Nathan’s Famous Company-owned and franchised units in operations consisted of 213 franchised units and
four Company-owned units (including one seasonal unit) located in 19 states and eight foreign countries; 

●  our  Nathan’s  Famous  Branded  Product  Program  distributed our  Nathan’s  World  Famous  Beef  Hot  Dogs
throughout  all 50  states,  the District of  Columbia,  Puerto Rico,  Canada, the U.S.  Virgin Islands, Guam  and
Mexico;  

●  Nathan’s  Famous  packaged  hot  dogs  and  other  products  were  offered  for  sale  in  supermarkets,  mass 

merchandisers and club stores in all 50 states.  

Our revenues are generated primarily from sales of products sold through our Branded Product Program and within 
our Company-owned restaurants, as well as royalties from our retail licensing activities and the royalties, fees and other sums 
we earn from our restaurant franchising activities. 

We plan to expand the scope and market penetration of our Branded Product Program, further develop the restaurant 
operations  of  existing  Nathan’s  Famous  franchised  and  Company-owned  outlets,  open  new  Nathan’s  Famous  franchised 
outlets in traditional or captive market environments, open new virtual kitchens, domestically and internationally, and expand 
the Nathan’s Famous retail licensing programs. We may also selectively consider opening new Company-owned restaurants. 

COVID-19 Pandemic 

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared a global pandemic related to the outbreak of a 
novel strain of coronavirus, designated “COVID-19.” Initially, federal, state, and local governments reacted to the COVID-
19  pandemic  by  encouraging  or  requiring  social  distancing,  instituting  shelter-in-place  orders,  and  requiring,  in  varying 
degrees, reduced operating hours, restaurant dine-in and/or indoor dining limitations, capacity limitations or other restrictions 
that largely limited our Company-owned restaurants, franchised restaurants and BMP franchises to off-premise sales (take-
out and delivery) in the early stages of the pandemic. Additionally, it negatively impacted our Branded Product Program as 
many of our customers operate in venues that are closed or venues that are operating at reduced capacity, such as professional 
sports arenas, amusement parks, and shopping malls. 

During the course of the fiscal 2021 period, certain of these restrictions were relaxed as incidents of infection from 
the  initial  outbreak  declined.  The  Company  has  instituted  operational  procedures  to  protect  the  health  and  foster  the 
confidence  of  employees  and  guests  at  the  Company-owned  and  franchised  units.  The  Company  continues  to  monitor 
developing and changing health authority recommendations and regulatory requirements. 

The business environment remains fluid into fiscal 2022 (“the fiscal year ending March 27, 2022”) and is subject to 
change as governmental authorities modify existing restrictions or implement new restrictions in response to changes in the 
number of COVID-19 infections and the availability and acceptance of vaccines around the United States and internationally. 

The  impact  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  on  our  results  of  operations  and  liquidity  is  discussed  in  Item 7  - 

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of this Form 10-K. 

Corporate History 

We were incorporated in Delaware on July 10, 1992 under the name “Nathan’s Famous Holding Corporation” to act 
as the parent of a Delaware corporation then-known as Nathan’s Famous, Inc. On December 15, 1992, we changed our name 
to Nathan’s Famous, Inc., and our Delaware subsidiary changed its name to Nathan’s Famous Operating Corp. The Delaware 
subsidiary  was  organized  in  October  1989  in  connection  with  its  re-incorporation  in  Delaware  from  that  of  a  New  York 
corporation named “Nathan’s Famous, Inc.” The New York Nathan’s was incorporated on July 10, 1925, as a successor to 
the sole-proprietorship that opened the first Nathan’s restaurant in Coney Island in 1916. On July 23, 1987, Equicor Group, 
Ltd. merged with and into the New York Nathan’s in a “going private” transaction. The New York Nathan’s, the Delaware 
subsidiary and Equicor may all be deemed to be our predecessors. 

6 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Restaurant Operations 

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted operations at our Company-owned restaurants, franchised restaurants and 
BMP locations. Three out of four of our Company-owned restaurants remained open throughout the fiscal 2021 period and 
continued  to  offer  food  primarily  through  take-out  and  delivery.  Our  seasonal  location  on  the  Coney  Island  Boardwalk 
operated for an abbreviated time in the fiscal 2021 period. It was open from May 15, 2020 to September 13, 2020. This 
seasonal location re-opened with reduced operating hours for the fiscal 2022 summer season on April 2, 2021. 

A majority of our franchised locations closed temporarily during the fiscal 2021 period due to their locations being 
in venues that were closed (such as movie theaters) or venues operating at reduced traffic levels (such as airports, highway 
travel plazas and shopping malls). Currently, approximately 77% of the Company’s franchise system is open. 

Such closures and disruptions have impacted revenues and income from operations as compared to the fiscal 2020 

period. 

We remain principally focused on the well-being and safety of our guests, restaurant employees, franchisees, and all 

other Corporate employees. 

The health and well-being of our employees and guests has always been and continue to be our top priority. Since 
the situation around the COVID-19 pandemic is constantly changing we may implement additional safety measures in line 
with health authority recommendations and regulatory requirements. 

Nathan’s Famous Concept and Menus  

Our  Nathan’s  Famous  concept  is  scalable,  offering  a  wide  range  of  facility  designs  and  sizes,  suitable  to  a  vast 
variety of locations, featuring a core menu consisting of Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut French fries and 
beverages. Nathan’s menu is designed to take advantage of site-specific market opportunities by adding complementary food 
items to the core menu. The Nathan’s concept is suitable to stand-alone or can be co-branded with other nationally recognized 
brands. 

Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs are flavored with our secret blend of spices provided by Ida Handwerker in 
1916, which historically have distinguished Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs. Our hot dogs are prepared and served 
in accordance with procedures which have not varied significantly since our inception over 100 years ago in our Company-
owned and franchised restaurants. Our signature crinkle-cut French fries, cooked in 100% trans-fat-free oil, are featured at 
each Nathan’s restaurant. We believe the majority of sales in our Company-owned restaurants consist of Nathan’s World 
Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut French fries and beverages. 

Individual Nathan’s restaurants supplement their core menu of Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut 
French fries and beverages with a variety of other quality menu choices including: the Nathan’s Famous NY Cheesesteak by 
Pat  LaFreida,  our  fresh  angus  hamburger  program  and  our  hand-dipped  chicken  program.  We  have  historically  used  the 
Arthur Treacher’s brand, products and trademarks as a branded seafood menu-line extension for inclusion in certain Nathan’s 
Famous restaurants. 

We  also  partner  with  major  third-party  delivery  service  providers,  such  as  DoorDash,  UberEats  and  GrubHub, 
providing multiple options for our guests to continue to enjoy Nathan’s Famous products at home during the COVID-19 
pandemic. Nathan’s also opened our first virtual kitchens (existing kitchens with no Nathan’s Famous branded store-front 
presence, used to fill online orders) during the fiscal 2021 period to further expand our delivery options and to reach even 
more of our customers. At March 28, 2021, there were 130 virtual kitchens operating in 10 states and four foreign countries. 

Nathan’s restaurant designs are available in a range of sizes from 300 to 4,000 square feet. We have also developed 
various Nathan’s carts, kiosks, mobile food carts, trucks and modular units. Our smaller units may not have customer seating 
areas, although they may often share seating areas with other fast food or quick service outlets in food court settings. Other 
units generally provide seating for 45 to 125 customers. Carts, kiosks and modular units generally carry only the core menu. 
Our food trucks may carry the full Nathan’s Famous menu. 

7 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
We  believe  that  Nathan’s  carts,  kiosks,  modular  units  and  food  court  designs  are  particularly  well-suited  for 
placement  in  non-traditional  sites,  such  as  airports,  travel  plazas,  stadiums,  schools,  convenience  stores,  entertainment 
facilities, military facilities, business and industry foodservice, within larger retail operations and other captive markets. Many 
of these settings may also be appropriate for our expanding Branded Menu Program or Branded Product Program. All of 
these units feature the Nathan’s logo and utilize a contemporary design. 

Franchise Operations 

At March 28, 2021, our Nathan’s franchise system, including our Branded Menu Program, consisted of 213 units 

operating in 19 states and eight foreign countries. 

Our franchise system includes among its franchisees such well-known companies as HMS Host, Gourmet Dining 
Services, Inc., CulinArt, Inc., National Amusements, Inc., Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Company, and Bruster’s Real 
Ice Cream. We continue to market our franchising programs to larger, experienced and successful operators with the financial 
and  business  capability  to  develop  multiple  franchise  units,  as  well  as  to  individual  owner-operators  with  evidence  of 
restaurant management experience, net worth and sufficient capital. 

During the fiscal 2021 period, no single franchisee accounted for over 10% of our consolidated revenue. At March 
28, 2021, HMS Host operated 12 franchised outlets, including three units at airports, eight units within highway travel plazas 
and one unit within a mall. Additionally, 23 mobile carts were registered to operate in New York, NY, and 15 Bruster’s Real 
Ice Cream shops were selling Nathan’s products under our Branded Menu Program. 

Growth Strategies 

Even amidst the various challenges of fiscal 2021, the Company embarked on a number of new initiatives to promote 

the Nathan’s Famous brand and to position itself for future growth. 

Virtual Kitchens – The Company has partnered with Franklin Junction, which connects host restaurants with digital 

brands, and has also collaborated with REEF, and Ghost Kitchen Brands to expand across the United States and Canada. 

Wings of New York – The Company launched the Wings of New York, a virtual concept offering New York style 
chicken  wings,  hand-dipped  chicken  tenders,  as  well  as  Harlem-style  chicken  and  waffles  through  third  party  delivery 
services. The concept offers over a dozen different wing sauces ranging from Classic Buffalo and Creamy Mild Buffalo to 
Carolina Reaper and Ghost Pepper, as well as a signature Buffalo sauce created by culinary consultant and James Beard 
Award Winner Mark Miller. The Nathan’s Famous crinkle-cut French fries can be served alongside the wings or loaded with 
an assortment of toppings including the NY Cheesesteak fries by Pat LaFrieda, while the waffles, which can be served a la 
carte, are topped with real maple syrup and butter. The menu also features two waffle dessert options – a waffle sundae and 
a waffle shake. 

Expansion of Partnership with Pat LaFrieda – In 2019, the Company launched the NY Cheesesteak by Pat LaFrieda. 
Due to the popularity of that hero sandwich, during the fiscal 2021 period the Company developed and introduced two new 
menu items, the NY Cheesesteak topped Hot Dog and NY Cheesesteak Fries. 

Goldbelly DIY Kits – During the fiscal 2021 period, the Company partnered with Goldbelly to provide Nathan’s 
Famous  favorite  meals  to  consumers  throughout  the  United  States.  The  Company  offers  a  number  of  meal  kits  through 
Goldbelly, including its Nathan’s World Famous Beef hot dog and crinkle-cut French fries. Other meal options include the 
NY Cheesesteak by Pat LaFrieda, and the Pastrami and Swiss Hero, both of which are shipped with Nathan’s Famous crinkle-
cut French fries. 

8 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
 
 
Digital Business – During fiscal 2021, the Company upgraded its capabilities by expanding our partnerships with 
third-party delivery services. Digital sales, which include delivery and customer pick-up, at three of our four Company-owned 
restaurants (excluding our seasonal location on the Coney Island Boardwalk) accounted for 11% of sales at these locations 
in fiscal 2021. Our ability to offer off-premises sales during the COVID-19 pandemic was important, as more guests preferred 
to eat their meals at home and in-restaurant dining was prohibited or restricted early in fiscal 2021. 

Continued Focus on Technology 

The  Company  continues  to  take  strides  to  improve  its  technology  resources  to  aid  its  Company-owned  store 
operations. In fiscal 2021, the Company-owned restaurants migrated to the PAR Brink Point-of-Sale application. To further 
increase operational efficiency, the Company partnered with Restaurant Magic to install a back office software solution that 
focuses on inventory and food management, labor and scheduling, as well as reporting and analytics. 

Nathan’s Standard Franchise Program          

Franchisees are required to execute a standard franchise agreement prior to opening each Nathan’s Famous unit. Our 
current standard Nathan’s Famous franchise agreement provides for, among other things, a one-time $30,000 franchise fee 
payable upon execution of the agreement, a monthly royalty payment based on 5.5% of restaurant sales and the expenditure 
of up to 2.0% of restaurant sales on advertising. We may offer alternatives to the standard franchise agreement, having to do 
with franchise royalties, fees or advertising requirements. The initial term of the typical franchise agreement is 20 years, with 
a 15-year renewal option by the franchisee, subject to conditions contained in the franchise agreement. 

Franchisees are approved on the basis of their business background, evidence of restaurant management experience, 

net worth and capital available for investment in relation to the proposed scope of the development agreement. 

We  provide  numerous  support  services  to  our  Nathan’s  Famous  franchisees.  We  assist  in  and  approve  all  site 
selections. Thereafter, we provide architectural plans suitable for restaurants of varying sizes and configurations for use in 
food  court,  in-line  and  free-standing  locations.  We  also  assist  in  establishing  building  design  specifications,  reviewing 
construction compliance, equipping the restaurant and providing appropriate menus to coordinate with the restaurant design 
and location selected by the franchisee. 

We  offer  various  management-training  courses  for  management  personnel  of  Company-owned  and  franchised 
Nathan’s  Famous  restaurants.  A  restaurant  manager  from  each  restaurant  must  successfully  complete  our  mandated 
management-training program. We also offer additional operations and general management training courses for all restaurant 
managers and other managers with supervisory responsibilities. We provide standard manuals to each franchisee covering 
training  and  operations,  products  and  equipment  and  local  marketing  programs.  We  also  provide  ongoing  advice  and 
assistance to franchisees. We meet with our franchisees to discuss upcoming marketing events, menu development and other 
topics, each of which is designed to provide individual restaurant and system-wide benefits. 

Franchised restaurants are required to be operated in accordance with uniform operating standards and specifications 
relating to the selection, quality and preparation of menu items, signage, decor, equipment, uniforms, suppliers, maintenance 
and cleanliness of premises and customer service. All standards and specifications are developed by us to be applied on a 
system-wide basis. We regularly monitor franchisee operations and inspect restaurants. Franchisees are required to furnish 
us  with  monthly  sales  or  operating  reports  which  assist  us  in  monitoring  the  franchisee’s  compliance  with  its  franchise 
agreement. We make both announced and unannounced inspections of restaurants to ensure that our practices and procedures 
are  followed.  We  have  the  right  to  terminate  a  franchise  if  a  franchisee  does  not  operate  and  maintain  a  restaurant  in 
accordance with the requirements of its franchise agreement, including for non-payment of royalties, sale of unauthorized 
products, bankruptcy or conviction of a felony. During the fiscal 2021 period, franchisees opened seven new Nathan’s Famous 
franchised  units  in  the  United  States  (including  two  Branded  Menu  Program  units),  and  closed  ten  Nathan’s  Famous 
franchised units, including one international unit. 

9 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
A franchisee who desires to open multiple units in a specific territory within the United States may enter into an area 
development agreement under which we would expect to receive an area development fee based upon the number of proposed 
units which the franchisee is authorized to open. With respect to our international development, we generally grant exclusive 
territorial rights in foreign countries for the development of Nathan’s units based upon compliance with a predetermined 
development  schedule.  Additionally,  we  may  further  grant  exclusive  manufacturing  and  distribution  rights  in  foreign 
countries, and we may require an exclusivity fee to be conveyed for such exclusive rights. 

Nathan’s Branded Menu Program 

Our Nathan’s Famous Branded Menu Program enables qualified foodservice operators to offer a Nathan’s Famous 
menu of Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut French fries, proprietary toppings, and a limited menu of other 
Nathan’s products. Under the Branded Menu Program, the operator may use the Nathan’s Famous trademarks on signage and 
as part of its menu boards. Additionally, the operator may use Nathan’s Famous paper goods and point of sale marketing 
materials. Nathan’s also provides architectural and design services, training and operation manuals in conjunction with this 
program. The operator provides Nathan’s with a fee and is required to sign a 10-year agreement. Nathan’s does not collect a 
royalty based on the operator’s sales and the operator is not required to report sales to Nathan’s as required by the standard 
franchise  arrangements.  Instead,  the  Branded  Menu  Program  operator  is  required  to  purchase  products  from  Nathan’s 
approved distributors and we earn our royalties from such purchases. 

Arthur Treacher’s 

Arthur Treacher’s Fish-n-Chips, Inc. was originally founded in 1969. Arthur Treacher’s main product is its “Original 
Fish-n-Chips,” consisting of fish fillets coated with a special batter prepared under a proprietary formula, deep-fried golden 
brown, and served with English-style chips and corn meal “hush puppies.” Full menu restaurants emphasize the preparation 
and sale of batter-dipped fried seafood and chicken dishes served in a quick-service environment. 

We  are  the  sole  owner  of  all  rights  to  the  Arthur  Treacher’s  brand  and  the  exclusive  franchisor  of  the  Arthur 
Treacher’s  restaurant  system  (subject  to  a  limited  license  granted  to  PAT  Franchise  Systems,  Inc.  (“PFSI”)  in  Indiana, 
Michigan,  Ohio,  and  Pennsylvania,  (“the  PFSI  Markets”).  Pursuant  to  the  license,  PFSI  has  no  obligation  to  pay  fees  or 
royalties to us in connection with its use of the Arthur Treacher’s intellectual property within the PFSI Markets. As a result 
of PFSI’s failure to satisfy the development schedules for each of the territories, all future development rights have reverted 
back to Nathan’s. 

As  of  March  28,  2021,  Arthur  Treacher’s,  as  a  co-brand,  was  included  within  27  Nathan’s  Famous  restaurants. 

Additionally, we operate seven Arthur Treacher’s BMP locations. 

Company-owned Nathan’s Restaurant Operations 

As of March 28, 2021, we operated four Company-owned Nathan’s restaurants, including one seasonal location, in 
New York. Three of our four Company-owned restaurants have been open with limited operations resulting from restrictions 
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our seasonal location on the Coney Island Boardwalk re-opened with reduced operating 
hours for the fiscal 2022 summer season on April 2, 2021.  

Since 2012, we have invested significantly in our Company-owned restaurants. In March 2012, we relocated our 
seasonal Coney Island Boardwalk restaurant to a more prominent location. Our Coney Island flagship location was rebuilt 
and re-opened on May 20, 2013 after suffering severe damage as a result of Superstorm Sandy on October 29, 2012. Our 
Yonkers  location  was  down-sized,  relocated  and  re-opened  on  November  18,  2013  pursuant  to  its  new  lease,  and  our 
Oceanside restaurant was also relocated and downsized and re-opened on March 25, 2015. Three of our Company-owned 
restaurants  range  in  size  from  approximately  2,650  square  feet  to  10,000  square  feet  and  have  seating  to  accommodate 
between 60 and 125 customers. These restaurants are open seven days a week on a year-round basis and are designed to 
appeal  to  consumers  of  all  ages.  We  have  established  high  standards  for  food  quality,  cleanliness,  and  service  at  our 
restaurants and regularly monitor the operations of our restaurants to ensure adherence to these standards. 

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Two of our Company-owned restaurants have contemporary service areas, seating, signage, and general decor. Our 

Coney Island restaurant, which first opened in 1916, remains unique in its presentation and operations. 

Our Company-owned restaurants typically carry a broader selection of menu items than our franchise restaurants 
and generally attain sales levels higher than the average of our newer franchise restaurants. The non-core menu items at the 
Company-owned restaurants, tend to have lower margins than the core menu.  

International Development 

As of March 28, 2021, Nathan’s Famous franchisees operated 26 units in eight foreign countries.  

During fiscal 2021, the Company entered into a licensing, manufacturing and distribution agreement with Mezzan 
Holding KSC, one of the largest manufacturers, and distributors of food and beverages in the Gulf region. We believe this 
partnership may position the Company with advantages and opportunities in and around the Gulf region. 

Additionally, during fiscal 2021, the Company licensed Damhus, a German manufacturer of quality meat-products, 

to manufacture and distribute Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs across Europe. 

We  may  seek  to  continue  granting  exclusive  territorial  rights  for  franchising  and  for  the  manufacturing  and 
distribution rights in foreign countries, and we expect to require that an exclusivity fee be conveyed for these rights. We plan 
to develop the restaurant franchising system internationally through the use of master franchising agreements based upon 
individual or combined use of our existing restaurant concepts and for the distribution of Nathan’s products. 

Following is a summary of our international operations for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 

2020: See Item 1A-“Risk Factors.” 

Total revenue ...........................................................................................................    $ 
Gross profit (a) ........................................................................................................    $ 

1,102,000    $ 
383,000    $ 

2021 

2020 

4,872,000  
1,962,000  

   March 28, 

     March 29, 

(a) Gross profit represents the difference between revenue and cost of sales. 

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Location Summary          

The following table shows the number of our Company-owned and franchised units in operation at March 28, 2021 

and their geographical distribution: 

Domestic Locations 
California .......................................................................      
Connecticut ....................................................................      
Florida ............................................................................      
Georgia ...........................................................................      
Illinois ............................................................................      
Kentucky ........................................................................      
Maryland ........................................................................      
Massachusetts ................................................................      
Missouri .........................................................................      
Nevada ...........................................................................      
New Jersey .....................................................................      
New York .......................................................................      
North Carolina ...............................................................      
Ohio ...............................................................................      
Pennsylvania ..................................................................      
Rhode Island ..................................................................      
South Carolina ...............................................................      
Texas ..............................................................................      
Virginia ..........................................................................      
Domestic Subtotal ..........................................................      

International Locations 
Dominican Republic ......................................................      
Jamaica ...........................................................................      
Kazakhstan .....................................................................      
Malaysia .........................................................................      
Panama ...........................................................................      
Philippines .....................................................................      
Spain ..............................................................................      
United Kingdom .............................................................      
International Subtotal .....................................................      
Grand Total ....................................................................      

Company 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4 

Company 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
4 

Franchise (1) 
1 
5 
24 
5 
1 
3 
2 
5 
1 
9 
25 
81 
4 
2 
9 
2 
3 
1 
4 
187 

Franchise (1) 
6 
2 
4 
4 
4 
3 
1 
2 
26 
213 

Total (1) 
1 
5 
24 
5 
1 
3 
2 
5 
1 
9 
25 
85 
4 
2 
9 
2 
3 
1 
4 
191 

Total (1) 
6 
2 
4 
4 
4 
3 
1 
2 
26 
217 

(1) 

Amounts include 94 units operated pursuant to our Nathan’s and Arthur Treacher’s Branded Menu Programs. Units
operating pursuant to our Branded Product Program are excluded. Virtual kitchens are also excluded. 

Branded Product Program           

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted operations within our Branded Product Program. Operations at many of our 
Branded  Product  Program  accounts  have  been  negatively  impacted  as  many  of  our  customers  operate  in  venues  that  are 
currently closed (such as movie theatres) or venues operating at reduced traffic levels, such as professional sports arenas, 
amusement parks and shopping malls. 

Through the Branded Product Program, Nathan’s provides qualified foodservice operators in a variety of venues the 
opportunity to capitalize on Nathan’s valued brand by marketing and selling primarily Nathan’s Famous hot dog products. 
We  believe  that  the  program  is  unique  in  its  flexibility  and  broad  appeal.  Hot  dogs  are  offered  in  a  variety  of  sizes  and 
additional  specialty  products  are  available  to  satisfy  consumer  needs.  In  conjunction  with  the  program,  the  operators  are 
granted a limited use of the Nathan’s Famous trademark, as well as Nathan’s point of purchase materials. We earn income 

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by selling our products either directly to the end users or to various foodservice distributors who resell the products to specific 
operators. 

As of March 28, 2021, the Branded Product Program distributed product in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, 
Puerto Rico, Canada, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Mexico. Pursuant to the Branded Product Program, Nathan’s World 
Famous Beef Hot Dogs are being offered in national restaurant chains such as Auntie Anne’s, Hot Dog On A Stick, and 
Johnny Rockets; national movie theater chains such as Regal Entertainment, National Amusements and Cinemex in Mexico; 
amusement  parks  such  as  Six  Flags  and  Universal  Studios;  casino  hotels  such  as  Foxwoods  Casino  in  Connecticut;  and 
convenience  store  chains  such  as  Race  Trac,  and  Holiday  Station  stores.  The  Branded  Products  Program  also  distributes 
product in professional sports arenas with Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs being served in stadiums and arenas that 
host the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Brooklyn Nets, Dallas Cowboys, Miami Marlins, Colorado Rockies and Green 
Bay Packers. 

Additionally, our products are offered in numerous other foodservice operations including cafeterias, snack bars and 
vending machines located in many different types of foodservice outlets and venues, including airports, highway travel plazas, 
colleges  and  universities,  gas  and  convenience  stores,  military  installations  and  Veteran’s  Administration  hospitals 
throughout the United States.  

With the anticipated roll-out, availability and acceptance of vaccines to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, Nathan’s 
expects to continue to seek out and evaluate a variety of alternative environments designed to maximize and grow our Branded 
Product Program. 

Expansion Program 

We expect that our retail licensing program may continue to grow, centered around our licensing program with John 
Morrell & Co. John Morrell & Co. brings superior sales and marketing resources to our brand through its national scale, 
broad distribution platform, strong retail relationships and research and development infrastructure capable of developing 
and introducing attractive new products. As a result of our partnership with John Morrell & Co., we expect Nathan’s Famous 
products to continue penetrating the grocery, mass merchandising and club channels by expanding points of distribution in 
targeted, underpenetrated regions and through the development of new products. We believe John Morrell & Co. expects to 
continue to leverage this relationship with continued full-scale marketing efforts, both inside and outside of stores, highlighted 
by exciting customer events and brand representation and support of our Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contests. 

We expect to resume the growth of our Branded Product Program once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides, through 
the addition of new points of sale. We believe that the flexible design of the Branded Product Program makes it well-suited 
for  sales  to  all  segments  of  the  broad  foodservice  industry.  We  intend  to  keep  targeting  sales  to  a  broad  line  of  food 
distributors, which we believe complements our continuing focus on sales to various foodservice retailers. We continue to 
believe that as consumers look to assure confidence in the quality of the food that they purchase, there is great potential to 
increase  our  sales  by  converting  existing  sales  of  non-branded  products  to  Nathan’s  branded  products  throughout  the 
foodservice industry. 

We will seek to market our franchise restaurant program to large, experienced and successful operators with the 
financial and business capability to develop multiple franchise units, as well as to individual owner-operators with evidence 
of restaurant management experience, net worth and sufficient capital. 

We also expect to continue opening Nathan’s Famous franchised units as the COVID-19 pandemic subsides and 
developing master franchising programs in foreign countries. We may selectively consider opening new Company-owned 
Nathan’s restaurants on an opportunistic basis. In addition, we may consider new opportunities in both traditional and captive 
market settings. 

We  expect  to  continue  to  expand  the  number  of  virtual  kitchens  domestically  and  internationally  through  our 
partnerships with Franklin Junction, REEF and Ghost Kitchen Brands to bring the Nathan’s Famous brand and Wings of New 
York concept to consumers across the United States and internationally. 

We believe that our international development efforts will continue to garner a variety of interest as a result of the 
unique product distribution opportunities that we offer. Because of the scalability of our concept and menu offerings, we 
believe that there are also opportunities to co-brand our restaurant concept and/or menu items with other restaurant concepts 
internationally. We believe that in addition to restaurant franchising, we could further increase revenues by continuing to 
offer master development agreements to qualified persons or entities allowing for the operation of franchised restaurants, 
sub-franchising of restaurants to others, licensing the manufacture of our signature products, selling our signature products 

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through  supermarkets  or  other  retail  venues  and  further  developing  our  Branded  Product  Program.  Qualified  persons  or 
entities  must  have  satisfactory  foodservice  experience  managing  multiple  units,  the  appropriate  infrastructure  and  the 
necessary financial resources to support the anticipated development of the business. 

Co-branding 

We believe that there is a continuing opportunity for co-branding of our restaurant concept and/or menu items with 
other restaurant concepts, as well as within our restaurant system as new franchise opportunities are developed. Franchisees 
that have co-branded a Nathan’s Famous restaurant with our other brands received a then-current Uniform Franchise Offering 
Circular (“UFOC”) or Franchise Disclosure Document (“FDD”) and executed a participation agreement as a rider to their 
franchise agreement. We initially implemented our co-branding strategy within the Nathan’s Famous restaurant system by 
adding the Arthur Treacher’s and Kenny Rogers Roasters brands into Nathan’s Famous restaurants. Upon the sale of Kenny 
Rogers  Roasters  in  April  2008,  we  discontinued  co-branding  that  brand  within  new  restaurants  in  the  Nathan’s  Famous 
system. We continue to support our co-branded Arthur Treacher’s franchisees. 

Licensing Program 

Pursuant to an Agreement expiring in March 2032, John Morrell & Co., a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Inc., has 
been granted, among other things, (i) the exclusive right and obligation to manufacture, distribute, market and sell “Nathan’s 
Famous” branded hot dog, sausage and corned beef products in refrigerated consumer packages to be resold through retail 
channels (e.g., supermarkets, groceries, mass merchandisers and club stores) within the United States, (ii) a right of first offer 
to license any other “Nathan’s Famous” branded refrigerated meat products in consumer packages to be resold through retail 
channels  within  the  United  States,  on  terms  to  be  negotiated  in  good  faith,  (iii)  the  right  and  obligation  to  manufacture 
“Nathan’s Famous” branded hot dog and sausage products in bulk for use in the food service industry within the United 
States, and (iv) the non-exclusive right and obligation to supply “Nathan’s Famous” natural casing and skinless hot dogs in 
bulk for use in the “Nathan’s Famous” restaurant system within the United States. The Agreement provides for royalties on 
packaged products sold to supermarkets, club stores and grocery stores, payable on a monthly basis to the Company equal to 
10.8% of net sales, subject to minimum annual guaranteed royalties of at least $10 million in the first year of the term and 
which  minimum  guaranteed  royalties  increase  annually  throughout  the  term.  Nathan’s  earned  royalties  of  approximately 
$27,778,000 in fiscal 2021 and $22,307,000 in fiscal 2020 representing 36.6% and 21.6% of total revenues, respectively. We 
believe our future operating results will continue to be substantially impacted by the terms and conditions of the agreement 
with John Morrell & Co., but there can be no assurance thereof (See Item 1A - “Risk Factors”). Since 2002, John Morrell & 
Co.  has  licensed  from  us  the  right  to  manufacture  and  sell  branded  hot  dogs  and  sausages  to  selected  foodservice 
accounts.  Pursuant to this arrangement, we earned royalties of $916,000 and $1,373,000 during the fiscal 2021 and 2020 
period,  respectively.   The  majority  of  these  royalties  were  earned  from  one  company.  As  of  March  28,  2021,  packaged 
Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs continued to be sold in supermarkets, mass merchandisers and club stores including 
Walmart,  Kroger,  Ahold,  Publix,  Albertsons,  Safeway,  ShopRite,  Target,  Sam’s  Club,  Costco  and  BJ’s  Wholesale  Club 
located in all 50 states. We believe that the overall exposure of the brand and opportunity for consumers to enjoy the Nathan’s 
World Famous Beef Hot Dog in their homes helps promote “Nathan’s Famous” restaurant patronage. Royalties earned from 
this agreement were approximately 91.5% of our fiscal 2021 period license revenues. 

We license the manufacture of the proprietary spices which are used to produce Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot 
Dogs to Saratoga Specialties, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of John Morrell & Co. During fiscal 2021 and 2020, we earned 
$1,022,000  and  $1,102,000,  respectively,  from  this  license.  Through  this  agreement,  we  control  the  manufacture  of  all 
Nathan’s hot dogs. 

During fiscal 2021, our licensee Lamb Weston, Inc., continued to produce and distribute Nathan’s Famous frozen 
French fries and onion rings for retail sale pursuant to a license agreement. These products were distributed within 37 states, 
primarily on the East Coast and in the Southwest and West Coast during fiscal 2021. During fiscal 2021 and 2020, we earned 
royalties of $1,137,000 and $719,000, respectively, under this agreement. For the contract year ended in July 2020 we earned 
royalties of $455,000 in excess of the annual minimum. Lamb Weston, Inc. continues to seek to further expand its market 
penetration in the Eastern United States and in the Midwest. Lamb Weston, Inc. exercised its third option to extend the license 
agreement through July 2023, pursuant to which the minimum royalties will increase 4% annually. 

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During fiscal 2020, we transferred the license to manufacture and sell miniature bagel dogs, franks-in-a-blanket and 
other hors d’oeuvres through club stores, supermarkets and other retail food stores to an existing licensee. Royalties earned 
under this agreement were approximately $211,000 during fiscal 2021 and $10,000 during fiscal 2020. 

We  also  have  licensing  agreements  with  Hermann  Pickle  Packers,  Inc.,  Gold  Pure  Food  Products  Co.,  Inc.  and 
others. These companies licensed the “Nathan’s Famous” name for the manufacture and sale of various products including 
mustard, salsa, sauerkraut and pickles. These products have been distributed on a limited basis. Fees and royalties earned 
from all of these products were approximately $303,000 during fiscal 2021 and $341,000 during fiscal 2020. Our license 
agreement with Gold Pure Food Products Co., Inc. terminated in December 2020. 

Provisions and Supplies                    

Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs are primarily manufactured by John Morrell & Co. for sale by our Branded 
Product Program, our restaurant system, and at retail. John Morrell & Co. and other hot dog manufacturers supply the hot 
dogs  for  our  Company-operated  and  franchise-operated  restaurants.  All  hot  dogs  are  manufactured  in  accordance  with 
Nathan’s recipes, quality standards and proprietary spice formulations. Nathan’s believes that it has reliable sources of supply; 
however, in the event of any significant disruption in supply, management believes that alternative sources of supply are 
available. (See Item 1A- “Risk Factors”). Saratoga Specialties, Inc. produces Nathan’s proprietary spice formulations and we 
have, in the past, engaged Newly Weds Foods, Inc. as an alternative source of supply. Our frozen crinkle-cut French fries 
have been produced primarily by Lamb Weston, Inc. 

Most other Company provisions are purchased from multiple sources to prevent disruption in supply and to obtain 
competitive prices. We approve all products and product specifications. We negotiate directly with our suppliers on behalf 
of  the  entire  system  for  all  primary  food  ingredients  and  beverage  products  sold  in  the  restaurants  in  an  effort  to  ensure 
adequate supply of high quality items at competitive prices. 

We currently utilize a cooperative distribution system pursuant to an agreement with UniPro Foodservice, Inc., the 
Multi-Unit Group, which is comprised of institutional food and non-food distributors organized to procure, distribute and 
market food service and non-food merchandise for the distribution needs of our domestic restaurant system. The initial term 
of the agreement is for five (5) years, through November 15, 2022 and continuing for two successive one year renewal periods 
upon mutual consent. We believe this arrangement allows for more flexibility in expanding into new markets throughout the 
United States, as well as proves to be cost efficient for our current franchisees. The strategic distribution partners under this 
new agreement include: DiCarlo Distributors, Inc., Tapia Brothers Co., Cheney Brothers, Inc., Feesers, Inc., Lipari Foods, 
LLC and Chain Distribution Services LLC. Our branded products are delivered to our ultimate customers throughout the 
country by numerous distributors, including US Foodservice, Inc., SYSCO Corporation, Vistar / Performance Food Group, 
McLane and DOT Foods. 

Marketing, Promotion and Advertising                   

Nathan’s believes that an integral part of its brand marketing strategy is to continue to build brand awareness through 
its complimentary points of distribution strategy of selling its signature products through restaurants, the Branded Product 
Program, the Branded Menu Program, and within supermarkets and club stores. We believe that as we continue to build brand 
awareness and expand our reputation for quality and value, we will continue to seek to grow existing markets and expand in 
new markets. The Nathan’s Famous brand continues to enjoy tremendous exposure and awareness from our Nathan’s Hot 
Dog Eating Contests. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all regional hot dog eating contests were canceled in 2020. However, 
while  the  regionals  were  canceled,  our  annual  July  4th  Hot  Dog  Eating  Contest  Championship  was  held  at  our  flagship 
restaurant. The appropriate safety precautions were taken and the event was closed to the public. ESPN aired our July 4th Hot 
Dog Eating Championship Contest as it has done since 2004. 

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Nathan’s  Famous  continues  to  look  to  sports  sponsorships  as  a  strategic  marketing  opportunity  to  further  brand 
recognition. In addition to the branded signage opportunity, Nathan’s sells its Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs and 
crinkle-cut French fries. In many venues, Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs and crinkle-cut French fries are sold at 
Nathan’s  concession  stands and  as  menu  items  that  are served  in  suites  and  throughout premium  seating  areas. Nathans’ 
current sports sponsorships include: 

●  Professional  Baseball:  Yankee  Stadium  – New  York  Yankees;  Citi  Field  – New  York  Mets;  Marlins  Park

– Miami Marlins; Coors Field – Colorado Rockies; and 

●  Professional Basketball: The Barclays Center – Brooklyn Nets; and 

●  Professional Football: AT&T Stadium – Dallas Cowboys; Lambeau Field – Green Bay Packers.               

We believe that the Company’s overall sales and exposure have also been complemented by the sales of Nathan’s 
World Famous Beef Hot Dogs and other Nathan’s products through the publicity generated by our Hot Dog Eating Contests 
and our affiliation with a number of high profile sports arenas. In addition to marketing our products at these venues, the 
Nathan’s Famous brand has also been televised regionally, nationally and internationally. 

We maintain an advertising fund for local, regional and national advertising under the Nathan’s Famous Systems, 
Inc.  Franchise  Agreement.  Nathan’s  Famous  franchisees  are  generally  required  to  spend  on  local  marketing  activities  or 
contribute to the advertising fund up to 2.0% of restaurant sales for advertising and promotion. Franchisee contributions to 
the  advertising  fund for  national  marketing  support  are generally based upon  the  type of restaurant  and  its  location.  The 
difference, if any, between 2.0% and the contribution to the advertising fund are to be expended on local programs approved 
by us as to form, content and method of dissemination. Certain franchisees, including those operating pursuant to our Branded 
Menu Program were not obligated to contribute to the advertising fund during fiscal 2021. Vendors that supply products to 
the Company and our restaurant system also contribute to the advertising fund based upon purchases made by our franchisees 
and at Company-owned restaurants. 

In fiscal 2021, Nathan’s marketing efforts were largely focused on media spending online with focused efforts to 
generate awareness and sales through third-party delivery platforms. Since the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily closed many 
restaurants in our franchise system, the promotion of delivery through third-party platforms like UberEats, DoorDash and 
GrubHub, helped support our Company-owned restaurants and our franchise system. 

Nathan’s  marketing  efforts  include  employing  an  “always  on”  social  media  strategy  to  support  the  brand  and 
franchise operations through our centralized brand presence. The social media objectives include increasing our reach among 
our core customer base, while building brand awareness amongst the engaged younger generation. Our social media efforts 
also include driving foot traffic and sales through geo-targeting restaurant campaigns, as well as driving guests directly to 
various online menus. 

The objective of our Branded Product Program has historically been to seek to provide our foodservice operator 
customers with  value-added,  high  quality products  supported  with  meaningful point  of  sale  materials  and other  forms  of 
operational support. 

During  fiscal  2021,  Nathan’s  marketing  efforts  for  the  Branded  Product  Program  concentrated  primarily  on 
participation in national industry trade shows, and regional, local distributor trade events, which were held virtually due to 
the COVID-19 pandemic. We have also advertised our products in distributor and trade periodicals. Most of the sales of new 
restaurant franchises to franchisees are achieved through the direct effort of Company personnel. New arrangements with 
Branded Product Program points of sale are achieved through the combined efforts of Company personnel and a network of 
foodservice brokers and distributors who also are responsible for direct sales to national, regional and “street” accounts. 

During  fiscal  2022,  we  may  seek  to  further  expand  our  internal  marketing  resources  along  with  our  network  of 
foodservice brokers and distributors. We may attempt to emphasize specific venues as we expand our broker network, focus 
management and broker responsibilities on a regional basis and expand the use of sales incentive programs. We continue to 
upgrade our social media platforms by enhancing our corporate website and Facebook page and expanding the use of Twitter. 

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Human Capital 

As  of  March  28,  2021,  the  Company  employed  146  people,  33  of  whom  were  corporate  management  and 
administrative  employees,  21  of  whom  were  restaurant  managers  and  92  of  whom  were  hourly  full-time  and  part-time 
foodservice employees. 

As of March 28, 2021, more than 55% of our employees were female and approximately 73% of our employee 

population were comprised of racial and ethnic minorities. 

We  generally  employ  approximately  200-300  seasonal  employees  during  the  summer  months.  Food  service 
employees  at  two  Company-owned  locations  are  currently  represented  by  Local  1102  RWSDU  UFCW  AFL-CIO,  CLC, 
Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union, under an agreement that expires on June 30, 2023. Employees at a third 
location are represented by the same union pursuant to a different agreement that expires on November 30, 2022. 

We believe that our efforts to manage our workforce have been effective as evidenced by the fact that the Company 

has not suffered any strike or work stoppage for more than 47 years. 

Culture and diversity 

Creating  and  fostering  inclusive  work  environments  and  teams  allows  us  to  create  an  engaging  and  welcoming 
culture  for  our  employees,  which  we  believe  positively  affects  the  quality  of  products  and  experience  we  deliver  to  our 
customers. 

The  Company  works  to  ensure  our  recruiting  and  hiring  initiatives  are  reaching  a  broad  audience,  so  that  our 
workforce represents the communities in which we serve. We seek to provide opportunities for growth and development at 
all levels of our organization. 

Our workforce represents nearly all demographics, with diversity in age, race, ethnicity and gender. Specifically, we 

employ more women than men and more employees identify as racial and ethnic minorities, than white. 

Compensation and Benefits 

The Company is committed to providing market-competitive and equitable pay and benefits to attract and retain 
great talent. In addition to competitive hourly rates and base salaries, all management employees at our Company-operated 
restaurants are eligible for performance-based cash incentive bonuses based on the attainment of certain financial metrics, 
along with all corporate management and administrative employees, at the discretion of our Board of Directors. 

The Company attempts to provide a range of benefits to its employees and their families, including medical and 
prescription drug, dental and vision, long-term disability coverage, as well as a 401(k) savings and flexible spending accounts. 
The Company has historically matched contributions to its 401(k) savings plan at a rate of $0.25 per dollar contributed by the 
employee up to a maximum of 3% of the employee’s annual salary. 

Talent Development 

We offer various management-training courses for management personnel of our Company-owned and franchised 
Nathan’s  Famous  restaurants.  A  restaurant  manager  from  each  restaurant  must  successfully  complete  our  mandated 
management-training program. 

Safety of our employees and customers during COVID-19 

We are committed to providing safe work environments and providing our employees with the resources they need 
to promote their well-being. We are also committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for our restaurant patrons. 
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, fiscal 2021 presented a unique set of challenges. We took several actions during fiscal 
2021  to  support  the  safety  and  well-being  of  our  employees,  such  as  providing  personal  protective  equipment  (“PPE”), 
installing plexiglass at our Corporate offices and at Company-owned restaurants, requiring the use of face masks by all of 
our employees, promoting social distancing measures as stipulated by local government regulations, adding social distancing 
stickers, sanitizing stations, pre-shift temperature checks and providing for emergency paid sick leave. 

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Government Regulation           

We are subject to Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) regulation and several states’ laws that regulate the offer and 
sale  of  franchises.  We  are  also  subject  to  a  number  of  state  laws  which  regulate  substantive  aspects  of  the  franchisor-
franchisee relationship. 

The FTC’s “Trade Regulation Rule Concerning Disclosure Requirements and Prohibitions Concerning Franchising 
and Business Opportunity Ventures” (the “FTC Rule”) requires us to disclose certain information to prospective franchisees. 
Fifteen states, including New York, also require similar disclosure. While the FTC Rule does not require registration or filing 
of the disclosure document, 14 states require franchisors to register the disclosure document (or obtain exemptions from that 
requirement)  before  offering  or  selling  a  franchise.  The  laws  of  17  other  states  require  some  form  of  registration  (or  a 
determination  that  a  company  is  exempt  or  otherwise  not  required  to  register)  under  “business  opportunity”  laws,  which 
sometimes apply to franchisors such as the Company. These laws have not precluded us from seeking franchisees in any 
given area. 

Laws that regulate one or another aspect of the franchisor-franchisee relationship presently exist in 24 states as well 
as Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. These laws regulate the franchise relationship by, for example, requiring the 
franchisor  to  deal  with  its  franchisees  in  good  faith,  prohibiting  interference  with  the  right  of  free  association  among 
franchisees,  limiting  the  imposition  of  standards  of  performance  on  a  franchisee,  and  regulating  discrimination  among 
franchisees. Although these laws may also restrict a franchisor in the termination of a franchise agreement by, for example, 
requiring  “good  cause”  to  exist  as  a  basis  for  the  termination,  advance  notice  to  the  franchisee  of  the  termination,  an 
opportunity to cure a default, and repurchase of inventory or other compensation, these provisions have not had a significant 
effect  on  our  operations.  Our  international  franchise  operations  are  subject  to  franchise-related  and  other  laws  in  the 
jurisdictions  in  which our  franchisees  operate.  These  laws  in  the  United States  and overseas have not  precluded  us from 
enforcing the terms of our franchise agreements, and we do not believe that these laws are likely to significantly affect our 
operations. 

We are not aware of any pending franchise legislation in the United States that we believe is likely to significantly 

affect our operations. 

Each Company-owned and franchised restaurant is subject to regulation as to operational matters by federal agencies 
and to licensing and regulation by state and local health, sanitation, safety, fire and other departments. An inability to obtain 
or retain health department or other licenses could adversely affect our operations. 

We are subject to the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act and various other federal and state laws that govern minimum 
wages,  overtime,  working  conditions,  mandatory  benefits,  health  insurance,  and  other  matters.  Other  regulatory 
interpretations (such as the NLRB’s review of joint employment standards under the National Labor Relations Act, the Labor 
Department’s review of the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Small Business Administration’s review of independence standards 
applicable to reviewing franchisee loan applications, etc.) may have an impact on our overall business as well, although we 
do  not  believe  that  these  will  significantly  affect  our  operations.  We  are  also  subject  to  federal  and  state  environmental 
regulations,  which  have  not  had  a  material  effect  on  our  operations.  More  stringent  and  varied  requirements  of  local 
governmental bodies with respect to zoning, land use and environmental factors could delay or prevent development of new 
restaurants in particular locations. In addition, the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act applies with respect to the design, 
construction and renovation of all restaurants in the United States. 

Each company that manufactures, supplies or sells our products is subject to regulation by federal agencies and to 

licensing and regulation by state and local health, sanitation, safety and other departments. 

In 2020 and 2021, various governmental bodies in the United States have addressed the spread of COVID-19 by 
imposing limitations on business operations or recommending that residents adopt stringent “social distancing” measures. 
Those formal and informal restraints, as well as consumer behavior and other factors (such as supply chain issues) may have 
a material impact on our ability to operate our business at least while those restrictions are in effect, which may possibly have 
a longer-term impact on our business and the demand for our products and restaurant services. 

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We are also subject to the requirement that our restaurants post certain calorie content information for standard menu 
items, pursuant to Section 4205 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010. Some of our restaurants are subject 
to similar requirements that are imposed by certain localities around the country. 

Alcoholic beverage control regulations require each restaurant that sells such products to apply to a state authority 
and, in certain locations, county and municipal authorities, for a license or permit to sell alcoholic beverages on the premises. 
Typically, licenses must be renewed annually and may be revoked or suspended for cause at any time. Alcoholic beverage 
control regulations relate to numerous aspects of the daily operations of the restaurants, including minimum age of customers 
and employees, hours of operation, advertising, wholesale purchasing, inventory control and handling, storage and dispensing 
of alcoholic beverages. Three of our Company-owned restaurants offer beer or wine coolers for sale. Each of these restaurants 
has current alcoholic beverage licenses permitting the sale of  these beverages. We have never had an alcoholic beverage 
license revoked. 

We  may  be  subject  in  certain  states  to  “dram-shop”  statutes,  which  generally  provide  a  person  injured  by  an 
intoxicated person the right to recover damages from an establishment which wrongfully served alcoholic beverages to such 
person. We carry liquor liability coverage as part of our existing comprehensive general liability insurance and have never 
been named as a defendant in a lawsuit involving “dram-shop” statutes. 

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Dodd-Frank Act of 2010, and rules promulgated thereunder by the Securities 
and  Exchange  Commission  (“SEC”)  and  the  Nasdaq  Stock  Market  have  imposed  substantial  regulations  and  disclosure 
requirements in the areas of corporate governance (including director independence, director selection and audit, corporate 
governance and compensation committee responsibilities), equity compensation plans, auditor independence, pre-approval 
of auditor fees and services and disclosure and internal control procedures. We are committed to industry best practices in 
these areas. 

We believe that we operate in substantial compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing our operations, 

including the FTC Rule and state franchise laws. 

Trademarks  

We  hold  trademark  and/or  service  mark  registrations  for  NATHAN’S,  NATHAN’S  FAMOUS,  NATHAN’S 
FAMOUS and design, NATHAN’S and Coney Island design, SINCE 1916 NATHAN’S FAMOUS and design, SINCE 1916 
NATHAN’S FAMOUS, INC. and design, THE ORIGINAL SINCE 1916 NATHAN’S FAMOUS and design, SINCE 1916 
NATHAN’S  FAMOUS  THIS  IS  THE  ORIGINAL,  THE  ORIGINAL  NATHAN’S  FAMOUS,  THE  ORIGINAL 
NATHAN’S FAMOUS 100TH ANNIVERSARY and design in color, SINCE 1916 NATHAN’S FAMOUS and hot dog 
design in color, SINCE 1916 NATHAN’S FAMOUS and hot dog, fries and drink design in color, and NATHAN’S FAMOUS 
EXPRESS within the United States, with some of these marks holding corresponding foreign trademark and service mark 
registrations in 80 international jurisdictions, including Canada and China.  We also hold various package design registrations 
and other related marks, FRANKSTERS, FROM A HOT DOG TO AN INTERNATIONAL HABIT, and MORE THAN 
JUST THE BEST HOT DOG! and design, for restaurant services and some food items.  

We hold trademark and/or service mark registrations for the marks ARTHUR TREACHER’S (stylized), ARTHUR 
TREACHER’S FISH & CHIPS (stylized), KRUNCH PUP and ORIGINAL within the United States.  We hold service mark 
registrations  for  ARTHUR  TREACHER’S  in  China  and  Japan.  We  also  hold  service  mark  registrations  for  ARTHUR 
TREACHER’S FISH & CHIPS in Canada, ARTHUR TREACHER’S FISH & CHIPS and design in Canada and Mexico, 
and ARTHUR TREACHER’S FISH & CHIPS and design in Colombia, Costa Rica, Kuwait, Malaysia, Singapore and the 
United Arab Emirates. 

Our  trademark  and  service  mark  registrations  were  granted  and  expire  on  various  dates.  We  believe  that  these 
trademarks and service marks provide significant value to us and are an important factor in the marketing of our products and 
services.  We believe that we do not infringe on the trademarks or other intellectual property rights of any third parties.  We 
also have licenses to use the Kenny Rogers trademarks and service marks in the then-existing Nathan’s restaurants existing 
on April 23, 2008. 

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Seasonality 

Our routine business pattern is  affected  by seasonal  fluctuations,  including  the  effects of weather  and  economic 
conditions. Historically, sales from our Company-owned locations, principally at Coney Island, and franchised restaurants 
from which franchise royalties are earned and the Company’s earnings have been highest during our first two fiscal quarters, 
with the fourth fiscal quarter typically representing the slowest period. Routine seasonality is primarily attributable to weather 
conditions  in  the  marketplace  for  our  Company-owned  and  franchised  Nathan’s  restaurants,  which  is  principally  the 
Northeast. Additionally, revenues from our Branded Product Program and retail licensing program generally follow similar 
seasonal fluctuations, although not to the same degree. We believe that future revenues and profits will continue to be highest 
during our first two fiscal quarters, with the fourth fiscal quarter representing the slowest period. 

Competition 

The fast food restaurant industry is highly competitive and can be significantly affected by many factors, including 
changes  in  local,  regional  or  national  economic  conditions,  changes  in  consumer  tastes,  consumer  concerns  about  the 
nutritional quality of quick-service food, as well as the increases in and the locations of, competing restaurants. 

Our restaurant system competes with numerous restaurants and drive-in units operating on both a national and local 
basis,  including  major  national  chains  with  greater  financial  and  other  resources  than  ours.  We  also  compete  with  local 
restaurants and diners on the basis of menu diversity, food quality, price, size, site location and name recognition. There is 
also  active  competition  for  management  personnel,  as  well  as  for  suitable  commercial  sites  for  owned  or  franchised 
restaurants. 

We believe that our emphasis on our signature products and the reputation of these products for taste and quality set 
us apart from our major competitors. Many fast food companies have adopted “value pricing” and/or deep discount strategies. 
Nathan’s markets our own form of “value pricing,” selling combinations of different menu items for a total price lower than 
the usual sale price of the individual items and other forms of price sensitive promotions. Our value pricing strategy may 
offer multi-sized alternatives to our value-priced combo meals. 

We also compete with many restaurant franchisors and other business concepts for the sale of franchises to qualified 

and financially capable franchisees. 

Our Branded Product Program competes directly with a variety of other nationally-recognized hot dog companies 
and other food companies; many of these entities have significantly greater resources than we do. Our products primarily 
compete based upon price, quality and value to the foodservice operator and consumer. We believe that Nathan’s reputation 
for superior quality, along with the ability to provide operational support to the foodservice operator, provides Nathan’s with 
a competitive advantage. 

Our retail licensing program for the sale of packaged foods within supermarkets competes primarily on the basis of 
reputation, flavor, quality and price. In most cases, we compete against other nationally-recognized brands that may have 
significantly greater resources than those at our disposal. 

Available Information 

We file reports with the SEC, including Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current 
Reports on Form 8-K and a proxy statement on Schedule 14A. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that 
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers such as us that file electronically with 
the SEC. 

In addition, electronic copies of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports 
on Form 8-K, proxy statement on Schedule 14A and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) 
or 15(d) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“the Exchange Act”) are available free of charge on our 
website, www.nathansfamous.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish 
it to, the SEC. The reference to our website address and the SEC website address do not constitute incorporation by reference 
of the information contained on the website and should not be considered part of this document. 

The Board of Directors has also adopted, and we have posted in the Investor Relations section of our website, written 
Charters for each of the Board’s standing committees. We will provide without charge a copy of the Charter of any standing 
committee of the Board upon a stockholder’s request to us at Nathan’s Famous, Inc., One Jericho Plaza, Second Floor - Wing 
A, Jericho, NY 11753, Attention: Secretary. 

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For  financial  information  regarding  our  results  of  operations,  please  see  our  consolidated  financial  statements 

beginning on page F-1. 

Item 1A.         Risk Factors.  

Our business is subject to various risks. Certain risks are specific to certain ways we do business, such as through 
Company-owned restaurants, franchised restaurants, branded products and retail, while other risks, such as health-related or 
economic risks, may affect all of the ways that we do business. 

Investors should carefully consider all of the information set forth in this Form 10-K, including the following risk 
factors, before deciding to invest in any of the Company’s securities. The following risk factors are not exhaustive. Additional 
risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company may also adversely impact its business. The Company’s business, 
financial condition, results of operations or prospects could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks. In that 
case,  the  trading  price  of  the  Company’s  common  stock  could  decline.  This  Form  10-K  also  contains  forward-looking 
statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company’s results could materially differ from those anticipated in these 
forward-looking  statements  as  a result of  certain factors, including  the  risks  it  faces described below  and  elsewhere.  See 
“Forward-Looking Statements” above. 

Risks Related to Business and Operations 

Pandemics or disease outbreaks, such as the current novel coronavirus (COVID-19 virus) pandemic may disrupt 

our business, which could materially affect our operations and results of operations. 

The  COVID-19  pandemic  has  impacted  and  may  continue  to  impact  sales  and  traffic  at  our  Company-owned 
restaurants and at our franchisees’ restaurants, may make it more difficult to staff restaurants and, in more severe cases, may 
damage our reputation, cause an inability to obtain supplies, increase commodity costs or continue to cause partial or total 
closures of impacted restaurants. 

During the fiscal 2021 period, individuals in many areas where we operate our restaurants were required to practice 

social distancing, restricted from gathering in groups and / or mandated to “stay at home.” 

Additionally, sales and profits from our Branded Product Program have been impacted as many of our customers 
operate in venues that are closed and may be slow to reopen, such as professional sports venues, amusement parks, shopping 
malls and movie theaters. 

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and government restrictions, for a portion of our fiscal 2021 period, we were 
required to close the dining rooms in our Company-owned restaurants and offer only takeout and delivery, and/or implement 
modified work hours. The mobility restrictions, fear of contracting the coronavirus and the sharp increase in unemployment 
caused by the closure of businesses in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, have adversely affected and will continue to 
adversely affect our guest traffic, which in turn may materially adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition or results of 
operations. 

Even as and when the mobility restrictions are loosened or lifted, and vaccines are distributed, guests may still be 
reluctant to return to in-restaurant dining, professional sports venues, amusement parks, shopping malls and movie theaters 
and the impact of lost wages due to COVID-19 related unemployment may lower consumer spending for the foreseeable 
future. 

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics, disease outbreaks or public health emergencies 
may adversely impact our business, liquidity, financial condition, and results of operations, will depend on numerous evolving 
factors that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including the duration and scope of the pandemic, epidemic, 
disease outbreak, or public health emergency; the availability, distribution and acceptance of vaccines; the negative impact 
on  the  economy;  the  public  perception  of  gathering  in  public  places  like  professional  sports  venues,  amusement  parks, 
shopping malls, and movie theaters; the short and longer-term impacts on the demand for restaurant services and levels of 
consumer confidence; the ability of us and our franchisees to successfully navigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; 
government  action,  including  restrictions  on  restaurant  operations;  increased  unemployment;  and  reductions  in  consumer 
discretionary spending. Even if a virus or other disease does not spread significantly, the perceived risk of infection or health 
risk may damage our reputation and materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. 
The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened many of the other risks described in this Item 1A, “Risk Factors.” 

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Our licensing revenue and overall profitability is substantially dependent on our agreement with John Morrell & 
Co. and the loss or a significant reduction of this revenue would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition 
and results of operations. 

We  earned  license  royalties  from  John  Morrell  &  Co.  of  approximately  $28,694,000  in  fiscal  2021  and 
approximately $23,680,000 in fiscal 2020 representing 37.8% and 22.9% of total revenues, respectively. As a result of our 
agreement with John Morrell & Co., we expect that most of our license revenues will be earned from John Morrell & Co. for 
the foreseeable future. In addition, the reduction in our adjusted EBITDA (a non-GAAP financial measure (see Reconciliation 
of GAAP and Non-GAAP measures on page 38 of this report)) from $29,964,000 in fiscal 2020 to $27,225,000 in fiscal 2021 
and income from operations from $27,172,000 in fiscal 2020 to $25,515,000 in fiscal 2021 was partially mitigated due to the 
increase in license royalties earned from John Morrell & Co. While our agreement with John Morrell & Co. expires in 2032, 
John Morrell’s BPP foodservice business is weighted towards one high volume user who has not sold product pursuant to a 
formal agreement. Accordingly, in the event that (i) John Morrell & Co. or its customers experience financial difficulties, (ii) 
there is a disruption or termination of the John Morrell & Co. Agreement or (iii) there is a significant decrease in our revenue 
from John Morrell & Co., it would have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

A  significant  amount  of  our  Branded  Product  Program  (“BPP”)  revenue  is  from  a  small  number  of  BPP 

accounts. The loss of any one or more of those BPP accounts could harm our profitability and operating results. 

A small number of our BPP customers account for a significant portion of our BPP revenues. Sales to our five largest 
BPP customers were 70.4% and 72.4% of our BPP revenues in fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020, respectively. In the event that 
these BPP customers experience financial difficulties or, upon the expiration of their existing agreements, if applicable, are 
not willing to do business with us in the future on terms acceptable to management, there could be a material adverse effect 
on our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

Increases in the cost of food and paper products could harm our profitability and operating results. 

The cost of the food and paper products we use depends on a variety of factors, many of which are beyond our 
control. Food and paper products typically represent approximately 25% to 30% of our cost of restaurant sales. We purchase 
large quantities of beef and our beef costs in the United States represent approximately 80% to 90% of our food costs. The 
market for beef is particularly volatile and is subject to significant price fluctuations due to seasonal shifts, climate conditions, 
industry demand and other factors beyond our control. 

We are unable to predict the future cost of our hot dogs and expect to experience price volatility for our beef products 
during  fiscal  2022.  To  the  extent  that  beef  prices  increase  as  compared  to  earlier  periods,  it  could  impact  our  results  of 
operations.  If  the price of beef or  other  food products  that  we use  in our operations  significantly  increases,  or  tariffs  are 
imposed, particularly in the BPP, and we choose not to pass, or cannot pass, these increases on to our customers, our operating 
margins will decrease and such decrease in operating margins could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of 
operations or financial condition. 

Fluctuations in weather, supply and demand and economic conditions could adversely affect the cost, availability 
and  quality  of  some  of  our  critical  products,  including  beef.  Our  inability  to  obtain  requisite  quantities  of  high-quality 
ingredients  would  adversely  affect  our  ability  to  provide  the  menu  items  that  are  central  to  our  business,  and  the  highly 
competitive nature of our industry may limit our ability to pass through increased costs to our customers. Continuing increases 
in the cost of fuel would increase the distribution costs of our prime products thereby increasing the food and paper cost to 
us and to our franchisees, thus negatively affecting profitability. 

From time to time, we have sought to lock in the cost of a portion of our beef purchases by entering into various 
commitments to purchase hot dogs during certain periods in an effort to ensure supply of product at a fixed cost of product. 
However, we may be unable to enter into similar purchase commitments in the future. In addition, we do not have the ability 
to effectively hedge all of our beef purchases using futures or forward contracts without incurring undue financial cost and 
risk. 

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John  Morrell  &  Co.  currently  has  two  manufacturing  facilities  producing  different  Nathan’s  products  and  a 

long-term significant interruption of a primary facility could potentially disrupt our operations. 

John Morrell & Co. currently has two manufacturing facilities producing different Nathan’s products. A temporary 
closure at either of these plants could potentially cause a temporary disruption to our source of supply, potentially causing 
some or all of certain shipments to customers to be delayed. A longer-term significant interruption at either of these production 
facilities, whether as a result of a natural disaster or other causes, could significantly impair our ability to operate our business 
on a day-to-day basis while John Morrell & Co. determines how to make up for any lost production capabilities, during which 
time we may not be able to secure sufficient alternative sources of supply on acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, a long-
term disruption in supply to our customers could cause our customers to determine not to purchase some or all of their hot 
dogs from us in the future, which in turn would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. 
Furthermore, a supply disruption or other events might affect our brand in the eyes of consumers and the retail trade, which 
damage  might  negatively  impact  our  overall  business  in  general,  which  could  result  in  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our 
business, results of operations or financial condition. 

The loss of one or more of our key suppliers could lead to supply disruptions, increased costs and lower operating 

results. 

We have historically relied on one supplier for the majority of our hot dogs and another supplier for a majority of 
our supply of frozen French fries for our restaurant system. An interruption in the supply of product from either of these 
suppliers  without  our  obtaining  an  alternative  source  of  supply  on  comparable  terms  could  lead  to  supply  disruptions, 
increased costs and lower operating results. 

We have an agreement with a secondary hot dog manufacturer that continues to also supply natural casing hot dogs 
for  our  restaurant  business.  Additionally,  a  majority  of  the  frozen  crinkle-cut  French  fries  sold  through  our  franchised 
restaurants have been obtained from one supplier. 

In the event that the hot dog or French fry suppliers are unable to fulfill our requirements for any reason, including 
due to a significant interruption in its manufacturing operations, whether as a result of a natural disaster or for other reasons, 
such interruption could significantly impair our ability to operate our business on a day-to-day basis. 

In the event that we are unable to find one or more alternative suppliers of hot dogs or French fries on a timely basis, 
there could be a disruption in the supply of product to Company-owned restaurants, franchised restaurants and BPP accounts, 
which  would  damage  our  business,  our  franchisees  and  our  BPP  customers  and,  in  turn,  negatively  impact  our  financial 
results. In addition, any gap in supply to retail customers would result in lost royalty payments to us, which could have a 
significant adverse financial impact on our results of operations. Furthermore, any gap in supply to retail customers may 
damage our brand in the eyes of consumers and the retail trade, which damage might negatively impact our overall business 
in general and impair our ability to continue our retail licensing program. 

Additionally,  there  is  no  assurance  that  any  supplemental  sources  of  supply  would  be  capable  of  meeting  our 
specifications and quality standards on a timely and consistent basis or that the financial terms of such supply arrangement 
will be as favorable as our present terms with our hot dog or French fry supplier, as the case may be. 

Any of the foregoing occurrences may cause disruptions in the supply of our hot dog or French fry products, as the 
case may be, damage our franchisees and our BPP customers, adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial 
condition. 

Our  earnings and  business growth  strategy  depend  in  large part on  the  success of our  product  licensees  and 
product manufacturers. Our reputation and the reputation of our brand may be harmed by actions taken by our product 
licensees or product manufacturers that are otherwise outside of our control. 

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A significant portion of our earnings has come from royalties paid by our product licensees, such as John Morrell & 
Co., Saratoga Food Specialties, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of John Morrell & Co., and Lamb Weston, Inc. Although 
our agreements with these licensees contain numerous controls and safeguards, and we monitor the operations of our product 
licensees, our licensees are independent contractors, and their employees are not our employees. Accordingly, we cannot 
necessarily  control  the  performance  of  our  licensees  under  their  license  agreements,  including  without  limitation,  the 
licensee’s continued best efforts to manufacture our products for retail distribution and our foodservice businesses, timely 
delivery of the licensed products, market the licensed products and assure the quality of the licensed products produced and/or 
sold by a product licensee. Any shortcoming in the quality, quantity and/or timely delivery of a licensed product is likely to 
be attributed by consumers to an entire brand’s reputation, potentially adversely affecting our business, results of operations 
and financial condition. In addition, a licensee’s failure to effectively market the licensed products may result in decreased 
sales, which would adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. Also, to the extent that the 
terms and conditions of any of these license agreements change or we change any of our product licensees, our business, 
results of operations and financial condition could be materially affected.  

The quick-service restaurant business is highly competitive, and that competition could lower revenues, margins 

and market share. 

The quick-service restaurant business of the foodservice industry is intensely competitive regarding price, service, 
location, personnel and type and quality of food. We and our franchisees compete with international, national, regional and 
local retailers primarily through the quality, variety and value perception of food products offered. Other key competitive 
factors include the number and location of restaurants, quality and speed of service, attractiveness of facilities, effectiveness 
of advertising and marketing programs, and new product development. We anticipate competition will continue to focus on 
convenience and pricing. Many of our competitors have substantially larger marketing budgets, which may provide them 
with a competitive advantage. Changes in pricing or other marketing strategies by these competitors can have an adverse 
impact on our sales, earnings and growth. For example, many of those competitors have adopted “value pricing” strategies 
intended to lure customers away from other companies, including our Company. Consequently, these strategies could have 
the effect of drawing customers away from companies which do not engage in discount pricing and could also negatively 
impact  the  operating  margins  of  competitors  which  attempt  to match  their  competitors’ price reductions.  Extensive  price 
discounting in the quick-service restaurant business could have an adverse effect on our financial results. 

In addition, we and our franchisees compete within the foodservice market and the quick-service restaurant business 
not only for customers but also for management and hourly employees and qualified franchisees. If we are unable to maintain 
our competitive position, we could experience downward pressure on prices, lower demand for products, reduced margins, 
the inability to take advantage of new business opportunities and the loss of market share. 

Changes in economic, market and other conditions could adversely affect us and our franchisees, and thereby 

our operating results. 

The quick-service restaurant business is affected by changes in international, national, regional, and local economic 
conditions, consumer preferences and spending patterns, demographic trends, consumer perceptions of food safety and health, 
diet and nutrition, weather, traffic patterns, the type, number and location of competing restaurants, and the effects of war or 
terrorist activities and any governmental responses thereto. Factors such as inflation, higher costs for each of food, labor, 
benefits and utilities, the availability and cost of suitable sites, fluctuating insurance rates, state and local regulations and 
licensing  requirements,  legal  claims,  and  the  availability  of  an  adequate  number  of  qualified  management  and  hourly 
employees also adversely affect restaurant operations and administrative expenses. Our ability and our franchisees’ ability to 
finance  new  restaurant  development,  to  make  improvements  and  additions  to  existing  restaurants,  and  the  acquisition  of 
restaurants from, and sale of restaurants to, franchisees is affected by economic conditions, including interest rates and other 
government policies impacting land and construction costs and the cost and availability of borrowed funds. 

Current restaurant locations may become unattractive, and attractive new locations may not be available for a 

reasonable price, if at all, which may reduce our revenue. 

The success of any restaurant depends in substantial part on its location. There can be no assurance that current 
locations  will  continue  to  be  attractive  as  demographic  patterns  change.  Neighborhood  or  economic  conditions  where 
restaurants are located could decline in the future, thus resulting in potentially reduced sales in those locations. If we and our 
franchisees cannot obtain desirable additional and alternative locations at reasonable prices, our results of operations would 
be adversely affected. 

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Any  perceived  or  real  health  risks  related  to  the  food  industry  could  adversely  affect  our  ability  to  sell  our 

products. 

We are subject to risks affecting the food industry generally, including risks posed by the following: food spoilage 
or  food  contamination;  consumer  product  liability  claims;  product  tampering;  and  the  potential  cost  and  disruption  of  a 
product recall. 

Our  products  are  susceptible  to  contamination  by  disease-producing  organisms,  or  pathogens,  such  as  listeria 
monocytogenes, salmonella, campylobacter, hepatitis A, trichinosis and generic E. coli. In addition, our beef products are 
also subject to the risk of contamination from bovine spongiform encephalopathy. Because these pathogens are generally 
found in the environment, there is a risk that these pathogens could be introduced to our products as a result of improper 
handling  at  the  manufacturing,  processing,  foodservice  or  consumer  level.  Our  suppliers’  manufacturing  facilities  and 
products, as well as our franchisee and Company-operated restaurant operations, are subject to extensive laws and regulations 
relating to health, food preparation, sanitation and safety standards. Difficulties or failures by these companies in obtaining 
any required licenses or approvals or otherwise complying with such laws and regulations could adversely affect our revenue 
that is generated from these companies. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that compliance with governmental regulations 
by our suppliers or in connection with restaurant operations will eliminate the risks related to food safety. 

Events reported in the media, or incidents involving food-borne illnesses or food tampering, whether or not accurate, 
can cause damage to our brand’s reputation and affect sales and profitability. Reports, whether true or not, of food-borne 
illnesses (such as e-coli, avian flu, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, hepatitis A, trichinosis or salmonella) and injuries 
caused by food tampering have in the past severely injured the reputations of participants in the quick-service restaurant 
business and could in the future affect our business as well. Our brand’s reputation is an important asset to the business; as a 
result, anything that damages our brand’s reputation could immediately and severely hurt system-wide sales and, accordingly, 
revenue  and  profits.  If  customers  become  ill  from  food-borne  illnesses  or  food  tampering,  we  could  also  be  forced  to 
temporarily  close  some,  or  all,  restaurants.  In  addition,  instances  of  food-borne  illnesses  or  food  tampering,  even  those 
occurring  solely  at  the  restaurants  of  competitors,  could,  by  resulting  in  negative  publicity  about  the  restaurant  industry, 
adversely affect system sales on a local, regional or system-wide basis. A decrease in customer traffic as a result of these 
health concerns or negative publicity, or as a result of a temporary closure of any of our Company-owned restaurants or our 
franchisees’ restaurants, could materially harm our business, results of operations and financial condition.  

Additionally, we may be subject to liability if the consumption of any of our products causes injury, illness, or death. 
A significant product liability judgment or a widespread product recall may negatively impact our sales and profitability for 
a period of time depending on product availability, competitive reaction, and consumer attitudes. Even if a product liability 
claim is unsuccessful or is not fully pursued, the negative publicity surrounding any assertion that our products caused illness 
or injury could adversely affect our reputation with existing and potential customers and our corporate and brand image. 
Injury to our brand’s reputation would likely reduce revenue and profits. 

Negative publicity, including complaints on social media platforms and other internet-based communications, 
could damage our reputation and harm our guest traffic, and in turn, negatively impact our business, financial condition, 
results of operations and prospects. 

There has been a marked increase in the use of social media platforms and similar devices, including blogs, social 
media  websites  and  other  forms  of  internet-based  communications  that  allow  individuals  to  access  a  broad  audience  of 
consumers and other interested persons. Consumers value readily available information concerning goods and services that 
they  have  or  plan  to  purchase,  and  may  act  on  such  information  without  further  investigation  or  authentication.  The 
availability of information on social media platforms is virtually immediate, as is its impact. Many social media platforms 
immediately publish the content their subscribers and participants can post, often without filters or checks on accuracy of the 
content posted. The opportunity for dissemination of information, including inaccurate information, is seemingly limitless 
and  readily  available.  Information  concerning  our  business  and  products  may  be  posted  on  such  platforms  at  any  time. 
Information posted may be adverse to our interests or may be inaccurate, each of which may harm our performance, prospects 
or business. The harm may be immediate without affording us an opportunity for redress or correction. Such platforms could 
also be used for dissemination of trade secret information, compromising valuable Company assets. The dissemination of 
information online, regardless of its accuracy, could harm our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

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Changing  health  or  dietary  preferences  may  cause  consumers  to  avoid  products  offered  by  us  in  favor  of 

alternative foods. 

The  foodservice  industry  is  affected  by  consumer  preferences  and  perceptions.  Reports  of  the  use  of  hormones, 
antibiotics or pesticides in the production of certain food products may cause consumers to reduce or avoid consumption of 
such food products. If prevailing health or dietary preferences, perceptions and governmental regulation cause consumers to 
avoid the products we offer in favor of alternative or healthier foods, demand for our products may be reduced and could 
materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

We may not be able to adequately protect our intellectual property, which could decrease the value of our business 

or the value of our brands and products. 

The success of our business depends on the continued ability to use existing trademarks, service marks and other 
components of each of our brands in order to increase brand awareness and further develop branded products. We may not 
be  able  to  adequately  protect  our  trademarks,  and  the  use  of  these  trademarks  may  result  in  liability  for  trademark 
infringement, trademark dilution or unfair competition. All of the steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property may 
not be adequate. 

We have registered or applied to register many of our trademarks and service marks both in the United States and in 
foreign countries. Because of the differences in foreign trademark laws, our trademark rights may not receive the same degree 
of protection in foreign countries as they would in the United States. We also cannot assure you that our trademark and service 
mark applications will be approved. In addition, third parties may oppose our trademark and service mark applications, or 
otherwise  challenge  our  use  of  the  trademarks  or  service  marks.  In  the  event  that  our  trademarks  or  service  marks  are 
successfully  challenged,  we  could  be  forced  to  rebrand  our  products  and  services,  which  could  result  in  loss  of  brand 
recognition, and could require us to devote resources advertising and marketing new brands. Further, we cannot assure you 
that competitors will not infringe our marks, or that we will have adequate resources to enforce our trademarks or service 
marks. 

We also license third party franchisees and other licensees to use our trademarks and service marks. We enter into 
franchise agreements with our franchisees and license agreements with other licensees which govern the use of our trademarks 
and service marks. Although we make efforts to police the use of our trademarks and service marks by our franchisees and 
other licensees, we cannot assure you that these efforts will be sufficient to ensure that our franchisees and other licensees 
abide by the terms of the trademark licenses. In the event that our franchisees and licensees fail to do so, our trademark and 
service mark rights could be diluted. 

Our earnings and business growth strategy depend in large part on the success of our restaurant franchisees and 
on new restaurant openings. Our corporate reputation or brand reputation may be harmed by actions taken by restaurant 
franchisees that are otherwise outside of our control. 

A significant portion of our earnings comes from royalties, fees and other amounts paid by our restaurant franchisees. 
The opening and success of franchised restaurants depends on various factors, including the demand for our franchises and 
the selection of appropriate franchisee candidates, the availability of suitable restaurant sites, the negotiation of acceptable 
lease or purchase terms for new locations, permitting and regulatory compliance, the ability to meet construction schedules, 
the availability of financing and the financial and other capabilities of our franchisees and area developers. We cannot assure 
you that area developers planning the opening of franchised restaurants will have the business abilities or sufficient access to 
financial resources necessary to open the restaurants required by their agreements. We cannot assure you that franchisees will 
successfully participate in our strategic initiatives or operate their restaurants in a manner consistent with our concept and 
standards. Our franchisees are independent contractors, and their employees are not our employees. We provide training and 
support to, and monitor the operations of, our franchisees, but the quality of their restaurant operations may be diminished by 
any number of factors beyond our control. Consequently, the franchisees may not successfully operate their restaurants in a 
manner consistent with our high standards and requirements, and franchisees may not hire and train qualified managers and 
other restaurant personnel. Any operational shortcoming of a franchised restaurant is likely to be attributed by consumers to 
an entire brand or our system, thus damaging our corporate or brand reputation, potentially adversely affecting our business, 
results of operations and financial condition. 

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Growth in our restaurant revenue and earnings is significantly dependent on new restaurant openings. Numerous 
factors beyond our control may affect restaurant openings. These factors include but are not limited to: our ability to attract 
new franchisees;  the  availability  of  site  locations  for new restaurants;  the  ability  of potential  restaurant  owners  to obtain 
financing, which may become more difficult due to current market conditions and operating results; the ability of restaurant 
owners  to  hire,  train  and  retain  qualified  operating  personnel;  construction  and  development  costs  of  new  restaurants, 
particularly in highly-competitive markets; the ability of restaurant owners to secure required governmental approvals and 
permits in a timely manner, or at all; and adverse weather conditions. 

We  cannot  assure  you  that  franchisees  will  renew  their  franchise  agreements  or  that  franchised  restaurants  will 
remain open. Closings of franchised restaurants are expected in the ordinary course and may cause our royalty revenues and 
financial  performance  to  decline.  Our  principal  competitors  may  have  greater  influence  over  their  respective  restaurant 
systems than we do because of their significantly higher percentage of company restaurants and/or ownership of franchisee 
real estate and, as a result, may have a greater ability to implement operational initiatives and business strategies, including 
their marketing and advertising programs. 

As  our  franchisees  are  independent  operators,  we  have  limited  influence  over  their  ability  to  invest  in  other 
businesses  or  incur  excessive  indebtedness.  Some  of  our  franchisees  have  invested  in  other  businesses,  including  other 
restaurant  concepts.  Such  franchisees  may  use  the  cash  generated  by  their  Nathan’s  restaurants  to  expand  their  other 
businesses  or  to  subsidize  losses  incurred  by  such  businesses.  Additionally,  as  independent  operators,  franchisees  do  not 
require our consent to incur indebtedness. Consequently, our franchisees have in the past, and may in the future, experience 
financial distress as a result of over-leveraging. To the extent that our franchisees use the cash from their Nathan’s restaurants 
to subsidize their other businesses or experience financial distress, due to over-leveraging, delayed or reduced payments of 
royalties,  advertising fund  contributions  and  rents  for  properties  we  lease  to  them,  or otherwise,  it  could  have a  material 
adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. In addition, lenders to our franchisees 
may be  less  likely  to provide  current  or prospective  franchisees necessary financing on  favorable  terms,  or  at  all,  due  to 
market conditions and operating results. 

We rely on the performance of major retailers, wholesalers, specialty distributors and mass merchants for the 
success of our business, and should they perform poorly or give higher priority to other brands or products, our business 
could be adversely affected.  

We  sell  our  products  to  retail  outlets  and  wholesale  distributors  including,  traditional  supermarkets,  mass 
merchandisers, warehouse clubs, wholesalers, food service distributors and convenience stores. The replacement by or poor 
performance of our major wholesalers, retailers or chains or our inability to collect accounts receivable from our customers 
could  materially  and  adversely  affect  our  results  of  operations  and  financial  condition.  In  addition,  our  customers  offer 
branded and private label products that compete directly with our products for retail shelf space and consumer purchases. 
Accordingly,  there  is  a  risk  that  our  customers  may  give  higher  priority  to  their  own  products  or  to  the  products  of  our 
competitors. In the future, our customers may not continue to purchase our products or provide our products with adequate 
levels of promotional support. A significant decline in the purchase of our products would have a material adverse effect on 
our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

The sophistication and buying power of our customers could have a negative impact on profits. 

Our  customers,  such  as  supermarkets,  warehouse  clubs,  and  food  distributors,  have  continued  to  consolidate, 
resulting in fewer customers with which to do business. These consolidations and the growth of supercenters have produced 
large, sophisticated customers with increased buying power and negotiating strength who are more capable of resisting price 
increases and can demand lower pricing, increased promotional programs, or specialty tailored products. In addition, larger 
retailers have the scale to develop supply chains that permit them to operate with reduced inventories or to develop and market 
their  own  retailer  brands.  If  the  larger  size  of  these  customers  results  in  additional  negotiating  strength  and/or  increased 
private label or store brand competition, our profitability could decline. 

Consolidation  also  increases  the  risk  that  adverse  changes  in  our  customers’  business  operations  or  financial 
performance will have a corresponding material adverse effect on us. For example, if our customers cannot access sufficient 
funds or financing, then they may delay, decrease, or cancel purchases of our products, or delay or fail to pay us for previous 
purchases. 

27 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
We  may  evaluate  acquisitions,  joint  ventures  and  other  strategic  initiatives,  any  of  which  could  distract 

management or otherwise have a negative effect on revenue, costs and stock price. 

Our future success may depend on opportunities to buy or obtain rights to other businesses that could complement, 
enhance or expand our current business or products or that might otherwise offer growth opportunities. In particular, we may 
evaluate  potential  mergers,  acquisitions,  joint  venture  investments,  strategic  initiatives,  alliances,  vertical  integration 
opportunities  and  divestitures.  We  have  no  commitments,  agreements  or  understandings  with  respect  to  any  of  such 
transactions. In addition, our ability to engage in these transactions may be impacted by the incurrence of debt as a result of 
the Notes. Any attempt by us to engage in these transactions may expose us to various inherent risks, including: 

●  not accurately assessing the value, future growth potential, strengths, weaknesses, contingent and other 

liabilities and potential profitability of acquisition candidates; 
the potential loss of key personnel of an acquired business; 
the ability to achieve projected economic and operating synergies; 

● 
● 
●  difficulties in successfully integrating, operating, maintaining and managing newly-acquired operations 

or employees; 

●  difficulties maintaining uniform standards, controls, procedures and policies; 
●  unanticipated changes in business and economic conditions affecting an acquired business; 
● 
● 

the possibility of impairment charges if an acquired business performs below expectations; and 
the diversion of management’s attention from the existing business to integrate the operations and 
personnel of the acquired or combined business or implement the strategic initiative. 

Our  annual  and  quarterly  financial  results  may  fluctuate  depending  on  various  factors,  many  of  which  are 

beyond our control, and, if we fail to meet the expectations of investors, our share price may decline. 

Our sales and operating results can vary from quarter to quarter and year to year depending on various factors, many 
of which are beyond our control. Certain events and factors may directly and immediately decrease demand for our products. 
These events and factors include: 

the impact of COVID-19; 
changes in customer demand; 
sales promotions by Nathan’s and its competitors; 

● 
● 
● 
●  variations in the timing and volume of Nathan’s sales and franchisees’ sales; 
● 

changes in the terms of our existing license/supply agreements and/or the replacement of existing licenses 
or suppliers; 
changes in average same-store sales and customer visits; 

● 
●  variations in the price, availability and shipping costs of supplies; 
seasonal effects on demand for Nathan’s products; 
● 
●  unexpected slowdowns in new store development efforts; 
● 
● 
●  weather and acts of God; and 
● 

changes in competitive and economic conditions generally; 
changes in the cost or availability of ingredients or labor; 

changes in the number of franchises sold and in franchise agreement renewals. 

Our operations are influenced by adverse weather conditions. 

Weather, which is unpredictable, can impact our sales. Harsh weather conditions that keep customers from dining 
out result in lost opportunities for our Company-owned and our franchisees’ restaurants. A heavy snowstorm or a tropical 
storm or hurricane in the Northeast can shut down an entire metropolitan area, resulting in a reduction in sales in that area at 
Company-owned and franchised restaurants. Our fourth quarter includes winter months and historically has a lower level of 
sales  at  Company-owned  and  franchised  restaurants.  Additionally,  our  Company-owned  restaurants  at  Coney  Island  are 
heavily dependent on favorable weather conditions during the summer season. Rain during the weekends and/or unseasonably 
cold  temperatures  will  negatively  impact  the  number  of  patrons  going  to  the  Coney  Island  beach  locations.  Because  a 
significant portion of our restaurant operating costs is fixed or semi-fixed in nature, the loss of sales during these periods 
adversely impacts our operating margins, and can result in restaurant operating losses. For these reasons, a quarter-to-quarter 
comparison may not be a good indication of our performance or how it may perform in the future. 

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Due  to  the  concentration  of  our  restaurants  in  particular  geographic  regions,  our  business  results  could  be 
impacted by the adverse economic conditions prevailing in those regions regardless of the state of the national economy 
as a whole. 

As of March 28, 2021, we and our franchisees (including units operated pursuant to our BMP) operated Nathan’s 
restaurants in 19 states and eight foreign countries. As of March 28, 2021, the highest concentration of operating units was 
in  the  Northeast,  principally  in  New  York  and  New  Jersey.  This  geographic  concentration  in  the  Northeast  can  cause 
economic conditions in particular areas of the country to have a disproportionate impact on our overall results of operations. 
It is possible that adverse economic conditions in states or regions that contain a high concentration of Nathan’s restaurants 
could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

We  rely  extensively  on  computer  systems,  point  of  sales  system  and  information  technology  to  manage  our 
business. Any disruption in our computer systems, point of sales system or information technology may adversely affect 
our ability to run our business. 

We are significantly dependent upon our computer systems, point of sales system and information technology to 
properly conduct our business. A failure or interruption of computer systems, point of sales systems or information technology 
could  result  in  the  loss  of  data,  business  interruptions  or  delays  in  business  operations.  Further,  despite  our  considerable 
efforts  and  technological  resources  to  secure  our  computer  systems,  point  of  sales  systems  and  information  technology, 
security breaches, such as unauthorized access and computer viruses, may occur resulting in system disruptions, shutdowns 
or unauthorized disclosure of confidential information. Any security breach of our computer systems, point of sales systems 
or  information  technology  may  result  in  adverse  publicity,  loss  of  sales  and  profits,  penalties  or  loss  resulting  from 
misappropriation of information. 

Cyberattacks and breaches could cause operational disruptions, fraud or theft of sensitive information.  

Aspects  of  our  operations  are  reliant  upon  internet-based  activities,  such  as  ordering  supplies  and  back-office 
functions  such  as  accounting  and  transaction  processing,  making  payments  and  accepting  credit  card  payments  in  our 
restaurants,  as well  as  at  third party  online ordering  and delivery  businesses, processing  payroll  and other administrative 
functions, etc. For instance, if we fail to comply with applicable rules or requirements for the payment methods we accept, 
or if payment-related data is compromised due to a breach or misuse of data, we may be liable for costs incurred by payment 
card issuing banks and other third parties or subject to fines and higher transaction fees, or our ability to accept or facilitate 
certain types of payments may be impaired. In addition, our customers could lose confidence in certain payment types, which 
may result in a shift to other payment types or potential changes to our payment systems that may result in higher costs. 

We also use third-party vendors. While we select third-party vendors carefully, we do not control their actions. Any 
problems caused by these third parties, including those resulting from breakdowns or other disruptions in communication 
services provided by a vendor, failure of a vendor to handle current or higher volumes, cyberattacks and security breaches at 
a vendor could adversely affect our ability to deliver products and services to conduct our business. 

Although  we  have  taken  measures  to  protect  our  technology  systems  and  infrastructure,  including  continuously 
working  to  install  new,  and  upgrade  our  existing  information  technology  systems  and  provide  employee  training  around 
phishing, malware and other cyber risks, there can be no assurance that we will be successful and fully protected against 
cyber risks and security breaches. A security breach could result in operational disruptions, theft or fraud, or exposure of 
sensitive information to unauthorized parties. Such events could result in additional costs related to operational inefficiencies, 
or damages, claims or fines. 

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Catastrophic events may disrupt our business. 

Unforeseen events, or the prospect of such events, including war, terrorism and other international conflicts, public 
health issues such as epidemics or pandemics (including, without limitation, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic), labor 
unrest and natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes or other extreme adverse weather and climate conditions, whether 
occurring  in  the  United  States  or  abroad,  could disrupt our operations, disrupt  the operations  of franchisees,  suppliers  or 
customers, or result in political or economic instability. These events could negatively impact consumer spending, thereby 
reducing demand for our products, or the ability to receive products from suppliers. We do not have insurance policies that 
insure against certain of these risks. To the extent that we do maintain insurance with respect to some of these risks, our 
receipt of the proceeds of such policies may be delayed or the proceeds may be insufficient to offset our losses fully. 

Our international operations are subject to various factors of uncertainty. 

Our  business  outside  of  the  United  States  is  subject  to  a  number  of  additional  factors,  including  international 
economic and political conditions, differing cultures and consumer preferences, currency regulations and fluctuations, diverse 
government regulations and tax systems, uncertain or differing interpretations of rights (including intellectual property rights) 
and  obligations  in  connection  with  international  franchise  agreements  and  the  collection  of  royalties  from  international 
franchisees,  the  availability  and  cost  of  land  and  construction  costs,  and  the  availability  of  appropriate  franchisees.  In 
developing markets, we may face risks associated with new and untested laws and judicial systems. Although we believe we 
have developed the support structure required for international growth, there is no assurance that such growth will occur or 
that international operations will be profitable. 

Our business operations and future development could be significantly disrupted if we lose key members of our 

management team. 

The success of our business continues to depend to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of our 
senior officers and key employees, both individually and as a group. Our future performance will be substantially dependent, 
in particular, on our ability to retain and motivate our executive officers, for certain of whom we currently have employment 
agreements in place. The loss of the services of any of our executive officers could have a material adverse effect on our 
business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects, as well as our ability to satisfy our obligations under the 
Notes, as we may not be able to find suitable individuals to replace such personnel on a timely basis or without incurring 
increased costs, or at all. 

We face risks of litigation and pressure tactics, such as strikes, boycotts and negative publicity from customers, 
franchisees, suppliers, employees and others, which could divert our financial, and management resources and which 
may negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations. 

Class  action  lawsuits  have  been  filed,  and  may  continue  to  be  filed,  against  various  quick-service  restaurants 
alleging, among other things, that quick-service restaurants have failed to disclose the health risks associated with high-fat 
foods and that quick-service restaurant marketing practices have targeted children and encouraged obesity. In addition, we 
face the risk of lawsuits and negative publicity resulting from injuries, including injuries to infants and children, allegedly 
caused by our products, toys and other promotional items available in our restaurants or by our playground equipment. 

In addition, activist groups, including animal rights activists and groups acting on behalf of franchisees, the workers 
who work for suppliers and others, have in the past, and may in the future, use pressure tactics to generate adverse publicity 
by  alleging,  for  example,  inhumane  treatment of  animals by our  suppliers,  poor  working  conditions or  unfair purchasing 
policies. These groups may be able to coordinate their actions with other groups, threaten strikes or boycotts or enlist the 
support of well-known persons or organizations in order to increase the pressure on us to achieve their stated aims. In the 
future, these actions or the threat of these actions may force us to change our business practices or pricing policies, which 
may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. 

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Further, we may be subject to employee, franchisee and other claims in the future based on, among other things, 
mismanagement of the system, unfair or unequal treatment, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and wage, rest 
break  and meal  break  issues,  including  those  relating  to overtime  compensation. We have been  subject  to  these  types of 
claims in the past, and if one or more of these claims were to be successful or if there is a significant increase in the number 
of these claims, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be harmed. 

Risks Related to Regulatory Matters 

Recent changes to minimum wage rates have increased our labor costs. 

We  must  comply  with  the  Fair  Labor  Standards  Act  and  various  federal  and  state  laws  governing  minimum 
wages.   Increases  in  the  minimum  wage  and labor  regulations have  increased  our labor  costs.   New  York  State passed 
legislation  increasing  the  minimum  hourly  wage  for  fast  food  workers  of  restaurant  chains  with  30  or  more  locations 
nationwide which over a period of time will increase the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour. The first increase from this law 
took effect beginning December 31, 2015 and was fully phased in by December 31, 2018 in New York City, where we operate 
two Company-owned restaurants and by December 31, 2021 throughout the rest of New York State which impacts the labor 
costs at our two remaining Company-owned restaurants and our franchised restaurants that operate in New York State. In 
addition, the federal government and a number of other states are evaluating various proposals to increase their respective 
minimum  wage.  As  minimum  wage  rates  increase,  we  may  need  to  increase  not  only  the  wages  of  our  minimum  wage 
employees but also the wages paid to employees at wage rates that are above minimum wage. Additionally, as a result, we 
anticipate that our labor costs will continue to increase.  If we are unable to pass on these higher costs through price increases, 
our margins and profitability as well as the profitability and margins of our franchisees will be adversely impacted which 
could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Our business could be further 
negatively impacted if the decrease in margins for our franchisees results in the potential loss of new franchisees or the closing 
of a significant number of existing franchised restaurants. 

Increases in labor costs due to new regulations or labor shortages could slow our growth or harm our business. 

In  addition  to  minimum  wage  increases,  in  the  past  several  years,  state  and  local  governments  have  enacted 
legislation which increased labor costs. For instance, effective November 27, 2017, the City of New York enacted Fair Work 
Week Legislation. A key component of this legislation is a requirement that fast food restaurants schedule their workers at 
least two weeks in advance or pay employees between $10 to $75 per scheduling change, depending on the situation. Due to 
Nathan’s dependency on weather conditions at our two Coney Island locations during the summer, we are unable to determine 
the potential impact on our results of operations, which could be material. Continued increases in our labor costs as a result 
of  this  or  other  new  legislation  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  business,  financial  condition  and  results  of 
operations. 

Moreover,  our  success  depends  in  part  upon  our  ability  and  the  ability  of  our  franchisees  to  continue  to  attract, 
motivate and retain regional, operational and restaurant general managers with the qualifications to succeed in our industry 
and the motivation to apply our core service philosophy. If we or our franchisees are unable to continue to recruit and retain 
sufficiently qualified managers or to motivate our employees to achieve sustained high service levels, our business and our 
growth could be adversely affected. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused additional changes as companies struggle to find and hire workers as states 
begin to ease restrictions. As demand for new hires increases, the competition for these employees could require the payment 
of higher wages that could result in higher labor costs. 

Changes  in  franchise  regulation  laws  could  impact  our  ability  to  obtain  or  retain  licenses  or  approvals  and 

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

We are also subject to federal statutes and regulations, including the rules promulgated by the U.S. Federal Trade 
Commission,  as  well  as  certain  state  laws  governing  the  offer  and  sale  of  franchises.  Many  state  franchise  laws  impose 
substantive requirements on franchise agreements, including limitations on non-competition provisions and on provisions 
concerning the termination or non-renewal of a franchise. Some states require that certain materials be filed for a franchisor 
to be registered and approved, before franchises can be offered or sold in that state. The failure to obtain or retain licenses or 
approvals to sell franchises could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations 
and prospects. 

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We are subject to health, employment, environmental and other government regulations, and failure to comply 
with  existing  or  future  government  regulations  could  expose  us  to  litigation,  damage  our  corporate  reputation  or  the 
reputation of our brands and lower profits. 

We  and  our  franchisees  are  subject  to  various  federal,  state  and  local  laws,  rules  or  regulations  affecting  our 
businesses. To the extent that the standards imposed by local, state and federal authorities are inconsistent, they can adversely 
affect  popular  perceptions  of  our  business  and  increase  our  exposure  to  litigation  or  governmental  investigations  or 
proceedings. We may be unable to manage effectively the impact of new, potential or changing regulations that affect or 
restrict elements of our business. The successful development and operation of restaurants depends to a significant extent on 
the selection and acquisition of suitable sites, which are subject to zoning, land use (including the placement of drive-thru 
windows),  environmental  (including  litter),  traffic  and  other  regulations.  There  can  be  no  assurance  that  we  and  our 
franchisees  will  not  experience  material  difficulties  or  failures  in  obtaining  the  necessary  licenses  or  approvals  for  new 
restaurants which could delay the opening of such restaurants in the future. Restaurant operations are also subject to licensing 
and regulation by state and local departments relating to health, food preparation, sanitation and safety standards, federal and 
state labor laws (including applicable minimum wage requirements, overtime, working and safety conditions and citizenship 
requirements),  federal  and  state  laws  prohibiting  discrimination  and  other  laws  regulating  the  design  and  operation  of 
facilities, such as the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. If we fail to comply with any of these laws, we may 
be subject to governmental action or litigation, and accordingly our reputation could be harmed. 

Injury to us or our brand’s reputation would, in turn, likely reduce revenue and profits. In addition, difficulties or 
failures in obtaining any required licenses or approvals could delay or prevent the development or opening of a new restaurant 
or renovations to existing restaurants, which would adversely affect our revenue. 

Failure by third-party manufacturers or suppliers of raw materials to comply with food safety, environmental or 

other regulations may disrupt our supply of certain products and adversely affect our business.  

We rely on third-party manufacturers to produce our products and on other suppliers to supply raw materials. Such 
manufacturers  and  other  suppliers,  whether  in  the  United  States  or  outside  the  United  States,  are  subject  to  a  number  of 
regulations, including food safety and environmental regulations. Failure by any of our manufacturers or other suppliers to 
comply with regulations, or allegations of compliance failure, may disrupt their operations. Disruption of the operations of a 
manufacturer or other suppliers could disrupt our supply of product or raw materials, which could have an adverse effect on 
our business, results of operations, and financial condition. Additionally, actions we may take to mitigate the impact of any 
such  disruption  or  potential  disruption,  including  increasing  inventory  in  anticipation  of  a  potential  production  or  supply 
interruption, may adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition. 

We are subject to many federal, state and local laws, as well as statutory and regulatory requirements. Failure to 

comply with, or changes in these laws or requirements, could have an adverse impact on our business. 

The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) previously considered whether to hold certain franchisors responsible 
as a “joint employer” of its franchisees’ staff under certain fact patterns. McDonald’s USA LLC and their franchisees were 
the subject of administrative litigation with the NLRB. That matter was resolved through a settlement in 2019, and in 2020, 
the NLRB issued a regulation that changed the standard for determining when a party such as Nathan's would be deemed a 
“joint employer” under the National Labor Relations Act. The new NLRB standard would make it less likely that the NLRB 
would initiate an action against a company such as us. However, the new NLRB standard may be revised or revoked. There 
is also the possibility of administrative action from other agencies, state governments, and in private lawsuits that may allege 
that a franchisor and its franchisee “jointly employ” the franchisee’s staff, that the franchisor is responsible for the franchisees’ 
staff (under theories of apparent agency, ostensible agency, or actual agency), or otherwise. In 2021 and beyond, if the United 
States Department of Labor and agencies such as OSHA and the NLRB take a more aggressive position on defining and 
enforcing joint employer status, or it both houses of Congress pass the pending “PRO Act,” that might change the status quo 
and  expose  Nathan’s  to  the  possibility  of  being  deemed  a  “joint  employer”  of  our  franchisees’  staff  together  with  our 
franchisees. 

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Among other things, a determination that Nathan's and its franchisees are joint employers of one or more franchisees’ 
staff may make it easier to organize our franchisees’ staff into unions, provide the staff and their union representatives with 
bargaining power to request that we have our franchisees raise wages, and make it more expensive and less profitable to 
operate  a  Nathan’s  franchised  restaurant.  A  decrease  in  profitability  or  the  closing  of  a  significant  number  of  franchised 
restaurants could significantly impact our business (as well as our franchisees’ businesses), results of operations and financial 
condition. 

In  September  2019,  California  adopted  a  law  known  as  “AB-5,”  which  was  ostensibly  intended  to  address  the 
relationship  between  “gig”  workers  and  companies  such  as  “Uber”  and  “Lyft.”  By  ballot  initiative  in  November  2020, 
California  voters  adopted  “Proposition  22”  to  exempt  companies  such  as  Uber  and  Lyft  (and  others)  from  California 
Assembly Bill 5 (“AB-5”); however, the remaining language of AB-5 is broad enough to raise the possibility that it might be 
applied to the relationship between a franchisor such as Nathan's and its California franchisees. If AB-5 were applied to the 
franchisor-franchisee relationship that Nathan's enjoys with its franchisees, that might significantly impact the structure and 
financial viability of any California franchised or licensed locations. 

California also adopted a new law to address data privacy. The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) took effect 
at the beginning of 2020, and imposes stringent data security standards, which might apply more broadly than only within 
the borders of that state (for example, if a California resident buys products or has them shipped into the state and pays with 
a credit or debit card). Both New York and Virginia have since adopted similar requirements, which take effect in 2021. It is 
still  uncertain  whether  the  CCPA  and  the  laws  adopted  in  New  York  and  Virginia  will  have  a  material  impact  on  our 
operations or that of our franchisees. 

Changes in tax laws and unfavorable resolution of tax contingencies could adversely affect our tax expense.  

Our  future  effective  tax  rates  could  be  adversely  affected  by  changes  in  tax  laws,  both  domestically  and 
internationally. From time to time, the United States Congress and foreign, state and local governments consider legislation 
that could increase our effective tax rates. If changes to applicable tax laws are enacted, our results of operations could be 
negatively  impacted.  Our  tax  returns  and  positions  (including  positions  regarding  jurisdictional  authority  of  foreign 
governments to impose tax) are subject to review and audit by federal, state, local and international taxing authorities. An 
unfavorable outcome to a tax audit could result in higher tax expense, thereby negatively impacting our results of operations. 

Risks Related to Organizational Structure 

Our  certificate  of  incorporation  and  by-laws  and  other  corporate  documents  include  anti-takeover  provisions 

which may deter or prevent a takeover attempt. 

Some provisions of our certificate of incorporation, by-laws, other corporate documents, including the terms and 
condition of our Notes, and provisions of Delaware law may discourage takeover attempts and hinder a merger, tender offer 
or proxy contest targeting us, including transactions in which stockholders might receive a premium for their shares. This 
may  limit  the  ability  of  stockholders  to  approve  a  transaction  that  they  may  think  is  in  their  best  interest.  The  corporate 
documents include: 

●  Employment Contracts.  The employment agreements between us and each of Howard M. Lorber and Eric Gatoff provide 
that in the event there is a change in control of Nathan’s, the employee has the option, exercisable within one year for
each  of  Messrs.  Lorber  and  Gatoff,  of  his  becoming  aware  of  the  change  in  control,  to  terminate  his  employment 
agreement. Upon such termination, Mr. Gatoff has the right to receive a lump sum payment equal to his salary and annual
bonus for a one-year period, and Mr. Lorber has the right to receive a lump sum payment equal to the greater of (i) his
salary and annual bonuses for the remainder of the employment term or (ii) 2.99 times his salary and annual bonus plus
the difference between the exercise price of any exercisable options having an exercise price of less than the then current
market price of our common stock and such current market price. Mr. Lorber will also receive a tax gross up payment to
cover any excise tax. 

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While we have approved a quarterly dividend policy, there can be no assurance as to the declaration of future 

dividends or the amount of such dividend.  

Our  declaration  and  payment  of  future  cash  dividends   are  subject  to  the  final  determination   by  our  Board  of 
Directors  that  (i)  the  dividend  will  be  made  in  compliance  with  laws  applicable  to  the  declaration  and  payment  of  cash 
dividends, including Section 170 of the Delaware General  Business Corporation Law, (ii) the dividend complies with the 
terms of the Indenture, and (iii) the payment of dividends remains in our best interests, which determination will be based on 
a number of factors, including the impact of changing laws and regulations, economic conditions, our results of operations 
and/or financial condition, capital resources, the ability to satisfy financial covenants and other factors considered relevant 
by the Board of Directors. There can be no assurance our Board of Directors will approve the payment of cash dividends in 
the future or the amount of a cash dividend. Any discontinuance of the payment of a dividend or changes to the amount of a 
dividend compared to prior dividends could cause our stock price to decline. 

Risks Related to the Notes 

Our substantial indebtedness makes us more sensitive to adverse economic conditions, may limit our ability to 
plan for or respond to significant changes in our business, and requires a significant amount of cash to service our debt 
payment obligations that we may be unable to generate or obtain. 

As of March 28, 2021, we had total outstanding indebtedness of $150.0 million which is due in 2025. Subject to 

the terms of any future agreements, we and our subsidiaries may be able to incur additional indebtedness in the future, 
which would increase the risks related to our high level of indebtedness. If new debt is added to our existing debt levels, the 
related risks that we face would intensify and we may not be able to meet all our debt obligations, including the repayment 
of the Notes. 

Specifically, our high level of indebtedness could have important potential consequences, including, but not 

limited to: 

● 

increasing our vulnerability to, and reducing our flexibility to plan for and respond to, adverse economic and industry
conditions and changes in our business and the competitive environment, including ongoing adverse economic conditions
arising from the COVID-19 pandemic; 

●  make it more difficult for us to satisfy our other financial obligations, including our obligations relating to the Notes; 
● 

requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of principal of, and 
interest  on,  indebtedness,  thereby  reducing  the  availability  of  such  cash  flow  to  fund  working  capital,  capital
expenditures, acquisitions, dividends, share repurchases or other corporate purposes; 

●  make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations to the holders of the Notes, resulting in possible defaults on and

acceleration of such indebtedness; 
limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; 

● 
●  place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have less debt; 
● 

increasing our vulnerability to a downgrade of our credit rating, which could adversely affect our cost of funds, liquidity,
value and trading of the Notes and access to capital markets; 
restricting us from making strategic acquisitions or causing us to make non-strategic divestitures; 
limit our ability to borrow additional funds or increase our cost of borrowing; 

● 
● 
●  placing us at a disadvantage compared to other less leveraged competitors or competitors with comparable debt at more

● 

favorable interest rates; 
increasing our exposure to the risk of increased interest rates insofar as current and future borrowings are subject to
variable rates of interest; 

●  making it more difficult for us to repay, refinance or satisfy our obligations relating to the Notes; 
● 
● 

limiting our ability to borrow additional funds in the future and increasing the cost of any such borrowing; 
imposing restrictive covenants on our operations as the result of the terms of our indebtedness, which, if not complied
with, could result in an event of default, which in turn, if not cured or waived, could result in the acceleration of our
debts, including the Notes 

34 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
There is no assurance that we will generate cash flow from operations or that future debt or equity financings will 
be available to us to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund other liquidity needs. If conditions related to the COVID-
19 pandemic result in significant disruptions to capital and financial markets, our cost of borrowing, our ability to access 
capital on favorable terms and our overall liquidity could be adversely impacted. If our business does not generate sufficient 
cash flow from operations or if future borrowings are not available to us in amounts sufficient to pay our indebtedness or to 
fund other liquidity needs, our financial condition and results of operations may be adversely affected. As a result, we may 
need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before maturity. There is no assurance that we will be able to 
refinance any of our indebtedness on favorable terms, or at all. Any inability to generate sufficient cash flow or refinance our 
indebtedness on favorable terms could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. 

Item 1B.         Unresolved Staff Comments. 

None. 

35 

  
  
  
 
 
Item 2.         Properties. 

Our principal executive offices consist of approximately 9,300 square feet of leased space in Jericho, NY. The lease 
commenced on January 1, 2010, had a ten (10) year term, with a five (5) year renewal right. Effective April 1, 2019, we 
executed the first amendment to the lease extending the lease for an additional ten (10) year term to expire on March 31, 
2029. 

At March 28, 2021, other Company-owned restaurants that were operating were located in leased space with terms 

expiring as shown in the following table: 

Nathan’s Restaurants 
Coney Island .....................................................    Brooklyn, NY 
Coney Island Boardwalk (a) .............................    Brooklyn, NY 
Long Beach Road ..............................................    Oceanside, NY 
Central Park Avenue .........................................    Yonkers, NY 

  Location 

Current Lease 
Expiration Date 

  December 2027 
  November 2028 
  April 2030 
  December 2023 

Approximate 
Square Footage 
10,000 
3,800 
4,100 
3,500 

(a) 

Seasonal satellite location. 

At March 28, 2021, in addition to the leases listed above, we were the sub-lessor of one property to a franchisee 
located within the metropolitan New York area. 

Aggregate rental expense, net of sublease income, under all current leases amounted to $1,391,000 in fiscal 2021. 

Item 3.         Legal Proceedings. 

We and our subsidiaries are from time to time involved in ordinary and routine litigation. Management presently 
believes that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse 
effect on our financial position, cash flows or results of operations. Nevertheless, litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties 
and unfavorable rulings could occur. An unfavorable ruling could include monetary damages and, in such event, could result 
in a material adverse impact on our results of operations for the period in which the ruling occurs. 

Item 4.         Mine Safety Disclosures. 

Not applicable. 

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Item 5.         Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity 

PART II 

Securities. 

Common Stock Prices 

Our common stock is quoted on the NASDAQ Global Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbol “NATH.” 

Dividend Policy  

Historically, Nathan’s has not paid or declared any regular dividends on our common stock since our initial public 
offering in 1993. However, we have paid two special dividends, a $5.00 per share special dividend in January 2018 and a 
$25.00  per  share  special  dividend  in  March  2015.  On  May  31,  2018,  Nathan’s  Board  of  Directors  authorized  the 
commencement of a regular dividend of $1.00 per share per annum, payable at the rate of $0.25 per quarter. On June 14, 
2019, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized the increase of its regular dividend from $0.25 to $0.35 per quarter. During the 
fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2021 periods, the Company declared and paid four quarterly dividends of $0.35 per share. 

Our ability to pay future dividends is limited by the terms of an indenture, dated November 1, 2017, between the 
Company,  certain  of  its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries,  as  guarantors  and  U.S.  Bank  National  Association,  as  trustee  and 
collateral trustee (the “Indenture”). It has been the Board of Directors’ policy to return capital to our shareholders primarily 
through the purchase of stock pursuant to our stock buyback programs. 

Effective June 11, 2021, the Board declared its first quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share for fiscal year 2022 

which is payable on June 25, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 21, 2021. 

In addition to the terms of the Indenture, the payment of any cash dividends in the future will be dependent upon 
our earnings and financial requirements and there can be no assurance that we will declare and pay any dividends subsequent 
to the June 25, 2021 dividend. 

Shareholders  

As of June 4, 2021, we had approximately 364 shareholders of record, excluding shareholders whose shares were 

held by brokerage firms, depositories and other institutional firms in “street name” for their customers. 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities  

The Company did not repurchase any of its common stock during the quarter ended March 28, 2021. 

Since the commencement of the Company’s stock buy-back program in September 2001 through March 28, 2021, 
Nathan’s has purchased a total of 5,254,081 shares of common stock at a cost of approximately $84,770,000 under all of its 
stock repurchase programs. 

In 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized increases to the sixth stock repurchase plan for the purchase 
of up to 1,200,000 shares of its common stock on behalf of the Company. As of March 28, 2021, Nathan’s had repurchased 
1,066,450 shares at a cost of $37,108,000 under the sixth stock repurchase plan. At March 28, 2021, there were 133,550 
shares remaining to be repurchased pursuant to the sixth stock repurchase plan. The plan does not have a set expiration date. 
Purchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program may be made from time to time, depending on market conditions, 
in open market or privately-negotiated transactions, at prices deemed appropriate by management. There is no set time limit 
on the repurchases. 

37 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Reconciliation of GAAP and Non-GAAP Measures 

In addition to disclosing results that are determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles 
in the United States of America ("US GAAP"), the Company has provided EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, which 
is defined as net income excluding (i) interest expense; (ii) provision for income taxes and (iii) depreciation and amortization 
expense. The Company has also provided Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, which is defined as EBITDA, 
excluding (i) gain on sale of property and equipment; (ii) loss on debt extinguishment; (iii) impairment charge long-lived 
assets; and (iv) share-based compensation that the Company believes will impact the comparability of its results of operations. 

The Company believes that EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA, which are non-GAAP financial measures, are useful 
to  investors  to  assist  in  assessing  and  understanding  the  Company's  operating  performance  and  underlying  trends  in  the 
Company's business because EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are (i) among the measures used by management in evaluating 
performance  and  (ii)  are  frequently  used  by  securities  analysts,  investors  and  other  interested  parties  as  a  common 
performance measure. 

EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not recognized terms under US GAAP and should not be viewed as alternatives 
to  net  income  or  other  measures  of  financial  performance  or  liquidity  in  conformity  with  US  GAAP.  Additionally,  our 
definitions of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA may differ from other companies. Analysis of results and outlook on a non-
US GAAP basis should be used as a complement to, and in conjunction with, data presented in accordance with US GAAP. 

Fiscal Year (1) 

(In thousands) 

2021 

2020 

2019 

2018 

2017 

Net income .................................................   $ 
Interest expense ..........................................     
Income taxes ...............................................     
Depreciation & amortization ......................     

11,075    $ 
10,601      
4,250      
1,183      

13,435    $ 
10,601      
4,579      
1,233      

21,493    $ 
10,792      
7,917      
1,212      

2,630    $ 
13,591      
1,482      
1,352      

7,485  
14,665  
4,319  
1,297  

EBITDA .......................................     

27,109      

29,848      

41,414      

19,055      

27,766  

Gain on sale of property and equipment .....     
Loss on debt extinguishment ......................     
Impairment charge long-lived assets ..........     
Share-based compensation .........................     

-      
-      
-      
116      

-      
-      
-      
116      

(11,177)     
-      
-      
162      

-      
8,872      
790      
398      

-  
-  
-  
582  

ADJUSTED EBITDA ..................   $ 

27,225    $ 

29,964    $ 

30,399    $ 

29,115    $ 

28,348  

(1) 

Our fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in March, which results in a 52- or 53-week year. The fiscal years ended
March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 were each on the basis of a 52-week reporting period. The fiscal year ended
March 31, 2019 was on the basis of a 53-week reporting period. The fiscal years ended March 25, 2018 and March
26, 2017 were each on the basis of a 52-week reporting period. 

Item 6.         Selected Financial Data. 

Not applicable as we are considered a smaller reporting company. 

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Item 7.         Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. 

Introduction  

Overview of the Impact of COVID-19 

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared a global pandemic related to the outbreak of a 

novel strain of coronavirus, designated “COVID-19.” 

During  the  fiscal  2021  period,  COVID-19  spread  throughout  the  United  States  and  the  rest  of  the  world  and 
government authorities have implemented measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. These governmental restrictions and 
public perceptions of the risks associated with COVID-19 have caused consumers to avoid or to limit non-essential travel, 
gatherings  in  public  places  and  other  social  interactions.  The  COVID-19  pandemic  has  had  an  adverse  impact  on  the 
Company’s business, financial condition, cash flows, and results of operations for the fiscal 2021 period. 

As a result of COVID-19, our Company-owned restaurants and our franchisees have experienced reduced customer 

traffic, as well as instances of reduced store-level operations, including reduced operating hours. 

As of March 28, 2021, three of our four Company-owned restaurants were open. Our seasonal location on the Coney 

Island Boardwalk opened with reduced operating hours for the fiscal 2022 summer season on April 2, 2021. 

Franchisees  located  in  shopping  malls,  airports,  and  highway  travel  plazas  continue  to  be  subject  to  temporary 
closures or reduced operating hours. Approximately 77% of our franchise system is currently open in a full or limited capacity. 
Such closures and disruptions have impacted sales at our Company-owned restaurants, as well as franchise fees and royalties, 
as compared to the fiscal 2020 period. Plans to mitigate the loss of sales have included increasing consumer access to our 
products through third-party delivery channels. 

Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted operations within our Branded Product Program. Operations 
at many of our Branded Product Program accounts have been hampered as many of our customers operate in venues that are 
closed or venues operating at reduced traffic levels, such as professional sports arenas, amusement parks, shopping malls, 
and movie theaters. Such closures and disruptions have impacted sales and operating income within our Branded Product 
Program. 

During the fiscal 2021 period, royalties from our license agreements were significantly higher than during the fiscal 
2020 period, due to significantly higher sales of consumer-packaged goods through grocery channels as consumers elected 
to “shelter at home” as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In the second half of the fiscal 2021 period, certain of these governmental restrictions were relaxed as incidents of 
infection from the initial outbreak declined. The Company has instituted operational procedures to protect the health and 
foster the confidence of employees and guests at the restaurants. The Company continues to monitor developing and changing 
health authority recommendations and regulatory requirements. 

With  the roll-out, availability  and  acceptance of vaccines  to  combat the  COVID-19 pandemic,  we have  seen  an 
increase in the number of re-openings within our franchise system during the fourth quarter of our fiscal 2021 period and 
continuing into the first quarter of our fiscal 2022 period, as well as an increase in partial re-openings at some of our Branded 
Product Program accounts including professional sports arenas, amusement parks, movie theatres and shopping malls. 

The  business  environment  remains  dynamic  and  uncertain  and  is  subject  to  change  as  governmental  authorities 
modify existing restrictions or implement new restrictions in response to changes in the number of COVID-19 infections and 
the availability and acceptance of vaccines around the United States and internationally. We expect that the pandemic will 
continue to have a negative impact on our revenue and net income for the foreseeable future. Even as government restrictions 
are lifted and vaccines are being distributed, the ongoing economic impacts and health concerns associated with the pandemic 
may  continue  to  affect  consumer  behavior,  spending  levels,  and  may  result  in  reduced  restaurant  traffic  and  consumer 
spending trends that may adversely impact our financial condition and results of operations. 

39 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Overview 

We are engaged primarily in the marketing of the “Nathan’s Famous” brand and the sale of products bearing the 
“Nathan’s Famous” trademarks through several different channels of distribution. Historically, our business has been the 
operation and franchising of quick-service restaurants featuring Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot Dogs, crinkle-cut French-
fried potatoes,  and  a  variety of  other  menu  offerings.  Our  Company-owned  and  franchised  units operate  under  the  name 
“Nathan’s Famous,” the name first used at our original Coney Island restaurant opened in 1916. Nathan’s product licensing 
program sells packaged hot dogs and other meat products to retail customers through supermarkets or grocery-type retailers 
for off-site consumption. Our Branded Product Program enables foodservice retailers and others to sell some of Nathan’s 
proprietary products outside of the realm of a traditional franchise relationship. In conjunction with this program, purchasers 
of Nathan’s products are granted a limited use of the Nathan’s Famous trademark with respect to the sale of the purchased 
products,  including  Nathan’s  World  Famous  Beef  Hot  Dogs,  certain  other  proprietary  food  items  and  paper  goods.  Our 
Branded  Menu  Program  is  a  limited  franchise  program,  under  which  foodservice  operators  may  sell  a  greater  variety  of 
Nathan’s Famous menu items than under the Branded Product Program. 

Our revenues are generated primarily from selling products under Nathan’s Branded Product Program, operating 
Company-owned restaurants, licensing agreements for the sale of Nathan’s products within supermarkets and club stores, the 
sale of Nathan’s products directly to other foodservice operators and the manufacture of certain proprietary spices by third 
parties and franchising the Nathan’s restaurant concept (including the Branded Menu Program). 

The following summary reflects the franchise openings and closings of the Nathan’s franchise system for the fiscal 

years ended March 28, 2021, March 29, 2020, March 31, 2019, March 25, 2018, and March 26, 2017. 

March 28, 
2021 

March 29, 
2020 

March 31, 
2019 

March 25, 
2018 

March 26, 
2017 

Franchised restaurants operating at the beginning 

of the period ......................................................     
Franchised restaurants opened during the period .     
Franchised restaurants closed during the period ...     
Franchised restaurants operating at the end of the 

216      
7      
(10)     

255      
16      
(55)     

276      
13      
(34)     

279      
40      
(43)     

period ................................................................     

213      

216      

255      

276      

259  
53  
(33) 

279  

At March 28, 2021, our restaurant system consisted of 213 Nathan’s franchised units, including 94 Branded Menu 
units located in 19 states, and eight foreign countries, and four Company-owned and operated units (including one seasonal 
unit), located within the New York metropolitan area. 

Over the past several years, our strategic emphasis has been to increase the number of distribution points for our 
products across all of our business platforms, including our Licensing Program for distribution of Nathan’s Famous branded 
consumer packaged goods, our Branded Products Program for distribution of Nathan’s Famous branded bulk products to the 
foodservice  industry,  and  our  namesake  restaurant  system  comprised  of  both  Company-owned  and  franchised  units.  The 
primary  drivers  of  our  recent  growth  have  been  our  Licensing  and  Branded  Product  Programs,  which  are  the  largest 
contributors to the Company’s revenues and profits. 

We remain committed to these parts of our business and we continue to reinvigorate our restaurant system. The 
operating plan we have adopted in this regard is focused on surrounding our core items, Nathan’s World Famous Beef Hot 
Dogs and crinkle-cut French fried potatoes, with other much higher quality menu items developed to deliver best-in-class 
customer  experience  and  greater  customer  frequency.  Menu  development  activities  have  been  combined  with  concept 
positioning  efforts,  operational  improvements  and  more  effective  digital  and  social  marketing  campaigns.  The  goal  is  to 
improve the performance of the existing restaurant system and to grow it through franchising efforts. Additionally, we have 
introduced virtual kitchens whereby existing branded restaurants have the ability to market and to sell our products through 
third-party delivery platforms. At March 28, 2021, we have expanded into 130 virtual kitchens, including 87 domestically 
and 43 internationally. While we do not expect to significantly increase the number of Company-owned restaurants, we may 
opportunistically and strategically invest in a small number of new units as showcase locations for prospective franchisees 
and master developers as we seek to grow our franchise system. We continue to seek opportunities to drive sales in a variety 
of ways as we adopt to the ever-changing consumer and environment. 

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As described in Risk Factors and other sections in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 28, 
2021, our future results could be impacted by many developments including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our 
business, as well as our dependence on John Morrell & Co. as our principal supplier. In March 2014, John Morrell & Co., a 
subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, Inc. became Nathan’s exclusive licensee to manufacture and sell hot dogs, sausage and corned 
beef at retail. Our future operating results are substantially dependent on our agreement with John Morrell & Co. There are 
also certain risks associated with engaging John Morrell & Co. as exclusive licensee including whether (i) we can maintain 
or improve the quality and consistency of our products that is expected by our customers, and (ii) John Morrell & Co. will 
have a sufficient supply of products available for our customers on a timely basis, as well as the risks described under “Risk 
Factors - - Our licensing revenue and overall profitability is substantially dependent on our agreement with John Morrell & 
Co. and the loss or a significant reduction of this revenue would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and 
results of operations.” 

Our future operating results could be impacted by supply constraints on beef prices and/or increases in beef prices. 

On November 1, 2017, the Company issued $150.0 million of 6.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the "2025 
Notes") in a private offering in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities 
Act”).  The 2025 Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated November 1, 2017, (the “Indenture”) by and among the 
Company,  certain  of  its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries,  as  guarantors,  and  U.S.  Bank  National  Association,  as  trustee  and 
collateral trustee.  The Company used the net proceeds of the 2025 Notes offering to (i) satisfy and discharge the Indenture 
relating to the 2020 Notes; (ii) redeem the 2020 Notes (the "Redemption"), (iii) pay a portion of a special $5.00 per share 
cash dividend to Nathan's stockholders of record (see Note J of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements), and (iv) 
used the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including working capital.  The Company also funded the 
majority of the special dividend of $5.00 per share through its existing cash. The Redemption occurred on November 16, 
2017.  

The 2025 Notes bear interest at 6.625% per annum, payable semi-annually on May 1st and November 1st of each 
year.  During  the  fiscal  year  ended  March  28,  2021,  the  Company  made  its  required  semi-annual  interest  payments  of 
$4,968,750 on May 1, 2020 and November 1, 2020. On May 1, 2021, the Company paid its semi-annual interest payment of 
$4,968,750. 

The 2025 Notes have no scheduled principal amortization payments prior to its final maturity on November 1, 2025. 

Our future results may be impacted by our interest obligations under the 2025 Notes. As a result of the issuance of 
the 2025 Notes, Nathan’s incurs interest expense of $9,937,500 per annum and annual amortization of debt issuance costs of 
approximately  $691,000.  The  terms  and  conditions  of  the  2025  Notes  are  as  follows  (terms  not  defined  shall  have  the 
meanings set forth in the Indenture): 

There  are  no  ongoing  financial  maintenance  covenants  associated  with  the  2025  Notes.  As  of  March  28,  2021, 

Nathan’s was in compliance with all covenants associated with the 2025 Notes. 

The Indenture contains certain covenants limiting the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries 
(as defined in the Indenture) to, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) pay 
dividends  or  make  other  distributions  on,  redeem  or  repurchase,  capital  stock;  (iii)  make  investments  or  other  restricted 
payments; (iv) create or incur certain liens; (v) incur restrictions on the payment of dividends or other distributions from its 
restricted subsidiaries; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) sell assets; or (viii) effect a consolidation or 
merger. Certain Restricted Payments which may be made or indebtedness incurred by Nathan’s or its Restricted Subsidiaries 
may require compliance with the following financial ratios: 

41 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow to the Fixed Charges for the relevant period, 
currently  set  at  2.0  to  1.0  in  the  Indenture.  The  Fixed  Charge  Coverage  Ratio  applies  to  determining  whether 
additional Restricted Payments may be made, certain additional debt may be incurred and acquisitions may be made. 

Priority Secured Leverage Ratio: the ratio of (a) Consolidated Net Debt outstanding as of such date that is secured by a 
Priority Lien to (b) Consolidated Cash Flow of Nathan’s for the Test Period then most recently ended, in each case 
with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate; currently set at 0.40 to 1.00 in the Indenture. 

Secured Leverage Ratio: the ratio of (a) Consolidated Net Debt outstanding as of such date that is secured by a Lien on 
any property of Nathan’s or any Guarantor to (b) Consolidated Cash Flow of Nathan’s for the Test Period then most 
recently ended, in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate. The Secured Leverage Ratio under 
the Indenture is 3.75 to 1.00 and applies if Nathan’s wants to incur additional debt on the same terms as the 2025 
Notes. 

The Indenture also contains customary events of default, including, among other things, failure to pay interest, failure 
to comply with agreements related to the Indenture, failure to pay at maturity or acceleration of other indebtedness, failure to 
pay certain judgments, and certain events of insolvency or bankruptcy. Generally, if any event of default occurs, the Trustee 
or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the 2025 Notes may declare the 2025 Notes due and payable by providing 
notice  to  the  Company.  In  case  of  default  arising  from  certain  events  of  bankruptcy  or  insolvency,  the  2025  Notes,  will 
become immediately due and payable. 

The 2025 Notes are general senior secured obligations, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by substantially all 
of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing and 
future  indebtedness  that  is  not  subordinated,  are  senior  in  right  of  payment  to  any  of  the  Company’s  existing  and  future 
subordinated indebtedness, are structurally subordinated to any existing and future indebtedness and other liabilities of the 
Company’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2025 Notes, and are effectively junior to all existing and future indebtedness 
that is secured by assets other than the collateral securing the 2025 Notes. 

Pursuant to the terms of a collateral trust agreement, the liens securing the 2025 Notes and the guarantees will be 

contractually subordinated to the liens securing any future credit facility. 

The 2025 Notes and the guarantees are the Company and the guarantors’ senior secured obligations and will rank: 

● 

senior in right of payment to all of the Company and the guarantors’ future subordinated indebtedness; 

● 

effectively senior to all unsecured senior indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the 2025
Notes and the guarantees; 

●  pari passu with all of the Company and the guarantors’ other senior indebtedness; 

● 

● 

effectively junior to any future credit facility to the extent of the value of the collateral securing any future credit
facility and the 2025 Notes and the guarantees and certain other assets; 

effectively junior to any of the Company and the guarantors’ existing and future indebtedness that is secured by
assets other than the collateral securing the 2025 Notes and the guarantees to the extent of the value of any such
assets; and 

● 

structurally subordinated to the indebtedness of any of the Company’s current and future subsidiaries that do not
guarantee the 2025 Notes. 

The Company may redeem the 2025 Notes in whole or in part prior to November 1, 2020, at a redemption price of 
100% of the principal amount of the 2025 Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium, plus accrued and unpaid interest. 
An Applicable Premium is the greater of 1% of the principal amount of the 2025 Notes; or the excess of the present value at 
such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the 2025 Notes at November 1, 2020 plus (ii) all required interest payments 
due on the 2025 Notes through November 1, 2020 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest to the redemption date), computed 
using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 basis points; over the then outstanding 
principal amount of the 2025 Notes. 

42 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
Prior to November 1, 2020, if using the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings, the Company had the option 
to redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes at a redemption price equal to 106.625% of the 
principal amount of the 2025 Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and any additional interest. 

On or after November 1, 2020, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2025 Notes at a decreasing premium 

over time, plus accrued and unpaid interest as follows: 

YEAR 
On or after November 1, 2020 and prior to November 1, 2021 ..................................................................    
On or after November 1, 2021 and prior to November 1, 2022 ..................................................................    
On or after November 1, 2022 .....................................................................................................................    

 PERCENTAGE   
103.313%
101.656%
100.000%

In certain circumstances involving a change of control, the Company will be required to make an offer to repurchase 
all or, at the holder’s option, any part, of each holder’s 2025 Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change of 
Control Offer”). In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 101% of the 
aggregate principal amount of 2025 Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of purchase. 

If the Company sells certain collateralized assets and does not use the net proceeds as required, the Company will 
be required to use such net proceeds to repurchase the 2025 Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and 
unpaid interest and additional interest penalty, if any, to the date of repurchase. 

The 2025 Notes may be traded between qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act. 

We have recorded the 2025 Notes at cost. 

Effective June 1, 2020, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10 million of the 2025 
Notes by the Company (at a price equal to or less than par) from time to time. There is no set time limit on the repurchases. 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates 

Our consolidated financial statements and the notes to our consolidated financial statements contain information that 
is pertinent to management’s discussion and analysis. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting 
principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the 
reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We believe the following critical 
accounting policies involve additional management judgment due to the sensitivity of the methods, assumptions and estimates 
necessary in determining the related asset and liability amounts. 

Leases 

We determine if a contract contains a lease at inception. Our material operating leases consist of our Company-
owned  restaurants  and  Corporate  office  space.  Renewal  options  are  typically  not  included  in  the  lease  term  as  it  is  not 
reasonably  certain  at  commencement  date  that  we  would  exercise  the  option  to  extend  the  lease.  Our  real  estate  leases 
typically provide for fixed minimum rent payments and/or contingent rent payments based upon sales in excess of specified 
thresholds.  Fixed  minimum  rent  payments  are  recognized  on  a  straight-line  basis  over  the  lease  term.  Contingent  rent 
payments are recognized each period as the liability is incurred or the asset is earned. 

Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at time of lease inception. Operating lease liabilities represent 
the present value of lease payments not yet paid. Operating lease assets represent our right to use an underlying asset and are 
based upon the operating lease liabilities adjusted for any payments made before the commencement date, initial direct costs 
and lease incentives earned. 

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The lease liability equals the present value of the remaining lease payments over the lease term and is discounted 
using  the  incremental  borrowing  rate,  as  the  rate  implicit  in  the  Company’s  leases  is  not  readily  determinable.  This 
incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis 
over  a  similar  term,  an  amount  equal  to  the  lease  payments  in  a  similar  economic  environment.  If  the  estimate  of  our 
incremental borrowing rate was changed, our operating lease assets and liabilities could differ materially. 

Revenue Recognition 

We earn revenues through our Company-owned restaurants, franchised restaurants and virtual kitchens. Retail sales 
from franchised restaurants and virtual kitchens are reported to us by our franchisees and virtual kitchen operators and are 
not  included  in  our  revenues.  Retail  sales  from  Company-owned  restaurants  are  recognized  at  the  point-of-sale.  Royalty 
revenues resulting from the retail sales from franchised restaurants and virtual kitchens are generally based on a percentage 
of  sales  and  recognized  on  a  monthly  basis  when  it  is  earned  and  deemed  collectible.  Franchise  fees,  renewal  fees,  area 
development fees, and transfer fees are recognized as revenue over the term of each respective agreement, or upon termination 
of  the  franchise  agreement.  Revenues  from  Company-owned  restaurants  and  revenues  from  franchisees  and  our  virtual 
kitchen operators can fluctuate from time-to-time as a result of restaurant count and sales level changes. 

We may also generate revenues from advertising contributions which are made to the Company’s Advertising Fund 
which are also generally based on a percentage of sales. Some vendors that supply products to the Company and our restaurant 
system may also contribute to the Advertising Fund based upon purchases made by our franchisees and at Company-owned 
restaurants. 

Revenue  from  license  royalties  is  generally  based  on  a  percentage  of  sales,  subject  to  certain  annual  minimum 

royalties, recognized on a monthly basis when it is earned and deemed collectible. 

The Company recognizes sales from the Branded Product Program and certain products sold from the Branded Menu 

Program upon delivery to Nathan’s customers via third party common carrier. 

Impairment of Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets 

Goodwill and intangible assets consist of (i) goodwill of $95,000 resulting from the acquisition of Nathan’s in 1987; 
and (ii) trademarks, trade names and other intellectual property of $1,156,000 in connection with Arthur Treacher’s. We test 
goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be 
impaired. As of March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, the Company performed its annual impairment test of goodwill and has 
determined that no impairment is deemed to exist. 

During the fiscal year ended March 29, 2020, the Company determined its indefinite-lived intangible asset to have 
a finite useful life based on the expected future use of this intangible asset. Based upon the review of the current Arthur 
Treacher’s co-branding agreements, the Company determined that the remaining useful lives of these agreements is twelve 
years and the intangible asset is subject to annual amortization. The Company has recorded amortization expense of $113,000 
and $84,000 during the fiscal years ending March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, respectively. As of March 28, 2021 and 
March 29, 2020, the Company performed its annual impairment test of this finite-lived intangible asset and has determined 
that no impairment is deemed to exist. 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 

Long-lived assets include property, equipment and right of use assets for operating leases with finite useful lives. 
Impairment losses are recorded on long-lived assets whenever impairment factors are determined to be present. The Company 
tests the recoverability of its long-lived assets with finite useful lives whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate 
that the carrying value of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company tests for recoverability based on the projected 
undiscounted  cash flows  to be  derived from  such  asset. If the projected undiscounted  future  cash flows  are  less  than  the 
carrying value of the asset, the Company will record an impairment loss, if any, based on the difference between the estimated 
fair value and the carrying value of the asset. The Company generally measures fair value by considering discounted estimated 
future  cash  flows  from  such  asset.  Cash  flow  projections  and  fair  value  estimates  require  significant  estimates  and 
assumptions by management. Should the estimates and assumptions prove to be incorrect, the Company may be required to 
record impairments in future periods and such impairments could be material. The Company considers a history of restaurant 
operating losses to be its primary indicator of potential impairment for individual restaurant locations. No long-lived assets 
were deemed impaired during the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020. 

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Stock-Based Compensation 

As  discussed  in  Note  L.2  of  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements,  we  have  one  active  share-based 
compensation plan that provides stock options and restricted stock awards for certain employees and non-employee directors 
to acquire shares of our common stock. For stock option awards, the grant date fair value of the awards is determined using 
the  Black-Scholes  option  pricing  model  and  involves  several  assumptions  in  determining  the  value  of  stock-based 
compensation including: 

(a) 
(b) 

(c) 
(d) 

expected option term based upon expected termination behavior; 
volatility based upon historical price changes of the Company’s common stock over a period equal to the 
expected life of the option; 
expected dividend yield; and 
risk free interest rate on date of grant. 

Income Taxes  

The  Company’s  current  provision  for  income  taxes  is  based  upon  its  estimated  taxable  income  in  each  of  the 
jurisdictions in which it operates, after considering the impact on taxable income of temporary differences resulting from 
different treatment of items for tax and financial reporting purposes and income tax benefits from share-based payments. 
Deferred  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  recognized  for  the  future  tax  consequences  attributable  to  differences  between  the 
financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and any operating loss or 
tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable 
income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The ultimate realization of 
deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in those periods in which temporary differences 
become deductible. Should management determine that it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets 
will  not  be  realized,  a  valuation  allowance  against  the  deferred  tax  assets  would  be  established  in  the  period  such 
determination was made. 

Uncertain Tax Positions  

The  Company  has  recorded  liabilities  for  underpayment  of  income  taxes  and  related  interest  and  penalties  for 
uncertain tax positions based on the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return 
should be recorded in the financial statements. The Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position 
only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities based on the 
technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such position should be measured 
based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Nathan’s 
recognizes accrued interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits as part of the income tax provision. See 
Note H of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Adoption of New Accounting Standards 

In  January  2017,  the  FASB  issued  an  update  to  the  accounting  guidance  to  simplify  the  testing  for  goodwill 
impairment. The update removes the requirement to determine the implied fair value of goodwill to measure the amount of 
impairment loss, if any, under the second step of the current goodwill impairment test. A company will perform its annual or 
interim  goodwill  impairment  test  by  comparing  the  fair  value  of  a  reporting  unit  with  its  carrying  amount.  A  goodwill 
impairment charge will be recognized for the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, 
not to exceed the carrying amount of the goodwill. The Company adopted this guidance on March 30, 2020. The adoption of 
this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

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New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted  

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of 
Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which significantly changes the impairment model for most financial instruments. 
Current guidance requires the recognition of credit losses based on an incurred loss impairment methodology that reflects 
losses once the losses are probable. Under this standard, the Company will be required to use a current expected credit loss 
model (“CECL”) that will immediately recognize an estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the 
financial instruments that are in the scope of this update, including trade receivables. The CECL model uses a broader range 
of reasonable and supportable information in the development of credit loss estimates. In November 2019, the FASB deferred 
the  effective date  for  smaller  reporting  companies for  annual reporting periods  beginning  after  December 15, 2022.  This 
standard  is  required  to  take  effect  in  Nathan’s  first  quarter  (June  2023)  of  our  fiscal  year  ending  March  31,  2024.  The 
Company  is  currently  evaluating  the  impact  that  the  adoption  of  this  guidance  will  have  on  its  consolidated  financial 
statements and related disclosures. 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for 
Income Taxes,” which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes 
certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent 
application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. This standard is required to take 
effect in Nathan’s first quarter (June 2021) of our fiscal year ending March 27, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating 
the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. 

The  Company  does  not  believe  that  any  other  recently  issued,  but  not  yet  effective  accounting  standards,  when 

adopted, will have a material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements. 

Results of Operations  

Fiscal year ended March 28, 2021 compared to fiscal year ended March 29, 2020 

Revenues  

Total sales were $41,326,000 for the fifty-two weeks ended March 28, 2021 as compared to $70,559,000 for the 
fifty-two weeks ended March 29, 2020. Foodservice sales from the Branded Product Program were $33,617,000 for the fiscal 
2021 period as compared to sales of $57,586,000 for the fiscal 2020 period. The sales from our Branded Product Program 
have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as many of our customers operate in venues that are currently 
closed, such as movie theaters, or venues operating at reduced capacity, such as professional sports arenas, amusement parks 
and shopping malls. During the fiscal 2021 period, the volume of business decreased by approximately 41% as compared to 
the fiscal 2020 period. Our average selling prices increased by approximately 0.4% as compared to the fiscal 2020 period. 

Total Company-owned restaurant sales were $7,709,000 during the fiscal 2021 period compared to $12,973,000 
during the fiscal 2020 period. The decrease was primarily due to a decline in customer traffic at our Coney Island locations 
related to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during the fiscal 2021 period. Additionally, as stipulated under government 
orders,  the  dining  rooms  at  our  Company-owned  restaurants  were  operating  at  reduced  capacity  and  maintaining  social 
distancing protocols under these same government orders. 

License royalties were $31,368,000 in the fiscal 2021 period as compared to $25,859,000 in the fiscal 2020 period. 
Total royalties earned on sales of hot dogs from our license agreement with John Morrell & Co. at retail and foodservice, 
substantially  from  sales of hot  dogs  to Sam’s  Club  and  WalMart,  increased  to $28,694,000 for  the fiscal  2021  period  as 
compared to $23,680,000 for the fiscal 2020 period. As consumers sheltered at home as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, 
our licensing business exhibited strong consumer demand. The increase is due to a 12% increase in retail volume during the 
fiscal  2021  period,  as  well  as  a  12%  increase  in  average  net  selling  price  as  compared  to  the  fiscal  2020  period.  The 
foodservice business earned lower royalties of $457,000 as compared to the fiscal 2020 period due to a shift in the business. 
Royalties earned from all other licensing agreements for the manufacture and sale of Nathan’s products increased by $495,000 
during the fiscal 2021 period as compared to the fiscal 2020 period primarily due to additional royalties earned on sales of 
French fries, cocktail franks and mozzarella sticks. 

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Franchise fees and royalties were $1,601,000 in the fiscal 2021 period as compared to $4,572,000 in the fiscal 2020 
period.  Total  royalties  were  $1,317,000  in  the  fiscal  2021  period  as  compared  to  $3,327,000  in  the  fiscal  2020  period. 
Royalties earned under the Branded Menu Program were $229,000 in the fiscal 2021 period as compared to $643,000 in the 
fiscal 2020 period. Royalties earned under the Branded Menu Program are not based upon a percentage of restaurant sales, 
but are based upon product purchases. Traditional franchise royalties were $1,088,000 in the fiscal 2021 period as compared 
to  $2,684,000  in  the  fiscal  2020  period.  Franchise  restaurant  sales  declined  to  $22,269,000  in  the  fiscal  2021  period  as 
compared to $61,542,000 in the fiscal 2020 primarily due to temporary closings, as well as venues operating at significantly 
reduced  traffic  as  a  result  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic.  Comparable  domestic  franchise  sales  (consisting  of  59  Nathan’s 
outlets, excluding sales under the Branded Menu Program) were $17,095,000 during the fiscal 2021 period as compared to 
$40,516,000 during the fiscal 2020 period.  

At March 28, 2021, 213 franchised outlets, including domestic, international and Branded Menu Program outlets 
were operating compared to 216 franchised outlets, including domestic, international and Branded Menu Program outlets at 
March 29, 2020. Total franchise fee income was $284,000 in the fiscal 2021 period as compared to $1,245,000 in the fiscal 
2020 period. Domestic franchise fee income was $133,000 in the fiscal 2021 period as compared to $143,000 in the fiscal 
2020 period. International franchise fee income was $103,000 in the fiscal 2021 period as compared to $151,000 in the fiscal 
2020 period. 

We recognized $48,000 and $951,000 of forfeited fees in the fiscal 2021 and fiscal 2020 period, respectively. The 
forfeited fees in the fiscal 2020 period were primarily from the termination of our Master Franchise Agreements for Russia, 
Kyrgyzstan,  Australia,  United  Kingdom  and  Turkey.  During  the  fiscal  2021  period,  seven  franchised  outlets  opened, 
including two new Branded Menu Program outlets. Additionally, 130 new virtual kitchens opened. During the fiscal 2020 
period, 16 franchised outlets opened, including five international units and three new Branded Menu Program outlets. 

Advertising fund revenue, after eliminating Company contributions, was $1,544,000 in the fiscal 2021 period and 

$2,335,000 during the fiscal 2020 period. 

Costs and Expenses  

Overall,  our  cost  of  sales  decreased  by  $21,952,000  to  $32,536,000  in  the  fiscal  2021  period  as  compared  to 
$54,488,000 in the fiscal 2020 period. Our gross profit (representing the difference between sales and cost of sales) was 
$8,790,000 or 21.3% of sales during the 2021 period as compared to $16,071,000 or 22.8% of sales during the fiscal 2020 
period. The reduction in margin was primarily due to higher prime restaurant costs associated with new menu offerings, and 
higher labor costs associated with higher minimum hourly rates of pay at two of our Company-owned restaurants. 

Cost of sales in the Branded Product Program decreased by approximately $19,910,000 during the fiscal 2021 period 
as compared to the fiscal 2020 period, primarily due to the 0.8% decrease in the average cost per pound of our hot dogs, as 
well as the 41% decrease in the volume of product sold due to the COVID-19 pandemic as discussed above. We did not make 
any purchase commitments for beef during the fiscal 2021 and 2020 periods. If the cost of beef and beef trimmings increases 
and we are unable to pass on these higher costs through price increases or otherwise reduce any increase in our costs through 
the use of purchase commitments, our margins will be adversely impacted. 

Beginning in May 2020, the cost of hot dogs increased significantly due primarily to the effects of the COVID-19 
pandemic on the meat processing industry. This trend continued during the summer months and then declined during the 
second half of the fiscal 2021 period. 

With  respect  to  Company-owned  restaurants,  our  cost  of  sales  during  the  fiscal  2021  period  was  $5,295,000  or 
68.7% of restaurant sales, as compared to $7,337,000 or 56.6% of restaurant sales in the fiscal 2020 period. We experienced 
higher food costs driven by higher prime costs associated with new menu offerings, and higher labor costs associated with 
higher minimum hourly rates of pay at two of our Company-owned restaurants. We expect that our future labor costs will 
continue to be impacted by the additional increase in minimum wage requirements in New York State which will commence 
on July 1, 2021, as well as other new labor regulations and our food costs may be impacted by increases in commodity costs. 

47 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
                   
  
 
 
Restaurant operating expenses were $3,268,000 in the fiscal 2021 period as compared to $3,476,000 in the fiscal 
2020  period.  We  incurred  lower  occupancy  expenses  of  $252,000,  lower  utility  expenses  of  $18,000,  lower  marketing 
expenses of $73,000 and lower repairs and maintenance expenses of $15,000 which were offset, in part, by higher insurance 
costs of $33,000 and higher delivery charges of $147,000 associated with offsite consumption. 

Depreciation and amortization was $1,183,000 in the fiscal 2021 period as compared to $1,233,000 in the fiscal 

2020 period. 

General and administrative expenses decreased $2,738,000 or 18.5% to $12,041,000 in the fiscal 2021 period as 
compared to $14,779,000 in the fiscal 2020 period. The Company reduced expenses in response to the impact of the COVID-
19 pandemic. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was primarily attributable to reduced corporate payroll 
expenses through temporary salary reductions and layoffs, a lower incentive compensation accrual, reduced tradeshow and 
sponsorship expenses in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and reductions in other discretionary expenses including marketing 
and travel. These reductions were partially offset by increases in legal and other professional fees and severance costs related 
to transitioning certain Corporate personnel from a furloughed status to a permanent layoff. 

Advertising fund expense, after eliminating Company contributions, was $1,296,000 in the fiscal 2021 period, as 

compared to $2,177,000 in the fiscal 2020 period. 

Other Items  

Interest  expense  of  $10,601,000  in  both  the  fiscal  2021  and  fiscal  2020  periods  represented  accrued  interest  of 

$9,910,000 on the 2025 Notes at 6.625% per annum and amortization of debt issuance costs of $691,000. 

Interest income was $364,000 for the fiscal 2021 period as compared to $1,357,000 in the fiscal 2020 period. 

Other income, which relates primarily to a sublease of a franchised restaurant was $47,000 and $86,000 in the fiscal 

2021 and fiscal 2020 periods, respectively. 

Provision for Income Taxes  

The income tax provision for the fiscal 2021 period and fiscal 2020 period reflect effective tax rates of 27.7% and 
25.4%, respectively. Nathan’s effective tax rate for the fiscal year ended March 29, 2020 was reduced by 1.3%, as a result of 
the tax benefits associated with stock compensation. For the fiscal year ended March 29, 2020, excess tax benefits of $228,000 
were reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings as a reduction to the provision for income taxes. Nathan’s effective 
tax rate without this adjustment would have been 26.7% for the fiscal 2020 period. The Company’s tax rate for the fiscal 
2021 period was favorably affected by 0.1% due to its return to provision adjustment of approximately $18,000 in connection 
with the filing of its March 2020 tax returns. 

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits at March 28, 2021 was $397,000 all of which would impact Nathan’s 
effective tax rate, if recognized. As of March 28, 2021, Nathan’s had $256,000 of accrued interest and penalties in connection 
with unrecognized tax benefits. 

Nathan’s estimates that its unrecognized tax benefit excluding accrued interest and penalties could be further reduced 

by up to $19,000 during the fiscal year ending March 27, 2022. 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 

At March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, Nathan’s did not have any open purchase commitment to purchase hot 
dogs. Nathan’s may continue to enter into additional purchase commitments in the future as favorable market conditions 
become available. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources          

Cash and cash equivalents at March 28, 2021 aggregated $81,064,000, a $3,947,000 increase during the fiscal 2021 
period  as  compared  to  cash  and  cash  equivalents  of  $77,117,000  at  March  29,  2020.  Net  working  capital  increased  to 
$80,072,000 from $75,165,000 at March 29, 2020. Through March 28, 2021, the Company declared and paid four regular 
dividends of $0.35 per common share aggregating $5,761,000. During the fiscal 2021 period, the Company made its required 
semi-annual interest payments of $4,968,750 on May 1, 2020 and November 1, 2020. On May 1, 2021, we made the first 
semi-annual interest payment of fiscal 2022. 

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Cash  provided  by  operations  of  $11,766,000  in  the  fiscal  2021  period  is  primarily  attributable  to  net  income  of 
$11,075,000 in addition to other non-cash operating items of $2,064,000, offset by changes in other operating assets and 
liabilities of $1,373,000. Non-cash operating expenses consist principally of depreciation and amortization of $1,183,000, 
amortization of debt issuance cost of $691,000, share-based compensation expense of $116,000, non-cash rental expense of 
$120,000, and bad debts of $101,000. In the fiscal 2021 period, accounts and other receivables increased by $645,000 due 
primarily  to  higher  franchise  and  license  royalties  receivable  of  $925,000  offset  by  lower  Branded  Product  Program 
receivables of $309,000. Prepaid expenses and other current assets increased by $144,000 due principally to the prepayment 
of income taxes and insurance of $280,000 and $125,000, respectively, which were offset, in part, by a reduction in prepaid 
marketing expenses of $173,000. Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities decreased by $287,000 
due principally to a reduction in accrued payroll and other benefits of $282,000 due primarily to lower incentive compensation 
accruals; a reduction in accrued rebates due under the Branded Product Program of $382,000; and a reduction in accrued 
income taxes of $176,000 which were offset, in part, by an increase in accounts payable of $532,000 due to the timing of 
seasonal product purchases.  

Cash  used  in  investing  activities  was  $551,000  in  the  fiscal  2021  period  primarily  in  connection  with  capital 
expenditures incurred for our Branded Product Program and the installation of a new point-of-sale system at our Company-
owned restaurants. 

Cash used in financing activities of $7,268,000 in the fiscal 2021 period relates to the payments of the Company’s 
regular quarterly $0.35 per share cash dividend totaling $5,761,000. Additionally, during the fiscal 2021 period, Nathan’s 
repurchased 26,676 shares of common stock for $1,501,000. 

During the period from October 2001 through March 28, 2021, Nathan’s purchased 5,254,081 shares of its common 
stock  at  a  cost  of  approximately  $84,770,000  pursuant  to  stock  repurchase  plans  previously  authorized  by  the  Board  of 
Directors.  Since  March  26,  2007,  we  have  repurchased  3,362,981  shares  at  a  total  cost  of  approximately  $77,612,000, 
reducing the number of shares then-outstanding by 55.9%. 

In 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized increases to the sixth stock repurchase plan for the repurchase 
of up to 1,200,000 shares of its common stock on behalf of the Company. As of March 28, 2021, Nathan’s has repurchased 
1,066,450 shares at a cost of approximately $37,108,000 under the sixth stock repurchase plan. At March 28, 2021, there 
were 133,550 shares remaining to be repurchased pursuant to the sixth stock repurchase plan. The plan does not have a set 
expiration date. Purchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program may be made from time to time, depending on 
market conditions, in open market or privately-negotiated transactions, at prices deemed appropriate by management. There 
is no set time limit on the repurchases. 

On March 13, 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 10b5-1 stock plan (the “10b5-1 Plan”) which 
expired on August 12, 2020. During the fiscal 2021 period, the Company repurchased in open market transactions 26,676 
shares of the Company’s common stock at an average share price of $56.26 for a total cost of $1,501,000 under the 10b5-1 
Plan. 

Effective June 1, 2020, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10 million of the 2025 
Notes by the Company (at a price equal to or less than par) from time to time. There is no set time limit on the repurchases. 

As  discussed  above,  we  had  cash  and  cash  equivalents  at  March  28,  2021  aggregating  $81,064,000.  Our  Board 
routinely monitors and assesses its cash position and our current and potential capital requirements. In November 2017, we 
refinanced our 2020 Notes through the issuance of the 2025 Notes and, our Board of Directors announced the payment of a 
$5.00 per share special dividend to the shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 22, 2017. On May 31, 
2018, Nathans’ Board of Directors authorized the commencement of a regular dividend of $1.00 per share per annum, payable 
at the rate of $0.25 per share per quarter. On June 14, 2019, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized the increase of its regular 
quarterly dividend to $0.35 from $0.25. During the fiscal 2021 period, we have declared and paid four quarterly dividend 
distributions totaling $5,761,000. 

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Effective June 11, 2021, the Board declared its first quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share for fiscal 2022 which 

will be paid on June 25, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 21, 2021. 

Our  ability  to pay future dividends  is  limited  by  the  terms  of  the Indenture for  the 2025 Notes.  In  addition,  the 
payment of any cash dividends in the future, are subject to final determination of the Board and will be dependent upon our 
earnings and financial requirements. We may also return capital to our stockholders through stock repurchases, subject to any 
restrictions in the Indenture, although there is no assurance that the Company will make any repurchases under its existing 
stock-repurchase plan. 

We expect that in the future we will make investments in certain existing restaurants, support the growth of the 
Branded Product and Branded Menu Programs, service the outstanding debt, fund our dividend program and may continue 
our stock repurchase programs, funding those investments from our operating cash flow. We may also incur capital and other 
expenditures or engage in investing activities in connection with opportunistic situations that may arise on a case-by-case 
basis. In the fiscal year ending March 28, 2021, we were required to make interest payments of $9,937,500, all of which have 
been made as of November 1, 2020. During the fiscal year  ending March 27, 2022, we will be required to make interest 
payments of $9,937,500. On May 1, 2021, we made the first semi-annual interest payment of fiscal 2022. 

Management  believes  that  available  cash,  cash  equivalents,  and  cash  generated  from  operations  should  provide 
sufficient  capital  to  finance  our  operations,  satisfy  our  debt  service  requirements,  fund  dividend  distributions  and  stock 
repurchases for at least the next 12 months. 

At March 28, 2021, we sublet one property to a franchisee that we lease from a third party. We remain contingently 
liable  for  all  costs  associated  with  this  property  including:  rent,  property  taxes  and  insurance.  We  may  incur  future  cash 
payments  with  respect  to  such  property,  consisting  primarily  of  future  lease  payments,  including  costs  and  expenses 
associated with terminating such lease. 

Our contractual obligations primarily consist of the 2025 Notes and the related interest payments, operating leases, 
and employment agreement with certain executive officers. These contractual obligations impact our short-term and long-
term liquidity and capital resource needs. There have been no material changes in our contractual obligations since March 
29, 2020. 

On February 27, 2017, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company executed a Guaranty of Lease (the “Brooklyn 
Guaranty”) in connection with its re-franchising of a restaurant located in Brooklyn, New York. The Company is obligated 
to make payments under the Brooklyn Guaranty in the event of a default by the tenant/franchisee. The Brooklyn Guaranty 
has an initial term of 10 years and one 5-year option and is limited to 24 months of rent for the first three years of the term. 
For the remainder of the term, the Brooklyn Guaranty is limited to 12 months of rent plus reasonable costs of collection and 
attorney’s  fees.  As  of  March  28,  2021,  Nathan’s  has  recorded  a  liability  of  $113,000  in  connection  with  the  Brooklyn 
Guaranty which does not include potential percentage rent, real estate tax increases, attorney’s fees and other costs as these 
amounts are not reasonably determinable at this time. Nathan’s has received a personal guaranty from the franchisee for all 
obligations under the Brooklyn Guaranty. 

Inflationary Impact 

We do not believe that general inflation has materially impacted earnings. However, we have experienced significant 
volatility in our costs for our hot dogs and certain food products, distribution costs and utilities. Between April 2018 and 
March 2020, beef prices traded within a range of + or - 10%. Prices were at the lowest levels between October 2018 and 
March 2019 as compared to higher levels between October 2019 and March 2020. Our average cost of hot dogs between 
October 2019 and March 2020 was approximately 11.2% higher than between October 2018 and March 2019. Our average 
cost of hot dogs between April 2020 and March 2021 was approximately 0.8% lower than between April 2019 and March 
2020.  

Beginning in May 2020, the cost of hot dogs increased significantly due primarily to the effects of the COVID-19 
pandemic on the meat processing industry. This trend continued during the summer months and then declined during the 
second half of the fiscal 2021 period. 

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We are unable to predict the future cost of our hot dogs and expect to experience price volatility for our beef products 
during  fiscal  2022.  To  the  extent  that  beef  prices  increase  as  compared  to  earlier  periods,  it  could  impact  our  results  of 
operations. In the past, we have entered into purchase commitments for a portion of our hot dogs to reduce the impact of 
increasing market prices. Our most recent purchase commitment was completed in 2016 for approximately 2,600,000 pounds 
of  hot  dogs.  We  may  attempt  to  enter  into  similar  purchase  arrangements  for  hot  dogs  and  other  products  in  the  future. 
Additionally, we expect to continue experiencing volatility in oil and gas prices on our distribution costs for our food products 
and utility costs in the Company-owned restaurants and volatile insurance costs resulting from the uncertainty of the insurance 
markets. 

New York State passed legislation increasing the minimum hourly wage for fast food workers of restaurant chains 
with 30 or more locations nationwide. The increase is being phased in differently between New York City and the rest of 
New York State. Effective December 31, 2019, the minimum wage was $15.00 in New York City and increased to $13.75 
per hour for the remainder of New York State. 

The minimum hourly rate of pay for the remainder of New York State increased to $14.50 on Dec. 31, 2020; and 

will increase to $15.00 on July 1, 2021. 

All of Nathan’s Company-operated restaurants are within New York State, two of which operate within New York 

City that have been significantly affected by this legislation. 

We  may  attempt  to  offset  the  effects  of  wage  inflation,  at  least  in  part,  through  periodic  menu  price  increases. 

However, no assurance can be given that we will be able to offset these wage increases in the future. 

Effective November 27, 2017, the City of New York Fair Work Week Legislation package of bills took effect that 
covers City of New York fast food workers by giving them more predictable work schedules. A key component of the package 
is a requirement that fast food restaurants schedule their workers at least two weeks in advance or pay employees between 
$10 to $75 per scheduling change, depending on the situation. Due to Nathan’s dependency on weather conditions at our two 
Coney Island beach locations during the summer season, we are unable to determine the potential impact on our results of 
operations, which could be material. We believe that we have been able to implement tools to minimize the financial impact 
of this legislation. 

Continued increases in labor, food and other operating expenses, including health care, could adversely affect our 
operations and those of the restaurant industry and we might have to further reconsider our pricing strategy as a means to 
offset reduced operating margins. 

We believe the increases in the minimum wage and other changes in employment laws could have a significant 
financial impact on our financial results and the results of our franchisees that operate in New York State. Our business could 
be negatively impacted if the decrease in margins for our franchisees results in the potential loss of new franchisees or the 
closing of a significant number of franchised restaurants. 

The  Company’s business, financial  condition,  operating results  and  cash flows  can be  impacted by  a number  of 
factors, including but not limited to those set forth above in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition 
and Results of Operations,” any one of which could cause our actual results to vary materially from recent results or from our 
anticipated future results. For a discussion identifying additional risk factors and important factors that could cause actual 
results  to  differ  materially  from  those  anticipated,  please  see  the  discussions  in  “Forward-Looking  Statements”,  “Risk 
Factors”, and “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements” in this Form 10-K. 

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Item 7A.        Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk. 

Cash and Cash Equivalents                   

We have historically invested our cash and cash equivalents in money market funds or short-term, fixed rate, highly 
rated and highly liquid instruments which are generally reinvested when they mature. Although these existing investments 
are not considered at risk with respect to changes in interest rates or markets for these instruments, our rate of return on short-
term  investments  could  be  affected  at  the  time  of  reinvestment  as  a  result  of  intervening  events.  As  of  March  28,  2021, 
Nathan’s  cash  and  cash  equivalents  aggregated  $81,064,000.  Earnings  on  this  cash  would  increase  or  decrease  by 
approximately $203,000 per annum for each 0.25% change in interest rates. 

Borrowings                                     

At March 28, 2021, we had $150.0 million of 2025 Notes outstanding which are due in November 2025. Interest 
expense on these borrowings would increase or decrease by approximately $375,000 per annum for each 0.25% change in 
interest rates. We currently do not anticipate entering into interest rate swaps or other financial instruments to hedge our 
borrowings. 

Commodity Costs  

We do not believe that general inflation has materially impacted earnings. However, we have experienced significant 
volatility in our costs for our hot dogs and certain food products, distribution costs and utilities. Between April 2018 and 
March 2020, beef prices traded within a range of + or - 10%. Prices were at the lowest levels between October 2018 and 
March 2019 as compared to higher levels between October 2019 and March 2020. Our average cost of hot dogs between 
October 2019 and March 2020 was approximately 11.2% higher than between October 2018 and March 2019. Our average 
cost of hot dogs between April 2020 and March 2021 was approximately 0.8% lower than between April 2019 and March 
2020. 

Beginning May 2020, the cost of hot dogs increased significantly due primarily to  the effects of the COVID-19 
pandemic on the meat processing industry. This trend continued during the summer months and then declined during the 
second half of the fiscal 2021 period. 

We are unable to predict the future cost of our hot dogs and expect to experience price volatility for our beef products 
during  fiscal  2022.  To  the  extent  that  beef  prices  increase  as  compared  to  earlier  periods,  it  could  impact  our  results  of 
operations. In the past, we entered into purchase commitments for a portion of our hot dogs to reduce the impact of increasing 
market prices. Our most recent purchase commitment was completed in 2016 for approximately 2,600,000 pounds of hot 
dogs. We may attempt to enter into similar purchase arrangements for hot dogs and other products in the future. Additionally, 
we expect to continue experiencing volatility in oil and gas prices on our distribution costs for our food products and utility 
costs in the Company-owned restaurants and volatile insurance costs resulting from the hardening of the insurance markets. 

With the exception of purchase commitments, we have not attempted to hedge against fluctuations in the prices of 
the commodities we purchase using future, forward, option or other instruments. As a result, we expect that the majority of 
our future commodity purchases will be subject to market changes in the prices of such commodities. We have attempted to 
enter sales agreements with our customers that are correlated to our cost of beef, thus reducing our market volatility, or have 
passed  through  permanent  increases  in  our  commodity  prices  to  our  customers  that  are  not  on  formula  pricing,  thereby 
reducing the impact of long-term increases on our financial results. A short-term increase or decrease of 10% in the cost of 
our food  and paper products  for  the year  ended March  28, 2021 would  have  increased or  decreased  our  cost of  sales  by 
approximately $2,877,000. 

Foreign Currencies 

Foreign franchisees generally conduct business with us and make payments in United States dollars, reducing the 
risks inherent with changes in the values of foreign currencies. As a result, we have not purchased future contracts, options 
or other instruments to hedge against changes in values of foreign currencies and we do not believe fluctuations in the value 
of foreign currencies would have a material impact on our financial results. 

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Item 8.         Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. 

The consolidated financial statements are submitted as a separate section of this report beginning on Page F-1. 

Item 9.         Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure. 

None. 

Item 9A.      Controls and Procedures. 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an 
evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined by Exchange 
Act  Rule 13a-15(e)  and  Exchange  Act  Rule  15d-15(e).  Based  on  that  evaluation,  the Chief Executive  Officer,  and Chief 
Financial  Officer  have  concluded  that,  as  of  the  end  of  the  period  covered  by  this  report,  our  disclosure  controls  and 
procedures were effective to ensure that the 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 by the SEC’s 
rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal 
executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. 

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting  

Our  management  is  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  an  adequate  system  of  internal  control  over 
financial reporting, as defined by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f) and Exchange Act Rule 15d-15(f). Our internal control over 
financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that: 

●  pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and

dispositions of our assets; 

●  provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our financial
statements  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  in  the  United  States,  and  that  our
receipts  and  expenditures  are  being  made  only  in  accordance  with  authorizations  of  our  management  and 
directors; and 

●  provide  reasonable  assurance  regarding  prevention  or  timely  detection  of  unauthorized  acquisition,  use  or

disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Management has assessed the effectiveness of our system of internal control over financial reporting as of March 
28, 2021. In making this assessment, management used the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued 
in 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”). Based on our assessment 
and the criteria set forth by COSO in 2013, management believes that Nathan’s maintained effective internal control over 
financial reporting as of March 28, 2021. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of March 28, 
2021,  has  been  audited  by  Marcum  LLP,  an  independent  registered  public  accounting  firm  which  has  also  audited  our 
consolidated financial statements, as stated in its attestation report which is included herein. 

Changes in Internal Controls 

There were no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 
28,  2021  that  have  materially  affected,  or  are  reasonably  likely  to  materially  affect,  our  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting. 

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls 

We believe that a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that 
the objectives of the control system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control 
issues  and  instances  of  fraud,  if  any,  within  a  company  have  been  detected.  Our  disclosure  controls  and  procedures  are 
designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial 
Officer have concluded that such controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level. 

Item 9B.        Other Information. 

As disclosed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the Company’s Board of Directors has declared a $0.35 per share 

dividend payable on June 25, 2021 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 21, 2021. 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM ON INTERNAL CONTROL 
OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of 
Nathan’s Famous, Inc. 

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

We have audited Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) internal control over financial reporting as of 
March 28, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, 
effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 28, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control – 
Integrated Framework (2013) 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) 
(“PCAOB”),  the  consolidated  balance  sheets  as  of  March  28,  2021  and  March  29,  2020  and  the  related  consolidated 
statements of earnings, stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows and the related notes for each of the fifty-two week periods 
ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 of the Company, and our report dated June 11, 2021 expressed an unqualified 
opinion on those financial statements. 

Basis for Opinion 

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

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

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

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

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

/s/ Marcum LLP 

Marcum LLP 
New York, NY 
June 11, 2021 

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Item 10.         Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance. 

PART III 

The information required in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the discussions under the 
captions  Proposal  1  –  Election  of  Directors,  Corporate  Governance  Management  and  Security  Ownership  in  our  proxy 
statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, not later than 120 days after 
the end of the fiscal year covered by this Report. 

Our Board of Directors has adopted a Financial Officer Code of Ethics applicable to the Company’s Chief Executive 
Officer, Chief Financial Officer and all other members of the Company’s Finance Department. This Code of Ethics is posted 
on the Company’s website within a broader Code of Business Conduct and Ethics at www.nathansfamous.com in the Investor 
Relations section. We intend to satisfy the disclosure requirement under Item 10 of Form 8-K regarding an amendment to, or 
a waiver from, the provision of our Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, 
principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions and that relates to any element of such 
provision of our Code of Ethics by posting such information on our website within four business days of the date of such 
amendment or waiver. In the case of a waiver, the nature of the waiver, the name of the person to whom the waiver was 
granted and the date of the waiver will also be disclosed. 

Item 11.         Executive Compensation. 

The information required in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the 
caption  Executive  Compensation,  including  the  Summary  Compensation  and  other  tables,  Non-Qualified  Deferred 
Compensation, Risk Consideration in our Compensation Programs and 2021 Director Compensation in our proxy statement 
to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, not later than 120 days after the end 
of the fiscal year covered by this Report. 

Item 12.         Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. 

The information required in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the 
caption Equity Plan Information and Security Ownership in our proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission pursuant to Regulation 14A, not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Report. 

Item 13.         Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence. 

The information required in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference from the discussion under the 
caption Corporate Governance – Director Independence and Corporate Governance – Certain Relationships and Related 
Persons transactions in our proxy statement to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Regulation 
14A, not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Report. 

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Item 14.         Principal Accountant Fees and Services. 

Audit Fees  

We were billed by Marcum LLP the aggregate amount of approximately $235,000 in the fiscal 2021 period and 
$165,000 in the fiscal 2020 period, for fees for professional services rendered for the audit of our annual financial statements 
and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, as well as the review of our financial statements included 
in our Form 10-Q. 

We were billed by Grant Thornton LLP in the fiscal 2020 period the aggregate amount of approximately $100,000 
in respect to the issuance of its consent to the inclusion of the fiscal 2017 and fiscal 2018 audited financial statements of the 
Company in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2019 and $50,000 for the 
issuance  of  its  consent  to  the  inclusion  of  fiscal  2018  audited  financial  statements  of  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  the 
Company for the fiscal year ended March 29, 2020 in our Franchise Disclosure Document. 

Audit-Related Fees 

Marcum LLP did not render any audit-related services for fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively and, accordingly, did 

not bill for any such services. 

Tax Fees 

Marcum  LLP  did  not  render  any  tax  compliance,  tax  advice  or  tax  planning  services  for  fiscal  2021  and  2020, 

respectively and, accordingly, did not bill for any such services.  

All Other Fees 

Marcum LLP did not render any other services for fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively and, accordingly, did not bill 

for any such services. 

Pre-Approval Policies 

Our Audit Committee has not adopted any pre-approval policies. Instead, the Audit Committee will specifically pre-

approve the provision by Marcum LLP of all audit and non-audit services. 

Our Audit Committee approved all of the audit services provided by Marcum LLP during fiscal 2021 and 2020, 

respectively. 

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Item 15.         Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules. 

(a) (1)  Consolidated Financial Statements 

PART IV 

The consolidated financial statements listed in the accompanying index to the consolidated financial statements on 

Page F-1 are filed as part of this Report. 

(2) 

Financial Statement Schedule 

None. 

(3) 

Exhibits 

Certain of the following exhibits were previously filed as exhibits to other reports or registration statements filed by 
the Registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are therefrom incorporated 
by reference. 

Exhibit 
No. 
3.1 

3.2 

3.3 
4.1 

4.2 

4.3 

10.1 

10.2 

10.3 

10.4 

10.5 

10.6 

10.7 

10.8 

10.9 

Exhibit 
Certificate of Incorporation. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 33-
56976.) 
Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation, filed December 15, 1992. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to
Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 33-56976.) 
By-Laws, as amended. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Form 8-K dated November 1, 2006.) 
Specimen Stock Certificate. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-1 No. 33-
56976.) 
Indenture,  dated  as  of  November  1,  2017,  by  and  among  Nathan’s  Famous,  Inc.,  certain  of  its  wholly  owned
subsidiaries,  as  guarantors,  and  U.S.  Bank  National  Association,  a  National  Banking  Association,  as  trustee  and
collateral trustee (including the form of Note (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Current
Report filed on Form 8-K dated November 1, 2017.) 
Description of Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to Form 10-K for the year ended March 29, 
2020.) 
Leases for premises at Coney Island, New York, as follows: (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Registration 
Statement on Form S-1 No. 33-56976.) 
a) Lease, dated November 22, 1967, between Nathan’s Realty Associates and the Company. 
b) Lease, dated November 22, 1967, between Ida’s Realty Associates and the Company. 
Form of Standard Franchise Agreement. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Registration Statement on
Form S-1 No. 33-56976.) 
***Employment Agreement with Howard M. Lorber, dated as of December 15, 2006. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 15, 2006.) 
***Employment Agreement with Eric Gatoff, dated as of December 15, 2006. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 15, 2006.) 
***Amendment to Employment Agreement  with Eric Gatoff dated August 3, 2010. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 27, 2010.) 
Agreement  of  Lease  between  One-Two  Jericho  Plaza  Owner  LLC  and  Nathan’s  Famous  Services,  Inc.  dated
September 11, 2009, (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 27,
2009.) 
Guaranty by Nathan’s Famous, Inc. of Agreement of Lease with One-Two Jericho Plaza Owner LLC dated September
11, 2009, (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 27, 2009). 
***2010 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A dated
July 23, 2010). 
***Amendment to 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to Proxy Statement on Schedule
14A dated July 23, 2012). 

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10.16 

10.11 

10.14 

10.12 

10.15 

10.19 

10.17 

10.20 

10.13 

10.10 

10.18 

***Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement  with  Howard  M.  Lorber,  dated  November  1,  2012.  (Incorporated  by
reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 23, 2012). 
***Amendment  Number  2,  dated  December  7,  2017  to  Employment  Agreement  with  Howard  M.  Lorber
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 6, 2017). 
**Letter  agreement  dated  December  5,  2012  between  Nathan’s  Famous  Systems,  Inc.  and  John  Morrell  &  Co.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 23, 2012). 
First Amendment to Licensing and Supply Agreement, dated September 22, 2016 between Nathan’s Famous Systems, 
Inc. and John Morrell & Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
24, 2017). 
Second Amendment to Licensing and Supply Agreement, dated June 29, 2017 between Nathan’s Famous Systems,
Inc. and John Morrell & Co. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September
24, 2017). 
***Restricted Stock Agreement with Eric Gatoff, dated June 4, 2013. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to
Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2013.) 
Parity  Lien  Security  Agreement  dated  as  of  November  1,  2017,  by  and  among  Nathan’s  Famous,  Inc.  and  Other
Assignors Identified therein and U.S. Bank National Association as Collateral Trustee. (Incorporated by reference to
Exhibit 10.3 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 24, 2017.) 
***2019 Management Incentive Plan for the Fiscal Year ending March 29, 2020 (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit
10.1 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 24, 2018). 
***Nathan’s Famous, Inc. Code Section 162(m) Bonus Plan (Incorporated by reference to Appendix B to the Proxy
Statement on Schedule 14A filed on July 28, 2016). 
Agreement  of  Sale  between  Nathan’s  Famous  Operating  Corp.  and  660  86  LLC  dated  September  8,  2017.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to Form 10-K for the year ended March 25, 2018.) 
Amendment to Agreement of Sale between Nathan’s Famous Operating Corp. and 660 86 LLC dated March 6, 2018.
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.21 to Form 10-K for the year ended March 25, 2018.) 
Amendment to Agreement of Sale between Nathan’s Famous Operating Corp. and 660 86 LLC dated July 15, 2018. 
(Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 24, 2018.) 
First Amendment to Lease, dated April 1, 2019 by and between Jericho Plaza, LLC and Nathan’s Famous Services,
Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.22 to Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2019.) 
***2019 Stock Incentive Plan. (Incorporated by reference to Annex A to Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A dated
July 26, 2019.) 
***Agreement dated as of December 13, 2019 between Nathans’ Famous, Inc. and Ronald G. DeVos. (Incorporated
by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K dated December 13, 2019.) 
Letter  of  Grant  Thornton  LLP,  dated  July  6,  2018.  (Incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  16.1  to  the  Company’s
Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 6, 2018.) 
(1) List of Subsidiaries of the Registrant. 
(1) Consent of Marcum LLP dated June 11, 2021. 
(1) Certification by Eric Gatoff, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a). 
(1) Certification by Robert Steinberg, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a). 
(1) Certification by Eric Gatoff, Chief Executive Officer of Nathan’s Famous, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
(1) Certification by Robert Steinberg, Chief Financial Officer of Nathan’s Famous, Inc., pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section
1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
101.INS 
Inline XBRL Instance Document. 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 
101.SCH 
101.CAL  Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. 
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. 
101.DEF 
101.LAB  Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. 
101.PRE 
104 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. 
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) 

21 
23.1 
31.1 
31.2 
32.1 

10.21 

10.22 

10.23 

10.24 

16.1 

32.2 

(1) Filed herewith. 

**Filed with confidential portions omitted pursuant to request for confidential treatment. The omitted portions have been 
separately filed with the SEC. 

*** Indicates a management plan or arrangement. 

Item 16.         Form 10-K Summary. 

None. 

58 

  
  
  
  
  
  
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly 

caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 11th day of June, 2021. 

SIGNATURES 

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. 

/s/ ERIC GATOFF 
Eric Gatoff 
Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer) 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report has been signed below by the 

following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 11th day of June, 2021. 

/s/ ERIC GATOFF 
Eric Gatoff 
Chief Executive Officer 
(Principal Executive Officer) 

/s/ HOWARD LORBER 
Howard Lorber 
Executive Chairman 

/s/ ROBERT STEINBERG 
Robert Steinberg 
Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 

/s/ WAYNE NORBITZ 
Wayne Norbitz 
Director 

/s/ ROBERT J. EIDE 
Robert J. Eide 
Director 

/s/ BARRY LEISTNER 
Barry Leistner 
Director 

/s/ BRIAN GENSON 
Brian Genson 
Director 

/s/ ATTILIO F. PETROCELLI 
Attilio F. Petrocelli 
Director 

/s/ CHARLES RAICH 
Charles Raich 
Director 

/s/ ANDREW LEVINE 
Andrew Levine 
Director 

59 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

TABLE OF CONTENTS  

Page 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm .....................................................................................   F-2 

Consolidated Balance Sheets ....................................................................................................................................   F-3 

Consolidated Statements of Earnings .......................................................................................................................   F-4 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Deficit ...................................................................................................   F-5 – F-6 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ..................................................................................................................   F-7 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ............................................................................................................   F-8 

F-1 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

To the Stockholders and Board of Directors of 
Nathan’s Famous, Inc. 

Opinion on the Financial Statements 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the “Company”) 
as of March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, the related consolidated statements of earnings, stockholders’ deficit and cash 
flows for each of the fifty-two week periods ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, and the related notes (collectively 
referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the 
financial position of the Company as of March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, and the results of its operations and its cash 
flows for each of the fifty-two week periods ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, in conformity with accounting 
principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 
("PCAOB"), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of March 28, 2021, based on the criteria established 
in  Internal  Control  -  Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission (COSO) in 2013 and our report dated June 11, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of 
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. 

Basis for Opinion 

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

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

Critical Audit Matters 
Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or 
required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the 
financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are 
no critical audit matters. 

/s/ Marcum LLP 

Marcum LLP 

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2018. 

New York, NY 
June 11, 2021 

F-2 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) 

   March 28, 2021      March 29, 2020    

ASSETS 

CURRENT ASSETS 

Cash and cash equivalents ..........................................................................................................   $ 
Accounts and other receivables, net (Note D) ............................................................................     
Inventories ..................................................................................................................................     
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (Note E) ...................................................................     
Total current assets .........................................................................................     

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $9,779 and $9,468, respectively .     
Operating lease assets (Note K) .................................................................................................     
Goodwill ....................................................................................................................................     
Intangible asset, net ....................................................................................................................     
Deferred income taxes ................................................................................................................     
Other assets ................................................................................................................................     

81,064     $ 
11,652       
624       
1,325       
94,665       

4,090       
8,337       
95       
1,156       
138       
328       

77,117   
11,108   
378   
1,181   
89,784   

4,610   
9,181   
95   
1,269   
-   
343   

Total assets .....................................................................................................   $ 

108,809     $ 

105,282   

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT 

CURRENT LIABILITIES 

Accounts payable .......................................................................................................................   $ 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (Note G) ............................................................     
Current portion of operating lease liabilities (Note K) ...............................................................     
Deferred franchise fees ..............................................................................................................     
Total current liabilities....................................................................................     

Long-term debt, net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $3,169 and $3,860, respectively 

(Note J) ...................................................................................................................................     
Operating lease liabilities (Note K) ............................................................................................     
Other liabilities (Note G)............................................................................................................     
Deferred franchise fees ..............................................................................................................     
Deferred income taxes ................................................................................................................     

4,041     $ 
8,478       
1,837       
237       
14,593       

146,831       
7,553       
774       
1,536       
-       

3,509   
9,297   
1,583   
230   
14,619   

146,140   
8,532   
696   
1,687   
9   

Total liabilities ................................................................................................     

171,287       

171,683   

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note M) 

STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT 

Common stock, $.01 par value; 30,000,000 shares authorized; 9,369,015 and 9,368,792 
shares issued; and 4,114,934 and 4,141,387 shares outstanding at March 28, 2021 and 
March 29, 2020, respectively .................................................................................................     
Additional paid-in capital ...........................................................................................................     
Accumulated deficit ...................................................................................................................     
Stockholders’ equity before treasury stock ................................................................................     

94       
62,240       
(40,042 )     
22,292       

94   
62,130   
(45,356 ) 
16,868   

Treasury stock, at cost, 5,254,081 and 5,227,405 shares at March 28, 2021 and March 29, 

2020 .......................................................................................................................................     
Total stockholders’ deficit ..............................................................................     

(84,770 )     
(62,478 )     

(83,269 ) 
(66,401 ) 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit ........................................................   $ 

108,809     $ 

105,282   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

F-3 

  
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
  
 
 
Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS 
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) 

   Fifty-Two 
   weeks ended       weeks ended    

Fifty-Two 

March 28, 
2021 

March 29,  
2020 

REVENUES 

Sales .............................................................................................................................   $ 
License royalties ..........................................................................................................     
Franchise fees and royalties .........................................................................................     
Advertising fund revenue .............................................................................................     
Total revenues ............................................................................................     

COSTS AND EXPENSES 

Cost of sales .................................................................................................................     
Restaurant operating expenses .....................................................................................     
Depreciation and amortization .....................................................................................     
General and administrative expenses ...........................................................................     
Advertising fund expense ............................................................................................     
Total costs and expenses ............................................................................     

41,326    $
31,368      
1,601      
1,544      
75,839      

32,536      
3,268      
1,183      
12,041      
1,296      
50,324      

70,559   
25,859   
4,572   
2,335   
103,325   

54,488   
3,476   
1,233   
14,779   
2,177   
76,153   

Income from operations .............................................................................     

25,515      

27,172   

Interest expense ...........................................................................................................     
Interest income.............................................................................................................     
Other income, net .........................................................................................................     

Income before provision for income taxes ......................................................................     
Provision for income taxes ..............................................................................................     
Net income .................................................................................................   $ 

(10,601)     
364      
47      

15,325      
4,250      
11,075    $

(10,601 ) 
1,357   
86   

18,014   
4,579   
13,435   

PER SHARE INFORMATION 
Weighted average shares used in computing income per share: 

Basic .........................................................................................................................     
Diluted ......................................................................................................................     

4,116,000      
4,116,000      

4,216,000   
4,216,000   

Income per share: 

Basic .........................................................................................................................   $ 
Diluted ......................................................................................................................   $ 

2.69    $
2.69    $

Dividends declared per share ..........................................................................................   $ 

1.40    $

3.19   
3.19   

1.40   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

F-4 

  
  
 
  
    
  
  
  
  
    
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT 
Fifty-two weeks ended March 28, 2021 and the Fifty-two weeks ended March 29, 2020 

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) 

Common    Common    

Paid-in     Accumulated    

Additional

Treasury Stock, at 
Cost 

Total 
Stockholders’ 

Balance, March 31, 2019 .................   9,336,338   $ 

  Shares 

    Stock      Capital      Deficit 
93   $  60,945   $ 

    Shares 

   Amount     Deficit 

(52,879 )  5,141,763  $ (78,303)  $ 

(70,144) 

Shares issued in connection with 

share-based compensation plans ..   

32,454     

1     

1,077     

-     

-    

-     

1,078  

Withholding tax on net share 
settlement of share-based 
compensation plans ......................   

Repurchase of common stock ..........   

Dividends on common stock ...........   

Share-based compensation ..............   

-     

-     

-     

-     

-     

-     

-     

-     

(8)    

-     

-     

-     

-    

-     

(8) 

-     

85,642     (4,966)    

(4,966) 

(5,912 )  

116     

-     

-    

-    

-     

-     

(5,912) 

116  

Net income ......................................   
-     
Balance, March 29, 2020 .................   9,368,792   $ 

-     

-     
94   $  62,130   $ 

13,435     
-     
(45,356 )  5,227,405  $ (83,269)  $ 

-    

13,435  
(66,401) 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

F-5 

  
  
  
  
  
  
 
   
  
  
  
  
    
       
       
        
      
      
        
  
  
    
       
       
        
      
      
        
  
  
    
       
       
        
      
      
        
  
  
    
       
       
        
      
      
        
  
  
    
       
       
        
      
      
        
  
  
    
       
       
        
      
      
        
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT 
Fifty-two weeks ended March 28, 2021 and the Fifty-two weeks ended March 29, 2020 

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) 

Balance, March 29, 2020 ...............   9,368,792   $ 

(45,356 )  5,227,405  $ (83,269)  $ 

(66,401) 

  Common    Common    
  Shares 

Additional

Paid-in     Accumulated    

Treasury Stock, at 
Cost 

Total 
Stockholders’   

    Shares 

   Amount     Deficit 

    Stock      Capital      Deficit 
94   $  62,130    $ 

Shares issued in connection with 
share-based compensation 
plans  ...........................................   

Withholding tax on net share 
settlement of share-based 
compensation plans ....................   

Repurchase of common stock .......   

Dividends on common stock  ........   

Share-based compensation ...........   

223      

-     

-     

-     

-    

-     

-  

-     

-     

-     

-     

-     

-     

-     

-     

(6)    

-     

-     

-     

-    

-     

(6) 

-     

26,676     (1,501)    

(1,501) 

(5,761 )  

116     

-     

-    

-    

-     

-     

(5,761) 

116  

Net income  .....................................   
-     
Balance, March 28, 2021 ...............   9,369,015   $ 

-     

-     
94   $  62,240   $ 

11,075     
-     
(40,042 )  5,254,081  $ (84,770)  $ 

-    

11,075  
(62,478) 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

F-6 

  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
  
    
       
       
        
      
      
        
  
  
    
       
       
        
      
      
        
  
  
    
       
       
        
      
      
        
  
  
    
       
       
        
      
      
        
  
  
    
       
       
        
      
      
        
  
  
    
       
       
        
      
      
        
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(in thousands) 

   Fifty-Two 
   weeks ended       weeks ended    

Fifty-Two 

March 28, 
2021 

March 29,  
2020 

Cash flows from operating activities: 

Net income ...................................................................................................................   $ 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities 

11,075     $

13,435   

Depreciation and amortization ..........................................................................     
Non cash rental expense ....................................................................................     
Amortization of debt issuance costs ..................................................................     
Share-based compensation expense ..................................................................     
Income tax benefit on stock option exercises ....................................................     
Provision for doubtful accounts ........................................................................     
Deferred income taxes ......................................................................................     

Changes in operating assets and liabilities: 

Accounts and other receivables, net ..................................................................     
Inventories.........................................................................................................     
Prepaid expenses and other current assets .........................................................     
Other assets .......................................................................................................     
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities .....................     
Deferred franchise fees .....................................................................................     
Other liabilities ..................................................................................................     

1,183      
120      
691      
116      
-      
101      
(147)     

(645)     
(246)     
(144)     
15      
(287)     
(144)     
78      

1,233   
232   
691   
116   
228   
71   
352   

(1,006 ) 
157   
(174 ) 
122   
(2,028 ) 
(1,088 ) 
8   

Net cash provided by operating activities ...............................................     

11,766      

12,349   

Cash flows from investing activities: 

Purchase of property and equipment ............................................................................     

(551)     

Net cash used in investing activities .......................................................     

(551)     

Cash flows from financing activities: 

Dividends paid to stockholders ....................................................................................     
Repurchase of treasury stock .......................................................................................     
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options ................................................................     
Payments of withholding tax on net share settlement of share-based compensation 

plans .........................................................................................................................     
Net cash used in financing activities ......................................................     

(5,761)     
(1,501)     
-      

(6)     
(7,268)     

(870 ) 

(870 ) 

(5,912 ) 
(4,966 ) 
1,078   

(8 ) 
(9,808 ) 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents .......................................................................     

3,947      

1,671   

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year .................................................................     

77,117      

75,446   

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year ...........................................................................   $ 

81,064     $

77,117   

Cash paid during the year for: 

Interest .........................................................................................................................   $ 
Income taxes ................................................................................................................   $ 

9,938    $
4,768    $

9,938   
3,874   

Noncash financing activity: 

Dividends declared per share .......................................................................................   $ 

1.40    $

1.40   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 

F-7 

  
 
  
    
  
  
  
  
    
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
Nathan’s Famous, Inc. and Subsidiaries 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts) 

March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 

NOTE A - DESCRIPTION AND ORGANIZATION OF BUSINESS 

Nathan’s  Famous,  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  (collectively  the  “Company”  or  “Nathan’s”)  has  historically  operated  or 
franchised  a  chain  of  retail  fast  food  restaurants  featuring  the  “Nathan’s  World  Famous  Beef  Hot  Dog”,  crinkle-cut 
French-fried potatoes and a variety of other menu offerings. Nathan’s has also established a Branded Product Program, 
which  enables  foodservice  retailers  to  sell  select  Nathan’s  proprietary  products  outside  of  the  realm  of  a  traditional 
franchise relationship. Nathan’s also licenses the manufacture and sale of “Nathan’s Famous” packaged hot dogs, crinkle-
cut French fries and a number of other products to a variety of third parties for sale to supermarkets, club stores and 
grocery stores. The Company is also the owner of the Arthur Treacher’s brand. Arthur Treacher’s main product is its 
"Original  Fish  &  Chips"  product  consisting  of  fish  fillets  coated  with  a  special  batter  prepared  under  a  proprietary 
formula, deep-fried golden brown, and served with English-style chips and corn meal "hush puppies." The Company 
considers itself to be a brand marketer of its products to the foodservice and retail industries, pursuant to its various 
business structures. Nathan’s has also pursued co-branding and co-hosting initiatives. 

At  March  28,  2021,  the  Company’s  restaurant  system  included  four  Company-owned  units  in  the  New  York  City 
metropolitan area and 213 franchised or licensed units, located in nineteen states and eight foreign countries. 

Covid-19 Pandemic 

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19), a global pandemic. 
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, cash flows and results of 
operations for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2021 and continues into fiscal 2022. Governmental restrictions and public 
perceptions  of  the  risks  associated  with  COVID-19  have  caused  consumers  to  avoid  or  limit  nonessential  travel, 
gatherings in public places and other social interactions, which has adversely affected, and could continue to adversely 
affect, our business. The COVID-19 pandemic, has and may continue to impact customer traffic at our Company-owned 
restaurants and franchised restaurants, as well as sales to our Branded Product Program customers. We cannot predict 
whether, when or the manner in which the conditions surrounding the pandemic will change and cannot currently estimate 
the impact on our business in the short or long-term. 

NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 

The  following  significant  accounting  policies  have  been  applied  in  the  preparation  of  the  consolidated  financial 
statements: 

1.  Principles of Consolidation 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All 
significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. 

F-8 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

2.  Fiscal Year 

The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Sunday in March, which results in a 52 or 53-week reporting period. The 
fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 are on the basis of a 52-week reporting period. 

3.  Use of Estimates 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 
of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and 
liabilities  and  disclosure  of  contingent  assets  and  liabilities  at  the  date  of  the  financial  statements  and  the  reported 
amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

Significant  estimates  made  by  management  in  preparing  the  consolidated  financial  statements  include  revenue 
recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts, valuation of stock-based compensation, accounting for income taxes, 
and the valuation of goodwill, intangible assets and other long-lived assets. 

4.  Cash and Cash Equivalents 

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be 
cash equivalents. The Company did not have any cash equivalents at March 28, 2021 or March 29, 2020. 

At March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, substantially all of the Company’s cash balances are in excess of Federal 
government insurance limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. 

5. 

Inventories 

Inventories, which are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, consist primarily of food items and supplies. 
Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. 

6.  Property and Equipment 

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Major improvements are 
capitalized  and  minor  replacements,  maintenance  and  repairs  are  charged  to  expense  as  incurred.  Depreciation  and 
amortization  are  calculated  on  the  straight-line  basis  over  the  estimated  useful  lives  of  the  assets.  Leasehold 
improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the lease term of the related asset. The 
estimated useful lives are as follows: 

Building and improvements (years) ..................................     5  –  25    
Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures (years) ......     3  –  15    
Leasehold improvements (years) ......................................     5  –  20    

F-9 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

7.  Goodwill and Intangible Assets 

Goodwill and intangible assets consist of (i) goodwill of $95 resulting from the acquisition of Nathan’s in 1987; and (ii) 
trademarks, trade names and other intellectual property of $1,156 in connection with Arthur Treacher’s. 

As of March 28, 2021, the Company performed its annual impairment test of goodwill in accordance with the accounting 
guidance adopted in the first quarter fiscal 2021 that simplifies the testing for goodwill impairment, as discussed in Note 
B.22 – Adoption of New Accounting Standard. No impairment charges were recognized on goodwill for the fiscal years 
ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020. 

During the fiscal year ended March 29, 2020, the Company determined its indefinite-lived intangible asset to have a 
finite useful life based on the expected future use of this intangible asset. Based upon the review of the current Arthur 
Treacher’s  co-branding  agreements,  the  Company  determined  that  the  remaining  useful  lives  of  these  agreements  is 
twelve years and the intangible asset is subject to annual amortization. The Company has recorded amortization expense 
of $113 and $84 for the fiscal years ending March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, respectively. 

The Company reviews its definite-lived intangible asset for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company determined that the impact of COVID-19 on its 
business was a sufficient indicator that the carrying value may not be recoverable. The Company tested for recoverability 
of its definite-lived intangible asset based on the projected undiscounted cash flows to be derived from such co-branding 
agreements. Based on the quantitative test performed, the Company determined that the definite-lived intangible asset 
was recoverable and no impairment charge was recorded for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020. 

Annual amortization of the intangible asset for the next five years and thereafter will approximate the following: 

Estimate for 
fiscal year 

2022 .............................................................................    $ 
2023 .............................................................................      
2024 .............................................................................      
2025 .............................................................................      
2026 .............................................................................      
Thereafter ....................................................................      
Total .............................................................................    $ 

113   
113   
113   
113   
113   
591   
1,156   

8.   Long-lived Assets 

Long-lived  assets  on  a  restaurant-by-restaurant  basis  are  reviewed  for  impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable.  

F-10 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

Long-lived assets include property, equipment and right of use assets for operating leases with finite useful lives. Assets 
are grouped at the individual restaurant level which represents the lowest level for which cash flows can be identified 
largely  independent  of  the  cash  flows  of  other  assets  and  liabilities.  The  Company  generally  considers  a  history  of 
restaurant operating losses to be its primary indicator of potential impairment for individual restaurant locations. As a 
result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on its business, the Company determined that sufficient indicators existed 
to trigger the performance of an impairment analysis as of March 28, 2021. 

The Company tests for recoverability based on the projected undiscounted cash flows to be derived from such assets. If 
the projected undiscounted future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, the Company will record on a 
restaurant-by-restaurant basis, an impairment loss, if any, based on the difference between the estimated fair value and 
the carrying value of the asset. The Company generally measures fair value by considering discounted estimated future 
cash flows from such assets. Cash flow projections and fair value estimates require significant estimates and assumptions 
by management. Should the estimates and assumptions prove to be incorrect, the Company may be required to record 
impairments  in  future  periods  and  such  impairments  could  be  material.  No  long-lived  assets  were  deemed  to  be 
permanently impaired during the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020. 

9.   Leases 

Determination of Whether a Contract Contains a Lease  

We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception or modification of a contract, and classify each lease as either an 
operating  or  finance  lease  at  commencement.  The  Company  only  reassesses  lease  classifications  subsequent  to 
commencement upon a change to the expected lease term or the contract being modified. Operating leases represent the 
Company’s right to use an underlying asset as lessee for the lease term, and lease obligations represent the Company’s 
obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. 

ROU Model and Determination of Lease Term 

The Company uses the right-of-use (“ROU”) model to account for leases where the Company is the lessee, which requires 
an entity to recognize a lease liability and ROU asset on the lease commencement date. A lease liability is measured 
equal to the present value of the remaining lease payments over the lease term and is discounted using the incremental 
borrowing rate, as the rate implicit in the Company’s leases is not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rate 
is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis over a similar term, an 
amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Lease payments include payments made before 
the commencement date and any residual value guarantees, if applicable. The initial ROU asset consists of the initial 
measurement of the lease liability, adjusted for any payments made before the commencement date, initial direct costs 
and lease incentives earned. When determining the lease term, as both lessee and lessor, the Company includes option 
periods when it is reasonably certain that those options will be exercised. 

F-11 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

Operating Leases 

For operating leases, minimum lease payments or receipts, including minimum scheduled rent increases, are recognized 
as rent expense where the Company is a lessee, or income where the Company is a lessor, as applicable, on a straight-
line basis (“Straight-Line Rent”) over the applicable lease terms. There is a period under certain lease agreements referred 
to as a rent holiday (“Rent Holiday”) that generally begins on the possession date and ends on the rent commencement 
date. During a Rent Holiday, no cash rent payments are typically due under the terms of the lease; however, rent expense 
is recorded for that period on a straight-line basis. The excess of the Straight-Line Rent over the minimum rents paid is 
included in the ROU asset where the Company is a lessee. The excess of the Straight-Line Rent over the minimum rents 
received is recorded as a deferred lease asset and is included in “Other Assets” where the Company is a lessor. The 
Company recorded $34 and $32 in Other Assets at March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, respectively. Certain leases 
contain provisions, referred to as contingent rent (“Contingent Rent”), that require additional rental payments based upon 
restaurant sales volume. Contingent Rent is recognized each period as the liability is incurred or the asset is earned. 

Lease cost for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis and includes the amortization of the ROU asset and 
interest expense relating to the operating lease liability. Variable lease cost for operating leases include Contingent Rent 
and payments for executory costs such as real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance, which are excluded 
from the measurement of the lease liability. Short-term lease cost for operating leases includes rental expense for leases 
with a term of less than 12 months. Leases with an initial expected term of 12 months or less are not recorded in the 
Consolidated Balance Sheets and the related lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. 
Lease costs are recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings based on the nature of the underlying leases as 
follows:  (1)  rental  expense  related  to  leases  for  Company-operated  restaurants  is  recorded  to  “Restaurant  Operating 
Expenses,” (2) rental expense for leased properties that are subsequently subleased to franchisees is recorded to “Other 
Income, net” and (3) rental expense related to leases for corporate offices and equipment is recorded to “General and 
administrative expenses.” 

Rental income for operating leases on properties subleased to franchisees is recorded net of associated lease costs to 
“Other income, net.” At March 28, 2021, the Company leases one site which it in turn subleases to a franchisee, which 
expires in April 2027 exclusive of renewal options. The Company remains liable for all lease costs when property is 
subleased to a franchisee. 

Significant Assumptions and Judgement 

Management makes certain estimates and assumptions regarding each new lease and sublease agreement, renewal and 
amendment, including, but not limited to, property values, market rents, property lives, discount rates and probable term, 
all of which can impact (1) the classification and accounting for a lease or sublease as operating or finance, (2) the Rent 
Holiday and escalations in payment that are taken into consideration when calculating Straight-Line Rent, (3) the term 
over which leasehold improvements for each restaurant are amortized and (4) the values and lives of adjustments to the 
initial ROU asset where the Company is the lessee, or favorable and unfavorable leases where the Company is the lessor. 
The amount of depreciation and amortization, interest and rent expense and income would vary if different estimates and 
assumptions were used. 

F-12 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

In  April  2020,  the  FASB  issued  guidance  allowing  entities  to  make  a  policy  election  whether  to  account  for  lease 
concessions related to the COVID-19 pandemic as lease modifications. The election applies to any lessor – provided 
lease  concession  related  to  the  impact  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  provided  the  concession  does  not  result  in  a 
substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or in the obligations of the lessee. During the fiscal year ended March 28, 
2021,  the  Company  received  non-substantial  concessions  from  certain  landlords  in  the  form  of  rent  reductions.  The 
Company elected to not account for these rent concessions as lease modifications. This election did not have a material 
impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements as of March 28, 2021. 

10.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments 

Fair  value  is  defined  as  the  price  that  would  be  received  to  sell  an  asset  or  paid  to  transfer  a  liability  in  an  orderly 
transaction between market participants at the measurement date (an exit price). 

The fair value hierarchy, as outlined in the applicable accounting guidance, is based on inputs to valuation techniques 
that are used to measure fair value that are either observable or unobservable.  Observable inputs reflect assumptions 
market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability based on market data obtained from independent sources 
while unobservable inputs reflect a reporting entity’s pricing based upon their own market assumptions.  

The fair value hierarchy consists of the following three levels: 

   ● 

   ● 

Level 1 - inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for an identical asset or liability in 
an active market 

Level 2 - inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for a similar asset or liability in an active 
market or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable for substantially the full term 
of the asset or liability 

   ● 

Level 3 - inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement of 
the asset or liability 

The use of observable market inputs (quoted market prices) when measuring fair value and, specifically, the use of Level 
1 quoted prices to measure fair value are required whenever possible. The determination of where an asset or liability 
falls in the hierarchy requires significant judgment. The Company evaluates its hierarchy disclosures quarterly and based 
on various factors, it is possible that an asset or liability may be classified differently from year to year. 

At March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, we did not have any assets or liabilities that were recorded at fair value. 

The Company’s long-term debt had a face value of $150,000 as of March 28, 2021 and a fair value of $154,420 as of 
March 28, 2021. The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt based upon review of observable pricing in 
secondary markets as of the last trading day of the fiscal period. Accordingly, the Company classifies its long-term debt 
as Level 2. 

F-13 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value 
due to the short-term maturity of the instruments. 

The  majority  of  the  Company’s  non-financial  assets  and  liabilities  are  not  required  to  be  carried  at  fair  value  on  a 
recurring  basis.  However,  the  Company  is  required  on  a  non-recurring  basis  to  use  fair  value  measurements  when 
analyzing asset impairment as it relates to goodwill and other definite- lived assets and long-lived assets. The Company 
utilized the income approach (Level 3 inputs) which utilized projected undiscounted cash flows in performing its annual 
impairment testing of intangible assets. 

11.  Start-up Costs 

Pre-opening and similar restaurant costs are expensed as incurred. 

12.  Revenue Recognition - Branded Product Program  

The Company recognizes sales from the Branded Product Program and certain products sold from the Branded Menu 
Program  upon  delivery  to  Nathan’s  customers  via  third  party  common  carrier.  Rebates  provided  to  customers  are 
classified as a reduction to sales. 

13.  Revenue Recognition - Company-owned Restaurants  

Sales by Company-owned restaurants, which are typically paid in cash or credit card by the customer, are recognized at 
the point of sale. Sales are presented net of sales tax. 

14.  Revenue Recognition – License Royalties 

The Company earns revenue from royalties on the licensing of the use of its intellectual property in connection with 
certain products produced and sold by outside vendors. The use of the Company’s intellectual property must be approved 
by the Company prior to each specific application to ensure proper quality and a consistent image. Revenue from license 
royalties  is  generally  based  on  a  percentage  of  sales,  subject  to  certain  annual  minimum  royalties,  recognized  on  a 
monthly basis when it is earned and deemed collectible. 

F-14 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

15.  Revenue Recognition - Franchising Operations  

In  connection with  its franchising operations,  the  Company receives  initial  franchise fees,  international  development 
fees, royalties, and in certain cases, revenue from sub-leasing restaurant properties to franchisees. 

The following services are typically provided by the Company prior to the opening of a franchised restaurant. 

   ●  Approval of all site selections to be developed. 
   ●  Provision of architectural plans suitable for restaurants to be developed. 
   ●  Assistance in establishing building design specifications, reviewing construction compliance and equipping the 

restaurant. 

   ●  Provision of appropriate menus to coordinate with the restaurant design and locations to be developed. 
   ●  Provision of management training for the new franchisee and selected staff. 
   ●  Assistance with the initial operations of restaurants being developed. 

The  services  provided  in  exchange  for  these  upfront  restaurant  franchise  fees  do  not  contain  separate  and  distinct 
performance obligations from the franchising right and these initial franchise fees, renewal fees and transfer fees are 
deferred and recognized over the term of each respective agreement, or upon termination of the franchise agreement. 

The  services  provided  in  exchange  for  these  international  development  fees  do  not  contain  separate  and  distinct 
performance obligations from the franchise right and these international development fees are deferred and recognized 
over the term of each respective agreement. Certain other costs, such as legal expenses, are expensed as incurred. 

The Company recognizes franchise royalties on a monthly basis, which are generally based upon a percentage of sales 
made by the Company’s franchisees, when they are earned and deemed collectible. The Company recognizes royalty 
revenue from its Branded Menu Program directly from the sale of Nathan’s products by its primary distributor or directly 
from the manufacturers. 

Franchise fees and royalties that are subsequently deemed to be not collectible are recorded as bad debts until paid by 
the franchisee or until collectability is deemed to be reasonably assured. 

The following is a summary of franchise openings and closings for the Nathan’s franchise restaurant system for the fiscal 
years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020: 

   March 28, 

     March 29, 

2021 

2020 

Franchised restaurants operating at the beginning of the period .....      

216      

New franchised restaurants opened during the period ....................      

Franchised restaurants closed during the period .............................      

Franchised restaurants operating at the end of the period ...............      

7      

(10)     

213      

255  

16  

(55) 

216  

F-15 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

Contract balances 

The  following  table  provides  information  about  contract  liabilities  (Deferred  franchise  fees)  from  contracts  with 
customers: 

March 28, 
2021 

March 29, 
 2020 

Deferred franchise fees (a) .................................................................................    $ 

1,773    $

1,917  

(a)  Deferred franchise fees of $237 and $1,536 are included in Deferred franchise fees – current and long term as of 

March 28, 2021, respectively and $230 and $1,687 as of March 29, 2020, respectively. 

Significant changes in Deferred franchise fees for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 are as 
follows: 

Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period ..................................................   $ 
New deferrals due to cash received and other ....................................................     
Revenue recognized during the period ...............................................................     
Deferred franchise fees at end of period ............................................................   $ 

1,917    $
140      
(284)     
1,773    $

3,005  
157  
(1,245) 
1,917  

March 28, 
2021 

March 29,  
2020 

Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees 

The following table reflects the estimated franchise fees to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations 
that are unsatisfied at the end of the period:          

Estimate for  
fiscal year 

2022 ..............................................    
2023 ..............................................    
2024 ..............................................    
2025 ..............................................    
2026 ..............................................    
Thereafter .....................................    
Total ..............................................  $ 

237  
213  
198  
183  
159  
783  
1,773  

We have applied the optional exemption, as provided for under Topic 606, which allows us not to disclose the transaction 
price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations when the transaction price is a sales-based royalty. 

F-16 

  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

16.  Revenue Recognition – National Advertising Fund  

The Company maintains a national advertising fund (the “Advertising Fund”) established to collect and administer funds 
contributed for use in advertising and promotional programs for Company-owned and franchised restaurants. 

The revenue, expenses and cash flows of the Advertising Fund are fully consolidated into the Company’s Consolidated 
Statements of Earnings and Statements of Cash Flows. 

While this treatment impacts the gross amount of reported advertising fund revenue and related expenses, the impact is 
expected  to  approximately  offset  the  increase  to  both  revenue  and  expense,  with  minimal  impact  to  income  from 
operations or net income because the Company attempts to manage the Advertising Fund to breakeven over the course 
of the fiscal year. However, any surplus or deficit in the Advertising Fund will impact income from operations and net 
income. 

17.  Business Concentrations and Geographical Information 

The Company’s accounts receivable consists principally of receivables from franchisees for royalties and advertising 
contributions, from sales under the Branded Product Program, and from royalties from retail licensees. At March 28, 
2021, three Branded Product customers represented 19%, 13% and 7%, of accounts receivable. At March 29, 2020, three 
Branded Product customers represented 24%, 11% and 10%, of accounts receivable. One Branded Products customer 
accounted for 9% and 12% of total revenue for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, respectively. 
One retail licensee accounted for 39% and 24% of the total revenue for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 
29, 2020, respectively. 

The Company’s primary supplier of hot dogs represented 92% of product purchases for each of the fiscal years ended 
March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020. The Company’s primary distributor of products to its Company-owned restaurants 
represented 6% and 5% of product purchases for each of the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, 
respectively. 

The Company’s revenues for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 were derived from the following 
geographic areas: 

March 28,  
2021 

March 29, 
2020 

Domestic (United States) ..............................................    $
Non-domestic ................................................................     
  $

74,737    $
1,102     
75,839   $

98,453 
4,872 
103,325 

F-17 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
  
      
       
 
  
  
 
 
NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

The Company’s sales for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 were derived from the following: 

March 28, 
2021 

March 29, 
2020 

Branded Products ..........................................................   $ 
Company-owned restaurants .........................................     
Total sales ..............................................................   $ 

33,617   $ 
7,709    
41,326  $ 

57,586 
12,973 
70,559 

License royalties............................................................   $ 

31,368   $ 

25,859 

Royalties........................................................................     
Franchise fees ................................................................     
Total franchise fees and royalties ...........................     

1,317    
284    
1,601    

Advertising fund revenue ..............................................     

1,544    

3,327 
1,245 
4,572 

2,335 

Total revenues ........................................................   $ 

75,839  $ 

103,325 

18.  Advertising 

The Company administers an advertising fund on behalf of its restaurant system to coordinate the marketing efforts of 
the Company. Under this arrangement, the Company collects and disburses fees paid by manufacturers, franchisees and 
Company-owned stores for national and regional advertising, promotional and public relations programs. Contributions 
to the advertising fund are based on specified percentages of net sales, generally ranging up to 2%. Company-owned 
store advertising expense, which is expensed as incurred, was $72 and $145, for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 
and March 29, 2020, respectively, and have been included within restaurant operating expenses in the accompanying 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings. 

19.  Stock-Based Compensation 

At March 28, 2021, the Company had one stock-based compensation plan in effect which is more fully described in Note 
L.2. 

The  cost  of  all  share-based  payments,  including  grants  of  restricted  stock  and  stock  options,  is  recognized  in  the 
consolidated  financial  statements  based  on  their  fair  values  measured  at  the  grant  date,  or  the  date  of  any  later 
modification, over the requisite service period. The Company recognizes compensation cost for unvested stock awards 
on a straight-line basis over the requisite vesting period. 

F-18 

  
  
  
 
  
 
  
      
       
 
  
      
       
 
  
      
       
 
  
      
       
 
  
      
       
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

20.  Classification of Operating Expenses 

Cost of sales consists of the following: 

o  The cost of food and other products sold by Company-operated restaurants, through the Branded Product 

Program and through other distribution channels. 

o  The cost of labor and associated costs of in-store restaurant management and crew. 
o  The cost of paper products used in Company-operated restaurants. 
o  Other direct costs such as fulfillment, commissions, freight and samples. 

Restaurant operating expenses consist of the following: 

o  Occupancy costs of Company-operated restaurants. 
o  Utility costs of Company-operated restaurants. 
o  Repair and maintenance expenses of Company-operated restaurant facilities. 
o  Marketing and advertising expenses done locally and contributions to advertising funds for Company-

operated restaurants. 
Insurance costs directly related to Company-operated restaurants. 

o 

21.  Income Taxes  

The  Company’s  current  provision  for  income  taxes  is  based  upon  its  estimated  taxable  income  in  each  of  the 
jurisdictions in which it operates, after considering the impact on taxable income of temporary differences resulting 
from different treatment of items for tax and financial reporting purposes and income tax benefits from share-based 
payments. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences 
between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and 
any operating loss or tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates 
expected to apply to taxable income in the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or 
settled. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in 
those periods in which temporary differences become deductible. Should management determine that it is more likely 
than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance against the deferred tax 
assets would be established in the period such determination was made. 

Uncertain Tax Positions  

The Company has recorded liabilities for underpayment of income taxes and related interest and penalties for uncertain 
tax positions based on the determination of whether tax benefits claimed or expected to be claimed on a tax return 
should be recorded in the financial statements. The Company may recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax 
position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities 
based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such position 
should be measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon 
ultimate settlement. Nathan’s recognizes accrued interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits as 
part of the income tax provision. 

See Note H for a further discussion of our income taxes. 

F-19 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE B - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued) 

22.  Adoption of New Accounting Standard  

In January 2017, the FASB issued an update to the accounting guidance to simplify the testing for goodwill impairment. 
The update removes the requirement to determine the implied fair value of goodwill to measure the amount of impairment 
loss, if any, under the second step of the current goodwill impairment test. A company will perform its annual or interim 
goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. A goodwill impairment 
charge will be recognized for the amount by which the reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, not to 
exceed the carrying amount of the goodwill. The Company adopted this guidance on March 30, 2020. The adoption of 
this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. 

23.  New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted  

In  June 2016, the FASB  issued  ASU 2016-13,  "Financial  Instruments  - Credit  Losses (Topic  326): Measurement of 
Credit  Losses  on  Financial  Instruments,"  which  significantly  changes  the  impairment  model  for  most  financial 
instruments.  Current  guidance  requires  the  recognition  of  credit  losses  based  on  an  incurred  loss  impairment 
methodology that reflects losses once the losses are probable. Under this standard, the Company will be required to use 
a  current  expected  credit  loss  model  (“CECL”)  that  will  immediately  recognize  an  estimate  of  credit  losses  that  are 
expected to occur over the life of the financial instruments that are in the scope of this update, including trade receivables. 
The  CECL  model  uses  a  broader  range  of  reasonable  and  supportable  information  in  the  development  of  credit  loss 
estimates. In November 2019, the FASB deferred the effective date for smaller reporting companies for annual reporting 
periods beginning after December 15, 2022. This standard is required to take effect in Nathan’s first quarter (June 2023) 
of  our fiscal  year  ending March  31, 2024. The  Company  is  currently  evaluating  the  impact  that  the  adoption  of  this 
guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. 

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income 
Taxes,” which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes 
certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve 
consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020. This standard is 
required to take effect in Nathan’s first quarter (June 2021) of our fiscal year ending March 27, 2022. The Company is 
currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and 
related disclosures. 

The Company does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective accounting standards, when adopted, 
will have a material effect on the accompanying consolidated financial statements. 

NOTE C - INCOME PER SHARE 

Basic income per common share is calculated by dividing income by the weighted-average number of common shares 
outstanding  and  excludes  any  dilutive  effect  of  stock  options.  Diluted  income  per  common  share  gives  effect  to  all 
potentially  dilutive  common  shares  that  were  outstanding  during  the  period.  Dilutive  common  shares  used  in  the 
computation of diluted income per common share result from the assumed exercise of stock options and warrants, as 
determined using the treasury stock method. 

F-20 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE C - INCOME PER SHARE (continued) 

The following chart provides a reconciliation of information used in calculating the per-share amounts for the fiscal 
years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, respectively: 

Net Income 

Shares 

Net income per 
share 

   2021        2020 

2021  

2020 

     2021        2020 

Basic EPS 

Basic calculation ...........................    $ 11,075     $  13,435       4,116,000       4,216,000     $  2.69     $ 
Effect of dilutive employee stock 

3.19   

options .......................................      

-       

-       

-       

-       

-       

-   

Diluted EPS  

Diluted calculation ........................    $ 11,075     $  13,435       4,116,000       4,216,000     $  2.69     $ 

3.19   

Options to purchase 10,000 shares of common stock for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 
were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise price exceeded the average 
market price. 

NOTE D - ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES, NET 

Accounts and other receivables, net, consist of the following: 

   March 28, 

     March 29, 

2021 

2020 

Branded product sales .............................................................................    $ 
Franchise and license royalties ...............................................................      
Other .......................................................................................................      

6,480    $
5,224       
293      
11,997      

6,789  
4,299  
257  
11,345  

Less: allowance for doubtful accounts ....................................................      

345      

237  

Accounts and other receivables, net .......................................................    $ 

11,652    $

11,108  

Accounts  receivable  are  due  within  30  days  and  are  stated  at  amounts  due  from  franchisees,  retail  licensees  and 
Branded Product Program customers, net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts that are outstanding longer 
than the contractual payment terms are generally considered past due. The Company does not recognize franchise and 
license royalties that are not deemed to be realizable. 

The  Company  individually  reviews  each  past  due  account  and  determines  its  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts  by 
considering a number of factors, including the length of time accounts receivable are past due, the Company’s previous 
loss history, the customer’s current and expected future ability to pay its obligation to the Company, the condition of 
the general economy and the industry as a whole. Based on management’s assessment, the Company provides for 
estimated  uncollectible  amounts  through  a  charge  to  earnings.  After  the  Company  has  used  reasonable  collection 
efforts, it writes off accounts receivable through a charge to the allowance for doubtful accounts. 

F-21 

  
  
  
  
    
    
  
  
    
    
  
  
       
         
        
        
         
         
  
       
         
        
        
         
         
  
  
       
         
        
        
         
         
  
       
         
        
        
         
         
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
      
        
  
  
    
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE D - ACCOUNTS AND OTHER RECEIVABLES, NET (continued) 

Changes in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 
2020 are as follows: 

March 28,  
2021 

March 29, 
2020 

Beginning balance .................................................................................    $ 
Bad debt expense ...............................................................................      
Write offs and other ...........................................................................      

237     $ 
101       
7       

585   
71   
(419 ) 

Ending balance ......................................................................................    $ 

345     $ 

237   

NOTE E - PREPAID EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consist of the following: 

   March 28, 

     March 29, 

2021 

2020 

Income taxes .............................................................................................    $ 
Real estate taxes .......................................................................................      
Insurance ..................................................................................................      
Marketing .................................................................................................      
Other .........................................................................................................      

280     $ 
87       
388       
196       
374       

-   
75   
263   
369   
474   

Total prepaid expenses and other current assets .......................................    $ 

1,325     $ 

1,181   

NOTE F - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET 

Property and equipment consist of the following: 

   March 28, 

     March 29, 

2021 

2020 

Land .........................................................................................................    $ 
Building and improvements .....................................................................      
Machinery, equipment, furniture and fixtures ..........................................      
Leasehold improvements ..........................................................................      
Construction-in-progress ..........................................................................      
Total property and equipment ..................................................................      
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization ....................................      

123     $ 
1,398       
5,292       
7,044       
12       
13,869       
9,779       

123   
1,456   
5,529   
6,891   
79   
14,078   
9,468   

Property and equipment, net .....................................................................    $ 

4,090     $ 

4,610   

Depreciation and amortization expense related to properties was $1,070 and $1,149 for the fiscal years ended March 
28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, respectively. 

F-22 

  
  
  
  
    
  
  
       
         
  
  
       
         
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
       
         
  
  
       
         
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
       
         
  
  
       
         
  
  
   
 
 
NOTE G – ACCRUED EXPENSES, OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES AND OTHER LIABILITIES 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consist of the following:          

   March 28, 

     March 29, 

2021 

2020 

Payroll and other benefits .........................................................................    $ 
Accrued rebates ........................................................................................      
Rent and occupancy costs .........................................................................      
Deferred revenue ......................................................................................      
Construction costs ....................................................................................      
Interest ......................................................................................................      
Professional fees .......................................................................................      
Corporate income taxes ............................................................................      
Sales, use and other taxes .........................................................................      
Other .........................................................................................................      
Total accrued expenses and other current liabilities .................................    $ 

2,793     $ 
132       
73       
841       
60       
4,057       
200       
-       
60       
262       
8,478     $ 

3,075   
514   
84   
797   
105   
4,084   
194   
176   
17   
251   
9,297   

Other liabilities consist of the following: 

Reserve for uncertain tax positions (Note H) ...........................................      
Other .........................................................................................................      
Total other liabilities ................................................................................    $ 

653       
121       
774     $ 

567   
129   
696   

   March 28, 

     March 29, 

2021 

2020 

NOTE H – INCOME TAXES  

The  income  tax  provision  consists  of  the  following  for  the  fiscal  years  ended  March  28,  2021  and  March  29, 
2020:                   

March 28,  
2021 

March 29, 
2020 

Federal 

Current ..................................................................................................    $ 
Deferred ................................................................................................      
Total Federal income tax ......................................................................      

State and local 

Current ..................................................................................................      
Deferred ................................................................................................      
Total State and local income tax ...........................................................      
Total provision for income taxes ..........................................................    $ 

3,146     $ 
(92 )     
3,054       

1,251       
(55 )     
1,196       
4,250     $ 

2,904   
322   
3,226   

1,323   
30   
1,353   
4,579   

F-23 

  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
       
         
  
       
         
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE H - INCOME TAXES (continued)           

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“the CARES Act”) was enacted into law 
which among other provisions increases the limitation on the allowed business interest expense deduction from 30 
percent to 50 percent of adjusted taxable income for tax years beginning January 1, 2019 and 2020. Additionally, the 
CARES Act allows businesses to immediately expense the full cost of Qualified Improvement Property, retroactive to 
tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2018. 

The income tax provisions for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 reflect effective tax rates of 
27.7% and 25.4%, respectively. 

The total income tax provision for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 differs from the amounts 
computed by applying the United States Federal income tax rate of 21% to income before income taxes as a result of 
the following: 

March 28,  
2021 

March 29, 
2020 

Computed tax expense .............................................................................    $ 
State and local income taxes, net of Federal income tax benefit ..............      
Change in uncertain tax positions, net ......................................................      
Nondeductible meals and entertainment and other ...................................      
Nondeductible compensation ...................................................................      
Tax benefit share based payments ............................................................      
Total provision for income taxes ..........................................................    $ 

3,218     $ 
936       
68       
(35 )     
63       
-       
4,250     $ 

3,783   
1,028   
60   
(95 ) 
31   
(228 ) 
4,579   

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax 
liabilities are presented below: 

   March 28, 

     March 29, 

2021 

2020 

Deferred tax assets 

Accrued expenses .................................................................................    $ 
Allowance for doubtful accounts ..........................................................      
Deferred revenue ..................................................................................      
Deferred stock compensation ................................................................      
Operating lease liability ........................................................................      
Other .....................................................................................................      
Total deferred tax assets .........................................................    $ 

Deferred tax liabilities 

Deductible prepaid expense ..................................................................      
Operating lease right-of-use asset ..........................................................    
Depreciation expense ............................................................................      
Amortization .........................................................................................      
Total deferred tax liabilities ....................................................      
Net deferred tax asset (liability) .............................................    $ 

339     $ 
87       
445       
58       
2,190       
120       
3,239     $ 

223       
1,954       
634       
290       
3,101       
138     $ 

394   
57   
485   
45   
2,321   
94   
3,396   

246   
2,116   
720   
323   
3,405   
(9 ) 

A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets 
will not be realized. We consider the level of historical taxable income, scheduled reversal of temporary differences, 
tax planning strategies and projected future taxable income in determining whether a valuation allowance is warranted. 
Based upon these considerations, management believes that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize 
the benefit of its deferred tax asset. 

F-24 

  
  
  
                                                  
  
  
    
  
  
       
         
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
       
         
  
  
       
         
  
       
         
  
  
   
 
 
NOTE H - INCOME TAXES (continued)  

The  following  is  a  tabular  reconciliation  of  the  total  amounts  of  unrecognized  tax  benefits,  excluding  interest  and 
penalties, for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020. 

March 28,  
2021 

March 29, 
2020 

Unrecognized tax benefits, beginning of year ..........................................    $ 
Decreases of tax positions taken in prior years ........................................      
Increases based on tax positions taken in current year .............................      
Settlements of tax positions taken in prior years ......................................      
Unrecognized tax benefits, end of year ....................................................    $ 

311     $ 
(16 )     
102       
-       
397     $ 

253   
(10 ) 
52   
16   
311   

The amount of unrecognized tax benefits at March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 were $397 and $311, respectively, 
all of which would impact Nathan’s effective tax rate, if recognized. As of March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, the 
Company had $256 and $259, respectively, accrued for the payment of interest and penalties. For the fiscal years ended 
March  28,  2021  and  March  29,  2020  Nathan’s  recognized  interest  and  penalties  in  the  amounts  of  $(3)  and  $32, 
respectively. 

During the fiscal year ending March 27, 2022, Nathan’s will seek to settle additional uncertain tax positions with the 
tax authorities. As a result, it is reasonably possible the amount of unrecognized tax benefits, excluding the related 
accrued interest and penalties, could be reduced by up to $19, which would favorably impact Nathan’s effective tax 
rate, although no assurances can be given in this regard. 

In November 2019, the State of New Jersey notified Nathan’s that our tax returns for the fiscal years ended March 27, 
2016,  March  26,  2017  and  March  25,  2018  will  be  audited.  In  November  2020,  the  audit  was  completed  and  no 
adjustments were noted. 

The earliest tax years that are subject to examination by taxing authorities by major jurisdictions are as follows: 

Jurisdiction 
Federal .................................................  
New York State ...................................  
New York City ....................................  
New Jersey ..........................................  
California .............................................  

Fiscal Year 
2018 
2018 
2018 
2017 
2017 

F-25 

  
  
  
  
    
  
  
       
         
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE I – SEGMENT INFORMATION  

Nathan’s considers itself to be a brand marketer of the Nathan’s Famous signature products to the foodservice industry 
pursuant  to  its  various  business  structures.  Nathan’s  sells  its  products  directly  to  consumers  through  its  restaurant 
operations segment consisting of Company-operated and franchised restaurants, to distributors that resell our products 
to the foodservice industry through the Branded Product Program (“BPP”) and by third party manufacturers pursuant 
to  license  agreements  that  sell  our  products  to  club  stores  and  grocery  stores  nationwide.  The  Company’s  Chief 
Executive Officer has been identified as the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) who evaluates performance 
and  allocates  resources  for  the  Branded  Product  Program,  Product  Licensing  and  Restaurant  Operations  segments 
based upon  a number of  factors,  the primary profit measure being  income  from operations.  Certain administrative 
expenses are not allocated to the segments and are reported within the Corporate segment. 

Branded Product Program – This segment derives revenue principally from the sale of hot dog products either directly 
to foodservice operators or to various foodservice distributors who resell the products to foodservice operators. 

Product licensing – This segment derives revenue, primarily in the form of royalties, from licensing a broad variety of 
Nathan’s Famous branded products, including our hot dogs, sausage and corned beef products, frozen French fries and 
additional products through retail grocery channels and club stores throughout the United States. 

Restaurant operations – This segment derives revenue from the sale of our products at Company-owned restaurants 
and earns fees and royalties from its franchised restaurants. 

Revenues  from  operating  segments  are  from  transactions  with  unaffiliated  third  parties  and  do  not  include  any 
intersegment revenues. 

Income from operations attributable to Corporate consists principally of administrative expenses not allocated to the 
operating segments such as executive management, finance, information technology, legal, insurance, corporate office 
costs, corporate incentive compensation and compliance costs and expenses of the advertising fund. 

Interest expense, interest income and other income, net are managed centrally at the corporate level, and, accordingly, 
such items are not presented by segment since they are excluded from the measure of profitability reviewed by the 
CODM. 

Corporate assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, and long-lived assets. 

F-26 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
NOTE I – SEGMENT INFORMATION (continued) 

Operating segment information for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 is as follows: 

March 28, 
2021 

March 29, 
2020 

Revenues 
Branded Product Program...........................................................................   $
Product licensing ........................................................................................     
Restaurant operations .................................................................................     
Corporate (1) ..............................................................................................     
Total revenues ..............................................................................   $

Income from operations 
Branded Product Program...........................................................................   $
Product licensing ........................................................................................     
Restaurant operations .................................................................................     
Corporate ....................................................................................................     
Income from operations ................................................................   $

Interest expense ..........................................................................................   $
Interest income ...........................................................................................     
Other income, net .......................................................................................     
Income before provision for income taxes ...................................   $

Total assets 
Branded Product Program...........................................................................   $
Product licensing ........................................................................................     
Restaurant operations .................................................................................     
Corporate ....................................................................................................     
Total assets ...................................................................................   $

33,617    $
31,368      
9,310      
1,544      
75,839    $

4,635    $
31,186      
(2,856)     
(7,450)     
25,515    $

(10,601)   $
364      
47      
15,325    $

7,037    $
4,775      
11,662      
85,335      
108,809    $

57,586   
25,859   
17,545   
2,335   
103,325   

7,688   
25,677   
1,637   
(7,830 ) 
27,172   

(10,601 ) 
1,357   
86   
18,014   

7,352   
3,906   
12,915   
81,109   
105,282   

Depreciation & amortization expense 
Branded Product Program...........................................................................   $
Restaurant operations .................................................................................     
Corporate ....................................................................................................     
Total depreciation & amortization expense ..................................   $

247    $
613      
323      
1,183    $

312   
641   
280   
1,233   

(1)  Represents advertising fund revenue 

F-27 

  
  
  
  
    
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
      
        
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE J – LONG-TERM DEBT  

Long-term debt consists of the following: 

   March 28, 

     March 29, 

2021 

2020 

6.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 .....................................................   $
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs ........................................................     
Long-term debt, net .................................................................................   $

150,000    $
(3,169)     
146,831     $

150,000   
(3,860 ) 
146,140   

On November 1, 2017, the Company issued $150,000 of 6.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2025 (the "2025 Notes") 
in a private offering in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities 
Act”). The 2025 Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of November 1, 2017 by and among the Company, 
certain of its wholly-owned subsidiaries and U.S. Bank National Association (the “Indenture”). The Company used 
the net proceeds of the 2025 Notes offering to satisfy and discharge the Indenture relating to the $135,000 of 10.000% 
Senior Secured Notes due 2020 and redeem the 2020 Notes (the "Redemption"), paid a portion of a special $5.00 per 
share cash dividend to Nathan's stockholders of record, with the remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, 
including working capital. The Company also funded the majority of the special dividend of $5.00 per share through 
its existing cash. The Redemption occurred on November 16, 2017. 

The 2025 Notes bear interest at 6.625% per annum, payable semi-annually on May 1st and November 1st of each year. 
The Company made its required semi-annual interest payments of $4,969 on May 1, 2020 and November 1, 2020. On 
May 1, 2021, the Company paid its first semi-annual interest payment of fiscal 2022. 

The 2025 Notes have no scheduled principal amortization payments prior to its final maturity on November 1, 2025. 

The terms and conditions of the 2025 Notes are as follows (terms not defined shall have the meanings set forth in the 
Indenture): 

There are no ongoing financial maintenance covenants associated with the 2025 Notes. As of March 28, 2021, Nathan’s 
was in compliance with all covenants associated with the 2025 Notes. 

The Indenture contains certain covenants limiting the Company’s ability and the ability of its restricted subsidiaries 
(as defined in the Indenture) to, subject to certain exceptions and qualifications: (i) incur additional indebtedness; (ii) 
pay dividends or  make  other distributions on,  redeem or  repurchase,  capital  stock; (iii)  make  investments or other 
restricted  payments;  (iv)  create  or  incur  certain  liens;  (v)  incur  restrictions  on  the  payment  of  dividends  or  other 
distributions from its restricted subsidiaries; (vi) enter into certain transactions with affiliates; (vii) sell assets; or (viii) 
effect  a  consolidation  or  merger.  Certain  Restricted  Payments  which  may  be  made  or  indebtedness  incurred  by 
Nathan’s or its Restricted Subsidiaries may require compliance with the following financial ratios: 

F-28 

  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
      
        
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE J – LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)  

Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio: the ratio of the Consolidated Cash Flow to the Fixed Charges for the relevant period, 
currently  set  at  2.0  to 1.0  in the  Indenture. The  Fixed  Charge  Coverage  Ratio  applies  to  determining  whether 
additional Restricted Payments may be made, certain additional debt may be incurred and acquisitions may be 
made. 

Priority Secured Leverage Ratio: the ratio of (a) Consolidated Net Debt outstanding as of such date that is secured by 
a Priority Lien to (b) Consolidated Cash Flow of Nathan’s for the Test Period then most recently ended, in each 
case with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate; currently set at 0.40 to 1.00 in the Indenture. 

Secured Leverage Ratio: the ratio of (a) Consolidated Net Debt outstanding as of such date that is secured by a Lien 
on any property of Nathan’s or any Guarantor to (b) Consolidated Cash Flow of Nathan’s for the Test Period then 
most recently ended, in each case with such pro forma adjustments as are appropriate. The Secured Leverage Ratio 
under the Indenture is 3.75 to 1.00 and applies if Nathan’s wants to incur additional debt on the same terms as the 
2025 Notes. 

The Indenture also contains customary events of default, including, among other things, failure to pay interest, failure 
to comply with agreements related to the Indenture, failure to pay at maturity or acceleration of other indebtedness, 
failure to pay certain judgments, and certain events of insolvency or bankruptcy. Generally, if any event of default 
occurs, the Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the 2025 Notes may declare the 2025 Notes 
due and payable by providing notice to the Company. In case of default arising from certain events of bankruptcy or 
insolvency, the 2025 Notes, will become immediately due and payable. 

The 2025 Notes are general senior secured obligations, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by substantially all of 
the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries and rank pari passu in right of payment with all of the Company’s existing 
and future indebtedness that is not subordinated, are senior in right of payment to any of the Company’s existing and 
future  subordinated  indebtedness,  are  structurally  subordinated  to  any  existing  and  future  indebtedness  and  other 
liabilities of the Company’s subsidiaries that do not guarantee the 2025 Notes, and are effectively junior to all existing 
and future indebtedness that is secured by assets other than the collateral securing the 2025 Notes. 

Pursuant to the terms of a collateral trust agreement, the liens securing the 2025 Notes and the guarantees will be 
contractually subordinated to the liens securing any future credit facility. 

F-29 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE J – LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)  

The 2025 Notes and the guarantees are the Company and the guarantors’ senior secured obligations and will rank: 

● 
● 

senior in right of payment to all of the Company and the guarantors’ future subordinated indebtedness; 
effectively senior to all unsecured senior indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing the
2025 Notes and the guarantees; 

●  pari passu with all of the Company and the guarantors’ other senior indebtedness; 
● 

effectively junior to any future credit facility to the extent of the value of the collateral securing any future credit
facility and the 2025 Notes and the guarantees and certain other assets; 
effectively junior to any of the Company and the guarantors’ existing and future indebtedness that is secured by
assets other than the collateral securing the 2025 Notes and the guarantees to the extent of the value of any such
assets; and 
structurally subordinated to the indebtedness of any of the Company’s current and future subsidiaries that do
not guarantee the 2025 Notes. 

● 

● 

The Company may redeem the 2025 Notes in whole or in part prior to November 1, 2020, at a redemption price of 
100% of the principal amount of the 2025 Notes redeemed plus the Applicable Premium, plus accrued and unpaid 
interest. An Applicable Premium is the greater of 1% of the principal amount of the 2025 Notes; or the excess of the 
present value at such redemption date of (i) the redemption price of the 2025 Notes at November 1, 2020 plus (ii) all 
required interest payments due on the 2025 Notes through November 1, 2020 (excluding accrued but unpaid interest 
to the redemption date), computed using a discount rate equal to the Treasury Rate as of such redemption date plus 50 
basis points; over the then outstanding principal amount of the 2025 Notes. 

Prior to November 1, 2020, if using the net cash proceeds of certain equity offerings, the Company had the option to 
redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2025 Notes at a redemption price equal to 106.625% of the 
principal amount of the 2025 Notes redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest and any additional interest. 

On or after November 1, 2020, the Company may redeem some or all of the 2025 Notes at a decreasing premium over 
time, plus accrued and unpaid interest as follows: 

YEAR 
On or after November 1, 2020 and prior to November 1, 2021 ......    
On or after November 1, 2021 and prior to November 1, 2022 ......    
On or after November 1, 2022 ........................................................    

PERCENTAGE   

103.313% 
101.656% 
100.000% 

In certain circumstances involving a change of control, the Company will be required to make an offer to repurchase 
all or, at the holder’s option, any part, of each holder’s 2025 Notes pursuant to the offer described below (the “Change 
of Control Offer”). In the Change of Control Offer, the Company will be required to offer payment in cash equal to 
101% of the aggregate principal amount of 2025 Notes repurchased plus accrued and unpaid interest, to the date of 
purchase. 

F-30 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE J – LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)  

If the Company sells certain collateralized assets and does not use the net proceeds as required, the Company will be 
required to use such net proceeds to repurchase the 2025 Notes at 100% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued 
and unpaid interest and additional interest penalty, if any, to the date of repurchase. 

The 2025 Notes may be traded between qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A of the Securities Act. We 
have recorded the 2025 Notes at cost. 

Effective June 1, 2020, Nathan’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10 million of the 2025 Notes 
by the Company (at par or better) from time to time. There is no set time limit on the repurchases. 

NOTE K – LEASES  

The Company is party as lessee to various leases for its Company-operated restaurants and lessee/sublessor to one 
franchised location property, including land and buildings, as well as leases for its corporate office and certain office 
equipment. 

Company as lessee 

The components of the net lease cost for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 were as follows: 

March 28, 
2021 

March 29, 
2020 

Statement of Earnings .................................................................................       
Operating lease cost ....................................................................................   $ 
Short term lease cost ...................................................................................     
Variable lease cost ......................................................................................     
Less: Sublease income, net .........................................................................     

1,444     $
-       
1,194       
(47 )     

1,238   
17   
1,517   
(85 ) 

Total net lease cost (a) ................................................................................   $ 

2,591     $

2,687   

(a)  The fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 include $1,981, net and $2,137, net,
respectively,  recorded  to  “Restaurant  Operating  Expenses” for  leases  for  Company-operated 
restaurants; $657 and $635, respectively, recorded to “General and administrative expenses” for 
leases for corporate offices and equipment; and $47 and $85, respectively, recorded to “Other
income, net” for leased properties that are leased to franchisees. 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and 
March 29, 2020 were as follows: 

Operating cash flows from operating leases ...............................................      

$727 

$375 

March 28, 
2021 

March 29, 
2020 

F-31 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
      
        
  
      
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE K – LEASES (continued)  

The weighted average remaining lease term and weighted-average discount rate for operating leases for the fiscal years 
ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 were as follows: 

March 28, 
2021 

March 29, 
2020 

Weighted average remaining lease term (years): ....................................     

7.2       

8.1  

Weighted average discount rate: .............................................................     

8.870%    

8.869%

Future lease commitments to be paid and received by the Company as of March 28, 2021 were as follows: 

Payments 
Operating 
Leases 

Receipts 
Subleases 

     Net Leases 

Fiscal year: 

2022 ................................................................   $ 
2023 ................................................................     
2024 ................................................................     
2025 ................................................................     
2026 ................................................................     
Thereafter ........................................................     
Total lease commitments ...........................................   $ 
Less: Amount representing interest ...........................     
Present value of lease liabilities (a) ...........................   $ 

1,837    $ 
1,849      
1,774      
1,678      
1,712      
3,761      
12,611    $ 
3,221        
9,390        

247    $
168      
169      
169      
169      
183      
1,105    $

1,590  
1,681  
1,605  
1,509  
1,543  
3,578  
11,506  

(a)  The present value of minimum operating lease payments of $1,837 and $7,553 are included
in  “Current  portion  of  operating  lease  liabilities” and  “Long-term  operating  lease
liabilities,” respectively, on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. 

Company as lessor 

The components of lease income for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 were as follows: 

  March 28, 2021      March 29, 2020   

Operating lease income, net.................................................................      

$47 

$84 

F-32 

  
  
  
  
     
  
  
      
         
  
  
      
         
  
  
  
  
  
    
 
      
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
      
        
        
  
      
        
        
  
        
  
        
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
      
        
  
      
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE L – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY, STOCK PLANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS 

1.  Dividends 

Effective June 14, 2019, the Board declared its first quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share for fiscal year 2020. 
Through March 29, 2020, the Company declared and paid four regular quarterly dividends of $0.35 per common 
share aggregating $5,912. 

Effective June 12, 2020, the Board declared its first quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share for fiscal year 2021. 
Through March 28, 2021, the Company declared and paid four regular quarterly dividends of $0.35 per common 
share aggregating $5,761. 

Effective June 11, 2021, the Board declared its first quarterly cash dividend of $0.35 per share for fiscal year 2022 
which is payable on June 25, 2021 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on June 21, 2021. 

Our ability to pay future dividends is limited by the terms of the Indenture with U.S. Bank National Association, 
as trustee and collateral trustee. In addition to the terms of the Indenture, the declaration and payment of any cash 
dividends in the future are subject to final determination of the Board and will be dependent upon our earnings 
and financial requirements. 

2.  Stock Incentive Plans  

On September 13, 2012, the Company amended the Nathan’s Famous, Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2010 
Plan”) increasing the number of shares available for issuance by 250,000 shares. Shares to be issued under the 
2010 Plan were to be made available from authorized but unissued stock, common stock held by the Company in 
its treasury, or common stock purchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise. The number of shares 
issuable and the grant, purchase or exercise price of outstanding awards were subject to adjustment in the amount 
that  the  Company’s  Compensation  Committee  considered  appropriate  upon  the  occurrence  of  certain  events, 
including stock dividends, stock splits, mergers, consolidations, reorganizations, recapitalizations, or other capital 
adjustments. 

On September 18, 2019, the Company’s shareholders approved the Nathan’s Famous, Inc. 2019 Stock Incentive 
Plan (the “2019 Plan”). The 2019 Plan became effective as of July 1, 2020 (the "Effective Date"). Following the 
Effective Date, (i) no additional stock awards were granted under the 2010 Plan and (ii) all outstanding stock 
awards previously granted under the 2010 Plan remained subject to the terms of the 2010 Plan. All awards granted 
on or after the Effective Date of the 2019 Plan shall be subject to the terms of the 2019 Plan. 

As of the Effective Date, we were able to issue up to: (a) 369,584 shares of common stock under the 2019 Plan 
which includes: (i) shares that have been authorized but not issued pursuant to the 2010 Plan as of the Effective 
Date up to a maximum of an additional 208,584 shares and (ii) any shares subject to any outstanding options or 
restricted stock grants under any plan of the Company that were outstanding as of the Effective Date and that 
subsequently expire unexercised, or are otherwise forfeited, up to a maximum of an additional 11,000 shares. As 
of March 28, 2021, there were up to 208,584 shares available to be issued for future option grants or up to 184,808 
shares of restricted stock to be granted under the 2019 Plan. 

F-33 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE L – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY, STOCK PLANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS 

(continued) 

In general, options granted under the Company’s stock incentive plans have terms of five or ten years and vest 
over periods of between three and five years. The Company has historically issued new shares of common stock 
for options that have been exercised and used the Black-Scholes option valuation model to determine the fair value 
of options granted at the grant date. 

The Company recognizes compensation cost for unvested stock-based incentive awards on a straight-line basis 
over the requisite service period. Compensation cost charged to expense under all stock-based incentive awards 
for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 is as follows: 

March 28,  
2021 

March 29, 
2020 

Stock options ..................................................................   $ 
Restricted stock ..............................................................     
  $ 

85     $ 
31       
116     $ 

85  
31  
116  

The tax benefit on stock-based compensation expense was $32 and $29 for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 
and March 29, 2020, respectively. As of March 28, 2021, there was $54 of unamortized compensation expense 
related to stock-based incentive awards. The Company expects to recognize this expense over approximately five 
months, which represents the remaining requisite service periods for such award. 

A summary of the status of the Company’s stock options at March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 and changes 
during the fiscal years then ended is presented in the tables below: 

2021 

2020 

     Weighted-        
     Average 
     Exercise 

     Weighted-    
     Average 
     Exercise 

   Shares  

Price 

Shares 

Price 

Options outstanding – beginning of year .................      

10,000     $ 

89.90       

42,234    $ 

46.807  

Granted .................................................................      

Expired .................................................................      

Exercised ..............................................................      

-       

-       

-       

-      

-      

-      

-      

-  

-  

-      

(32,234)     

33.438  

Options outstanding - end of year ............................      

10,000     $ 

89.90      

10,000    $ 

89.90  

Options exercisable - end of year.............................      

6,667     $ 

89.90       

3,333    $ 

89.90  

There were no stock option exercises for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2021. During the fiscal year ended March 
29, 2020, options to purchase 32,234 shares were exercised which aggregated proceeds of $1,078 to the Company. 
The aggregate intrinsic value of the stock options exercised during the fiscal year ended March 29, 2020 was 
$1,134. 

F-34 

  
  
  
  
  
    
  
  
      
        
  
  
  
  
   
  
  
    
  
  
    
  
    
  
      
  
    
  
  
  
    
  
  
  
    
  
      
  
  
  
    
  
      
  
  
  
    
    
    
  
  
      
        
        
        
  
  
      
        
        
        
  
  
      
        
        
        
  
  
      
        
        
        
  
  
      
        
        
        
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE L – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY, STOCK PLANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS 

(continued) 

The following table summarizes information about outstanding stock options at March 28, 2021: 

     Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise Price     

     Weighted- 
     Average 
     Remaining 
Contractual 
Life 

Shares 

Aggregate 
Intrinsic Value   

Options outstanding at March 28, 2021 .......      

10,000    $ 

89.90      

2.46    $ 

Options exercisable at March 28, 2021 ........      

6,667    $ 

89.90      

2.46    $ 

-  

-  

Restricted stock: 

Transactions with respect to restricted stock for the fiscal year ended March 28, 2021 are as follows: 

     Weighted- 
     Average 

Grant-date 
Fair value 
     Per share 

Shares  

Unvested restricted stock at March 29, 2020 .................      

667     $ 

89.90  

Granted .......................................................................      

-     $ 

-  

Vested .........................................................................      

334     $ 

89.90  

Unvested restricted stock at March 28, 2021 .................      

333     $ 

89.90  

The aggregate fair value of restricted stock vested during the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020 
was $17 and $23, respectively. 

3.   Stock Repurchase Programs 

On March 13, 2020, the Company's Board of Directors approved a 10b5-1 stock plan (the "10b5-1 Plan") which 
expired on August 12, 2020. During the fiscal year ended March 28, 2021, the Company repurchased in open market 
transactions 26,676 shares of the Company’s common stock at an average share price of $56.26 for a total cost of 
$1,501 under the 10b5-1 Plan. 

In 2016, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized increases to the sixth stock repurchase plan for the purchase 
of up to 1,200,000 shares of its common stock on behalf of the Company. As of March 28, 2021, Nathan’s had 
repurchased 1,066,450 shares at a cost of $37,108 under the sixth stock repurchase plan. At March 28, 2021, there 
were 133,550 shares remaining to be repurchased pursuant to the sixth stock repurchase plan. The plan does not 
have a set expiration date. Purchases under the Company’s stock repurchase program may be made from time to 
time,  depending  on  market  conditions,  in  open  market  or  privately-negotiated  transactions,  at  prices  deemed 
appropriate by management. There is no set time limit on the repurchases. 

F-35 

  
  
  
    
  
    
 
      
  
  
  
    
  
    
 
    
 
  
  
    
  
    
 
  
  
  
    
    
  
      
        
        
        
  
  
      
        
        
        
  
  
  
  
  
      
  
  
      
  
  
      
    
  
  
  
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
      
        
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE L – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY, STOCK PLANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS 

(continued) 

4.  Employment Agreements  

Effective  January  1,  2007,  Howard  M.  Lorber,  previously  Chairman  of  the  Board  and  Chief  Executive  Officer, 
assumed the newly-created position of Executive Chairman of the Board of Nathan’s and Eric Gatoff, previously 
Vice President and Corporate Counsel, became Chief Executive Officer of Nathan’s. 

In connection with the foregoing, the Company entered into an employment agreement with each of Messrs. Lorber 
(as  amended,  the  “Lorber  Employment  Agreement”)  and  Gatoff  (as  amended,  the  “Gatoff  Employment 
Agreement”).  Under  the  terms  of  the  Lorber  Employment  Agreement,  Mr.  Lorber  would  serve  as  Executive 
Chairman of  the  Board  from  January 1, 2007 until  December  31, 2012,  unless his  employment  is terminated  in 
accordance with the terms of the Lorber Employment Agreement. On November 1, 2012, the Company amended its 
employment agreement with Mr. Lorber, extending the term of the employment agreement to December 31, 2017 
and increasing the base compensation of Mr. Lorber to $600 per annum. In addition, Mr. Lorber received a grant of 
50,000 shares of restricted stock subject to vesting as provided in a Restricted Stock Agreement between Mr. Lorber 
and the Company. Mr. Lorber will not receive a contractually-required bonus. On December 6, 2017, the Company 
amended  its  employment  agreement  with  Mr.  Lorber,  extending  the  term  of  the  employment  agreement  from 
December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2022 and increasing the base compensation of Mr. Lorber to $1,000 per annum. 
The Lorber Employment Agreement provides for a three-year consulting period after the termination of employment 
during which Mr. Lorber will receive a consulting fee of $200 per year in exchange for his agreement to provide no 
less than 15 days of consulting services per year, provided, Mr. Lorber is not required to provide more than 50 days 
of consulting services per year.  

The Lorber Employment Agreement provides Mr. Lorber with the right to participate in employment benefits offered 
to other Nathan’s executives. During and after the contract term, Mr. Lorber is subject to certain confidentiality, 
non-solicitation and non-competition provisions in favor of the Company. 

In the event that Mr. Lorber’s employment is terminated without cause, he is entitled to receive his salary and bonus 
for the remainder of the contract term. The Lorber Employment Agreement further provides that in the event there 
is a change in control, as defined in the agreement, Mr. Lorber has the option, exercisable within one year after such 
event, to terminate the agreement. Upon such termination, he has the right to receive a lump sum cash payment equal 
to the greater of (A) his salary and annual bonuses for the remainder of the employment term (including a prorated 
bonus for any partial fiscal year), which bonus shall be equal to the average of the annual bonuses awarded to him 
during the three fiscal years preceding the fiscal year of termination; or (B) 2.99 times his salary and annual bonus 
for the fiscal year immediately preceding the fiscal year of termination, in each case together with a lump sum cash 
payment equal to the difference between the exercise price of any exercisable options having an exercise price of 
less  than  the  then  current  market price of the  Company’s  common stock  and  such  then  current market  price. In 
addition, Nathan’s will provide Mr. Lorber with a tax gross-up payment to cover any excise tax due. 

F-36 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE L – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY, STOCK PLANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS 

(continued) 

In the event of termination due to Mr. Lorber’s death or disability, he is entitled to receive an amount equal to his 
salary and annual bonuses for a three-year period, which bonus shall be equal to the average of the annual bonuses 
awarded to him during the three fiscal years preceding the fiscal year of termination. 

Under the terms of the Gatoff Employment Agreement, Mr. Gatoff initially served as Chief Executive Officer from 
January 1, 2007 until December 31, 2008, which period automatically extends for additional one-year periods unless 
either  party  delivers  notice  of  non-renewal  no  less  than  180  days  prior  to  the  end  of  the  term  then  in  effect. 
Consequently, the Gatoff Employment Agreement is expected to be extended through December 31, 2022, based on 
the original terms, and no non-renewal notice has been given. 

Pursuant to the agreement, Mr. Gatoff will receive a base salary, currently $500 effective June 1, 2016, and an annual 
bonus based on his performance measured against the Company’s financial, strategic and operating objectives as 
determined  by  the  Compensation  Committee.  The  Gatoff  Employment  Agreement  provides  for  an  automobile 
allowance and the right of Mr. Gatoff to participate in employment benefits offered to other Nathan’s executives. 
The employment agreement automatically extends for successive one-year periods unless notice of non-renewal is 
provided  in  accordance  with  the  agreement.  During  and  after  the  contract  term,  Mr.  Gatoff  is  subject  to  certain 
confidentiality,  non-solicitation  and  non-competition provisions  in  favor  of  the  Company. On  June  4,  2013,  Mr. 
Gatoff received a grant of 25,000 shares of restricted stock at a fair value of $49.80 per share representing the closing 
price on the date of grant, subject to vesting as provided in a Restricted Stock Agreement between Mr. Gatoff and 
the Company. The compensation expense related to this restricted stock award was $1,245 and was recognized, 
commencing on the grant date, over the next five years. 

Each employment agreement terminates upon death or voluntary termination by the respective employee or may be 
terminated by the Company on up to 30-days’ prior written notice by the Company in the event of disability or 
“cause,” as defined in each agreement. 

5.  Defined Contribution and Union Pension Plans 

The  Company  has  a  defined  contribution  retirement  plan  under  Section  401(k)  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code 
covering  all  nonunion  employees  over  age  21,  who  have  been  employed  by  the  Company  for  at  least  one  year. 
Employees may contribute to the plan, on a tax-deferred basis, up to 20% of their total annual salary. Historically, 
the Company has matched contributions at a rate of $.25 per dollar contributed by the employee on up to a maximum 
of 3% of the employee’s total annual salary. Employer contributions for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and 
March 29, 2020 were $36 and $44, respectively, and are included in general and administrative expenses on the 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings. 

F-37 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
NOTE L – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY, STOCK PLANS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS 

(continued) 

The Company participates in a noncontributory, multi-employer, defined benefit pension plan (the “Union Plan”) 
covering substantially all of the Company’s union-represented employees. The risks of participating in the Union 
Plan are different from a single-employer plan in the following aspects: (a) assets contributed to the Union Plan by 
one employer may be used to provide benefits to employees of other participating employers; (b) if a participating 
employer  stops  contributing  to  the  plan,  the  unfunded  obligations  of  the  plan  may  be  borne  by  the  remaining 
participating employers; and (c) if the Company chooses to stop participating in the Union Plan, the Company may 
be required to pay the Union Plan an amount based on the underfunded status of the Union Plan, referred to as a 
withdrawal liability. The most recent estimate of our potential withdrawal liability is $384 as of December 31, 2020. 
The Company has no plans or intentions to stop participating in the plan as of March 28, 2021 and does not believe 
that  there  is  a reasonable possibility  that  a withdrawal  liability  will  be  incurred. Any adjustment for  withdrawal 
liability  will  be  recorded  only  when  it  is  probable  that  a  liability  exists  and  can  be  reasonably  estimated,  in 
accordance with U.S. GAAP. Contributions to the Union Plan were $5 and $6 for the fiscal years ended March 28, 
2021 and March 29, 2020, respectively, and are included in general and administrative expenses on the Consolidated 
Statements of Earnings. 

6.  Other Benefits 

The  Company  provides,  on  a  contributory  basis,  medical  benefits  to  active  employees.  The  Company  does  not 
provide medical benefits to retirees. 

NOTE M – GUARANTY AND OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 

1.  Guaranty   

On February 27, 2017, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company executed a Guaranty of Lease (the “Brooklyn 
Guaranty”) in connection with its re-franchising of a restaurant located in Brooklyn, New York. The Company is 
obligated to make payments under the Brooklyn Guaranty in the event of a default by the tenant/franchisee. The 
Brooklyn Guaranty has an initial term of 10 years and one 5-year option and is limited to 24 months of rent for the 
first three years of the term. Nathan’s has recorded a liability of $113 in connection with the Brooklyn Guaranty 
which does not include potential percentage rent, real estate tax increases, attorney’s fees and other costs as these 
amounts are not reasonably determinable at this time. Nathan’s has received a personal guaranty from the franchisee 
for all obligations under the Brooklyn Guaranty. For the remainder of the term, the Brooklyn Guaranty is limited to 
12 months of rent plus reasonable costs of collection and attorney’s fees. 

2.  Legal Proceedings 

The Company and its subsidiaries are from time to time involved in ordinary and routine litigation. Management 
presently believes that the ultimate outcome of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a 
material  adverse  effect  on  the  Company’s  financial  position,  cash  flows  or  results  of  operations.  Nevertheless, 
litigation  is  subject  to  inherent  uncertainties  and  unfavorable  rulings  could  occur.  An  unfavorable  ruling  could 
include money damages and, in such event, could result in a material adverse impact on the Company’s results of 
operations for the period in which the ruling occurs. 

NOTE N - RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

A firm to which the Company’s Executive Chairman of the Board is as an investor (and, prior to January 2012, a 
consultant),  and  the  firm’s  affiliates,  received  ordinary  and  customary  insurance  commissions  aggregating 
approximately $19 and $29 for the fiscal years ended March 28, 2021 and March 29, 2020, respectively. 

F-38 

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
2021 FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLAIMER

Except for historical information contained herein, the matters discussed are forward looking statements within the 
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act 
of 1934, as amended that involve risks and uncertainties.  Words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, 
“intend”, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, which are based on the current belief of the  
Nathan’s Famous, Inc.’s (“we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”) management, as well as assumptions made by and 
information currently available to the Company’s management. Among the factors that could cause actual results to 
differ materially include but are not limited to: the impact of the recent COVID-19 outbreak; the status of our licens-
ing and supply agreements, including the impact of our supply agreement for hot dogs with John Morrell & Co.; the 
impact  of  our  indebtedness,  including  the  effect  on  our  ability  to  fund  working  capital,  operations  and  make  new 
investments; economic; weather (including the impact on the supply of cattle and the impact on sales at our restau-
rants particularly during the summer months), and change in the price of beef trimmings; our ability to pass on the  
cost of any price increases in beef and beef trimmings; legislative and business conditions; the collectability of receiv-
ables; changes in consumer tastes; the ability to attract franchisees; the impact of the minimum wage legislation on 
labor costs in New York State or other changes in labor laws, including regulations which could render a franchisor as  
a “joint employee” or the impact of our new union contracts; our ability to attract competent restaurant and manage-
rial personnel; the enforceability of international franchising agreements; the future effects of any food borne illness, 
such as bovine spongiform encephalopathy, BSE and e coli; and the risk factors reported from time to time in the 
Company’s SEC reports. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking statements.

49263_Nathans_2021AR_Disclaimer.indd   7

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7/9/21   11:16 AM

7/9/21   11:16 AM

C O R P O R A T E   D I R E C T O R Y

Nathan’s Famous, Inc. & Subsidiaries

List of Directors
Howard M. Lorber
Executive Chairman of the Board, 
Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

Eric Gatoff
Chief Executive Officer,  
Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

Wayne Norbitz
Former President, and  
Chief Operating Officer,  
Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

Robert J. Eide
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, 
AEGIS Capital Corp.

Barry Leistner
President & Chief Executive Officer, 
Koenig Iron Works, Inc.

Brian S. Genson
President, F1Collectors.com

A.F. Petrocelli
Owner—Retired,  
United Capital Corp.

Charles Raich
Retired Founding Partner,  
Raich, Ende, Malter & Co. LLP

Andrew M. Levine
Director of Real Estate,  
Fingerboard Family Office

List of Officers
Howard M. Lorber
Executive Chairman of the Board

Eric Gatoff
Chief Executive Officer

Robert Steinberg
Vice President—Finance,  
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer  
and Secretary

James Walker, CFE
Senior Vice President—Restaurants

Leigh Platte
Senior Vice President—Food Service

Independent Registered  
Public Accounting Firm
Marcum LLP
730 3rd Avenue 
New York, New York 10017

Corporate Counsel
Akerman LLP
1251 Avenue of the Americas 
37th Floor 
New York, New York 10020

Transfer Agent
American Stock Transfer &  
Trust Company
6201 15th Avenue 
Brooklyn, New York 11219

Form 10-K
The Company’s annual report  
on Form 10-K as filed with the 
Securities and Exchange 
Commission, is available without 
charge upon written request:
  Secretary, Nathan’s Famous, Inc.

 One Jericho Plaza  
Second Floor—Wing A
  Jericho, New York 11753

Corporate Headquarters 
One Jericho Plaza  
Second Floor—Wing A  
Jericho, New York 11753
516-338-8500 Telephone
516-338-7220 Facsimile

Company Website 
www.nathansfamous.com

Annual Shareholders’ Meeting 
The Annual Meeting of Shareholders 
of the Company will be held at  
10:00 a.m., EST on Thursday, 
September 2, 2021, in the Offices of 
Nathan’s Famous, Inc., One Jericho 
Plaza, Second Floor — Wing A. 
Jericho, New York 11753.

 
 
 
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One Jericho Plaza, Second Floor – Wing A, Jericho, New York 11753 
www.nathansfamous.com