Commitments and Contingencies |
12 Months Ended |
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Jan. 02, 2023 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments and Contingencies | Commitments and Contingencies Sale Commitment
In February 2020, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with an unrelated third party for the sale of substantially all of the assets used in connection with the operation of BF Dania Beach, LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $1.3 million. During January to March 2020, the Company received three cash deposits totaling $0.9 million in connection with this transaction. The closing of this transaction has been delayed due to additional negotiation that has been ongoing. In the event the transaction is terminated, the Company would resume operating the restaurant, and return the $0.9 million to the unrelated third-party purchaser. Assets used in the operations of BF Dania Beach, LLC totaling $0.7 million have been classified as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheets as of January 2, 2023 and December 31, 2021.
Contingencies
Eric Gilbert v. BurgerFi International, Inc., Ophir Sternberg, et al. (Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, Case No. 2022-0185- , filed on February 25, 2022). Mr. Gilbert filed a class action lawsuit against BurgerFi International, Inc. and each of the members of the Board of Directors alleging that the Company’s Amended and Restated Bylaws improperly contains a provision restricting written consents by the stockholders. Mr. Gilbert sought an amendment to the bylaws, as well as attorney’ fees and costs. On March 23, 2022, BurgerFi made conforming amendments to its bylaws to remove the provision restricting written consent by the stockholders. On March 24, 2022, the Court of Chancery entered a stipulated order pursuant to which plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the action with prejudice as to himself only. The Court of Chancery retained jurisdiction solely for the purpose of deciding the anticipated application of plaintiff’s counsel for an award of attorneys’ fees and reimbursement of expenses in connection with the corrective actions. The Company subsequently agreed to pay $150 thousand to plaintiff’s counsel for attorneys’ fees and expenses in full satisfaction of the claim for attorneys’ fees and expenses in the action and to finally settle the matter, which amount is included in accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Second 82nd SM, LLC v. BF NY 82, LLC, BurgerFi International, LLC and BurgerFi International, Inc. (in the Supreme Court of the State of New York County of New York, having index No. 654907/2021 filed August 11, 2021). A lawsuit was filed by Second 82nd SM, LLC (“Landlord”) against BF NY 82, LLC (“Tenant”) whereby Landlord brought a seven-count lawsuit for, among other things, breach of the lease agreement and underlying guaranty of the lease. The amount of damages Landlord is seeking approximately $1.5 million, which constitutes back rent, late charges, real estate taxes, illuminated sign charges and water/sewer charges. On November 3, 2021, the Company filed a Motion to Dismiss the Complaint. On November 17, 2021, the Tenant filed an Answer to Landlord’s Complaint and a cross claim against the Company, which the Company answered on December 7, 2021. On December 22, 2021, the Company filed its Response in Opposition to Landlord’s Motion for Summary Judgment and Memo in further Support of its Motion to Dismiss. The parties continue to discuss possible settlement, including turning over possession of the premises and payment of certain rent amounts to the Landlord. The Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of this matter, however, losses may be material to the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
Lion Point Capital, L.P.(“Lion Point”) v. BurgerFi International, Inc. (Supreme Court of the State of New York County of New York, Index No. 653099/2022, filed August 26, 2022. A lawsuit filed by Lion Point against the Company, alleging that the Company failed to timely register Lion Point’s shares in violation of the registration rights agreement to which Lion Point is a party, which allegedly resulted in losses in excess of $26 million. In November 2022, as amended in February 2023, the Company filed its answer to the complaint and continues to believe that all claims are meritless and plans to vigorously defend these allegations. Management is unable to determine the likelihood of a loss or range of loss, if any, which may result from the cases described above, therefore, no contingent liability has been recorded as of January 2, 2023; any losses, however, may be material to the Company's financial position and results of operations.
John Rosatti, as Trustee of the John Rosatti Revocable Trust U/A/D 08/27/2001 (the "JR Trust") v. BurgerFi International, Inc. (In the Circuit Court for the Eleventh Judicial Circuit, Florida, File No. 146578749). On March 28, 2022, the JR Trust filed a suit against BurgerFi alleging that the JR Trust suffered losses in excess of $10 million relating to BurgerFi’s alleged failure to timely file a registration rights agreement. The parties entered into a settlement agreement on January 11, 2023, whereby (i) the Company agreed to pay Mr. Rosatti $0.5 million in cash and issue him 200,000 shares of BFI common stock and, (ii) Mr. Rosatti agreed to transfer the assets and liabilities of the five former JR Trust stores to the Company. This settlement agreement, which the Company values on a net basis to be approximately $0.8 million of value transferred to Mr. Rosatti, resolved all remaining disputes between the parties, and Mr. Rosatti withdrew the related lawsuits against the Company.
Burger Guys of Dania Pointe, et. al. v. BFI, LLC (Circuit Court of the 15th Judicial Circuit in and for Palm Beach County, Florida, Case No. 50-2021-CA -006501-XXXX-MB filed May 21, 2021). In response to a demand letter issued by BurgerFi to Gino Gargiulo, a former franchisee, demanding that Mr. Gargiulo pay the balance owed under an asset purchase agreement wherein BurgerFi sold the Dania Beach, Florida BurgerFi location to Mr. Gargiulo, Mr. Gargiulo filed suit against BurgerFi claiming, in addition to other matters, that no further monies are owed under the asset purchase agreement and alleges that the Company is responsible for one of Mr. Gargiulo’s failed franchises in Sunny Isles, Florida, losses he has allegedly sustained at his Dania Beach location, and reimbursement of expenses in connection with his marketing company. Mr. Gargiulo seeks damages in excess of $2 million in the aggregate. The parties attended mediation on January 20, 2022, which ended in an impasse. Mr. Gargiulo amended his complaint in April 2022, which, among other matters, amended the defendant parties. In October 2022, the Company filed an additional motion to dismiss the amended complaint and a motion to stay discovery. In January 2023, Mr. Gargiulo filed a third amended complaint. In March 2023, the Company filed an answer to Mr. Gargiulo’s complaint and a counterclaim against Mr. Gargiulo relating to the breach of the asset purchase agreement discussed above. The matter is scheduled for trial in the second half of 2023. We believe that all Mr. Gargiulo claims are meritless, and the Company plans to vigorously defend these allegations. Management is unable to determine the likelihood of a loss or range of loss, if any, which may result from the cases described above, therefore, no contingent liability has been recorded as of January 2, 2023; any losses, however, may be material to the Company's financial position and results of operations.
All Round Food Bakery Products, Inc. v. BurgerFi International, LLC and Neri’s Bakery Products, Inc. et al (Supreme Court Westchester County, New York (Index Number 52170-2020)). In a suit filed in February 2020, the plaintiff, All Round Food Bakery Products, Inc. (“All Round Food”) alleges breach of contract and lost profits in excess of $1 million over the course of the supply agreement with the Company and Neri’s Bakery Products, Inc. (“Neri’s” and together with the Company, the “Defendants”). The Defendants assert, among other matters, that the supply agreement amongst the parties, whereby All Round Food was warehousing BurgerFi products produced by Neri’s, was terminated when All Round Food failed to cure its material breach of the supply agreement after due notice. The parties attended mediation to attempt to resolve the dispute, however, no resolution was reached. The parties have been ordered to attend an additional mediation on March 22, 2023. We believe that all claims are meritless, and the Company plans to vigorously defend these allegations. Management is unable to determine the likelihood of a loss or range of loss, if any, which may result from the cases described above, therefore, no contingent liability has been recorded as of January 2, 2023; any losses, however, may be material to the Company's financial position and results of operations.
Employment Related Claims.
In July 2021, the Company received a demand letter from the attorney of one of its now former hourly restaurant employees. The letter alleges that the former employee was sexually harassed by one of her co-workers. The demand letter claims that the Company discriminated and retaliated against the former employee based on her gender and age and also alleged intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligent hiring, negligent training, and negligent supervision. While the Company entered into a partial settlement with the former employee in December 2022 for a de minimus cash amount relating solely to the discrimination claim, the other claims remain.
While the Company believes that all claims of the above mentioned Employment Related Claims, which are covered under the Company’s insurance policies, are meritless, and it plans to defend these allegations, it is reasonably possible that the Company may ultimately be required to pay substantial damages to the claimants, which could be up to $0.8 million or more in aggregate compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees and costs. Management believes that any liability, in excess of applicable insurance coverages or accruals, which may result from these claims, would not be significant to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
General Liability and Other Claims.
The Company is subject to other legal proceedings and claims that arise during the normal course of business, including landlord disputes, slip and fall cases, and various food related matters. While it intends to vigorously defend these matters, it is reasonably possible that the Company may be required to pay substantial damages to the claimants. Management believes that any liability, in excess of applicable insurance coverages or accruals, which may result from these claims, would not be significant to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
Purchase Commitments
From time to time, the Company enters into purchase commitments for food commodities in the normal course of business. As of January 2, 2023, it has entered into $3.1 million in conditional purchase obligations over the next 12 months.
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