Commitments and Contingencies |
12 Months Ended |
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Jan. 01, 2024 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments and Contingencies | Commitments and Contingencies Litigation
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 $26.0 million In November 2022, as amended in February 2023, the Company filed its answer to the complaint. On April 13, 2023, Lion Point filed a Motion for Summary Judgment, and the Company responded with its reply on June 22, 2023. On October 12, 2023, the Court granted Lion Point’s Motion for Summary Judgment and set a status conference for November 15, 2023 to begin the damages phase of the case. At the November 15, 2023 status conference, the Court set out a schedule for discovery and trial, which schedule is in the process of being amended by counsel for both parties to allow for additional time for settlement discussions. The Company 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 these proceedings; any losses, however, may be material to the Company's financial position and results of operations.
John Walker, Individually and On Behalf of all Other Similarly Situated v. BurgerFi International, Inc. et al (in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, Case No. 023-cv-60657). On April 6, 2023, John Walker, on behalf of himself and other similarly situated plaintiffs, filed a class action lawsuit against the Company and certain current and former executives alleging that the Company violated certain securities laws by making false and misleading statements or failed to disclose that (1) the Company had overstated the effectiveness of its acquisition and growth strategies, and (2) the Company had misrepresented the purported benefits of the Anthony’s acquisition and the post-acquisition business and financial prospects of the Company. On July 20, 2023, the court appointed John Walker and Joseph Poalino as co-lead plaintiffs in the matter. On September 5, 2023, an Order of Dismissal without prejudice was signed. Therefore, no contingent liability has been recorded as of January 1, 2024.
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 7 -count lawsuit for, among other things, breach of the lease agreement and underlying guaranty of the lease. The amount of damages Landlord was seeking was approximately $1.5 million, which constituted 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 Company turned over possession of the property in early 2023. On July 5, 2023, the Landlord filed a Motion for Summary Judgment seeking approximately $1.2 million in past due rent payments. On August 14, 2023, the Court entered an order granting the Landlord’s Motion for Summary Judgment and ordered a damages hearing on the motion. On October 2, 2023 a settlement agreement was executed by all parties and the parties filed a stipulation of dismissal with prejudice on October 6, 2023.
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 $2.0 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. On November 5, 2023, the parties attended mediation, which ended in an impasse. Depositions are ongoing and a trial has been set for April 15, 2024. 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 case described above, and, therefore, no contingent liability has been recorded as of January 1, 2024; 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”) alleged breach of contract and lost profits in excess of $1.0 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 asserted, 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 several additional court ordered mediations over several months to attempt to resolve the dispute. No resolution was reached in such mediations. However, the court entered an order to dismiss the case with prejudice on August 15, 2023; therefore, no contingent liability has been recorded as of January 1, 2024.
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 $10.0 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.
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 minimis cash amount relating solely to the discrimination claim, the other claims remain.
In March 2020, the Company received notification of a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “EEOC”) complaint claiming sexual harassment and assault. On July 5, 2023, the EEOC issued a determination letter declining to investigate the matter further and issued a right to sue letter. On September 29, 2023, the claimant filed a lawsuit. The suit is in the early stages and the Company is currently working through initial responses.
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 $0.5 million 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 1, 2024, the Company has $5.7 million in conditional purchase obligations over the next 12 months.
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