CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. (Form: 10-K, Received: 03/11/2021 17:21:46)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K


☒			ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2021


☐			TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ___________ to ____________

Commission File Number: 001-33174

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)



Delaware		83-3804854
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

968 James Street
Syracuse,	New York	13203
(Address of principal executive office)		(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (315) 424-0513

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $.01 per share

TAST

The NASDAQ Global Market

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ý 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.


Large accelerated filer	o	Accelerated filer	x

Non-accelerated filer	o	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. ý

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

As of March 3, 2021, Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. had 53,337,104 shares of its common stock, $.01 par value, outstanding. The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates as of July 1, 2020 of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. was $178,742,600.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the registrant's definitive Proxy Statement for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc's 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is

expected to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A no later than 120 days after the conclusion of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s fiscal year ended

January 3, 2021, are incorporated by reference into Part III of this annual report.

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

FORM 10-K

YEAR ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021



		Page
PART I
Item 1	Business	3
Item 1A	Risk Factors	18
Item 1B	Unresolved Staff Comments	31
Item 2	Properties	32
Item 3	Legal Proceedings	32
Item 4	Mine Safety Disclosures	32

PART II
Item 5	Market for the Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities	32
Item 6	Selected Financial Data	35
Item 7	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	39
Item 7A	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	63
Item 8	Financial Statements and Supplementary Data	63
Item 9	Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure	63
Item 9A	Controls and Procedures	63
Item 9B	Other Information	66

PART III
Item 10	Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance	67
Item 11	Executive Compensation	67
Item 12	Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters	67
Item 13	Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence	67
Item 14	Principal Accountant Fees and Services	67

PART IV
Item 15	Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule	68
Item 16	Form 10-K Summary	73

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

PART I

Throughout this Annual Report on Form 10-K we refer to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. as “Carrols Restaurant Group” and, together with its direct and indirect consolidated subsidiaries, as “we”, “our”, “us” and the "Company" unless otherwise indicated or the context otherwise requires. Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. is a holding company and conducts all of our operations through our wholly-owned subsidiaries Carrols Corporation (“Carrols”) and Carrols' wholly-owned subsidiary, Carrols LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Carrols LLC's wholly-owned subsidiary Republic Foods, Inc., a Maryland corporation ("Republic Foods"), and effective on April 30, 2019, New CFH, LLC and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. New CFH LLC's material direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries include Frayser Quality, LLC and Nashville Quality, LLC (together with New CFH LLC's immaterial subsidiaries, collectively, "New CFH"). Unless the context otherwise requires, Carrols Restaurant Group and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company.” All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

We use a 52 or 53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. Our fiscal years ended January 1, 2017, December 31, 2017, December 30, 2018 and December 29, 2019 each contained 52 weeks. Our fiscal year ended January 3, 2021 contained 53 weeks.

At January 3, 2021 we operated, as franchisee, 1,009 Burger King® restaurants in 23 Northeastern, Midwestern, Southcentral and Southeastern states and 65 Popeyes® restaurants in seven Southeastern states.

In this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we refer to information, forecasts and statistics regarding the restaurant industry and to information, forecasts and statistics from Nation's Restaurant News, the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. We operate our Burger King® restaurants under franchise agreements with Burger King Corporation ("BKC") and our Popeyes® restaurants under franchise agreements with Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. ("PLK"). Any reference to "BKC" in this Annual Report on Form 10-K refers to Burger King Corporation and its parent company Restaurant Brands International, Inc., which is sometimes referred to as "RBI." Any reference to PLK refers to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. and its indirect parent company, RBI. Unless otherwise indicated, information regarding Burger King, BKC, Popeyes and PLK in this Annual Report on Form 10-K has been made publicly available by RBI.

This 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K contains statements which constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Statements that are predictive in nature or that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions are forward-looking statements. Words such as “may”, “might”, “will”, “should”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “expect”, “intend”, “estimate”, “hope”, “plan” or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In addition, expressions of our strategies, intentions; plans or guidance are also forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's best judgment based on current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties, both known and unknown. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their date. Actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, included but not limited to, the factors discussed in Item 1A-Risk Factors. We believe important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations include the following, in addition to other risks and uncertainties discussed herein:

•The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;

•Effectiveness of the Burger King® and Popeyes® advertising programs and the overall success of the Burger King® brand;

•Increases in food costs and other commodity costs;

•Competitive conditions, including pricing pressures, discounting, aggressive marketing and the potential impact of competitors’ new unit openings and promotions on sales of our restaurants;

•Our ability to integrate any restaurants we acquire;

•Regulatory factors;

•Environmental conditions and regulations;

•General economic conditions, particularly in the retail sector;

•Weather conditions;

•Fuel prices;

•Significant disruptions in service or supply by any of our suppliers or distributors;

•Changes in consumer perception of dietary health and food safety;

•Labor and employment benefit costs, including the effects of minimum wage increases, healthcare reform and changes in the Fair Labor Standards Act;

•The outcome of pending or future legal claims or proceedings;

•Our ability to manage our growth and successfully implement our business strategy;

•Our ability to service our indebtedness;

•Our borrowing costs and credit ratings, which may be influenced by the credit ratings of our competitors;

•The availability and terms of necessary or desirable financing or refinancing and other related risks and uncertainties;

•Factors that affect the restaurant industry generally, including recalls if products become adulterated or misbranded, liability if our products cause injury, ingredient disclosure and labeling laws and regulations, reports of cases of food borne illnesses such as “mad cow” disease, and the possibility that consumers could lose confidence in the safety and quality of certain food products as well as negative publicity regarding food quality, illness, injury or other health concerns; and

•Other factors discussed under Item 1A - "Risk Factors" and elsewhere herein.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

Overview

Our Company

We are one of the largest restaurant companies in the United States and have been operating restaurants for more than 60 years. We are the largest Burger King® franchisee in the United States, based on number of restaurants, and have operated Burger King restaurants since 1976. As of January 3, 2021, we operated 1,009 Burger King® restaurants located in 23 Northeastern, Midwestern, Southcentral and Southeastern states and 65 Popeyes® restaurants in seven Southeastern states.

For a discussion of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, please refer to "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".

Burger King. Burger King restaurants feature the popular flame-broiled Whopper® sandwich, as well as a variety of hamburgers, chicken and other specialty sandwiches, french fries, salads, breakfast items, snacks, soft drinks and other offerings. We believe that our size, seasoned management team, extensive operating infrastructure, experience and proven operating disciplines differentiate us from many of our competitors as well as many other Burger King operators.

According to RBI, as of December 31, 2020 there were a total of 18,625 Burger King restaurants, of which almost all were franchised and 7,081 were located in the United States. Burger King is the second largest quick service hamburger restaurant chain in the world (as measured by number of restaurants) and we believe that the Burger King brand is one of the world's most recognized consumer brands. Burger King restaurants have a distinctive image and are generally located in high-traffic areas throughout the United States. Burger King restaurants are designed to appeal to a broad spectrum of consumers, with multiple day-part meal segments targeted to different groups of consumers. We believe that the competitive attributes of Burger King restaurants include significant brand recognition, convenience of location, quality, speed of service and price.

We operate our restaurants under franchise agreements with BKC. Our Burger King restaurants are typically open seven days per week and generally have operating hours ranging from 6:00 am to midnight on Sunday to Wednesday and to 1:00AM on Thursday to Saturday. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020, we reduced operating hours at many of our Burger King restaurants, primarily breakfast and late night. By the end of 2020, we had restored operating hours at our Burger King restaurants with the exception of late night, where we are closing a few hours earlier than pre-pandemic operations due to decreased local demand.

Our existing restaurants consist of one of several building types with various seating capacities. Our typical freestanding restaurant contains approximately 2,600 square feet with seating capacity for 60 to 70 guests, has drive-thru service windows and adjacent parking areas. As of January 3, 2021, almost all of our restaurants were freestanding.

Popeyes. Popeyes Restaurants are quick-service restaurants offering primarily a limited menu of lunch and dinner products, and in certain restaurants breakfast products. Popeyes distinguishes itself with a unique “Louisiana” style menu that features a fried chicken sandwich, spicy chicken, chicken tenders, biscuits, fried shrimp and other seafood, red beans and rice and other quick-service menu items. According to RBI, as of December 31, 2020, there were 3,451 Popeyes restaurants worldwide and 2,608 Popeyes restaurants in the United States.

Our Popeyes restaurants are generally freestanding locations with approximately 2,500 to 3,200 square feet with seating capacity for 50 to 60 guests and a drive-thru. Our Popeyes restaurants are typically open seven days per week with operating hours of 10:00 am to 10:00 pm Sunday through Thursday and 10:00 am to 11:00 pm on Friday and Saturday. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020, we reduced operating hours at many of our Popeyes restaurants, primarily late night. By the end of 2020, we had restored operating hours at our Popeyes restaurants with the exception of a few locations where we are still closing a few hours earlier than pre-pandemic operations due to decreased local demand.

During 2019, we acquired 234 restaurants in three separate transactions. During 2018, we acquired a total of 44 restaurants from other franchisees in four separate transactions. During 2017, we acquired a total of 64 restaurants in three separate transactions.

For the fiscal year ended January 3, 2021, our restaurants generated total restaurant sales of $1,547.5 million, which included $28.4 million from the 53rd week in 2020 and was impacted by significant sales declines we experienced in March (-16.8%) and April (-21.7%) of 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. In fiscal 2020, comparable restaurant sales at our Burger King restaurants decreased 2.8% and at our Popeyes restaurants decreased 0.1%. Our average annual restaurant sales for all restaurants were approximately $1.4 million per restaurant in fiscal 2020.

2019 Cambridge Acquisition. On April 30, 2019, we completed a merger with New CFH, a former subsidiary of Cambridge Franchise Holdings, LLC ("Cambridge"), and acquired 165 Burger King® restaurants, 55 Popeyes® restaurants and six convenience stores (the "Cambridge Acquisition"). Cambridge received a total of approximately 14.9 million shares of our common stock, after the automatic conversion of 10,000 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock that Cambridge initially received in the Cambridge Acquisition. All shares of common stock issued to Cambridge are subject to a two year restriction on sale or transfer subject to certain limited exceptions. As part of the transaction, Cambridge designated two Cambridge executives who joined the Company's Board of Directors upon completion of the Cambridge Acquisition.

Area Development Agreements. The Company, Carrols, Carrols LLC and BKC entered into a new Area Development Agreement (the "ADA") which commenced on April 30, 2019 and was to end on September 30, 2024 and which superseded the Operating Agreement dated as of May 30, 2012, as amended, between Carrols LLC and BKC. The ADA was amended and restated by all parties on January 4, 2021 (the "Amended ADA").

Under the ADA, Carrols LLC had agreed to open, build and operate a total of 200 new Burger King restaurants including 32 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2020, 41 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2021, 41 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2022, 40 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2023 and 39 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2024, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the ADA. Carrols LLC had also agreed under the ADA to remodel or upgrade a total of 748 Burger King restaurants to BKC’s Burger King of Tomorrow restaurant image, including 130 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2020, 118 additional Burger King restaurants by September

30, 2021, 131 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2022, 138 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2023 and 141 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2024, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the ADA.

These development commitments were substantially reduced in the Amended ADA. Pursuant to the Amended ADA, Carrols LLC agreed to open, build and operate a total of 50 new Burger King restaurants, 80% of which must be in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. This includes four Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2021, 10 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2022, 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2023, 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2024 and 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2025.

In addition, pursuant to the Amended ADA, BKC granted Carrols LLC franchise pre-approval to build new Burger King restaurants or acquire Burger King restaurants from Burger King franchisees with respect to 500 Burger King restaurants in the aggregate in (i) Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana (excluding certain geographic areas in Indiana) and (ii) (a) 16 states, which include Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont and Virginia (subject to certain exceptions for certain limited geographic areas within certain states) and (b) any other geographic locations that Carrols LLC enters after the commencement date of the Amended ADA pursuant to BKC procedures subject to certain limitations.

Pursuant to the ADA and for a cost of $3.0 million, BKC had assigned to Carrols LLC the right of first refusal on the sale of franchisee-operated restaurants in 16 states and a limited number of counties in four additional states, and granted franchise pre-approval to acquire Burger King restaurants until the date that we have acquired more than an aggregate of an additional 500 Burger King restaurants excluding those restaurants we acquired in the Cambridge Acquisition ("ADA ROFR"). The ADA ROFR was terminated in connection with the Amended ADA and an impairment charge of $2.0 million for the unamortized value remaining from the payment for the ADA ROFR was recorded in 2020.

BKC agreed to contribute $10 million to $12 million for upgrades of approximately 50 to 60 Burger King restaurants in 2019 and 2020 where BKC is the landlord on the lease for such Burger King restaurants operated by Carrols LLC or an affiliate. Most of these restaurants had already been remodeled to the 20/20 image. We received $10.0 million from BKC under this arrangement in 2019.

On October 1 of each year following the commencement date of the ADA, Carrols LLC was required to pay BKC pre-paid franchise fees in the following amounts to be applied to new Burger King restaurants opened and operated by Carrols LLC: (a) $350,000 on the commencement date of the ADA, (b) $1,600,000 on October 1, 2019, (c) $2,050,000 on October 1, 2020, (d) $2,050,000 on October 1, 2021, (e) $2,000,000 on October 1, 2022 and (f) $1,950,000 on October 1, 2023. The Amended ADA eliminated the requirement for any prepayments due and payable on and after October 1, 2020, and the $0.6 million balance of prepaid franchise fees paid under the ADA that had not yet been applied to new restaurant development was forfeited.

Through the Cambridge Acquisition, we have also assumed a development agreement for Popeyes, which includes an assignment by PLK of its right of first refusal under its franchise agreements with its franchisees for acquisitions in two southern states, as well as a development commitment to open, build and operate approximately 80 new Popeyes® restaurants over six years.

Our Competitive Strengths

We believe we have the following competitive strengths:

Largest Burger King Franchisee in the United States. We are the largest Burger King franchisee in the United States based on number of restaurants, and believe we are well positioned to leverage the scale and marketing of one of the most recognized brands in the restaurant industry. We believe the geographic dispersion of our restaurants provides us with stability and enhanced growth opportunities in many of the markets in which we operate. We also believe that our large number of restaurants increases our ability to effectively manage the awareness of the Burger King brand in certain markets through our ability to influence local advertising and promotional activities.

Operational Expertise. We have been operating Burger King restaurants since 1976 and have developed sophisticated information and operating systems that enable us to measure and monitor key metrics for operational performance, sales and profitability that may not be available to other restaurant operators. Our focus on leveraging our operational expertise, infrastructure and systems allows us to optimize the performance of our restaurants and restaurants that we may acquire or open. Our size and history with the Burger King brand enable us to effectively track operating metrics and leverage best practices across our organization. We believe that our experienced management team, operating culture, effective operating systems and infrastructure enable us to operate more efficiently than many other Burger King operators. We also believe we will be able to leverage our operational expertise to the Popeyes restaurants acquired in 2019.

Consistent Operating History and Financial Strength. We believe that the quality and sophistication of our restaurant operations have helped drive our strong restaurant level performance. Comparable restaurant sales for our restaurants have generally outperformed the Burger King system. Our strong restaurant level operations coupled with our financial management capabilities have resulted in consistent and stable cash flows under most economic circumstances. We have demonstrated our ability to prudently manage our capital structure and financial leverage through a variety of economic cycles. We believe that our cash flow from operations, cash balances and the availability of revolving credit borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities are sufficient to fund our ongoing operations and capital expenditures.

Two Distinct Brands with Global Recognition, Innovative Marketing and New Product Development. As a Burger King franchisee, we benefit from, and rely on, BKC's extensive marketing, advertising and product development capabilities to drive sales and generate increased restaurant traffic. Over the years, BKC has launched innovative and creative multimedia advertising campaigns and products that highlight the relevance of the Burger King brand. BKC has also introduced promotions that leverage both value and premium menu offerings as well as providing a platform for new premium sandwich offerings. We believe these campaigns continue to positively impact the brand today as BKC focuses on offering a well-balanced value menu and premium sandwich promotional mix and remains committed to new product launches, including a new hand-breaded crispy chicken sandwich and limited time offers, both of which continue to show positive trends. BKC is also working with franchisees throughout the system to encourage the renovation and remodeling of restaurants to BKC's current image, which we believe will continue to increase customer traffic and restaurant sales. In 2020, BKC assisted with the Company’s launch of delivery options for our guests. BKC negotiated distribution and operational agreements with major delivery platform providers and introduced its own white label mobile application that allowed us to quickly provide this option to our guests. In 2021, BKC is launching a loyalty program for use by its franchisees that we believe will reduce coupon clutter and provide incentives for guests to visit our restaurants with greater frequency and during lower traffic periods.

With regard to the Popeyes brand, which is owned by PLK, a subsidiary of RBI, the successful development and launch of a new chicken sandwich in 2019 has not only driven higher sales but we believe has also attracted a new demographic of guests to the existing customer base which will enhance restaurant sales and new restaurant development opportunities.

Strategic Relationship with Burger King Corporation and RBI. We believe that the structure of the 2012 acquisition of 278 restaurants from BKC and the 2019 Cambridge Acquisition strengthened our well-established relationship with BKC and RBI and has further aligned our common interests to grow our business. In 2021, we intend to continue to expand our restaurant base over the long term by making selective acquisitions under our pre-approval rights. The consideration to BKC associated with the 2012 acquisition included a preferred stock equity interest in Carrols Restaurant Group, which is held by BKC Stockholders (as defined below) and convertible into approximately 15.0% of the outstanding shares of our common stock (after giving effect to such conversion). Since the 2012 acquisition, two of BKC's or RBI's senior executives have served on our Board of Directors. Christopher Finazzo, President of BKC, Americas and Matthew Dunnigan, Chief Financial Officer of Restaurant Brands International Inc., the indirect parent company of BKC, currently serve on our Board of Directors. Our restaurants represented approximately 14.2% of the Burger King locations in the United States as of January 3, 2021. We believe that the combination of our rights under the Amended ADA, RBI's equity interest and its board level

representation will continue to reinforce the alignment of our common interests with BKC and Popeyes over the long term.

Experienced Burger King Management Team with a Proven Track Record. We believe that our senior management team's extensive experience in the restaurant industry and its long and successful history of developing, acquiring, integrating and operating quick-service restaurants provide us with a competitive advantage. Our management team has a successful history of integrating acquired restaurants, and over the past 20 years, we have significantly increased the number of Burger King restaurants we own and operate, largely through acquisitions. Our operations are overseen by our Chief Executive Officer, Dan Accordino, who has over 45 years of Burger King and quick-service restaurant experience, and our new Chief Operating Officer, Carl Hauch, who joined us in February of 2021 and has over 20 years of experience in restaurant and retail operations, most recently in the Wendy's system. Additionally, we have two Burger King Divisional Vice Presidents and 13 Regional Directors that collectively have an average of 22 years of Burger King restaurant experience. Our 148 Burger King district managers, who have an average tenure of over 16 years in the Burger King system, support the Regional Directors. Our operations management is further supported by our infrastructure of financial, information systems, real estate, human resources and legal professionals.

Multiple Growth Levers. We believe our historical track record of acquiring and integrating restaurants and our long-term strategy to remodel, upgrade and open new restaurants provide multiple avenues to grow our business. With more than 60 years of restaurant operating experience, we have successfully grown our business through acquisitions and integrated the restaurants we acquired. We have experienced increases in comparable restaurant sales, increased restaurant-level profitability and improved operating metrics at the restaurants we have acquired in the last five years.

Our Business Strategies

Our primary business strategies are as follows:

Selectively Acquire and Develop Additional Burger King and Popeyes Restaurants. After enduring the challenges 2020 brought to our industry as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have substantially improved our liquidity position, we have reduced our near-term capital expenditure requirements and we continue to deleverage. As a result, we believe we have the flexibility to grow our business organically and through acquisitions in a manner that will optimize our growth potential while generating consistent and enhanced free cash flow and keeping our leverage in check.

As of January 3, 2021, we operated 1,009 Burger King restaurants, making us the largest Burger King franchisee in the United States, and 65 Popeyes® restaurants. Under our Amended ADA with BKC, we are pre-approved to acquire up to 500 Burger King restaurants in territories where we currently operate and have agreed to build 50 new restaurants over the next five years. Due to the number of restaurants and franchisees in the Burger King system and our historical success in acquiring and integrating restaurants, we believe that there is considerable opportunity for future growth through acquisitions. There are more than 2,000 Burger King restaurants we do not own in states in which we have pre-approval rights. Furthermore, we believe there are additional Burger King restaurants in states beyond our territories that could be attractive acquisition candidates, subject to BKC's approval.

While we may evaluate and discuss potential acquisitions of additional restaurants from time to time, we currently have no understandings, commitments or agreements with respect to any material acquisitions. We may be required to obtain additional financing to fund future acquisitions. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing, if necessary, on acceptable terms or at all.

Improve Profitability of Restaurants We Acquire by Leveraging Our Existing Infrastructure and Best-Practices. For acquired restaurants, we believe we can realize benefits from economies of scale, including leveraging our existing infrastructure across a larger number of restaurants. Additionally, we believe that our skilled management team, sophisticated information technology, operating systems and training and development programs support our ability to enhance operating margins at these restaurants. We have demonstrated our ability to increase

the profitability of acquired restaurants and we believe that, over time, we will improve profitability and operational efficiency at the restaurants we have acquired and may acquire in the future.

Increase Restaurant Sales and Customer Traffic. BKC has identified and implemented a number of strategies to increase brand awareness, increase market share, improve overall operations and drive sales. These strategies are central to our strategic objectives to deliver profitable growth.

•Products. The strength of the BKC menu has been built on a distinct flame-grilled cooking platform to make better tasting hamburgers. We believe that BKC intends to continue to optimize the menu by focusing on core products, such as the flagship Whopper® sandwich, while maintaining a balance between value promotions and premium limited time offerings to drive sales and traffic. Recent product innovation has included the new hand-breaded Chicken Sandwich and the Impossible Whopper, a vegetable based product that has attracted new customers. The new hand-breaded Chicken Sandwich is one of the largest anticipated product introductions to our menu. In addition, BKC has implemented a multi-tier balanced marketing approach with value and premium offerings, pairing value promotions with premium sandwich offerings. Promotional initiatives in 2020 included the 2 for $6 Mix and Match, the 2 for $5 Mix and Match, and the 2 for $4 and 2 for $5 Biscuit/Croissan'wich. In 2021, we are looking forward to a new Value Menu featuring the $1.00 Bacon Cheeseburger as well as the Sourdough platform which includes the Sourdough KING and a new Sourdough Breakfast Sandwich. BKC intends to accelerate the breakfast daypart with a new French Toast Sandwich. In 2021, BKC also intends to introduce a new loyalty program entitled “Royal Perks” to entice guests to visit more often and receive personalized offers. These new platforms in addition to recent quality improvements support BKC's strategy to appeal to a broader consumer base and to increase restaurant sales.

•Image. We believe that re-imaged restaurants increase curb appeal and result in increased restaurant sales. BKC's current restaurant image features a fresh, sleek, eye-catching design which incorporates easy-to-navigate digital menu boards in the dining room, streamlined merchandising at the drive-thru and flat screen televisions in the dining area. We believe that restaurant remodeling has improved our guests' dining experience and increased customer traffic. We believe the customer experience will be further enhanced from the upgrades to the Burger King of Tomorrow image that include a double drive-thru (where applicable), certain modifications to the exterior image and the installation of exterior digital menu boards.

•Advertising and Promotion. We believe that we will benefit from BKC's advertising support of its menu items, product enhancement and re-imaging initiatives. BKC has established a data driven marketing process which has focused on driving restaurant sales and traffic, while targeting a broad consumer base with inclusive messaging. This strategy uses multiple touch points to advertise our products, including digital advertising, social media and mobile display, in addition to traditional television advertising and streaming audio. BKC has a food-centric marketing strategy which focuses consumers on the food offerings, the core asset, and balances value promotions and premium limited time offerings to drive profitable restaurant sales and traffic.

•Operations. We believe that improving restaurant operations and enhancing the customer experience are key components to increasing the profitability of our restaurants. We believe we will benefit from BKC's ongoing initiatives to improve food quality, simplify restaurant level execution, reduce restaurant labor costs and monitor operational performance, all of which are designed to improve the customer experience and increase customer traffic. In 2020, BKC implemented delivery services with major delivery providers as well as through its own mobile app. By the end of 2020, we were providing fully integrated delivery services at approximately 890 of our Burger King restaurants, based on the geographic availability of delivery services.

Restaurant Economics

Selected restaurant operating data for our restaurants is as follows:


	Year Ended
	December 30, 2018			December 29, 2019			January 3, 2021
Average annual sales per restaurant (1)	$	1,449,047		$	1,454,654		$	1,435,531
Average sales transaction	$	7.37		$	7.62		$	8.63
Drive-through sales as a percentage of total sales	68.4		%	68.2		%	86.1		%
Day-part sales percentages:
Breakfast	13.5		%	13.0		%	11.5		%
Lunch	31.9		%	31.7		%	32.6		%
Dinner	20.9		%	21.5		%	22.6		%
Afternoon	19.9		%	20.1		%	22.0		%
Late night	13.8		%	13.7		%	11.3		%

(1)Average annual sales per restaurant are derived by dividing restaurant sales by the average number of restaurants operating during the period on a 52-week basis for the years ended December 30, 2018 and December 29, 2019 or 53-week basis for the year ended January 3, 2021.

Restaurant Capital Costs

The initial cost of the franchise fee, equipment, seating, signage and other interior costs of a standard new Burger King and Popeyes restaurant currently is approximately $500,000 (which excludes the cost of land, the building and site improvements). In the markets in which we operate, the cost of land generally ranges from $500,000 to $1,200,000 for Burger King restaurants and $500,000 to $1,000,000 for Popeyes restaurants and the cost of building and site improvements generally ranges from $1,000,000 to $1,800,000 for both Burger King and Popeyes restaurants.

With respect to the development of freestanding restaurants, if we acquire land and construct the building, we typically seek to thereafter enter into an arrangement to sell and leaseback the land and building under a long-term lease. Historically, we have been able to acquire and finance many of our locations under such leasing arrangements. Where we are unable to purchase the underlying land, we enter into a long-term lease for the land followed by construction of the building using cash generated from our operations or with borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities (as defined below).

The cost of securing real estate and developing and equipping new restaurants can vary significantly and depends on a number of factors, including local economic conditions and the characteristics of a particular site. Accordingly, the cost of opening new restaurants in the future may differ substantially from the historical cost of restaurants previously opened and the estimated costs above.

BKC's current image restaurant design draws inspiration from its signature flame-grilled cooking process and incorporates a variety of innovative elements to a backdrop that evokes the warm and welcoming look of the outdoors including corrugated metal, brick, wood and concrete. The cost of remodeling a restaurant to the BKC current image varies depending upon the age and condition of the restaurant and the amount of new equipment needed and can range from $600,000 to $1,400,000 per restaurant with an average cost of approximately $1.1 million per restaurant in 2020. The total cost of a remodel has increased over time due to construction cost increases, the addition of a second drive-thru lane at certain locations and the replacement of certain kitchen equipment at the time of the remodel which is incremental to the cost to upgrade to the BKC current image design. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Recent and Future Events Affecting our Results of Operations".

Site Selection

We believe that the location of our restaurants is a critical component of each restaurant's success. We evaluate potential new sites on many critical criteria including accessibility, visibility, costs, surrounding traffic patterns, competition and demographic characteristics. Our senior management approves the viability of all acquisition prospects and new sites, based upon analyses prepared by our real estate, financial and operations professionals and our return on investment requirements.

Seasonality

Our business is moderately seasonal due to regional weather conditions. Due to the location of our restaurants, sales are generally higher during the summer months than during the winter months.

Restaurant Locations

The following table details the locations of our 1,009 Burger King restaurants as of January 3, 2021:


State			Total Restaurants
Alabama			6
Arkansas			9
Georgia			2
Illinois			16
Indiana			92
Kentucky			41
Louisiana			17
Maine			15
Maryland			29
Massachusetts			1
Michigan			51
Mississippi			33
Missouri			1
New Jersey			10
New York			125
North Carolina			157
Ohio			116
Pennsylvania			61
South Carolina			42
Tennessee			109
Vermont			6
Virginia			66
West Virginia			4
Total			1,009

The following table details the locations of our 65 Popeyes restaurants as of January 3, 2021:


State			Total Restaurants
Arkansas			2
Indiana			3
Kentucky			3
Louisiana			5
Mississippi			33
Tennessee			18
Virginia			1
Total			65

Operations

Management Structure

We conduct substantially all of our executive management, finance, marketing and operations support functions from our corporate headquarters in Syracuse, New York. Carrols Restaurant Group is led by our Chief Executive Officer and President, Daniel T. Accordino, who has over 45 years of Burger King and quick-service restaurant experience at our company.

Operations for our Burger King restaurants are overseen by our new Chief Operating Officer, Carl Hauch, who joined us in February of 2021 and has over 20 years of experience in restaurant and retail operations, most recently in the Wendy's system, as well as two Division Vice Presidents and 13 Regional Directors that have an average of 22 years of Burger King restaurant experience. Our 148 district managers support the Regional Directors in the management of our Burger King restaurants. Operations for our Popeyes restaurants are overseen by two Regional Directors and nine district managers.

A district manager is responsible for the direct oversight of the day-to-day operations of an average of approximately seven to eight restaurants. Typically, district managers have previously served as restaurant managers at one of our restaurants. Regional directors, district managers and restaurant managers are compensated with a fixed salary plus an incentive bonus based upon the performance of the restaurants under their supervision, and for our regional directors and district managers, the combined performance of all of our restaurants. Most often, our restaurants are staffed with hourly employees who are supervised by a salaried general manager and one to three assistant managers.

Management Information Systems

Our management information systems provide us with the ability to efficiently and effectively manage our restaurants and to ensure the consistent application of operating controls at our restaurants. Our size affords us the ability to maintain an in-house staff of information technology and restaurant systems professionals dedicated to continuously enhancing our systems. In addition, these capabilities allow us to quickly integrate restaurants that we acquire and achieve greater economies of scale and operating efficiencies.

We typically replace the POS systems at restaurants we acquire shortly after acquisition and implement our POS, labor and inventory management systems. Our restaurants employ touch-screen POS systems that are designed to facilitate accuracy and speed of order taking. These systems are user-friendly, require limited cashier training and improve speed-of-service through the use of conversational order-taking techniques. The POS systems are integrated with PC-based applications at the restaurant and hosted systems at our corporate office that are designed to facilitate financial and management control of our restaurant operations.

Our restaurant systems provide daily tracking and reporting of traffic counts, menu item sales, labor and food data including costs and inventories, and other key operating metrics for each restaurant. We communicate electronically with our restaurants on a continuous basis via a high-speed data network, which enables us to collect this information for use in our corporate management systems in near real-time. Our corporate headquarters manages systems that support all of our accounting, operating and reporting systems. We also operate a 24-hour, seven-day help desk at our corporate headquarters that enables us to provide systems and operational support to our restaurant operations as required. Among other things, our restaurant information systems provide us with the ability to:

•monitor labor utilization and sales trends on a real-time basis at each restaurant, enabling the restaurant manager to effectively manage to our established labor standards on a timely basis;

•reduce inventory shrinkage using restaurant-level inventory management systems and daily reporting of inventory variances;

•analyze sales and product mix data to help restaurant managers forecast production levels throughout the day;

•monitor day-part drive-thru speed of service at each of our restaurants;

•allow the restaurant manager to produce day-part labor schedules based on the restaurant's historical sales patterns;

•systematically communicate human resource and payroll data to our administrative offices for efficient centralized management of labor costs and payroll processing;

•allow customers to place mobile and third-party delivery orders that integrate directly with the point-of-sale system;

•employ centralized control over pricing, menu and inventory management activities at the restaurant utilizing the remote management capabilities of our systems;

•take advantage of electronic commerce including the ability to place orders with suppliers and to integrate detailed invoice, receiving and product data with our inventory and accounting systems;

•provide analyses, reporting and tools to enable all levels of management to review a wide-range of financial, product mix and operational data; and

•systematically analyze and report on detailed transactional data to help detect and identify potential theft.

Critical information from our systems is available in near real-time to our restaurant managers, who are expected to react quickly to trends or situations in their restaurants. Our district managers also receive near real-time information for their respective restaurants and have access to key operating data on a remote basis using our corporate intranet-based reporting. Management personnel at all levels, from the restaurant manager through senior management, utilize and monitor key restaurant performance indicators that are also included in our restaurant-level incentive bonus plans.

Burger King and Popeyes Franchise Agreements

Each of our Burger King restaurants operates under a separate franchise agreement with BKC. Each of our Popeyes restaurants operates under a separate franchise agreement with PLK. Our franchise agreements with BKC and PLK generally require, among other things, that all restaurants comply with specified design criteria and operate in a prescribed manner, including utilization of a standard menu. In addition, our Burger King franchise agreements generally require that our restaurants conform to BKC's current image and may provide for updating our restaurants during the tenth year of the agreements to conform to such current image, which may require significant expenditures.

These franchise agreements with BKC and PLK generally provide for an initial term of 20 years and currently have an initial franchise fee of $50,000. In the event that we terminate a franchise agreement and close the related BKC restaurant prior to the expiration of its term, we generally are required to pay BKC an amount based on the net present value of the royalty stream that would have been realized by BKC had such franchise agreement not been terminated. With BKC's and PLK's respective approval, we can elect to extend franchise agreements for additional 20 year terms, provided that the restaurant meets the current restaurant image standard and we are not in default under terms of the franchise agreement. The franchise agreement fee for subsequent renewals for our Burger King and Popeyes restaurants is currently $50,000. BKC or PLK may terminate any of the franchise agreements if an act of default is committed by us under these agreements and such default is not cured. Defaults under the franchise agreements for our Burger King and Popeyes restaurants include, among other things, our failure to operate such restaurant in accordance with the operating standards and specifications established by BKC or PLK (including failure to use equipment, uniforms or decor approved by the respective franchisor), our failure to sell products approved or designated by BKC or PLK, our failure to pay royalties or advertising and sales promotion contributions as required, our unauthorized sale, transfer or assignment of such franchise agreement or the related restaurant, certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to us, conduct by us or our employees that has a harmful effect on the Burger King or Popeyes restaurant system, conviction of us or our executive officers for certain indictable offenses, our failure to maintain a responsible credit rating or our acquisition of an interest in any other hamburger restaurant business. At January 3, 2021, we were not in default under any of our franchise agreements with BKC or PLK.

In order to obtain a successor franchise agreement with BKC and PLK, a franchisee is typically required to make capital improvements to the restaurant to bring it up to BKC's or PLK's current image standards. The cost of these improvements may vary widely depending upon the magnitude of the required changes and the degree to which we have made interim improvements to the restaurant. At January 3, 2021, we had 12 Burger King franchise agreements due to expire in 2021, 14 Burger King franchise agreements due to expire in 2022 and 3 Burger King franchise agreements due to expire in 2023, as well as 32 that expired prior to the end of 2020. At January 3, 2021 we had two Popeyes franchise agreements set to expire in 2021, four Popeyes franchise agreements set to expire in 2022 and one Popeyes franchise agreement set to expire in 2023, as well as six Popeyes franchise agreements that expired prior to the end of 2020.

We believe that we will be able to satisfy BKC's and PLK's normal franchise agreement renewal criteria. Accordingly, we believe that renewal franchise agreements will be granted on a timely basis by BKC and PLK at

the expiration of our existing franchise agreements. Historically, BKC has granted all of our requests for successor franchise agreements. However, there can be no assurance that BKC and PLK will grant these requests in the future.

In recent years, the historical costs of improving our Burger King restaurants in connection with franchise renewals generally have ranged from $400,000 to $800,000 per restaurant. The average cost of our remodels in 2020 was approximately $1.1 million per restaurant. The cost of remodels can vary depending upon the age and condition of the restaurant and the amount of new equipment needed. The cost of capital improvements made in connection with future franchise agreement renewals may differ substantially from past franchise renewals depending on the current image requirements established from time to time by BKC or PLK.

We evaluate the performance of our Burger King and Popeyes restaurants on an ongoing basis. With respect to franchise renewals, such evaluation depends on many factors, including our assessment of the anticipated future operating results of the subject restaurants and the cost of required capital improvements that we would need to commit for such restaurants. If we determine that a Burger King or Popeyes restaurant is under-performing, or that we do not anticipate an adequate return on the capital investment required to renew the franchise agreement, we may elect to close such restaurant. We may also relocate (offset) a restaurant within its trade area and build a new Burger King or Popeyes restaurant as part of the franchise renewal process. In 2020, we closed 34 Burger King restaurants, including one offset location. We currently expect to close less than five Burger King restaurants in 2021, excluding any relocations of existing restaurants. Our determination to close these restaurants is subject to further evaluation and may change. We may also elect to close additional restaurants in the future.

In addition to the initial franchise fee, we generally pay BKC and PLK a monthly royalty. The royalty rate for new Burger King restaurants and for successor franchise agreements is 4.5% of sales. The royalty rate for new Popeyes restaurants and for successor franchise agreements is 5.0% of sales. Royalty payments for restaurants acquired from other franchisees are based on the terms of existing franchise agreements being acquired, and may be less than 4.5%. Burger King royalties, as a percentage of restaurant sales, were 4.3% in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. We anticipate our Burger King and Popeyes royalties, as a percentage of restaurant sales, will be approximately 4.4% in 2021 as a result of the terms outlined above. Newly constructed Burger King restaurants developed pursuant to the ADA as well as the Amended ADA received and will receive a 1% royalty rate reduction for a four year period and certain remodeled restaurants under the ADA generally received and will receive a 0.75% royalty rate reduction for a five year period.

We also generally contribute 4% of restaurant sales from our Burger King and Popeyes restaurants to fund BKC's and PLK's national and regional advertising. Pursuant to the ADA and Amended ADA, newly constructed Burger King restaurants will receive a 3% advertising contribution reduction for four years and certain remodeled restaurants, excluding upgrades, will receive a 0.75% advertising contribution reduction for a five year period. BKC and PLK engage in substantial national and regional advertising and promotional activities and other efforts to maintain and enhance both brands. From time to time we supplement BKC's marketing with our own local advertising and promotional campaigns. See “Advertising, Products and Promotion” below.

Our franchise agreements with BKC and PLK do not give us exclusive rights to operate Burger King restaurants in any defined territory. Although we believe that BKC generally seeks to ensure that newly granted franchises do not materially adversely affect the operations of existing Burger King restaurants, we cannot assure you that franchises granted by BKC to third parties will not adversely affect any Burger King restaurants that we operate.

Advertising, Products and Promotion

BKC's marketing strategy is characterized by its HAVE IT YOUR WAY® service, TASTE IS KING® tag line, flame grilling, generous portions and competitive prices. Burger King restaurants feature flame-grilled hamburgers, the most popular of which is the Whopper® sandwich, a large, flame-grilled hamburger garnished with mayonnaise, lettuce, onions, pickles and tomatoes. The basic menu of all Burger King restaurants also includes a variety of hamburgers, chicken and other specialty sandwiches, french fries, onion rings, soft drinks, salads, breakfast items, snacks and other offerings. BKC and its franchisees have historically spent between 4% and 5% of their respective sales on marketing, advertising and promotion to sustain high brand awareness. BKC's marketing initiatives are designed to reach a diverse consumer base and BKC has continued to introduce a number of new and enhanced products to broaden menu offerings and drive customer traffic in all day parts.

BKC's and PLK's advertising programs consist of national campaigns supplemented by local advertising. BKC's and PLK's advertising campaigns are generally carried on television, radio and in circulated print media (national and regional newspapers and magazines). As a percentage of our restaurant sales advertising expense was 3.9% in 2020, 4.0% in 2019 and 4.1% in 2018. For 2021, we expect total advertising expense to be approximately 4.0% of total restaurant sales.

The efficiency and quality of advertising and promotional programs can significantly affect the quick-service restaurant businesses. We believe that one of the major advantages of being a Burger King franchisee is the value of the extensive national and regional advertising and promotional programs conducted by BKC. In addition to the benefits derived from BKC's advertising spending, we sometimes supplement BKC's advertising and promotional activities with our own local advertising and promotions, including the purchase of additional television, radio and print advertising. The concentration of our Burger King restaurants in many of our markets permits us to leverage advertising in those markets. We also utilize promotional programs targeted to our customers, such as combination value meals and discounted prices in order to create a flexible and directed marketing program.

Digital

BKC and PLK have invested heavily in launching a digital platform that integrates with major third-party delivery service providers and provides a seamless ordering, payment, delivery and drive thru experience for our guests. In the BKC and PLK platforms, guests can place orders through a website or mobile app and have the product ready for pickup or delivered by a third-party partner. Digital sales, including sales through the delivery platforms plus mobile order and pay, have been a strong growth driver and represented approximately 4.4% of our restaurant sales in the fourth quarter of 2020 and 3.1% of our sales for all of 2020. We are also installing outdoor digital menu boards in all drive thru locations. In 2020, we installed outdoor digital menu boards at 359 Burger King restaurants and expect to complete the remaining installation of outdoor digital menu boards at all of our Burger King and Popeyes restaurants by the first half of 2022. The menu boards integrate with the POS system and allow for artificial intelligence to help optimize the guest experience. BKC and PLK continue to invest in the digital platform and BKC intends to launch its Royal Perks loyalty program in 2021, which will be driven from its mobile app.

Suppliers

We are a member of a national purchasing cooperative, Restaurant Services, Inc., which we refer to as "RSI", created for the Burger King system. RSI is a non-profit independent purchasing cooperative that is responsible for sourcing our products and related supplies and managing relationships with approved distributors for the Burger King system. We use our purchasing power to negotiate directly with certain other vendors, to help obtain favorable pricing and terms for supplying our restaurants. For our Burger King restaurants, we are required to purchase all of our foodstuffs, paper goods and packaging materials from BKC-approved suppliers at prices negotiated by RSI. We currently primarily utilize four distributors, Lineage Foodservice Solutions, LLC, Reinhart Food Service L.L.C, McLane Company Inc., and Performance Foodservice, to supply our Burger King restaurants with the majority of our foodstuffs. As of January 3, 2021, such distributors supplied 34%, 28%, 28% and 10%, respectively, of our Burger King restaurants.

For our Popeyes restaurants we are a member of a national purchasing cooperative, Supply Management Services, Inc. ("SMS"). SMS is a non-profit independent purchasing cooperative that is responsible for sourcing certain of our products and managing relationships with approved distributors for the Popeyes system. Popeyes utilizes five distributors, two for poultry products and three for all other products. For our Popeyes restaurants, one distributor, Tyson Foods, supplies 75% of our poultry products. Another distributor, Customized Distribution Services, Inc. supplies 60 of our Popeyes restaurants with all non- poultry products.

We may purchase non-food items, such as kitchen utensils, equipment maintenance tools and other supplies, from any suitable source so long as such items meet BKC and PLK product uniformity standards. All BKC-approved and PLK-approved distributors are required to purchase foodstuffs and supplies from BKC-approved and PLK-approved manufacturers and purveyors. BKC and PLK are each responsible for monitoring quality control and supervision of the applicable manufacturers. Each conducts regular visits to observe the preparation of foodstuffs and to perform various tests to ensure that only quality foodstuffs are sold to its approved suppliers. In addition, BKC and PLK coordinate and supervise audits of approved suppliers and distributors to determine continuing

product specification compliance and to ensure that manufacturing plant and distribution center standards are met. Although we believe that we have alternative sources of supply available to our restaurants, the failure of a distributor or supplier for our restaurants to service us, could lead to a disruption of service or supply at our restaurants until a new distributor or supplier is engaged, which could have an adverse effect on our business.

Quality Assurance

Our operational focus is closely monitored to achieve a high level of customer satisfaction based on product quality, speed of service, order accuracy and quality of service. Our senior management and restaurant management staffs are principally responsible for ensuring compliance with BKC's and PLK's required operating procedures. We have uniform operating standards and specifications relating to the quality, preparation and selection of menu items, maintenance and cleanliness of the premises and employee conduct. In order to maintain compliance with these operating standards and specifications, we distribute detailed reports measuring compliance with various customer service standards and objectives to our restaurant operations management team, including feedback obtained directly from our customers through instructions given to them at the point of sale. The customer feedback is monitored by an independent agency and us and consists of evaluations of speed of service, quality of service, quality of our menu items and other operational objectives including the cleanliness of our restaurants. We also have our own staff that handle customer inquiries and complaints. The level of customer satisfaction is a key metric in our restaurant-level incentive bonus plans.

We operate in accordance with quality assurance and health standards mandated by federal, state and local governmental laws and regulations. These standards include food preparation rules regarding, among other things, minimum cooking times and temperatures, maximum time standards for holding prepared food, food handling guidelines and cleanliness. To maintain these standards, under BKC's oversight third-party firms conduct unscheduled inspections and follow-up inspections of our restaurants and report their findings to us. In addition, restaurant managers conduct internal inspections for taste, quality, cleanliness and food safety on a regular basis.

Trademarks

As a franchisee of Burger King and Popeyes, we also have contractual rights to use certain trademarks, service marks and other intellectual property relating to the Burger King and Popeyes concepts. We have no proprietary intellectual property other than the Carrols logo and trademark.

Government Regulation

Various federal, state and local laws affect our business, including various health, sanitation, fire and safety standards. Restaurants to be constructed or remodeled are subject to state and local building code and zoning requirements. In connection with the development and remodeling of our restaurants, we may incur costs to meet certain federal, state and local regulations, including regulations promulgated under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

We are subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and various other federal and state laws governing such matters as the handling, preparation and sale of food and beverages; the provision of nutritional information on menu boards; minimum wage requirements; unemployment compensation; overtime; and other working conditions and citizenship requirements.

A significant number of our food service personnel are paid at rates related to the federal, and where applicable, state minimum wage. Accordingly, increases in the minimum wage have increased and in the future will increase wage rates at our restaurants.

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (the “Act”) required businesses employing fifty or more full-time equivalent employees to offer health care benefits to those full-time employees or be subject to an annual penalty. Those benefits must be provided under a health care plan which provides a certain minimum scope of health care services. The Act also limits the portion of the cost of the benefits which we can require employees to pay. Based on our enrollment history to date, approximately 14% of our approximately 3,500 eligible hourly employees have opted for coverage under our medical plan.

We are also subject to various federal, state and local environmental laws, rules and regulations. We believe that we conduct our operations in substantial compliance with applicable environmental laws, rules and regulations.

Our costs for compliance with environmental laws, rules and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial condition in the past.

Industry and Competition

The Restaurant Market. Restaurant sales historically have closely tracked several macroeconomic indicators and we believe that “away-from-home” food consumption will increase due to these trends in recent years. Historically, unemployment has been inversely related to restaurant sales and, as the unemployment rate decreases and disposable income increases, restaurant sales have increased. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, through November 2020 food away from home dollars were 44.8% of nominal food dollars, with total expenditures decreasing 18.3% from the same period in 2019. This reflects changes in the overall restaurant industry as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, but not the quick-service segment. Our sales stabilized in May 2020 as guests have relied on our take-out and delivery service modes.

Quick-Service Restaurants. We operate in the hamburger and chicken categories of the quick-service restaurant segments of the restaurant industry. Quick-service restaurants are distinguished by high speed of service and efficiency, convenience, limited menu and service, and value pricing. According to Nation's Restaurant News, 2019 U.S. foodservice sales for the Top 200 restaurant chains increased 3.8% from 2018 to $313.5 billion. Of this amount, the hamburger category represented $88.8 billion, or 28.3%, making it the largest category of the quick-service segment.

The restaurant industry is highly competitive with respect to price, service, location and food quality. In each of our markets, our restaurants compete with a large number of national and regional restaurant chains, as well as locally owned restaurants, offering low and medium-priced fare. We also compete with operators outside the restaurant industry such as convenience stores, delicatessens and prepared food counters in supermarkets, grocery stores, cafeterias and other purveyors offering moderately priced and quickly prepared foods. Our competitors may also employ marketing strategies such as frequent use of price discounting, frequent promotions and an emphasis on value menus.

We believe that product quality and taste, brand recognition, convenience of location, speed of service, menu variety, price, and ambiance are the most important competitive factors in the quick-service restaurant segment and that our restaurants effectively compete in each category. We believe our largest competitors for our Burger King restaurants are McDonald's and Wendy's and the largest competitors for our Popeyes restaurants are KFC and Chik-fil-A.

Human Capital Management

As of January 3, 2021, we employed approximately 26,500 persons, of which approximately 200 were administrative personnel and approximately 26,300 were restaurant operations personnel. Approximately 75% of our employees are part-time and 80% have been employed by the Company for less than one year. None of our employees are unionized or covered by collective bargaining agreements. We believe that our overall relations with our employees are good and that our efforts to manage our workforce have been effective.

Diversity

We are committed to fostering a culture that encourages diversity and inclusion, and having diverse representation in our workforce. As of January 3, 2021, 56% of our employee base was female and approximately 56% of our employee base was comprised of racial and ethnic minorities.

Training

We maintain a comprehensive training and development program for all of our personnel and provide both classroom and in-restaurant training for our salaried and hourly restaurant personnel. Our program emphasizes, among other things, system-wide operating procedures, food preparation methods, food safety and customer service

standards. BKC's and PLK's training and development programs are also available to us as a franchisee through web access in all of our restaurants.

COVID-19 Response

Throughout the course of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we have been adapting our business in order to continue operating safely, including, among other things, by doing the following:

•To support the health and safety of our employees, beginning in March 2020 we have mandated, among other things, the use of masks, sanitizers and contactless procedures in our restaurants, and have required team members' temperatures be taken at the beginning of each shift.

•We have increased the use of low contact procedures for food delivery, including installation of plexiglass barriers at the front counter and drive thru and the implementation of delivery services.

•We have suspended all non-essential travel for our employees and implemented a work-from-home policy for all non-restaurant personnel.

•We have established a "Carrols Cares" fund to provide immediate relief to employees in need.

Availability of Information

We file annual, quarterly and current reports and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The SEC also maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC at www.sec.gov.

We make available at no cost through our internet website at www.carrols.com, our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports, as well as other reports relating to us that are filed or furnished to the SEC, as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing or furnishing such material with the SEC. The references to our website address and the SEC website address do not constitute incorporation by reference of the information contained on these websites and should not be considered part of this document.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the risks described below, as well as other information and data included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Any of the following risks could materially adversely affect our business, consolidated financial condition or results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Business

We could be materially adversely affected by health concerns such as the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The United States and most other countries have experienced the widespread outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and in the past the Avian Flu or “SARS,” or H1N1. As we have experienced and are experiencing in the current COVID-19 environment:

•If a virus is transmitted by human contact, our employees or customers may become infected, or may choose, or be advised, to avoid gathering in public places, any of which may adversely affect our restaurant customer traffic and our ability to adequately staff our restaurants, receive deliveries on a timely basis or perform functions at the corporate level. These are all areas that have been impacted during the second quarter of 2020 and continue to be challenges in the near-term for our business. The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted our customer traffic, and we have had to take immediate actions to shift focus to our drive-thru, carry-out and delivery service modes. We have also experienced significant staffing challenges, both as a result of employee exposure to COVID-19 as well as the hourly workforce being disincentivized by federal, state and local unemployment benefits and fearful of the workplace.

•We also may be adversely affected if jurisdictions in which we have restaurants impose or continue to impose mandatory closures, seek or continue to seek voluntary closures or impose or continue to impose restrictions on operations. Even if such measures are not implemented and a virus or other disease does not

spread significantly, the perceived risk of infection or significant health risk may adversely affect our business. During the second quarter of 2020, we did see frequent changes to our restaurants' operating hours, as a result of shifting consumer behavior as well as public safety measures mandated by local jurisdictions. In March 2020, we closed the dining rooms in all our restaurants and modified operating hours in line with local ordinances and day-part sales trends. These closures were in effect for most of the second quarter of 2020, with each restaurant operating according to their respective local governmental guidelines as well as safety procedures developed by BKC and PLK. As individual states and local governments have allowed reopenings, we have continually evaluated the opportunity to re-open dining rooms. In most cases, consumers have not been eager to return to dining rooms, and restaurant sales in the third quarter of 2020 included approximately 1% of eat-in traffic.

•Lower customer traffic as experienced in the immediate onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in our markets may not provide enough revenue to cover the fixed operating costs of our restaurants. We temporarily closed 46 restaurants in late March 2020 and early April 2020 that were geographically close to one of our other restaurants, and these closures were in effect for most of the second quarter of 2020. Due to restaurant sales improvements after the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, we had reopened all of the temporarily closed restaurants by the end of 2020 except for two restaurants which were permanently closed in the third quarter. While most of these closures were temporary, our business remains sensitive to operating in environments with prolonged sales declines of the magnitude we saw in the first weeks of the pandemic.

•We will incur incremental costs for an indefinite period of time to provide safety to our guests and our employees in the form of masks, sanitizers and thermometers as well as additional labor to continuously sanitize our restaurants. Throughout the course of this evolving COVID-19 outbreak, we have been adapting our business in order to continue operating safely. To support the health and safety of our employees and customers, among other things, we mandated the use of masks, sanitizers and contactless procedures in our restaurants, and have required temperature checks at the beginning of each shift for our team members. During the year ended January 3, 2021, we incurred $2.7 million in expenses directly related to COVID-19 related supplies, including face masks, thermometers, sneeze guards and sanitizers.

•The uncertain economic environment that we are operating in now has required us to enhance our liquidity and bolster our balance sheet. In the first quarter of 2020 we borrowed on our Revolving Credit Facility to protect against a prolonged pandemic coupled with financial market illiquidity. We also increased our revolving credit borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility by $30.8 million to a total of $145.8 million, and incurred Incremental Term B-1 Loans of $75 million.

•Our financial performance depends on our continuing ability to offer fresh, quality food at competitive prices. A significant disruption in service or supply by our suppliers or distributors could create disruptions in the operations of our restaurants and adversely affect our business. During the second quarter of 2020, we were subject to a limited menu in some markets due to limited product available from one of our suppliers and in some instances, deliveries were delayed due to the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic. A more significant disruption in service or supply by our suppliers or distributors due to the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses, whether from employees at these facilities contracting the COVID-19 virus, their own business suffering due to their inability to operate in the COVID-19 economic environment, or their own financial instability could have a material adverse effect on our business.

A health pandemic such as COVID-19 is a disease outbreak that has spread rapidly and widely by infection and has affected many individuals in areas of population density. Our restaurants are places where people can gather together for human connection. Customers might avoid or be advised to not gather in public places in the event of a health pandemic, and local, regional or national governments might continue or further limit or ban public gatherings to halt or delay the spread of disease. The impact of a health pandemic on us might be disproportionately greater than on other quick-service concepts that have lower customer traffic and that depend less on the gathering of people.

In addition, we cannot guarantee that changes to our operational policies and training will be effective to keep our employees and customers safe from the COVID-19 virus. Any publicity relating to health concerns or perceived or specific outbreaks of COVID-19 attributed to one or more of our restaurants, could result in a significant

decrease in guest traffic in all of our restaurants and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Furthermore, similar publicity or occurrences with respect to other restaurants or restaurant chains could also decrease our guest traffic and have a similar material adverse effect on our business.

Intense competition in the restaurant industry could make it more difficult to profitably expand our business and could also have a negative impact on our operating results if customers favor our competitors or we are forced to change our pricing and other marketing strategies.

The restaurant industry is highly competitive. In each of our markets, our restaurants compete with a large number of national and regional restaurant chains, as well as locally owned restaurants, offering low and medium-priced fare. We also compete with other convenience stores, delicatessens and prepared food counters in grocery stores, supermarkets, cafeterias and other purveyors of moderately priced and quickly prepared food. We believe our largest competitors for our Burger King restaurants are McDonald’s and Wendy’s restaurants and the largest competitors for our Popeyes restaurants are KFC and Chick-fil-A.

Due to competitive conditions, we, as well as certain of the other major quick-service restaurant chains, have offered select food items and combination meals at discounted prices. These pricing and marketing strategies have had, and in the future may have, a negative impact on our earnings.

Factors applicable to the quick-service restaurant segment may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, which may cause a decrease in earnings and revenues.

The quick-service restaurant segment can be materially adversely affected by many factors, including:

•health concerns such as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19);

•changes in local, regional or national economic conditions;

•changes in demographic trends;

•changes in consumer tastes;

•changes in traffic patterns;

•increases in fuel prices and utility costs;

•consumer concerns about health, diet and nutrition;

•increases in the number of, and particular locations of, competing restaurants;

•changes in discretionary consumer spending;

•inflation;

•increases in the cost of food, such as beef, chicken, produce and packaging;

•increased labor costs, including healthcare, unemployment insurance and minimum wage requirements;

•the availability of experienced management and hourly-paid employees; and

•regional weather conditions.

We are highly dependent on the Burger King and Popeyes systems and our ability to renew our franchise agreements with BKC and PLK. The failure to renew our franchise agreements or Burger King's or Popeyes' failure to compete effectively would materially adversely affect our results of operations.

Due to the nature of franchising and our agreements with BKC and PLK, our success is, to a large extent, directly related to the success of the Burger King and Popeyes system including their financial condition, advertising programs, product development, overall quality of operations and the successful and consistent operation of Burger King and Popeyes restaurants owned by other franchisees. We cannot assure you that Burger King or Popeyes restaurants will be able to compete effectively with other restaurants. As a result, any failure of the Burger King or Popeyes franchise systems to compete effectively would likely have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Under each of our franchise agreements, we are required to comply with operational programs established by BKC or PLK. For example, our franchise agreements with BKC and PLK require that our restaurants comply with specified design criteria. In addition, BKC generally has the right to require us during the tenth year of a franchise agreement to remodel our restaurants to conform to the then-current image of Burger King restaurants, and PLK

generally has the right to require us to remodel our restaurants to conform to the then-current image of Popeyes restaurants every six years, all of which may require the expenditure of considerable funds. We also may not be able to avoid adopting menu price discount promotions or permanent menu price decreases instituted by BKC or PLK that may be unprofitable.

Our BKC franchise agreements typically have a 20 year term after which BKC’s consent is required to receive a successor franchise agreement. Our PLK franchise agreements typically also have a 20-year term after which we have the options to (a) renew for a 10 year renewal term and (b) renew for a second supplemental renewal term of 10 years provided that we meet certain conditions as set forth in the PLK franchise agreements.

We cannot assure you that BKC will grant each of our future requests for successor franchise agreements or that we will be able to exercise any of the options to renew the PLK franchise agreements. Any failure of BKC to renew our franchise agreements would materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, as a condition of approval of a successor franchise agreement, BKC may require us to make capital improvements to particular restaurants to bring them up to current image standards established by Burger King, which may require us to incur substantial costs. Similarly, one of the conditions to our ability to exercise the option to renew our PLK franchise agreements is that we must make capital improvements to particular restaurants to bring them up to current image standards established by Popeyes, which may require us to incur substantial costs.

In addition, our franchise agreements with BKC and PLK do not give us exclusive rights to operate Burger King or Popeyes restaurants in any defined territory. We cannot assure you that franchises granted by BKC or PLK to third parties will not adversely affect any restaurants that we operate.

Additionally, as a franchisee, we have no control over the Burger King brand or the Popeyes brand. If BKC and PLK do not adequately protect the Burger King and Popeyes brands and other intellectual property, our competitive position and results of operations could be harmed.

We could be materially adversely affected by food-borne illnesses, as well as widespread negative publicity regarding food quality, illness, injury or other health concerns.

Negative publicity about food quality, illness, injury or other health concerns (including health implications of obesity) or similar issues stemming from one restaurant or a number of restaurants could materially adversely affect us, regardless of whether they pertain to our own restaurants, other Burger King or Popeyes restaurants, or to restaurants owned or operated by other companies. For example, health concerns about the consumption of beef, chicken or eggs or by specific events such as the outbreak of “mad cow” disease could lead to changes in consumer preferences, reduce consumption of our products and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. These events could also reduce available supply or significantly raise the price of beef, chicken or eggs.

In addition, we cannot guarantee that our operational controls and employee training will be effective in preventing food-borne illnesses, food tampering and other food safety issues that may affect our restaurants. Food-borne illness or food tampering incidents could be caused by customers, employees or food suppliers and transporters and, therefore, could be outside of our control. Any publicity relating to health concerns or the perceived or specific outbreaks of food-borne illnesses, food tampering or other food safety issues attributed to one or more of our restaurants, could result in a significant decrease in guest traffic in all of our restaurants and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. Furthermore, similar publicity or occurrences with respect to other restaurants or restaurant chains could also decrease our guest traffic and have a similar material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our strategy includes pursuing acquisitions of additional Burger King and Popeyes restaurants and we may not find Burger King restaurants or Popeyes restaurants that are suitable acquisition candidates or successfully operate or integrate any Burger King restaurants or Popeyes restaurants that we may acquire.

As part of our strategy, we intend to selectively pursue the acquisition of additional Burger King and Popeyes restaurants. Pursuant to the ADA and retained in the Amended ADA, BKC has granted us franchise pre-approval to acquire Burger King restaurants from Burger King franchisees until we acquire more than 500 Burger King restaurants. The right of first refusal assigned to us from BKC pursuant to the ADA was forfeited by us as a result of entering into the Amended ADA in January 2021.

Competition for acquisition candidates may exist or increase in the future. Consequently, there may be fewer acquisition opportunities available to us at an attractive acquisition price. There can be no assurance that we will be able to identify, acquire, manage or successfully integrate additional restaurants without substantial costs, delays or operational or financial problems. In the event we are able to acquire additional restaurants, the integration and operation of the acquired restaurants may place significant demands on our management, which could adversely affect our ability to manage our existing restaurants. We may be required to obtain additional financing to fund future acquisitions. There can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing, if necessary, on acceptable terms or at all. Our Senior Credit Facilities contain restrictive covenants that may prevent us from incurring additional debt to acquire additional Burger King or Popeyes restaurants.

We may experience difficulties in integrating restaurants acquired by us into our existing business.

The acquisition of a significant number of restaurants involves the integration of those acquired restaurants with our existing business. The difficulties of integration include:

•coordinating and consolidating geographically separated systems and facilities;

•integrating the management and personnel of the acquired restaurants, maintaining employee morale and retaining key employees;

•implementing our management information systems; and

•implementing operational procedures and disciplines to control costs and increase profitability.

The process of integrating operations could cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of our business and the loss of key personnel. The diversion of management’s attention and any delays or difficulties encountered in connection with the acquisition of restaurants and integration of acquired restaurants’ operations could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Achieving the anticipated benefits of the acquisition of additional restaurants will depend in part upon whether we can integrate any acquired restaurants in an efficient and effective manner. We may not accomplish this integration process smoothly or successfully. If management is unable to successfully integrate acquired restaurants, the anticipated financial contribution of the acquisition may not be realized.

In our evaluation of our recent and potential acquisitions, assumptions are made as to our ability to increase sales as well as improve restaurant-level profitability particularly in the areas of food, labor and cash controls as well as other operating expenses. If we are not able to make such improvements in these operational areas as planned, the acquired restaurants’ targeted profitability levels will be affected which could cause an adverse effect on our overall financial results and financial condition.

We may incur significant liability or reputational harm if claims are brought against us or the Burger King and Popeyes brands.

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

Changes in consumer taste could negatively impact our business.

We obtain a significant portion of our revenues from the sale of hamburgers, fried chicken and various types of sandwiches. If consumer preferences for these types of foods change, it could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. The quick-service restaurant segment is characterized by the frequent introduction of new products, often supported by substantial promotional campaigns, and is subject to changing consumer preferences, tastes, and eating and purchasing habits. Our success depends on BKC’s and PLK's ability to anticipate and respond to changing consumer preferences, tastes and dining and purchasing habits, as well as other factors affecting the restaurant industry, including new market entrants and demographic changes. BKC or PLK may be forced to make changes to our menu items in order to respond to changes in consumer tastes or dining patterns, and we may lose customers who do not prefer the new menu items. In recent years, numerous companies in the quick-service restaurant segments have introduced products positioned to capitalize on the growing consumer preference for food products that are, or are perceived to be, promoting good health, nutritious, low in calories, low in fat content or plant-based. If BKC or PLK does not continually develop and successfully introduce new menu offerings that appeal to changing consumer preferences or if the Burger King and Popeyes franchise systems do not timely develop new products, our results of operations and financial condition could suffer. In addition, any significant event that adversely affects consumption of our products, such as cost, changing tastes or health concerns, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We could be adversely affected by our failure to acknowledge and sufficiently respond to the fast-moving influence of social media.

The widespread use of social media platforms can provide individuals with access to a broad audience at any time of day. The content shared by users on these platforms may be published without consideration of accuracy or its potential impact. Such content may be factually inaccurate, but nonetheless negatively impact our customer engagement, business operations, brand reputation or financial performance. This damage could be fast-moving and not allow us or our franchisors a chance to address the situation.

If a significant disruption in service or supply by any of our suppliers or distributors were to occur, it could create disruptions in the operations of our restaurants, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our financial performance depends on our continuing ability to offer fresh, quality food at competitive prices. If a significant disruption in service or supply by our suppliers or distributors were to occur, it could create disruptions in the operations of our restaurants, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We are a member of a national purchasing cooperative, Restaurant Services, Inc., which we refer to as "RSI", created for the Burger King system. RSI is a non-profit independent purchasing cooperative that is responsible for sourcing our products and related supplies and managing relationships with approved distributors for the Burger King system. We use our purchasing power to negotiate directly with certain other vendors, to obtain favorable pricing and terms for supplying our restaurants. For our Burger King restaurants, we are required to purchase all of our foodstuffs, paper goods and packaging materials from BKC-approved suppliers at prices negotiated by RSI. We currently primarily utilize four distributors, Lineage Foodservice Solutions, LLC, Reinhart Food Service L.L.C, McLane Company Inc. and Performance Foodservice, to supply our Burger King restaurants with the majority of our foodstuffs. As of January 3, 2021, such distributors supplied 34%, 28%, 28% and 10%, respectively, of our Burger King restaurants.

In the event that any of our distributors or suppliers are unable to service us and we are unable to timely secure alternative sources for product, we could suffer a disruption of service until a new distributor or supplier is engaged, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

If labor costs increase, we may not be able to make a corresponding increase in our prices and our results of operations and financial condition may be materially adversely affected.

Wage rates for a number of our employees are either at or slightly above the federal and or state minimum wage rates. As federal and/or state minimum wage rates increase, we may need to increase not only the wage rates of our minimum wage employees but also the wages paid to the employees at wage rates which are above the minimum wage, which will increase our costs. The extent to which we are not able to raise our prices to compensate for increases in wage rates, including increases in state unemployment insurance costs or other costs including mandated health insurance, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In addition, even if minimum wage rates do not increase, we may still be required to raise wage rates in order to compete for an adequate supply of labor for our restaurants.

Higher labor costs due to statutory and regulatory changes could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to the federal labor laws, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as various state and local laws governing such matters as minimum wages, labor relations, workplace safety, citizenship requirements and other working conditions for employees. Federal, state and local laws may also require us to provide paid and unpaid leave, healthcare, sick time or other benefits to our employees. Changes in the law, or penalties associated with any failure on our part to comply with legal requirements, could increase our labor costs or result in additional expense.

Beginning in 2018, certain workers were able to take up to eight weeks (increasing in New York and other areas to twelve weeks in 2021) of employer-provided paid leave for childbirth, care for a seriously ill family member or needs related to a family member’s military deployment. We have considered these labor costs in our price changes, and additional labor costs may require us to raise our prices in the future. In certain geographic areas which cannot absorb such increases, this could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. We provide unpaid leave for employees for covered family and medical reasons, including

childbirth, to the extent required by the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, as amended, and applicable state laws. To the extent we need to hire additional employees or pay overtime to replace such employees on leave, this would be an added expense which could have a material adverse affect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Increases in income tax rates or changes in income tax laws could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Increases in income tax rates in the United States or other changes in income tax laws in any particular jurisdiction could reduce our after-tax income from such jurisdiction and could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. The United States recently made changes to existing tax laws in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), which was signed into law on December 22, 2017. Among its many provisions, the Tax Act reduced the U.S. Federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and imposed limitations on the deductibility of interest and certain other corporate deductions. Additional changes in the U.S. tax regime, including changes in how existing tax laws are interpreted or enforced, could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

The efficiency and quality of our competitors’ advertising and promotional programs and the extent and cost of our advertising could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

The success of our restaurants depends in part upon the effectiveness of the advertising campaigns and promotions by BKC or PLK. If our competitors increase spending on advertising and promotion, or the cost of television or radio advertising increases, or BKC’s, PLK's or our advertising and promotions are less effective than our competitors’, there could be a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our business is regional and we therefore face risks related to reliance on certain markets as well as risks for other unforeseen events.

At January 3, 2021, 15% of our restaurants were located in North Carolina, 12% were located in New York, 12% were located in Tennessee, and 24% were located in Indiana, Ohio and Michigan. Therefore, the economic conditions, state and local government regulations, weather or other conditions affecting New York, Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and North Carolina, and other unforeseen events, including terrorism and other regional issues, may have a material impact on the success of our restaurants in those locations.

Many of our restaurants are located in regions that may be susceptible to severe weather conditions such as harsh winter weather and hurricanes. As a result, adverse weather conditions in any of these areas could damage these restaurants, result in fewer guest visits to these restaurants and otherwise have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

We could be materially adversely affected by external events such as extreme weather, natural disasters, terrorist actions, pandemics and civil unrest, among others.

External events such as extreme weather, natural disasters, terrorist actions, pandemics and civil unrest, and anticipation of such events, can adversely affect consumer spending, supply availability and costs, and our ability to operate our business in any impacted market.

We cannot assure you that the current locations of our restaurants will continue to be economically viable or that additional locations can be acquired at reasonable costs.

The location of our restaurants has significant influence on their success. We cannot assure you that current locations will continue to be economically viable or that additional locations can be acquired at reasonable costs. In addition, the economic environment where restaurants are located could decline in the future, which could result in reduced sales for those locations. We cannot assure you that new sites will be profitable or as profitable as existing sites.

Economic downturns may adversely impact consumer spending patterns.

The U.S. economy is experiencing and has in the past experienced significant slowdown and volatility due to uncertainties related to availability of credit, difficulties in the banking and financial services sectors, softness in the housing market, diminished market liquidity, falling consumer confidence and high unemployment rates including

as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our business is dependent to a significant extent on national, regional and local economic conditions, particularly those that affect our guests that frequently patronize our restaurants and the health of surrounding businesses who employ a significant amount of workers. In particular, where our customers’ disposable income is reduced (such as by job losses, credit constraints and higher housing, tax, energy, interest or other costs) or where our customer's actual or perceived wealth has decreased (because of circumstances such as lower residential real estate values, increased foreclosure rates, increased tax rates or other economic disruptions), our restaurants have in the past experienced, and may in the future experience, lower sales and customer traffic as customers choose lower-cost alternatives or other alternatives to dining out. The resulting decrease in our customer traffic or average sales per transaction has had an adverse effect in the past, and could in the future have a material adverse effect, on our results of operations and financial condition.

The loss of the services of our senior management could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our success depends to a large extent upon the continued services of our senior management who have substantial experience in the restaurant industry. We believe that it could be difficult to replace our senior management with individuals having comparable experience. Consequently, the loss of the services of members of our senior management could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Government regulation could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to extensive laws and regulations relating to the development and operation of restaurants, including regulations relating to the following:

•zoning;

•labeling of caloric and other nutritional information on menu boards, advertising and food packaging;

•the preparation and sale of food;

•employer/employee relationships, including minimum wage requirements, overtime, mandatory paid and unpaid leave, working and safety conditions, and citizenship requirements;

•health care; and

•federal and state laws that prohibit discrimination and laws regulating the design and operation of, and access to, facilities, such as the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.

In the event that legislation having a negative impact on our business is adopted, it could have a material adverse impact on our results of operations and financial condition. For example, substantial increases in the minimum wage or state or Federal unemployment taxes could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. Local zoning or building codes or regulations can cause substantial delays in our ability to build and open new restaurants. Any failure to obtain and maintain required licenses, permits and approvals could also adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Federal, state and local environmental regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge, emission and disposal of hazardous materials could expose us to liabilities which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to a variety of federal, state and local environmental regulations relating to the use, storage, discharge, emission and disposal of hazardous substances or other regulated materials, release of pollutants into the air, soil and water, and the remediation of contaminated sites.

Failure to comply with environmental laws could result in the imposition of fines or penalties, restrictions on operations by governmental agencies or courts of law, as well as investigatory or remedial liabilities and claims for alleged personal injury or damages to property or natural resources. Some environmental laws impose strict, and under some circumstances joint and several, liability for costs of investigation and remediation of contaminated sites on current and prior owners or operators of the sites, as well as those entities that send regulated materials to the sites. We cannot assure you that we have been or will be at all times in complete compliance with such laws, regulations and permits. Therefore, our costs of complying with current and future environmental, health and safety laws could have a material adverse effect our results of operations and financial condition.

We are subject to all of the risks associated with leasing property subject to long-term, non-cancelable leases.

The leases for our restaurant locations (except for certain acquired restaurants which have an underlying lease term of less than 20 years) generally have initial terms of 20 years, and typically provide for renewal options in five year increments as well as for rent escalations. Generally, our leases are “net” leases, which require us to pay all of the costs of insurance, taxes, maintenance and utilities. Additional sites that we lease are likely to be subject to similar long-term, non-cancelable leases. We generally cannot cancel our leases. If an existing or future restaurant is not profitable, and we decide to close it, we may nonetheless be obligated to perform our monetary obligations under the applicable lease including, among other things, paying all amounts due for the balance of the lease term. In addition, as each of our leases expire, we may fail to negotiate renewals, either on commercially acceptable terms or any terms at all, which could cause us to close restaurants in desirable locations.

An increase in food costs could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Our profitability and operating margins are dependent in part on our ability to anticipate and react to changes in food costs. Changes in the price or availability of certain food products, including as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, could affect our ability to offer broad menu and price offerings to guests and could materially adversely affect our profitability and reputation. The type, variety, quality, source and price of beef, chicken, produce and cheese can be subject to change due to factors beyond our control, including weather, governmental regulation, availability and seasonality, each of which may affect our food costs or cause a disruption in our supply. Our food distributors or suppliers may also be affected by higher costs to produce and transport commodities used in our restaurants, higher minimum wage and benefit costs and other expenses that they pass through to their customers, which could result in higher costs for goods and services supplied to us. Although RSI is able to contract for certain food commodities for periods up to one year, the pricing and availability of some commodities used in our operations are not locked in for periods of longer than one week or at all. We do not currently use financial instruments to hedge our risk of market fluctuations in the price of beef, produce and other food products. We may not be able to anticipate and react to changing food costs through menu price adjustments in the future, which could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.

Security breaches of confidential credit card, consumer, employee and other material information as well as other threats to our technical systems may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Approximately half of our restaurant sales are by credit or debit cards. Other restaurants and retailers have experienced security breaches in which confidential or material information has been compromised. The Company devotes significant resources to data encryption, network security and other measures to protect its systems and data, but these security measures cannot provide absolute security. We may become subject to lawsuits, fines or other proceedings for purportedly fraudulent transactions arising out of the actual or alleged theft of our guests’ credit or debit card or any other material information. Any such claim or proceeding, or any adverse publicity resulting from these allegations, may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

The Company’s results of operations, financial condition and reputation may be impacted by information technology system failures or network disruptions.

We rely on information systems across our operations for point-of-sale processing in our restaurants, collection of cash, procurement and payment to suppliers, payment of payroll, financial reporting and other processes and procedures. Our ability to efficiently manage our business depends significantly on the reliability and capacity of these systems. The Company may be subject to information technology system failures and network disruptions caused by natural disasters, accidents, pandemics, power disruptions, telecommunications failures, acts of terrorism or war, computer viruses, physical or electronic break-ins, ransomware or other events or disruptions. System redundancy may be ineffective or inadequate, and the Company’s disaster recovery planning may not be sufficient for all eventualities which may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. While the Company maintains dedicated insurance coverage that, subject to policy terms and conditions and subject to a deductible, is designed to address certain aspects of cyber risks, such insurance coverage may be insufficient to cover all losses or all types of claims that may arise in the continually evolving area of cyber risk.

Carrols is currently a guarantor under 18 Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Fiesta") restaurant property leases and any default under such property leases by Fiesta may result in substantial liabilities to us.

Fiesta, a former wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, was spun-off in 2012 to the Company's stockholders. Carrols currently is a guarantor under 18 Fiesta restaurant property leases, of which all except for two are still operating as of January 3, 2021. The Separation and Distribution Agreement entered into in connection with the spin-off among Carrols, Fiesta and us provides that the parties will cooperate and use their commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the release of such guarantees. Unless and until any such guarantees are released, Fiesta agrees to indemnify Carrols for any losses or liabilities or expenses that it may incur arising from or in connection with any such lease guarantees.

Risks Related to Our Common Stock

The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile or may decline regardless of our operating performance.

The trading price of our common stock may fluctuate substantially. The price of our common stock that will prevail in the market may be higher or lower than the price when you acquired our stock, depending on many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Broad market and industry factors may adversely affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance. The fluctuations could cause a loss of all or part of an investment in our common stock. Factors that could cause fluctuation in the trading price of our common stock may include, but are not limited to the following:

•price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time;

•significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of companies generally or restaurant companies specifically;

•actual or anticipated variations in the earnings or operating results of our company or our competitors;

•actual or anticipated changes in financial estimates by us or by any securities analysts who might cover our stock or the stock of other companies in our industry;

•market conditions or trends in our industry and the economy as a whole;

•announcements by us or our competitors of significant acquisitions, strategic partnerships or divestitures and our ability to complete any such transaction;

•announcements of investigations or regulatory scrutiny of our operations or lawsuits filed against us;

•capital commitments;

•changes in accounting principles;

•additions or departures of key personnel;

•sales of our common stock, including sales of large blocks of our common stock or sales by our directors and officers; and

•events that affect BKC, PLK or any of our significant suppliers discussed above.

In addition, if the market for restaurant company stocks or the stock market in general experiences loss of investor confidence, the trading price of our common stock could decline for reasons unrelated to our business, results of operations or financial condition. The trading price of our common stock might also decline in reaction to events that affect other companies in our industry or related industries even if these events do not directly affect us.

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company's securities, class action securities litigation has often been brought against that company. Due to the potential volatility of our stock price, we may be the target of securities litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management's attention and resources from our business, and could also require us to make substantial payments to satisfy judgments or to settle litigation.

The concentrated ownership of our capital stock by insiders may limit our stockholders' ability to influence corporate matters.

At January 3, 2021, our executive officers, directors, BKC and Blue Holdco 1, LLC (collectively the "BKC Stockholders"), and Cambridge together beneficially owned approximately 45.1% of our common stock, giving effect to the conversion of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock issued to the BKC Stockholders. As a result, our executive officers, directors, affiliates of the BKC Stockholders and Cambridge, if they act as a group, will be able to significantly influence matters that require approval by our stockholders, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions such as mergers and acquisitions. The BKC Stockholders and Cambridge each has two representatives on our Board of Directors, which has the authority to make decisions affecting our company and its capital structure, including the issuance of additional debt and the declaration of dividends. Each of the BKC Stockholders and Cambridge may have interests that differ from those of other stockholders and may vote in a way with which other stockholders disagree and which may be adverse to their interests. Corporate action might be taken even if other stockholders oppose them. This concentration of ownership might also have the effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of the Company that other stockholders may view as beneficial, which could deprive our stockholders of an opportunity to receive a premium for their common stock as part of a sale of our company and might ultimately depress the market price of our common stock.

We currently do not expect to pay any cash dividends for the foreseeable future, and our Senior Credit Facilities limit our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

We currently do not expect to pay any cash dividends to holders of our common stock in the foreseeable future. The absence of a dividend on our common stock may increase the volatility of the market price of our common stock or make it more likely that the market price of our common stock will decrease in the event of adverse economic conditions or adverse developments affecting our company. Additionally, our Senior Credit Facilities limit, and the debt instruments that we may enter into in the future may limit, our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

If securities analysts do not publish research or reports about our business or if they downgrade our stock, the price of our stock could decline.

The trading market for our common stock will rely in part on the research and reports that industry or financial analysts publish about us or our business. We cannot assure you that these analysts will publish research or reports about us or that any analysts that do so will not discontinue publishing research or reports about us in the future. If one or more analysts who cover us downgrade our stock, our stock price could decline rapidly. If analysts do not publish reports about us or if one or more analysts cease coverage of our stock, we could lose visibility in the market, which in turn could cause our stock price to decline.

Provisions in our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as amended, or Delaware law might discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our management and, therefore, depress the trading price of our common stock.

Delaware corporate law and our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as amended, contain provisions that could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of our company or changes in our management that the stockholders of our company may deem advantageous. These provisions:

•require that special meetings of our stockholders be called only by our Board of Directors or certain of our officers, thus prohibiting our stockholders from calling special meetings;

•deny holders of our common stock cumulative voting rights in the election of directors, meaning that stockholders owning a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock will be able to elect all of our directors;

•authorize the issuance of “blank check” preferred stock that our board could issue to dilute the voting and economic rights of our common stock and to discourage a takeover attempt;

•provide that approval of our Board of Directors or a supermajority of stockholders is necessary to make, alter or repeal our amended and restated bylaws and that approval of a supermajority of stockholders is necessary to amend, alter or change certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation;

•establish advance notice requirements for stockholder nominations for election to our board or for proposing matters that can be acted upon by stockholders at stockholder meetings;

•divide our board into three classes of directors, with each class serving a staggered 3-year term, which generally increases the difficulty of replacing a majority of the directors;

•provide that directors only may be removed for cause by a supermajority of our stockholders; and

•require that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing.

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness

Our substantial indebtedness could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.

As of January 3, 2021 we had $494.2 million of total indebtedness outstanding consisting of $419.4 million Term Loan B borrowings and $73.9 million Term Loan B-1 borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities and $0.9 million of finance lease liabilities. As of January 3, 2021 we had $136.1 million of revolving borrowing availability under our Senior Credit Facilities (after reserving $9.7 million for letters of credit issued under the Senior Credit Facilities, which included amounts for anticipated claims from our renewals of workers' compensation and other insurance policies).

As a result of our substantial indebtedness, a significant portion of our operating cash flow will be required to make payments of interest and principal on our outstanding indebtedness, and we may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations, or have future borrowings available under our Senior Credit Facilities, to enable us to repay our indebtedness, including the Term Loan B and B-1 borrowings, or to fund other liquidity needs.

Our substantial indebtedness could have important consequences to our stockholders. For example, it could:

•make it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to the Senior Credit Facilities and our other debt;

•increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

•require us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to payments on our indebtedness and related interest, including indebtedness we may incur in the future, thereby reducing the availability of our cash flow to fund working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes;

•restrict our ability to acquire additional restaurants;

•limit our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate;

•increase our cost of borrowing;

•place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that may have less debt; and

•limit our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, debt service requirements or general corporate purposes.

We expect to use cash flow from operations, our cash balances and revolving credit borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities to meet our current and future financial obligations, including funding our operations, debt service, possible future acquisitions and capital expenditures (including restaurant remodeling and new restaurant development). Our ability to make these payments depends on our future performance, which will be affected by financial, business, economic and other factors, many of which we cannot control. Our business may not generate sufficient cash flow from operations in the future, which could result in our being unable to repay indebtedness, or to fund other liquidity needs. If we do not have sufficient liquidity, we may be forced to reduce or delay capital expenditures and restaurant acquisitions, sell assets, obtain additional debt or equity capital or restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt, including our Senior Credit Facilities, on or before maturity. We cannot make any assurances that we will be able to accomplish any of these alternatives on terms acceptable to us, or at all. In addition, the terms of existing or future indebtedness, including the agreements for our Senior Credit Facilities, may limit our ability to pursue any of these alternatives.

Despite current indebtedness levels and restrictive covenants, we may still be able to incur more debt or make certain restricted payments, which could further exacerbate the risks described above.

Although our Senior Credit Facilities contain restrictions on our ability to incur indebtedness, those restrictions are subject to a number of exceptions. We could also consider investments in joint ventures or acquisitions, which may increase our indebtedness. Moreover, although our Senior Credit Facilities contain restrictions on our ability to make restricted payments, including the declaration and payment of dividends, we are able to make such restricted payments under certain circumstances. Adding new debt to current debt levels or making restricted payments could intensify the related risks that we and our subsidiaries now face.

Our Senior Credit Facilities restrict our ability to engage in some business and financial transactions and contain certain other restrictive terms.

Our Senior Credit Facilities restrict our ability in certain circumstances to, among other things:

•incur additional debt;

•pay dividends and make other distributions on, redeem or repurchase, capital stock;

•make investments or other restricted payments;

•enter into transactions with affiliates;

•engage in sale and leaseback transactions;

•sell all, or substantially all, of our assets;

•create liens on assets to secure debt; or

•effect a consolidation or merger.

These covenants limit our operational flexibility and could prevent us from taking advantage of business opportunities as they arise, growing our business or competing effectively. In addition, our Senior Credit Facilities may require us to maintain a First Lien Net Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) and satisfy other financial tests. Our ability to meet this financial ratio and other tests can be affected by events beyond our control, and we cannot assure you that we will meet these tests. At January 3, 2021, we were in compliance with such covenants.

A breach of any of these covenants or other provisions in our debt agreements could result in an event of default, which if not cured or waived, could result in such debt becoming immediately due and payable. This, in turn, could cause our other debt to become due and payable as a result of cross-acceleration provisions contained in the agreements governing such other debt. In the event that some or all of our debt is accelerated and becomes immediately due and payable, we may not have the funds to repay, or the ability to refinance, such debt.

We may not have the funds necessary to satisfy all of our obligations under our Senior Credit Facilities or other indebtedness in connection with certain change of control events.

Our Senior Credit Facilities provide that certain change of control events constitute an event of default. Such an event of default entitles the lenders thereunder to, among other things, cause all outstanding debt obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities to become due and payable and to proceed against the collateral securing such Senior Credit Facilities. Any event of default or acceleration of the Senior Credit Facilities will likely also cause a default under the terms of our other indebtedness.

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS

None.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

As of January 3, 2021, we owned nine and leased 1,065 restaurant properties including 28 co-branded locations. In addition, we owned five and leased 19 non-operating properties as of January 3, 2021, not including two properties under construction that are expected to open as new restaurants in 2021.

We typically enter into leases (including renewal options) ranging from 20 to 40 years. The average remaining term for all leases, including options, was approximately 25.8 years at January 3, 2021. Generally, we have been able to renew leases, upon or prior to their expiration, at the prevailing market rates, although there can be no assurance that this will continue to occur.

Most of our Burger King® restaurant leases are coterminous with the related franchise agreements. We believe that we generally will be able to renew at commercially reasonable rates the leases whose terms expire prior to the expiration of that location's Burger King® franchise agreement, although there can be no assurance that this will occur.

Most leases require us to pay utility and water charges and real estate taxes. Certain leases also require contingent rentals based upon a percentage of gross sales of the particular restaurant that exceed specified minimums. In some of our shopping center locations, we are also required to pay certain other charges such as a pro rata share of the shopping center's common area maintenance costs, insurance and security costs.

In addition to the restaurant locations set forth under Item 1. “Business-Restaurant Locations”, we own a building with approximately 25,300 square feet at 968 James Street, Syracuse, New York, which houses our executive offices, most of our administrative operations for our Burger King® restaurants and one of our regional support offices. We also lease eight small regional offices that support the management of our Burger King® restaurants, two offices in Tennessee acquired in the Cambridge Acquisition, and two smaller administrative offices in Syracuse, NY that support administrative operations.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Litigation. We are involved in various litigation matters and claims that arise in the ordinary course of business. Based on our currently available information, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “TAST”. On March 3, 2021, there were 53,337,104 shares of our common stock outstanding held by 482 holders of record. The number of record holders was determined from the records of our transfer agent and does not include beneficial owners of our common stock whose shares are held in the names of various securities brokers, dealers and registered clearing agencies.

We did not pay any cash dividends during the fiscal years 2020 or 2019. We currently do not expect to pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We are a holding company and conduct all of our operations through our direct and indirect subsidiaries. As a result, for us to pay dividends, we need to rely on dividends or distributions to us from our direct and indirect subsidiaries. Our Senior Credit Facilities limit, and debt instruments that we and our subsidiaries may enter into in the future may limit, our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

Stock Performance Graph

The following graph compares from December 31, 2015 the cumulative total stockholder return on our common stock relative to the cumulative total returns of The NASDAQ Composite Index and a peer group, the S&P SmallCap 600 Restaurants Index. We have elected to use the S&P SmallCap 600 Restaurant Index in compiling our stock performance graph because we believe the S&P SmallCap 600 Restaurant Index represents a comparison to competitors with similar market capitalization as us. The graph assumes an investment of $100 in our common stock and each index on December 31, 2015.

* $100 invested on 12/31/2015 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.


	12/31/2015		12/31/2016		12/31/2017		12/31/2018		12/31/2019		12/31/2020
Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.	$	100.00	$	129.90	$	103.49	$	83.82	$	60.05	$	53.49
NASDAQ Composite	$	100.00	$	108.87	$	141.13	$	137.12	$	187.44	$	271.64
S&P SmallCap 600 Restaurants	$	100.00	$	108.78	$	100.34	$	98.61	$	103.52	$	106.19

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

On August 2, 2019, our Board of Directors approved a repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $25 million of our outstanding common stock (the "Repurchase Program"). The authorization became effective on August 2, 2019, and will expire 24 months thereafter, unless terminated earlier by our Board of Directors. Purchases under the Repurchase Program may be made from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions (including, without limitation, the use of Rule 10b5-1 plans) in compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 under the Exchange Act. We have no obligation to repurchase stock under the Repurchase Program, and the timing, actual number and value of shares purchased will depend on our stock price, trading volume, general market and economic conditions, and other factors.

The table below reflects shares of common stock we repurchased in the fourth quarter of 2020:


		Total Number of Shares Purchased	Average Price Paid Per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1)	Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet to Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs

September	Purchased 9/28 through 9/30	—	$	—	—	$	—
October	Purchased 10/1 through 10/31	—	$	—	—	$	—
November	Purchased 11/1 through 11/30	762,512	$	6.11	762,512	$	16,326,820
December	Purchased 12/1 through 12/31	771,792	$	6.92	771,792	$	10,983,543
January	Purchased 1/1 through 1/3	—	$	—	—	$	—

(1) Shares were repurchased in open market transactions pursuant to the Repurchase Program.

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

Our fiscal years ended January 1, 2017, December 31, 2017, December 30, 2018 and December 29, 2019 presented below each include 52 weeks. The fiscal year ended January 3, 2021 presented below includes 53 weeks.

The information in the following tables should be read together with our audited consolidated financial statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our consolidated financial information may not be indicative of our future performance.


	Year Ended
Acquisition Activity:	January 1, 2017	December 31, 2017	December 30, 2018	December 29, 2019	January 3, 2021
Restaurants acquired	56	64	44	234	—
Transactions	7	3	4	3	—


	Year Ended
	January 1, 2017		December 31, 2017		December 30, 2018		December 29, 2019		January 3, 2021
	(In thousands, except share and per share data)
Statements of operations data:
Revenue:
Restaurant sales	943,583		1,088,532		1,179,307		1,452,516		1,547,502
Other revenue	—		—		—		10,249		—
Total revenue	943,583		1,088,532		1,179,307		1,462,765		1,547,502

Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	250,112		304,593		326,308		431,969		452,738
Restaurant wages and related expenses	297,766		350,054		382,829		485,278		498,127
Restaurant rent expense	64,814		75,948		81,409		107,147		118,444
Other restaurant operating expenses	148,946		166,786		178,750		227,364		236,059
Advertising expense	41,299		44,677		48,340		58,689		60,735
General and administrative (1)(2)	54,956		60,348		66,587		84,734		84,051
Depreciation and amortization	47,295		54,159		58,468		74,674		81,727
Impairment and other lease charges	2,355		2,827		3,685		3,564		12,778
Other expense (income) (3)	338		(333)		(424)		(1,911)		(1,271)
Total operating expenses	907,881		1,059,059		1,145,952		1,471,508		1,543,388
Income (loss) from operations	35,702		29,473		33,355		(8,743)		4,114
Interest expense	18,315		21,710		23,638		27,856		27,283
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—		—		—		7,443		—
Gain on bargain purchase	—		—		(230)		—		—
Income (loss) before income taxes	17,387		7,763		9,947		(44,042)		(23,169)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(28,085)		604		(157)		(12,123)		6,294
Net income (loss)	$	45,472	$	7,159	$	10,104	$	(31,919)	$	(29,463)
Per share data:
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:	$	1.01	$	0.16	$	0.22	$	(0.74)	$	(0.58)

Weighted average shares used in computing net income (loss) per share:
Basic	35,178,329		35,416,531		35,715,372		43,421,715		50,751,185
Diluted	44,851,345		44,976,514		45,319,971		43,421,715		50,751,185


	Year Ended
	January 1, 2017			December 31, 2017			December 30, 2018			December 29, 2019			January 3, 2021
	(In thousands, except restaurant weekly sales data)
Other financial data:
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	62,288		$	72,783		$	80,769		$	48,708		$	103,945
Total capital expenditures	94,099			73,516			75,735			134,879			56,890
Net cash used for investing activities	96,221			108,105			106,894			218,045			47,857
Net cash provided by financing activities	13,661			62,372			727			168,297			5,902
Operating Data:
Restaurants (at end of period)	753			807			849			1,101			1,074
Average number of restaurants	719.5			784.3			813.9			998.5			1,078.0
Average annual sales per restaurant (4)	1,311			1,388			1,449			1,455			1,436
Adjusted EBITDA (5)	89,505			91,771			102,990			86,371			107,855
Adjusted net income (loss) (5)	17,860			9,262			14,091			(15,323)			(3,733)
Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA (5)	140,646			146,837			162,133			156,131			181,562
Change in comparable restaurant sales (6)	2.3		%	5.2		%	3.8		%	2.2		%	(2.7)		%
Balance sheet data (at end of period):
Total assets	$	490,115		$	581,514		$	600,251		$	1,751,460		$	1,757,085
Working capital	(39,231)			(19,514)			(47,461)			(109,540)			(44,396)
Debt:
Senior and senior subordinated debt	213,500			275,000			275,000			468,625			493,250
Finance leases	7,039			5,681			3,941			2,524			908
Lease financing obligations	3,020			1,203			1,201			1,198			1,189
Total debt	$	223,559		$	281,884		$	280,142		$	472,347		$	495,347
Stockholders’ equity	$	154,656		$	169,060		$	185,540		$	309,462		$	271,532


	Year Ended
	January 1, 2017		December 31, 2017		December 30, 2018		December 29, 2019		January 3, 2021
	(In thousands, except per share data)
Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA (5):
Net income (loss)	$	45,742	$	7,159	$	10,104	$	(31,919)	$	(29,463)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	(28,085)		604		(157)		(12,123)		6,294
Interest expense	18,315		21,710		23,638		27,856		27,283
Depreciation and amortization	47,295		54,159		58,468		74,674		81,727
EBITDA	82,997		83,632		92,053		58,488		85,841
Impairment and other lease charges	2,355		2,827		3,685		3,564		12,778
Acquisition and integration costs (7)	1,853		1,793		1,445		10,827		273
Abandoned development costs	—		—		—		256		3,464
Pre-opening costs	—		363		462		1,449		163
Other income, net (3)	(1,603)		(362)		(424)		(1,911)		(1,271)
Litigation and other professional expenses (8)	1,850		—		187		502		1,384
Stock compensation expense	2,053		3,518		5,812		5,753		5,223
Gain on bargain purchase	—		—		(230)		—		—
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—		—		—		7,443		—
Adjusted EBITDA	$	89,505	$	91,771	$	102,990	$	86,371	$	107,855


	Year Ended
	January 1, 2017		December 31, 2017		December 30, 2018		December 29, 2019		January 3, 2021
Reconciliation of Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA (5):
Income (loss) from operations	$	35,702	$	29,473	$	33,355	$	(8,743)	$	4,114
Add:
General and administrative expenses	54,956		60,348		66,587		84,734		84,051
Restaurant integration costs	—		—		—		2,364		—
Pre-opening costs	—		363		462		1,449		163
Depreciation and amortization	47,295		54,159		58,468		74,674		81,727
Impairment and other lease charges	2,355		2,827		3,685		3,564		12,778
Other expense (income), net (3)	338		(333)		(424)		(1,911)		(1,271)
Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA	$	140,646	$	146,837	$	162,133	$	156,131	$	181,562


	Year Ended
	January 1, 2017		December 31, 2017		December 30, 2018		December 29, 2019		January 3, 2021
Reconciliation of Adjusted net income (loss) (5):
Net income (loss)	$	45,472	$	7,159	$	10,104	$	(31,919)	$	(29,463)
Add:
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—		—		—		7,443		—
Impairment and other lease charges	2,355		2,827		3,685		3,564		12,778
Acquisition and integration costs (7)	1,853		1,793		1,445		10,827		273
Abandoned development costs	—		—		—		256		3,464
Pre-opening costs	—		363		462		1,449		163
Other income, net (3)	(1,603)		(362)		(424)		(1,911)		(1,271)
Gain on bargain purchase	—		—		(230)		—		—
Litigation and other professional expenses (8)	1,850		—		187		502		1,384
Income tax effect of above adjustments (9)	(1,693)		(1,756)		(1,138)		(5,534)		(4,199)
Adjustments to income tax benefit (10)	(30,374)		(762)		—		—		13,138
Adjusted net income (loss)	$	17,860	$	9,262	$	14,091	$	(15,323)	$	(3,733)
Adjusted diluted net income (loss) per share (11)	$	0.40	$	0.21	$	0.31	$	(0.35)	$	(0.07)

(1) Acquisition costs of $1.9 million, $1.8 million, $1.4 million, $8.5 million and $0.3 million were included in general and administrative expense for the years ended January 1, 2017, December 31, 2017, December 30, 2018, December 29, 2019 and January 3, 2021, respectively.

(2)General and administrative expenses include stock-based compensation expense for the years ended January 1, 2017, December 31, 2017, December 30, 2018, December 29, 2019 and January 3, 2021 of $2.1 million, $3.5 million, $5.8 million, $5.8 million and $5.2 million, respectively.

(3)In 2020, we recorded gains related to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of the Company's restaurants of $2.1 million, a net gain on twelve sale-leaseback transactions of $0.2 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $1.0 million. In fiscal 2019, we recorded, among other things, a $1.9 million gain related to a settlement with BKC for the approval of new restaurant development by other franchisees which unfavorably impacted our restaurants. In fiscal 2018 and 2017, we recorded net gains of $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, primarily related to insurance recoveries from fires at two restaurants. In fiscal 2016, we recorded gains of $1.2 million related to property insurance recoveries from fires at two restaurants, a gain of $0.5 million related to a settlement for a partial condemnation on one of its operating restaurant properties and expense of $1.85 million related to a settlement of litigation.

(4)Average annual sales per restaurant are derived by dividing restaurant sales by the average number of restaurants operating during the period.

(5)EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted net income (loss) are financial measures not in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). EBITDA represents net income or loss before income taxes, interest expense and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA as adjusted to exclude impairment and other lease charges, acquisition and integration costs, stock compensation expense, pre-opening costs, gain on bargain purchase, loss on extinguishment of debt and other income or expense. Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA represents income or loss from operations adjusted to exclude general and administrative expenses, restaurant integration costs, pre-opening costs, depreciation and amortization, impairment and

other lease charges, and other income or expense. Adjusted net income (loss) represents net income or loss as adjusted to exclude loss on extinguishment of debt, impairment and other lease charges, acquisition and integration costs, pre-opening expense gain on bargain purchase, litigation costs, legal settlement gains and other income or expense, the related income tax effect of these adjustments and the establishment or reversal of a valuation allowance on our net deferred income tax assets.

We are presenting Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted net income (loss) because we believe that they provide a more meaningful comparison than EBITDA and net income or loss of our core business operating results, as well as with those of other similar companies. Additionally, we present Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA because it excludes the impact of general and administrative expenses and other income or expense, which are not directly related to restaurant-level operations. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA, when viewed with our results of operations in accordance with GAAP and the accompanying reconciliations, provide useful information about operating performance and period-over-period growth, and provide additional information that is useful for evaluating the operating performance of our core business without regard to potential distortions. Additionally, management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA permit investors to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our ongoing cash earnings, from which capital investments are made and debt is serviced.

However, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted net income (loss) are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and, accordingly, should not be considered as alternatives to net income or loss, income or loss from operations or cash flow from operating activities as indicators of operating performance or liquidity. Also, these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled captions of other companies.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted net income (loss) have important limitations as analytical tools. These limitations include the following:

•EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA do not reflect our capital expenditures, future requirements for capital expenditures or contractual commitments to purchase capital equipment;

•EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA do not reflect the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service principal or interest payments on our debt;

•Although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets that we currently depreciate and amortize will likely have to be replaced in the future, and EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA do not reflect the cash required to fund such replacements; and

•EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted net income (loss) do not reflect the effect of earnings or charges resulting from matters that our management does not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operations. However, some of these charges (such as impairment and other lease charges and acquisition and integration costs) have recurred and may reoccur.

(6)Restaurants we acquire are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been operated by us for 12 months. Sales from restaurants we develop are included in comparable sales after they have been open for 15 months. Comparable restaurant sales are on a 53-week basis for the year ended January 3, 2021.

(7)Acquisition and integration costs for the periods presented include certain legal and professional fees, corporate payroll, and other costs related to the integration of acquisitions and one-time repair and other operating costs which are included in Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA.

(8)Litigation and other professional expenses in fiscal 2020 include legal costs pertaining to an ongoing lawsuit with one of our vendors, costs to settle a class action claim and other non-recurring professional service expenses. In fiscal 2019 and 2018, this included legal costs pertaining to an ongoing lawsuit with one of our vendors and for fiscal 2016, represents costs for settlement of certain litigation.

(9)The income tax effect related to all adjustments, other than the deferred income tax valuation allowance provision (benefit), was calculated using an incremental income tax rate of 25% in fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019, 22.2% in fiscal 2018 and 38% in all other years presented.

(10)Fiscal 2020 includes tax expense of $13.1 million to record an incremental tax valuation allowance for certain income tax credits as they may expire prior to their utilization. The benefit for income taxes in fiscal 2019 contains discrete tax adjustments of $0.5 million of income tax expense. The benefit for income taxes in fiscal 2018 contains net discrete tax adjustments of $0.1 million of income tax expense. The provision for income taxes in fiscal 2017 contains a $0.8 million discrete tax benefit recorded in the fourth quarter to remeasure our net deferred taxes due to the lowering of the Federal income tax rate to 21% under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act signed into law in the fourth quarter of 2017. The benefit for income taxes in fiscal 2016 reflects a $30.4 million income tax benefit recorded in the fourth quarter of 2016 to reverse a previously recorded valuation allowance on net deferred income tax assets.

(11)Adjusted diluted net income (loss) per share is calculated based on Adjusted net income (loss) and the dilutive weighted average common shares outstanding for each respective period.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Our fiscal years consist of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. The fiscal year ended January 3, 2021 contained 53 weeks and the fiscal year ended December 29, 2019 contained 52 weeks.

Introduction

We are a holding company and conduct all of our operations through our direct and indirect subsidiaries, Carrols, Carrols LLC, New CFH, LLC and its direct and indirect subsidiaries, and Republic Foods, Inc., and have no assets other than the shares of capital stock of Carrols and New CFH, LLC, our direct wholly-owned subsidiaries. The following “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (“MD&A”) is written to help the reader understand our company. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, our Consolidated Financial Statements appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The overview provides our perspective on the individual sections of MD&A, which include the following:

Company Overview—a general description of our business and our key financial measures.

Recent and Future Events Affecting Our Results of Operations—a description of recent events that affect, and future events that may affect, our results of operations.

Results of Operations—an analysis of our consolidated results of operations for the years ended January 3, 2021, and December 29, 2019, including a review of the material items and known trends and uncertainties. See Item 7 of our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K for an analysis of our consolidated results of operations for the years ended December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018.

Liquidity and Capital Resources—an analysis of our cash flows, including capital expenditures, changes in capital resources and known trends that may impact liquidity.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies—an overview of accounting policies requiring critical judgments and estimates.

New accounting pronouncements—a discussion of new accounting pronouncements, dates of implementation, and the impact on our consolidated financial position or results of operations, if any.

Company Overview

Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, "Carrols Restaurant Group", the "Company", "we", "our" or "us") is one of the largest restaurant companies in the United States and has been operating restaurants for more than 60 years. We are the largest Burger King® franchisee in the United States, based on number of restaurants, and have operated Burger King® restaurants since 1976. As of January 3, 2021 we operated, as a franchisee, a total of 1,074 restaurants in 23 states under the trade names of Burger King® and Popeyes®. This included 1,009 Burger King® restaurants in 23 Northeastern, Midwestern, Southcentral and Southeastern states and 65 Popeyes® restaurants in seven Southeastern states.

During the year ended December 29, 2019, we acquired 179 Burger King® restaurants and 55 Popeyes restaurants in three separate transactions which we refer to as the "2019 acquired restaurants". During the year ended December 30, 2018, we acquired 44 Burger King® restaurants in four separate transactions, which we refer to as the "2018 acquired restaurants".

Any reference to "BKC" refers to Burger King Corporation and its indirect parent company, Restaurant Brands International Inc. ("RBI"). Any reference to "PLK" refers to Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. and its indirect parent company, RBI.

The following is an overview of the key financial measures discussed in our results of operations:

•Restaurant sales consist of food and beverage sales at our restaurants, net of sales discounts and excluding sales tax collected. Restaurant sales are influenced by changes in comparable restaurant sales, menu price increases, new restaurant development, acquisition of restaurants and the closures of restaurants. Comparable restaurant sales reflect the change in year-over-year sales for a comparable restaurant base. Restaurants we acquire are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been owned for 12 months and immediately after they re-open following a remodel. Newly developed restaurants are included in comparable restaurant sales after they have been open for 15 months. For comparative purposes, where applicable, the calculation of the changes in comparable restaurant sales is based either on a 53-week or 52-week year.

•Other revenue consists of fuel sales, food sales and sales of other convenience merchandise and services from the six convenience stores acquired as part of the Cambridge Acquisition (as defined in this MD&A). The six convenience stores were closed in the fourth quarter of 2019.

•Cost of sales consists of food, paper and beverage costs (including packaging costs) and delivery charges, less purchase discounts and vendor rebates. Cost of sales is generally influenced by changes in commodity costs, the mix of items sold, the level of promotional discounting, the effectiveness of our restaurant-level controls to manage food and paper costs and the relative contribution of delivery sales. In 2019, cost of sales also included fuel costs for the six convenience stores acquired as part of the Cambridge Acquisition, which contributed lower margins relative to our restaurant cost of sales.

•Restaurant wages and related expenses include all restaurant management and hourly productive labor costs and related benefits, employer payroll taxes and restaurant-level bonuses. Payroll and related benefits are subject to inflation, including minimum wage increases and increased costs for health insurance, workers’ compensation insurance and federal and state unemployment insurance.

•Restaurant rent expense includes base rent and variable rent on our leases characterized as operating leases. In 2018, restaurant rent expense also included the amortization of favorable and unfavorable leases and was reduced by the amortization of deferred gains on sale-leaseback transactions.

•Other restaurant operating expenses include all other restaurant-level operating costs, the major components of which are royalty expenses paid to BKC and PLK, utilities, repairs and maintenance, real estate taxes and credit card fees.

•Advertising expense includes advertising payments to BKC and PLK based on a percentage of sales as required under our franchise and operating agreements and additional marketing and promotional expenses in certain of our markets.

•General and administrative expenses are comprised primarily of salaries and expenses associated with corporate and administrative functions that support the development and operations of our restaurants, legal, auditing and other professional fees, acquisition costs and stock-based compensation expense.

•EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss). EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) are non-GAAP financial measures. EBITDA represents net income (loss) before income taxes, interest expense and depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA adjusted to exclude impairment and other lease charges, acquisition and integration costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, stock compensation expense, other income or expense, abandoned site development costs, pre-opening expenses and certain other non-recurring expenses. Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA represents income (loss) from operations adjusted to exclude general and administrative expenses, depreciation and amortization, impairment and other lease charges and other income or expense. Adjusted net income (loss) represents net income (loss) adjusted to exclude loss on extinguishment of debt, impairment and other lease charges, acquisition costs, pre-opening and litigation costs, legal settlement gains and other income and expense and the related income tax effect of these adjustments.

•We are presenting Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (loss) because we believe that they provide a more meaningful comparison than EBITDA and net income of our core business operating results, as well as with those of other similar companies. Additionally, we present Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA because it excludes the impact of general and administrative expenses and other income or expense, which are not directly related to restaurant-level operations. Management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA, when viewed with our results of operations in accordance with GAAP and the accompanying reconciliations on page 54, provide useful information about operating performance and period-over-period growth, and provide additional information that is useful for evaluating the operating performance of our core business without regard to potential distortions. Additionally, management believes that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA permit investors to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our ongoing cash earnings, from which capital investments are made and debt is serviced.

However, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) are not measures of financial performance or liquidity under GAAP and, accordingly, should not be considered as alternatives to net income, income from operations or cash flow from operating activities as indicators of operating performance or liquidity. Also, these measures may not be comparable to similarly titled captions of other companies. For the reconciliation between net income to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income and the reconciliation of income from operations to Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA, see page 54.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) have important limitations as analytical tools. These limitations include the following:

•EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA do not reflect the interest expense or the cash requirements necessary to service principal or interest payments on our debt;

•EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss) do not reflect the effect of earnings or charges resulting from matters that our management does not consider to be indicative of our ongoing operations. However, some of these charges (such as impairment, other lease charges, acquisition costs and litigation costs) have recurred and may reoccur.

•Depreciation and amortization primarily includes the depreciation of fixed assets, including equipment, owned buildings and leasehold improvements utilized in our restaurants, the amortization of franchise rights from our acquisitions of restaurants and the amortization of franchise fees paid to BKC and PLK.

•Impairment and other lease charges are determined through our assessment of the recoverability of property and equipment and intangible assets by determining whether the carrying value of these assets can be recovered over their respective remaining lives through undiscounted future operating cash flows. A potential impairment charge is evaluated whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be fully recoverable. Lease charges are recorded for our obligations under the related leases for closed locations net of estimated sublease recoveries.

•Interest expense consists of interest expense associated with our $425.0 million Term Loan B borrowings and $75.0 million Term Loan B-1 borrowings, amortization of deferred financing costs, amortization of original issue discount, interest on revolving credit borrowings, ticking fees, payments required under our interest rate swap arrangement, and, through April 30, 2019, interest on the $275.0 million of 8% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the "8% Notes") and unamortized bond premium.

Recent and Future Events Affecting our Results of Operations

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on restaurant sales at our Burger King restaurants began during the week ended March 15, 2020. During the week ended March 29, 2020, comparable restaurant sales decreased 33.8% compared to the prior year week. Comparable restaurant sales declines at our Burger King restaurants began easing mid-April, and for the month of June the change in comparable restaurant sales was positive. For our Popeyes restaurants, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on restaurant sales started during the week ended March 22, 2020, and began easing mid-April.

In response to the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our business operations and the continuing uncertainty in the economy in general, we have taken steps to adapt our business and strengthen and preserve our liquidity, including the following:

•In March 2020, we closed the dining rooms in all our restaurants and modified operating hours in line with local ordinances and day-part sales trends. These closures were in effect for most of the second quarter of 2020, with each restaurant operating according to their respective local governmental guidelines as well as safety procedures developed by BKC and PLK. As individual states and local governments have allowed reopenings, we have continually evaluated the opportunity to re-open dining rooms. By the end of the year, approximately 35% of dining rooms have reopened, however, in most cases, guests have continued to rely on our drive-thru, carry-out and delivery service modes. Restaurant sales in the fourth quarter of 2020 included approximately 1% of eat-in traffic at our Burger King restaurants and 7% of eat-in traffic at our Popeyes restaurants, which are the highest we've seen since the onset of the pandemic.

•We launched delivery services in March of 2020 at approximately 800 of our restaurants and have added additional third-party delivery partners as well as restaurant coverage over the course of the year. For the fourth quarter of 2020, delivery comprised approximately 3.5% of total restaurant sales and for all of 2020 delivery was approximately 2.4% of all sales.

•We temporarily closed 46 restaurants in late March 2020 and early April 2020 that were geographically close to one of our other restaurants, and these closures were in effect for most of the second quarter of 2020. By the end of 2020, we had reopened all of these restaurants with the exception of two Burger King restaurants we permanently closed in the third quarter.

•As discussed below, we increased revolving credit borrowing capacity under our Revolving Credit Facility (as defined below) by $30.8 million to a total of $145.8 million and borrowed Incremental Term B-1 Loans (as defined below) for net proceeds of $71.3 million after original issue discount to increase our liquidity and protect against the uncertainty of a prolonged pandemic.

•We remain committed to active management of our expenditures and for the second quarter of 2020 limited spending mainly to necessary restaurant maintenance issues. For the full year, we reduced operating capital expenditures to $56.9 million from $134.9 million in 2019.

•We reduced regional and corporate overhead by streamlining our regional management and support structure, improving our training process and instituted a 10% temporary reduction in all non-restaurant wages for the second quarter of 2020. Given our improved business trajectory, this reduction in wages was restored as of July 1, 2020.

•As allowed under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, as amended (the "CARES Act"), we deferred payment of the employer portion of Social Security taxes through the end of 2020. The amount of the cumulative deferral at the end of 2020 was approximately $21.6 million, of which 50% is payable on each of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2022.

•We negotiated with our landlords other than BKC to secure $5.8 million in deferral or abatement of 2020 cash rent obligations, of which $4.8 million was or is expected to be repaid over various periods beginning in the third quarter of 2020. We repaid $1.6 million related to these deferrals by the end of 2020.

•During the second quarter of 2020, we optimized payment terms with our key vendors and suppliers and utilized deferral opportunities with our utility vendors. These reverted to normal payment terms in July of 2020. During the year, we experienced a number of minor and/or temporary supply chain issues. All such issues have been resolved.

•We suspended any acquisition activity and share repurchases during the first quarter, which we subsequently reinstated during the fourth quarter.

Throughout the course of this evolving COVID-19 outbreak, we have been adapting our business in order to continue operating safely. To support the health and safety of our employees, beginning in March 2020 we mandated, among other things, the use of masks, sanitizers and temperature checks at the beginning of each shift for our team members as well as instituted contactless procedures in our restaurants. We also suspended all non-essential travel for our employees and implemented a work-from-home policy for all non-restaurant personnel effective through the second quarter of 2020. During the third quarter of 2020, administrative employees returned to the office on a voluntary basis in compliance with New York's phased re-opening.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the Company's customer traffic, the immediate actions taken to continue drive-thru and carry-out business operations and secure additional liquidity have minimized the financial impact on the Company's results of operations, financial condition and cash flows. We believe our business model and world-class brands are ideally positioned to serve value and convenience-seeking customers through our drive-thru, at-the-counter for take-out, and delivery channels.

While significant uncertainty remains as to when or the manner in which the circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic will change, including but not limited to stock price volatility, lower customer traffic, governmental restrictions on restaurant businesses and the unpredictable economic environment, we have been nimble in adapting our operations to the realities of the marketplace and saw the results of these efforts in 2020. In 2020, we were able to increase our full year Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA by $25.4 million and $21.5 million, respectively, by managing food costs, optimizing labor hours despite higher wage rates, and controlling other restaurant-level and corporate overhead expenses.

Cambridge Acquisition

On April 30, 2019, we completed a merger with New CFH, LLC, a former subsidiary of Cambridge Franchise Holdings, LLC ("Cambridge") and acquired 165 Burger King® restaurants, 55 Popeyes® restaurants and six convenience stores (the "Cambridge Acquisition"). Cambridge received a total of approximately 14.9 million shares of our common stock after conversion of all preferred stock initially issued to Cambridge in the Cambridge Acquisition. All shares of common stock issued to Cambridge are subject to a two year restriction on sale or transfer, subject to certain limited exceptions.

Area Development and Remodeling Agreement

The Company, Carrols, Carrols LLC, and BKC entered into a new Area Development Agreement (the "ADA") which commenced on April 30, 2019 and was set to end on September 30, 2024 and which superseded the Operating Agreement dated as of May 30, 2012, as amended, between Carrols LLC and BKC. The ADA was amended and restated by all parties on January 4, 2021 (the "Amended ADA").

Under the ADA, Carrols LLC had agreed to open, build and operate a total of 200 new Burger King restaurants including 32 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2020, 41 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2021, 41 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2022, 40 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2023 and 39 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2024, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the ADA. Carrols LLC also had agreed under the ADA to remodel or upgrade a total of 748 Burger King restaurants to BKC’s Burger King of Tomorrow restaurant image, including 130 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2020, 118 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2021, 131 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2022, 138 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2023 and 141 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2024, subject to and in accordance with the terms of the ADA.

Cambridge Acquisition ("ADA ROFR"). The ADA ROFR was terminated in connection with the Amended ADA and an impairment charge of $2.0 million for the unamortized value remaining from the payment for the ADA ROFR was recorded in 2020.

BKC agreed to contribute $10 million to $12 million for upgrades of approximately 50 to 60 Burger King restaurants in 2019 and 2020, most of which have already been remodeled to the 20/20 image and where BKC is the landlord on the lease for such Burger King restaurants operated by Carrols LLC or an affiliate. In 2019, we received $10.0 million from BKC under this arrangement.

Through the Cambridge Acquisition, we have also assumed a development agreement for Popeyes®, which includes an assignment by PLK of its right of first refusal under its franchise agreements with its franchisees for acquisitions in two southern states, as well as a development commitment to open, build and operate approximately 80 new Popeyes® restaurants over six years.

Restaurant Acquisitions

From the beginning of 2018 through January 3, 2021, we acquired 278 restaurants from other Burger King and Popeyes franchisees in the following transactions ($ in thousands):


Closing Date		Number of Restaurants	Purchase Price		Number of Fee-Owned Restaurants	Market Location
2018 Acquisitions:
February 13, 2018	(1)	1	$	—		New York
August 21, 2018	(2)	2	1,666			Detroit, Michigan
September 5, 2018	(2)	31	25,930			Western Virginia
October 2, 2018		10	10,506			South Carolina and Georgia
		44	38,102		—
2019 Acquisitions:
April 30, 2019	(3)	220	259,083		14	Southeastern states, primarily TN, MS, LA
June 11, 2019		13	15,788			Baltimore, Maryland
August 20, 2019	(2)	1	1,108			Pennsylvania
		234	275,979		14
Total		278	$	314,081	14

(1)We recorded a bargain purchase gain because the fair value of assets acquired, largely representing a franchise right asset of $0.3 million, exceeded the total fair value of consideration paid by $0.2 million.

(2)Acquisitions resulting from the exercise of our right of first refusal on acquisitions in certain markets.

(3)The Cambridge Acquisition included 165 Burger King restaurants and 55 Popeyes restaurants.

The 2019 acquired restaurants included 14 fee-owned properties, of which six were subsequently sold in sale-leaseback transactions in 2019 for net proceeds of $8.3 million and two were subsequently sold in sale leaseback transactions in 2020 for net proceeds of $3.4 million. All of the 2018 acquired restaurants were leased properties.

The pro forma impact on the results of operations for the 2019 acquired restaurants is included below. The pro forma results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the acquisitions been consummated at the beginning of the periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of any future consolidated operating results. This pro forma financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies or cost savings or any transaction costs related to the 2019 acquired restaurants. The following table summarizes certain pro forma financial information related to our 2019 operating results (in thousands):


	Year Ended
	December 29, 2019
Restaurant sales	$	1,568,533
Loss from operations	$	(299)
Pro Forma Adjusted EBITDA	$	94,139

Capital Expenditures

We expect that our capital expenditures in 2021 will be approximately $65 million to $75 million, which includes approximately 35% for remodeling existing restaurants, 25% for the construction of eight new restaurants, and 20% for required ongoing capital maintenance expenditures.

In 2021, proceeds from sale/leaseback transactions related to new restaurant development are expected to be approximately $8 million to $13 million. We will review on an ongoing basis our future development and remodel plans in relation to our available capital resources.

Refinancing of Indebtedness and our Senior Credit Facilities

On April 30, 2019, we entered into a new senior secured credit facility which provides for senior secured credit facilities in an aggregate principal amount of $550.0 million (the "Senior Credit Facilities"), consisting of (i) a term loan B facility in an aggregate principal amount of $425.0 million (the “Term Loan B Facility”), the entire amount of which was borrowed by us on April 30, 2019 and (ii) a revolving credit facility (including a sub-facility of $35.0 million for standby letters of credit) in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million (the "Revolving Credit Facility"). Borrowings under the Term Loan B Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate per annum, at our option, of (i) the Alternate Base Rate plus the applicable margin of 2.25% or (ii) the LIBOR Rate plus a margin of 3.25% (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities). The Term Loan B Facility matures on April 30, 2026 and the Revolving Credit Facility matures on April 30, 2024.

On December 13, 2019, the Company entered into the First Amendment to Credit Agreement which amended a financial covenant under the Senior Credit Facilities applicable solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility that previously required the Company to maintain quarterly a Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) of not greater than 4.75 to 1.00 (measured on a most recent four quarter basis), to now require that the Company maintain only a First Lien Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) of not greater than 5.75 to 1.00 (as measured on a most recent four quarter basis) if, and only if, on the last day of any fiscal quarter (beginning with the fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2019), the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and the aggregate face amount of letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility (excluding undrawn letters of credit in an aggregate face amount up to $12.0 million) exceeds 35% of the aggregate amount of the maximum revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The First Amendment also reduced the aggregate maximum revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility by $10.0 million to a total of $115.0 million.

As of December 29, 2019, there were $45.8 million of revolving credit borrowings outstanding and $11.6 million of letters of credit were issued under the Revolving Credit Facility. After reserving for issued letters of credit and outstanding revolving credit borrowings, $57.6 million was available for revolving credit borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities at December 29, 2019.

On March 25, 2020, we entered into the Second Amendment to our Senior Credit Facilities (the "Second Amendment"). The Second Amendment increased the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under the revolving credit facility (the "Revolving Committed Amount") by $15.4 million to a total of $130.4 million.

The Second Amendment also amended the definition of Applicable Margin (such definition and all other definitions used herein and otherwise not defined herein shall be the meanings set forth in the Senior Credit Facilities) in the Credit Agreement to provide that on and after the date of the Second Amendment (the "Second Amendment Effective Date"), the Applicable Margin for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility (including Letter of Credit Fees) shall be at a rate per annum equal to (a) for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount is greater than $115.0 million, (i) for the period commencing on the Second Amendment Effective Date and including the date that is 179 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, 3.5% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 2.5% for Alternate Base Rate Loans, (ii) for the period commencing on the date that is 180 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, through and including the date that is 269 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, 4.25% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 3.25% for Alternate Base Rate Loans, (iii) for the period commencing on the date that is 270 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, through and including the date that is 364 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, 4.5% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 3.5% for Alternate Base Rate Loans and (iv) for the period commencing on the date that is 365 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date and thereafter, 4.75% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 3.75% for Alternate Base Rate Loans and (b) for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount is equal to or less than $115.0 million, 3.5% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 2.5% for Alternate Base Rate Loans.

The Second Amendment provides that beginning on the 180th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date and for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount is greater than $115.0 million, we shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Revolving Facility Lenders, a commitment fee (the "Ticking Fee") on the average daily amount of the Revolving Committed Amount at a rate per annum equal to (a) 0.125% for the 180th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date through and including the 269th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date, (b) 0.25% for the 270th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date through and including the 364th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date and (c) 1.00% for the 365th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date and thereafter. The Second Amendment provides that the Ticking Fee will be due and payable quarterly in arrears (calculated on a 360-day basis) on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and will accrue from the 180th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount is greater than $115.0 million. We recorded expense of $0.1 million related to these ticking fees in the year ended January 3, 2021.

The Second Amendment further provides that we shall use the proceeds of an Extension of Credit which results in the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations equaling an amount in excess of $115.0 million, solely for our ongoing operations and our subsidiaries and shall not be held as cash on the balance sheet. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement, (the "Letter Agreement") dated as of March 25, 2020 among the Company, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Truist Bank, we agreed to defer rent payments totaling approximately $2.4 million per month under certain real property leases for the period between April 1, 2020 through and including June 30, 2020. We paid these amounts in full according to these terms on July 1, 2020.

On April 8, 2020, we entered into the Third Amendment to our Senior Credit Facilities which increased the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under the Revolving Credit Facility by $15.4 million to a total of $145.8 million.

On April 16, 2020, we entered into the Fourth Amendment to our Senior Credit Facilities (the "Fourth Amendment"). The Fourth Amendment permits us to incur and, if necessary, repay indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the "PPP") under the CARES Act. Subsequent to this amendment, we withdrew our application for relief under the PPP and returned the funds upon receipt.

On June 23, 2020 (the "Fifth Amendment Effective Date"), we entered into the Fifth Amendment to our Senior Credit Facilities (the "Fifth Amendment"). The Fifth Amendment increased the Term Loan (as defined in the

Senior Credit Facilities) borrowings in the aggregate principal amount of $75 million of Incremental Term B-1 Loans (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities). The Incremental Term B-1 Loans constitute a new tranche of Term Loans ranking pari passu in right of payment and security with the Initial Term Loans (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) for all purposes under the Senior Credit Facilities. The Incremental Term B-1 Loans have the same terms as outstanding borrowings under the Company's existing term loan B facility pursuant to and in accordance with the Senior Credit Facilities, provided that (i) borrowings under the Incremental Term B-1 Loans will bear interest at a rate per annum, at our option, of (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus the applicable margin of 5.25% or (b) the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) (which shall not be less than 1% for Incremental Term B-1 Loans) plus the applicable margin of 6.25% and (ii) certain prepayments of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans by us prior to the first anniversary of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date are subject to a premium to the Administrative Agent (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities), for the ratable account of each applicable Term Loan Lender (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) holding Incremental Term B-1 Loans on the date of such prepayment equal to the Applicable Make-Whole Amount (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) with respect to the principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans so prepaid. The principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans will amortize in an aggregate annual amount equal to 1% of the original principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans and shall be repayable in consecutive quarterly installments on the last day of our fiscal quarters beginning on the third fiscal quarter of 2020 with the remaining outstanding principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loan and all accrued but unpaid interest and other amounts payable with respect to the Incremental Term B-1 Loan due on April 30, 2026 which is the Term Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities).

As of January 3, 2021, there were no revolving credit borrowings outstanding and $9.7 million of letters of credit were issued under our Revolving Credit Facility. After reserving for issued letters of credit, $136.1 million was available for revolving credit borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities at January 3, 2021.

Interest Rate Swap Agreement

We entered into a five year interest rate swap agreement commencing March 3, 2020 and ending February 28, 2025 with a notional amount of $220.0 million to swap variable rate interest payments (one-month LIBOR plus the applicable margin) under our Senior Credit Facilities for fixed interest payments bearing an interest rate of 0.915% plus the applicable margin in our Senior Credit Facilities.

Stock Repurchase Program

On August 2, 2019, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan (the "Repurchase Program") under which we may repurchase up to $25 million of our outstanding common stock. The authorization became effective August 2, 2019, and will expire 24 months thereafter, unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors. Purchases under the Repurchase Program may be made from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions (including, without limitation, the use of Rule 10b5-1 plans) in compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

During the year ended January 3, 2021, we repurchased 1,534,304 shares in open market transactions of our common stock at an average share price of $6.52 for a total cost of $10.0 million under the Repurchase Program. During the year ended December 29, 2019, we repurchased 553,112 shares in open market transactions at an average share price of $7.26 for a total cost of $4.0 million under the Repurchase Program.

We have no obligation to repurchase additional shares of stock under the Repurchase Program, and the timing, actual number and value of shares purchased will depend on our stock price, trading volume, general market and economic conditions and other factors.

Future Restaurant Closures

We evaluate the performance of our restaurants on an ongoing basis including an assessment of the current and future operating results of each restaurant in relation to its cash flow and future occupancy costs and, with

regard to franchise agreement renewals, the cost of required capital improvements. We may elect to close restaurants based on these evaluations.

In 2020, excluding one restaurant relocated within its trade area, we closed 33 restaurants. We currently anticipate less than five restaurant closures in 2021 outside of any restaurants being relocated within their trade area at the end of their respective lease term.

Our determination of whether to close restaurants in the future is subject to further evaluation and may change. We may incur lease charges in the future from closures of underperforming restaurants prior to the expiration of their contractual lease term. We do not believe that the future impact on our results of operations due to restaurant closures will be material, although there can be no assurance in this regard.

Effect of Minimum Wage Increases

Certain of the states and municipalities in which we operate have increased their minimum wage rates for 2020 and in many cases have also approved additional increases for future periods. Most notably, New York State has increased the minimum wage applicable to our business to $13.75 an hour in 2020 from $12.75 per hour in 2019 and $11.75 per hour in 2018, with subsequent annual increases reaching $15.00 per hour by July 1, 2021. New York State has an Urban Youth Credit through 2022 from which we have been receiving approximately $500,000 per year since 2016. We had 125 restaurants in New York State as of January 3, 2021. We also have one restaurant in Massachusetts that has annual minimum wage increases reaching $15.00 per hour in 2023, 10 restaurants in New Jersey that have annual minimum wage increases reaching $15.00 per hour in 2024, and 45 total restaurants in Illinois and Maryland that also have annual minimum wage increases reaching $15.00 per hour in 2025. We typically 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.

Results of Operations

Fiscal 2020 compared to Fiscal 2019

The following table highlights the key components of sales and the number of restaurants in operation for the years ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 (dollars in thousands):


		Year ended
		January 3, 2021			December 29, 2019
		(in thousands of dollars)
Burger King restaurant sales		$	1,459,016		$	1,398,660
Popeyes restaurant sales		88,486			53,856
Total restaurant sales		$	1,547,502		$	1,452,516
Change in comparable Burger King restaurant sales %		(2.8)		%	2.2		%
Change in comparable Popeyes restaurant sales %		(0.1)		%

Burger King restaurants operating at beginning of year		1,036			849
New restaurants opened, including relocations	(1)	7			21
Restaurants acquired		—			179
Restaurants closed, including relocations	(1)	(34)			(13)
Restaurants operating at end of year		1,009			1,036

Popeyes restaurants operating at beginning of year		65			—
New restaurants opened, including relocations		—			10
Restaurants acquired		—			55

Restaurants operating at end of year		65			65

(1) New restaurants opened in 2020 and 2019 included one and two restaurants, respectively, that were closed and relocated within their market areas.

Restaurant Sales and Other Revenue. Total restaurant sales in 2020 increased 6.5% to $1,547.5 million from $1,452.5 million in 2019. Comparable restaurant sales decreased 2.7% due to an increase in average check of 13.1% which was more than offset by a decrease in customer traffic of 13.9%. The comparable restaurant sales decline includes the significant sales declines we experienced in March (-16.8%) and April (-21.7%) of 2020 during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The effect of menu price increases in 2020 was approximately 1.6%.

Restaurant sales overall increased $95.0 million, which included $28.4 million from the impact of a 53rd week in fiscal 2020 and $95.7 million from including a full year of operations for the 200 restaurants acquired in 2019 as compared with eight months of operations in fiscal 2019. In fiscal 2019, we had other revenue of $10.2 million from six convenience stores acquired in the Cambridge Acquisition that are not included in restaurant sales above. These stores were closed at the end of 2019.

Operating Costs and Expenses (percentages stated as a percentage of total restaurant sales unless otherwise noted).

The following table sets forth selected operating results for the years ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019:


	Year Ended
	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019
Costs and expenses (all restaurants):
Cost of sales	29.3	%	29.7	%
Restaurant wages and related expenses	32.2	%	33.4	%
Restaurant rent expense	7.7	%	7.4	%
Other restaurant operating expenses	15.3	%	15.7	%
Advertising expense	3.9	%	4.0	%
General and administrative expenses	5.4	%	5.8	%

Cost of sales decreased as a percentage of restaurant sales to 29.3% in 2020 from 29.7% in 2019. This decrease reflected the positive impacts of improved operational efficiencies at our Burger King restaurants (0.8%), menu price increases taken since the end of 2019 at our Burger King restaurants (0.5%), and the inclusion of convenience stores in the prior year which had a higher cost of sales (0.6%). These positive impacts were offset by increased commodity costs at our Burger King restaurants (1.1%, including a 3.2% increase in ground beef prices compared to 2019) and the inclusion of delivery costs in 2020 (0.4%). The impact of higher promotional discounting during 2020 was offset by a favorable sales mix.

Cost of sales at our Popeyes restaurants improved approximately 160 basis points over last year due to improved operations at those restaurants (0.1%). Cost of sales in the prior year related to the convenience stores we closed in the fourth quarter of 2019 was $9.2 million, or 0.6% of revenue in 2020.

Restaurant wages and related expenses decreased to 32.2% in 2020 from 33.4% in 2019 due to labor adjustments we made during 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We were able to adjust our labor requirements and hours based on operating day part sales trends and in response to dining room closures. The impact of hourly labor rate increases in 2020, inclusive of minimum wage increases, was 5.6% at our legacy restaurants when compared to the prior year period. This was more than offset through effective labor hour management in 2020.

Restaurant rent expense increased to 7.7% in 2020 from 7.4% in 2019 due to the sale-leaseback of 36 restaurant locations from the fourth quarter of 2019 through the end of 2020 which either previously did not incur rent costs or resulted in higher rent on the property.

Other restaurant operating expenses decreased to 15.3% in 2020 from 15.7% in 2019 due primarily to lower repair and maintenance costs (0.2%) and lower utility costs (0.2%).

Advertising expense decreased to 3.9% in 2020 from 4.0% in 2019 due to advertising incentives received for certain remodeled Burger King restaurants.

Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA. As a result of the factors above, as well as the impact of the 53rd week in fiscal 2020 of $6.3 million, Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA increased $25.4 million to $181.6 million in 2020 from $156.1 million in 2019. For a reconciliation between Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA and income from operations see page 54.

General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased to $84.1 million in 2020 from $84.7 million in 2019. We reduced regional and corporate overhead in 2020 by streamlining our regional management structure and making improvements to our training process, which offset the impact of increased overhead from the Cambridge Acquisition, as well as reducing travel by $1.4 million in 2020 compared to 2019. We instituted a 10% temporary reduction in non-restaurant wages for the second quarter of 2020, which reduced general

and administrative expenses by $1.0 million. This 10% temporary reduction in non-restaurant wages was restored as of July 1, 2020. The full impact of these administrative cost reductions was offset by $3.4 million higher administrative bonus accruals in 2020 as a result of favorable profitability in the period.

We incurred $1.4 million and $0.5 million in 2020 and 2019, respectively, in administrative costs pertaining to non-recurring litigation and professional fees. In connection with our pause on new development in 2020, we recorded $3.5 million in expense for abandoned site development costs, including $0.6 million related to forfeiting prepaid franchise fees in connection with the Amended ADA. Administrative expenses in 2019 included $8.2 million more of acquisition and integration costs. General and administrative expenses excluding the non-recurring costs described above decreased as a percentage of total revenues to 5.1% in 2020 from 5.2% in 2019.

Adjusted EBITDA. As a result of the factors above, as well as an impact from the 53rd week in fiscal 2020 of $5.3 million, Adjusted EBITDA increased $21.5 million to $107.9 million in 2020 from $86.4 million in 2019.

For a reconciliation between net income and EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA see page 54.

Depreciation and Amortization. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense to $81.7 million in 2020 from $74.7 million in 2019 was primarily due to our acquisitions of restaurants in 2019 being included for a full year in 2020.

Impairment and Other Lease Charges. We recorded impairment and other lease charges of $12.8 million in 2020 consisting of $2.0 million related to the impairment of the remaining unamortized value of our right of first refusal under our ADA with BKC, $5.0 million related to initial impairment charges for fifteen underperforming restaurants, $1.2 million of capital expenditures at previously impaired restaurants, and other lease charges of $4.6 million primarily related to the closure of 23 of our underperforming restaurant locations during 2020.

We recorded impairment and other lease charges of $3.6 million in 2019 and included $0.3 million of capital expenditures at previously impaired restaurants, $1.3 million related to initial impairment charges for seven underperforming restaurants, and other lease charges of $1.9 million mostly related to the closing of the six convenience stores acquired in 2019 from Cambridge.

Other Income, Net. In 2020, we recorded other income, net, of $1.3 million which consisted of gains related to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of our restaurants of $2.1 million, a net gain on 12 sale-leaseback transactions of $0.2 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $1.0 million.

In 2019, we recorded other income, net, of $1.9 million, which consisted of a $1.9 million gain from a settlement with BKC for their approval of new restaurant development by other franchisees which unfavorably impacted our restaurants, a $0.6 million net gain on sale-leaseback transactions, a $0.2 million gain related to insurance recoveries from fire at two of our restaurants and a loss on a disposal of restaurant equipment of $0.8 million.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased to $27.3 million in 2020 from $27.9 million in 2019. The weighted average interest rate on our long-term debt, excluding lease financing obligations, was 4.6% in 2020 and 6.1% in 2019.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt. We recognized a loss on extinguishment of debt of $7.4 million in 2019 in connection with the refinancing of the 8% Notes. The loss consisted of the write-off of unamortized debt costs, unamortized bond premium and additional redemption fees.

Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. In 2020, we recorded income tax expense of $6.3 million and our effective income tax rate was 27.2%. The difference to the Federal statutory rate for 2020 of 21% is primarily due to a charge in the period of $13.1 million to establish an incremental tax valuation allowance for certain income tax credits as they may expire prior to utilization, the tax benefit of state income taxes, and other discrete tax items.

The benefit for income taxes in 2019 of $12.1 million was at an effective tax rate of 27.5%, including discrete tax expense items of $0.5 million. The difference compared to the Federal statutory rate for 2019 of 21% is

primarily due to the tax benefit of employment tax credits which are not directly related to the amount of pre-tax loss and the tax benefit of state income taxes.

Net Income (Loss). As a result of the above, our net loss was $29.5 million in 2020, or $0.58 per diluted share, compared to net loss of $31.9 million in 2019, or $0.74 per diluted share.

Reconciliations of net income (loss) to EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted net income (loss) and income (loss) from operations to Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA for the years ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 are as follows (in thousands):


	Year Ended
	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019
Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA:
Net income (loss)	$	(29,463)	$	(31,919)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	6,294		(12,123)
Interest expense	27,283		27,856
Depreciation and amortization	81,727		74,674
EBITDA	85,841		58,488
Impairment and other lease charges	12,778		3,564
Acquisition and integration costs (1)	273		10,827
Abandoned development costs (2)	3,464		256
Pre-opening costs (3)	163		1,449
Litigation costs and other professional expenses (4)	1,384		502
Other income, net (5)(6)	(1,271)		(1,911)
Stock compensation expense	5,223		5,753
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—		7,443
Adjusted EBITDA	$	107,855	$	86,371


	Year Ended
	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019
Reconciliation of Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA:
Income (loss) from operations	$	4,114	$	(8,743)
Add:
General and administrative expenses	84,051		84,734
Acquisition and integration costs (1)	—		2,364
Pre-opening costs (3)	163		1,449
Depreciation and amortization	81,727		74,674
Impairment and other lease charges	12,778		3,564
Other income, net (5)(6)	(1,271)		(1,911)
Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA	$	181,562	$	156,131


	Year Ended
	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019
Reconciliation of Adjusted net loss:
Net loss	$	(29,463)	$	(31,919)
Add:

Impairment and other lease charges	12,778		3,564
Acquisition and integration costs (1)	273		10,827
Abandoned development costs (2)	3,464		256
Pre-opening costs (3)	163		1,449
Litigation and other professional expenses (4)	1,384		502
Other income, net (5)(6)	(1,271)		(1,911)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	—		7,443
Income tax effect on above adjustments (7)	(4,199)		(5,534)
Valuation allowance for deferred taxes (8)	13,138		—
Adjusted net loss	$	(3,733)	$	(15,323)
Adjusted diluted net loss per share (9)	$	(0.07)	$	(0.35)
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	50,751		43,422

(1)Acquisition and integration costs for twelve months ended January 3, 2021 primarily include legal and professional fees incurred in connection with the acquisition of 165 Burger King and 55 Popeyes restaurants from Cambridge Franchise Holdings, LLC in 2019, which were included in general and administrative expense. Acquisition and integration costs for the twelve months ended December 29, 2019 of $10.8 million include certain legal and professional fees; corporate payroll, and other costs related to the integration of the Cambridge merger and one-time repair costs which are included in Adjusted Restaurant-Level EBITDA.

(2)Abandoned development costs for the twelve months ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 represent the write-off of capitalized costs due to the abandoned development of future restaurant locations.

(3)Pre-opening costs for the twelve months ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 include training, labor and occupancy costs incurred during the construction of new restaurants.

(4)Litigation and other professional expenses for the twelve months ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 include costs pertaining to an ongoing lawsuit with one of the Company's former vendors, costs to settle a class action claim and other non-recurring professional service expenses.

(5)Other income, net for the twelve months ended January 3, 2021 included gains related to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of the Company's restaurants of $2.1 million, a net gain on 12 sale-leaseback transactions of $0.2 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $1.0 million.

(6)Other income, net for the twelve months ended December 29, 2019 included a $1.9 million gain related to a settlement with Burger King Corporation for the approval of new restaurant development by other franchisees which unfavorably impacted the Company's restaurants, net gains on sale-leaseback transactions of $0.6 million, a gain related to an insurance recovery from property damage at two of the Company's restaurants of $0.2 million and a loss on a disposal of restaurant equipment of $0.8 million.

(7)The income tax effect related to the adjustments to Adjusted Net Loss during the periods presented was calculated using an incremental income tax rate of 25.0% for the three and twelve months ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively.

(8)Reflects the removal of the income tax provision recorded during the year ended January 3, 2021 for the establishment of a valuation allowance on certain federal income tax credits as they may expire prior to their utilization by the Company.

(9)Adjusted diluted net loss per share is calculated based on Adjusted net loss and the diluted weighted average common shares outstanding for the respective periods, where applicable.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As is common in the restaurant industry, we maintain relatively low levels of accounts receivable and inventories and receive trade credit based upon negotiated terms for purchasing food products and other supplies. As a result, we may at times maintain current liabilities in excess of current assets, which results in a working capital deficit. We are able to operate with a substantial working capital deficit because:

•restaurant operations are primarily conducted on a cash basis;

•rapid turnover results in a limited investment in inventories; and

•cash from sales is usually received before related liabilities for food, supplies and payroll become due.

Interest payments under our debt obligations, capital expenditures including for our remodeling initiatives, payments of royalties and advertising to BKC and Popeyes and payments related to our lease obligations represent significant liquidity requirements for us, not including any discretionary expenditures for the acquisition or development of additional Burger King and Popeyes restaurants. We believe our cash balances, cash generated from our operations and availability of revolving credit borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities provide sufficient cash availability to cover our anticipated working capital needs, capital expenditures and debt service requirements for the next twelve months.

Operating activities. Net cash provided from operating activities for the years ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 was $103.9 million and $48.7 million, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities in 2020 increased by $55.2 million compared to 2019 due primarily to an increase of Adjusted EBITDA of $21.5 million and a change in working capital of $19.0 million, primarily related to our deferral of the employer portion of social security taxes through the end of 2020 of $21.6 million.

Net cash provided from operating activities in 2019 decreased by $32.1 million compared to 2018 due primarily to a reduction of Adjusted EBITDA of $16.6 million, an increase in deferred income tax liabilities of $11.5 million and a change in operating right-of use assets and operating lease liabilities of $4.0 million.

Investing activities. Net cash used for investing activities from continuing operations for the years ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 was $47.9 million and $218.0 million, respectively. In 2020, in addition to our capital expenditures of $56.9 million, we received net proceeds of $7.0 million from sale-leaseback transactions, including properties purchased for sale-leaseback, and received $2.1 million from property insurance recoveries.

In 2019, in addition to our capital expenditures of $134.9 million, we completed the Cambridge Acquisition which included approximately $113.8 million for retirement of the Cambridge indebtedness net of cash, acquired fourteen Burger King restaurants from other franchisees for $16.9 million, and received net proceeds of $47.2 million from sale-leaseback transactions, including properties purchased for sale-leaseback.

Capital expenditures are a large component of our investing activities and include: (1) new restaurant development, which may include the purchase of real estate; (2) restaurant remodeling, which includes the renovation or rebuilding of the interior and exterior of our existing restaurants including expenses associated with our franchise agreement renewals and certain restaurants that we acquire; (3) other restaurant capital expenditures, which include capital maintenance expenditures for the ongoing reinvestment and enhancement of our restaurants, and from time to time, to support BKC’s initiatives; and (4) corporate and restaurant information systems, including expenditures for our point-of-sale software for restaurants that we acquire.

The following table sets forth our capital expenditures for the periods presented (dollar amounts in thousands):


Year Ended January 3, 2021:
New restaurant development	$	17,824
Restaurant remodeling	15,317
Other restaurant capital expenditures	13,064
Corporate and restaurant information systems	10,685
Total capital expenditures	$	56,890
Number of new restaurant openings including relocations	7
Year Ended December 29, 2019:
New restaurant development	$	53,596
Restaurant remodeling	50,383
Other restaurant capital expenditures	18,922
Corporate and restaurant information systems	11,978
Total capital expenditures	$	134,879
Number of new restaurant openings including relocations	31

Financing activities. Net cash provided by financing activities in 2020 was $5.9 million and included $71.3 million in net proceeds from issuance of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans, net repayments of our revolving credit borrowings of $45.8 million, and purchases of treasury shares of $10.1 million. We also incurred $3.3 million of costs associated with the financing long-term debt, made principal payments on term loan facilities of $4.6 million, made principal payments on finance leases of $1.6 million, and repurchased shares of our common stock for $10.0 million.

Net cash provided by financing activities in 2019 was $168.3 million, due primarily to proceeds from the Term Loan B Facility of $422.9 million combined with net revolving credit borrowings of $45.8 million under the Revolving Credit Facility and the redemption of the 8.0% Notes including premium and fees of $280.5 million. We also incurred $11.5 million of costs associated with the Senior Credit Facilities, made principal payments on finance leases of $2.2 million, and repurchased shares of our common stock for $4.0 million.

Senior Credit Facilities. On April 30, 2019, we entered into the Senior Credit Facilities in an aggregate principal amount of $550.0 million, consisting of (i) a Term Loan B Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $425.0 million maturing on April 30, 2026 and (ii) a Revolving Credit Facility (including a sub-facility of $35.0 million for standby letters of credit) in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million maturing on April 30, 2024.

The net proceeds from borrowings under the Term Loan B Facility were $422.9 million after original issue discount and were used to (i) refinance the indebtedness of Carrols Restaurant Group, including redemption of $275.0 million of 8.0% Notes and accrued interest thereon at a redemption price of 102%, (ii) the retirement of outstanding Cambridge indebtedness and (iii) the payment of fees and expenses in connection with the Cambridge Acquisition and the Senior Credit Facilities. The proceeds of the Revolving Credit Facility will finance ongoing working capital and other general corporate purposes, including permitted acquisitions and required expenditures under development agreements. In connection with these transactions, we recognized a loss of $7.4 million on the extinguishment of debt.

On December 13, 2019, we entered into the First Amendment to Credit Agreement which amended a financial covenant under the Senior Credit Facilities applicable solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility that previously required the Company to maintain quarterly a Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) of not greater than 4.75 to 1.00 (measured on a most recent four quarter basis), to now require that the Company maintain only a First Lien Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) of not greater than 5.75 to 1.00 (as measured on a most recent four quarter basis) if, and only if, on the last day of any fiscal quarter (beginning with the fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2019), the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and the aggregate face amount of letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility (excluding undrawn letters of credit in an aggregate face amount up to $12.0 million) exceeds 35% of the aggregate amount of the maximum revolving credit borrowings

under the Revolving Credit Facility. The First Amendment also reduced the aggregate maximum revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility by $10.0 million to a total of $115.0 million.

On March 25, 2020, the Company entered into the Second Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities (the "Second Amendment"). The Second Amendment increased the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under the Revolving Credit Facility (the "Revolving Committed Amount") by $15.4 million to a total of $130.4 million.

The Second Amendment also amended the definition of Applicable Margin (such definition and all other definitions used herein and otherwise not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Senior Credit Facilities) to provide that on and after the date of the Second Amendment (the "Second Amendment Effective Date"), the Applicable Margin for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility (including Letter of Credit Fees) shall be at a rate per annum equal to (a) for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount is greater than $115.0 million, (i) for the period commencing on the Second Amendment Effective Date and including the date that is 179 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, 3.5% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 2.5% for Alternate Base Rate Loans, (ii) for the period commencing on the date that is 180 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, through and including the date that is 269 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, 4.25% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 3.25% for Alternate Base Rate Loans, (iii) for the period commencing on the date that is 270 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, through and including the date that is 364 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, 4.5% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 3.5% for Alternate Base Rate Loans and (iv) for the period commencing on the date that is 365 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date and thereafter, 4.75% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 3.75% for Alternate Base Rate Loans and (b) for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount is equal to or less than $115.0 million, 3.5% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 2.5% for Alternate Base Rate Loans.

The Second Amendment also provides that beginning on the 180th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date and for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount is greater than $115.0 million, the Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Revolving Facility Lenders, a commitment fee (the "Ticking Fee") on the average daily amount of the Revolving Committed Amount at a rate per annum equal to (a) 0.125% for the 180th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date through and including the 269th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date, (b) 0.25% for the 270th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date through and including the 364th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date and (c) 1.00% for the 365th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date and thereafter. The Second Amendment provides that the Ticking Fee will be due and payable quarterly in arrears (calculated on a 360-day basis) on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and will accrue from the 180th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount is greater than $115.0 million. The Second Amendment also provides that the Company shall use the proceeds of an Extension of Credit which results in the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations equaling an amount in excess of $115.0 million, solely for ongoing operations of the Company and its subsidiaries and shall not be held as cash on the balance sheet. Pursuant to the Letter Agreement dated as of March 25, 2020 among the Company, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Truist Bank, the Company agreed to defer rent payments totaling approximately $2.4 million per month under certain real property leases for the period between April 1, 2020 through and including June 30, 2020. The Company paid these amounts in full according to these terms on July 1, 2020.

On April 8, 2020, the Company entered into the Third Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities which increased the aggregate maximum commitments available for revolving credit borrowings (including standby letters of credit) under the Revolving Credit Facility by $15.4 million to a total of $145.8 million.

On April 16, 2020, the Company entered into the Fourth Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities (the "Fourth Amendment"). The Fourth Amendment permits the Company to incur and, if necessary, repay indebtedness incurred pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the "PPP") under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, as amended (the "CARES Act"). Subsequent to this amendment, the Company withdrew its application for relief under the PPP and returned the funds upon receipt.

the Senior Credit Facilities) borrowings in the aggregate principal amount of $75 million of Incremental Term B-1 Loans (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities). The Incremental Term B-1 Loans constitute a new tranche of Term Loans ranking pari passu in right of payment and security with the Initial Term Loans for all purposes under the Senior Credit Facilities. The Incremental Term B-1 Loans have the same terms as outstanding borrowings under the Company's existing term loan B facility pursuant to and in accordance with the Senior Credit Facilities, provided that (i) borrowings under the Incremental Term B-1 Loans will bear interest at a rate per annum, at the Company’s option, of (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus the applicable margin of 5.25% or (b) the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) (which shall not be less than 1% for Incremental Term B-1 Loans) plus the applicable margin of 6.25% and (ii) certain prepayments of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans by the Company prior to the first anniversary of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date are subject to a premium to the Administrative Agent (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities), for the ratable account of each applicable Term Loan Lender (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) holding Incremental Term B-1 Loans on the date of such prepayment equal to the Applicable Make-Whole Amount (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) with respect to the principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans so prepaid. The principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans will amortize in an aggregate annual amount equal to 1% of the original principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans and shall be repayable in consecutive quarterly installments on the last day of the Company's fiscal quarters beginning on the third fiscal quarter of 2020 with the remaining outstanding principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loan and all accrued but unpaid interest and other amounts payable with respect to the Incremental Term B-1 Loan due on April 30, 2026 which is the Term Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities).

The net proceeds of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans were $71.3 million after original issue discount and were used for general corporate purposes, including repayment of the outstanding balance of the Revolving Credit Facility.

At January 3, 2021, borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities bore interest as follows:

(i) Revolving Credit Facility: at a rate per annum equal to (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 2.50% or (b) LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 3.50%.

(ii) Term Loan B borrowings: at a rate per annum equal to (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 2.25% or (b) LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus 3.25%.

(iii) Term Loan B-1 borrowings: at a rate per annum, at our option, of (a) the Alternate Base Rate plus the applicable margin of 5.25% or (b) the LIBOR Rate (which shall not be less than 1% for Incremental Term B-1 Loans) plus the applicable margin of 6.25%.

The Term Loan B and B-1 borrowings are due and payable in quarterly installments, which began on September 30, 2019. Amounts outstanding at January 3, 2021 are due and payable as follows:

(i) twenty-one quarterly installments of $1.3 million;

(ii) one final payment of $467.0 million on April 30, 2026.

Our obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and subsidiary guarantors (including a pledge of all of the capital stock and equity interests of certain subsidiary guarantors).

Under the Senior Credit Facilities, we will be required to make mandatory prepayments of borrowings with excess cash flow (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) and in the event of dispositions of assets, debt issuances and insurance and condemnation proceeds (all subject to certain exceptions).

The Senior Credit Facilities contain certain covenants, including, without limitation, those limiting the Company's and the subsidiary guarantors’ ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the character of its business in any material respects, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments, make certain restricted payments or pay dividends.

Under the Senior Credit Facilities, the lenders may terminate their obligation to advance and may declare the unpaid balance of borrowings, or any part thereof, immediately due and payable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of customary defaults which include, without limitation, payment default, covenant defaults,

bankruptcy type defaults, defaults on other indebtedness, judgments or upon the occurrence of a change of control (as specified therein).

As of January 3, 2021, there were no revolving credit borrowings outstanding and $9.7 million of letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility. After reserving for issued letters of credit and outstanding revolving credit borrowings, $136.1 million was available for revolving credit borrowings at January 3, 2021 under the Revolving Credit Facility. We were in compliance with the financial covenants under our Senior Credit Facilities at January 3, 2021.

Prior Senior Credit Facility. On May 30, 2012, we entered into a senior credit facility (the "prior senior credit facility"), which was most recently amended on June 20, 2017 to increase the permitted indebtedness of our 8% Notes to a principal amount not to exceed $300.0 million in order to provide for the additional $75 million principal amount of the 8% Notes issued on June 23, 2017. Previously, on January 13, 2017, we entered into an amendment to our prior senior credit facility to, among other things, increase maximum revolving credit borrowings to $125.0 million (including $20.0 million available for letters of credit). The prior senior credit facility also provided for potential incremental borrowing increases of up to $25.0 million, in the aggregate.

Borrowings under the prior senior credit facility bore interest at a rate per annum, at our option, of:

(i) the Alternate Base Rate plus the applicable margin of 1.75% to 2.75% based on our Adjusted Leverage Ratio, or

(ii) the LIBOR Rate plus the applicable margin of 2.75% to 3.75% based on our Adjusted Leverage Ratio (all terms as defined under the prior senior credit facility).

Contractual Obligations

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments as of January 3, 2021 (in thousands):


	Payments due by period
Contractual Obligations	Total		Less than 1 Year		1 – 3 Years		3 – 5 Years		More than 5 Years
Long-term debt obligations, including interest (1)	$	618,092	$	28,938	$	57,138	$	56,168	$	475,848
Finance lease obligations, including interest (2)	1,020		583		308		70		59
Operating lease obligations (3)	1,364,662		99,191		196,855		191,466		877,150
Lease financing obligations, including interest (4)	1,451		110		1,341		—		—
Total contractual obligations	$	1,985,225	$	128,822	$	255,642	$	247,704	$	1,353,057

(1)Our long term debt at January 3, 2021 included $493.3 million of Term Loan B and B-1 borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities and no borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. Total interest payments on term loan borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities of $124.8 million for all years presented are included at the coupon rate of 5.74% per annum.

(2)Includes total interest of $0.1 million for all years presented.

(3)Includes total interest of $512.9 million for all years presented.

(4)Includes total interest of $0.3 million for all years presented.

We have not included obligations under our postretirement medical benefit plans in the contractual obligations table as our postretirement plan is not required to be funded in advance, but is funded as retiree medical claims are paid. Also excluded from the contractual obligations table are payments we may make for workers' compensation, general liability and employee healthcare claims for which we pay all claims, subject to annual stop-loss limitations both for individual claims and claims in the aggregate. The majority of our recorded liabilities related to self-insured employee health and insurance plans represent estimated reserves for incurred claims that have yet to be filed or settled. The total of these liabilities was $9.9 million at January 3, 2021.

Future restaurant remodeling obligations to BKC have also been excluded from the table above as well as contractual obligations related to royalties and advertising payable to BKC.

Long-Term Debt Obligations. Refer to Note 8 of our consolidated financial statements for details of our long-term debt.

Lease Guarantees. Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Fiesta"), our former wholly-owned subsidiary, was spun-off in 2012 to our stockholders. As of January 3, 2021, we are a guarantor under 18 Fiesta restaurant property leases, of which all except for two are still operating, with lease terms expiring on various dates through 2030. We are fully liable for all obligations under the terms of the leases in the event that Fiesta fails to pay any sums due under the lease, subject to indemnification provisions of the separation and distribution agreement entered into in connection with the spin-off.

The maximum potential liability for future rental payments we could be required to make under these leases at January 3, 2021 was $13.6 million. The obligations under these leases will generally continue to decrease over time as these operating leases expire. No payments have been made to date and none are expected to be required to be made in the future. We have not recorded a liability for those guarantees in accordance with ASC 460 - Guarantees as Fiesta has indemnified us for all such obligations and we did not believe it was probable we would be required to perform under any of the guarantees or direct obligations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Inflation

The inflationary factors that have historically affected our results of operations include increases in food and paper costs, labor and other operating expenses, the cost of providing medical and prescription drug insurance to our employees and energy costs. Wages paid in our restaurants are impacted by changes in the federal and state hourly minimum wage rates and the Fair Labor Standards Act. Accordingly, changes in the federal and state hourly minimum wage rates directly affect our labor costs. We typically attempt to offset the effect of inflation, at least in part, through periodic menu price increases and various cost reduction programs. However, no assurance can be given that we will be able to offset such inflationary cost increases in the future.

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Preparing consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by the application of our accounting policies. Our significant accounting policies are described in the “Significant Accounting Policies” footnote in the notes to our consolidated financial statements. Critical accounting estimates are those that require application of management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of matters that are inherently uncertain and may change in subsequent periods.

Sales recognition at our restaurants is straightforward as customers pay for products at the time of sale and inventory turns over very quickly. Payments to vendors for products sold in the restaurants are generally settled within 30 days. The earnings reporting process is covered by our system of internal controls and generally does not require significant management estimates and judgments. However, critical accounting estimates and judgments, as noted below, are inherent in the assessment and recording of the fair market values of acquired restaurant assets and liabilities, insurance liabilities, assessing impairment of long-lived assets, lease accounting matters and the valuation of deferred income tax assets. While we apply our judgment based on assumptions believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, actual results could vary from these assumptions. It is possible that materially different amounts would be reported using different assumptions.

Acquisition Accounting. We account for business combinations under the acquisition method of accounting in accordance with ASC 805, "Business Combinations" ("ASC 805"). As required by ASC 805, assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination are recorded at their respective fair values as of the business combination date. The most difficult estimations of individual fair values are those involving long-lived assets, such as property, equipment, favorable and unfavorable leases and intangible assets. We use available information to make these fair value determinations and, when necessary, engage an independent valuation specialist to assist in the fair value determination of favorable or unfavorable leases and intangible assets.

Insurance Liabilities. The amount of liability we record for claims related to insurance requires us to make judgments about the amount of expenses that will ultimately be incurred. We are insured for certain losses related to

workers’ compensation, general liability and medical insurance claims under policies where we pay all claims, subject to annual stop-loss insurance limitations both for individual claims and claims in the aggregate. We record insurance liabilities based on historical trends, which are continually monitored, and adjust accruals as warranted by changing circumstances. Since there are estimates and assumptions inherent in recording these insurance liabilities, including the ability to estimate the future development of incurred claims based on historical claims experience and loss reserves, current claim data, and the severity of the claims, differences between actual future events and prior estimates and assumptions could result in adjustments to these liabilities. As of January 3, 2021, we had $9.9 million accrued for these insurance claims.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets. We assess the potential impairment of long-lived assets, principally property and equipment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We determine if there is an impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the asset to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by our restaurants. If assets are determined to be impaired, the impairment charge is measured by calculating the amount by which the asset's carrying amount exceeds its fair value. In determining future cash flows, significant estimates are made by us with respect to future operating results of each restaurant over its remaining lease term, including sales trends, labor rates, commodity costs and other operating cost assumptions which can be impacted by changes in the business or economic conditions. Our fair value estimates are also subject to a high degree of judgment, including our ability to sell the related assets and changing market conditions. Should actual cash flows and our future estimates vary from those estimates used, we may be required to record impairment charges for these assets in the future.

Lease Accounting. We adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842, Leases, as of December 31, 2018, coinciding with the standard’s effective date. We have operating and finance leases related to our restaurants. In accordance with ASC 842, we determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and current and long term operating lease liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. Finance leases are included in property and equipment and other current and long term liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet. Lease liabilities are calculated using the effective interest method and recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the reasonably certain lease term, regardless of classification, while the amortization of ROU assets varies depending upon classification. As our leases generally do not provide an implicit rate, we use a collateralized incremental borrowing rate (“IBR”) to determine the present value of lease payments. This analysis considers qualitative and quantitative factors. We adjust our selected IBR quarterly with a company-specific yield curve that approximates our market risk profile. The collateralized IBR is also based upon the estimated impact that the collateral has on the IBR.

Valuation of Deferred Income Tax Assets. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to the years in which those differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent we believe these assets will more likely than not be realized. In evaluating the realizability of our net deferred tax assets, we perform an assessment of positive and negative evidence, as required by ASC 740. ASC 740 prescribes that objective historical evidence, in particular our three-year cumulative loss position at January 3, 2021, be given a greater weight than subjective evidence, including our forecast of future taxable income, which include assumptions that cannot be objectively verified. In determining the likelihood of future realization of the deferred income tax assets as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 we considered both positive and negative evidence and weighted the effect of such evidence based upon its objectivity. Based on the required weight of evidence under ASC 740, as of January 3, 2021 we determined that a valuation allowance was needed for certain income tax credits in the amount of $13.1 million as they may expire prior to their utilization. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight may be given to subjective evidence such as projections for growth. We will continue to monitor and evaluate the positive and negative evidence considered in arriving at the above conclusion, in order to assess whether such conclusion remains appropriate in future periods.

We must also make estimates of certain items that relate to current and deferred tax liabilities. These estimates include employer tax credits for items such as the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, as well as estimates of tax depreciation based on methods anticipated to be used on our tax returns. These estimates are made based on the best available information at the time of the estimate and historical experience.

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to market risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates, primarily limited to borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities. At January 3, 2021, there were outstanding borrowings of $493.3 million under our Senior Credit Facilities. A 1% change in interest rates would have resulted in a $3.3 million change to interest expense for the year ended January 3, 2021 and a $3.2 million change to interest expense for the year ended December 29, 2019.

At January 3, 2021, borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities bore interest as follows (all terms as defined in our Senior Credit Facilities):

(i) Revolving Credit Facility: at a rate per annum equal to (a) the Alternate Base Rate plus 2.50% or (b) LIBOR Rate plus 3.50%.

(ii) Term Loan B borrowings: at a rate per annum equal to (a) the Alternate Base Rate plus 2.25% or (b) LIBOR Rate plus 3.25%.

Commodity Price Risk

We are exposed to market price fluctuations in beef and other food product prices caused by weather, market conditions, including sourcing of various products internationally, and other factors which are not considered predictable or within our control. Given the historical volatility of beef and other food product prices, this exposure can impact our food and beverage costs. Although many of the products purchased are subject to changes in commodity prices, certain purchasing contracts or pricing arrangements have been negotiated in advance to minimize price volatility. Where possible, these types of purchasing techniques to control costs are used as an alternative to using financial instruments to hedge commodity prices. In many cases, we believe we will be able to address commodity cost increases that are significant and appear to be long-term in nature by adjusting our menu pricing. However, long-term increases in commodity prices may result in lower restaurant-level operating margins.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements and supplementary data of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. required by this Item are described in Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and are presented beginning on page F-1.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our senior management is responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the issuer's management, including its principal executive officer or officers and principal financial officer or officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. We have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as

well as other key members of our management. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of January 3, 2021.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. No changes occurred in our internal control over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2020 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Management's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our senior management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act), designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.

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

Management has evaluated the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 2021 based on the criteria set forth in a report entitled Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on this evaluation, we have concluded that, as of January 3, 2021, our internal control over financial reporting was effective based on those criteria.

Our independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and their report is included herein.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of January 3, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of January 3, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended January 3, 2021 of the Company and our report dated March 11, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated 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's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We 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 included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

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 its 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 the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.



/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Rochester, New York
March 11, 2021

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Incorporated by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

We have adopted a written code of ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees in accordance with the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market and the SEC. We make our code of ethics available free of charge through our internet website, www.carrols.com. We will disclose on our website amendments to or waivers from our code of ethics in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Incorporated by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

Incorporated by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR

Incorporated by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

Incorporated by reference from our Definitive Proxy Statement to be filed in connection with the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

PART IV

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

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


						Page
CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm						F- 1
Financial Statements:
Consolidated Balance Sheets						F- 3
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)						F- 4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity						F- 5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows						F- 6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements						F- 7

(a) (2) Financial Statement Schedule


Schedule	Description	Page

	None

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

(a) (3) Exhibits

EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit
Number			Description
2.1			Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 26, 2012, among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols LLC and Burger King Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2012)
2.2			Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of February 19, 2019 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols Holdco Inc., GRC MergerSub Inc., GRC MergerSub LLC, Cambridge Franchise Partners, LLC, Cambridge Franchise Holdings, LLC and New CFH, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 25, 2019)
3.1			Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2019)
3.2			Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2019)
3.3			Certificate of Amendment to Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (inc or p orated by refer ence to Exhibit 3.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc's Annual Repor t on Form 10-K filed o n March 1 3, 2020)
3.4			Amended and Restated Bylaws of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2019)
3.5			Amendment to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. Amended and Restated Bylaws (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2019)
3.6			Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Bylaws of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2020)
3.7			Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. Certificate of Designation of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)


3.8			Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2019)
3.9			Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Designation of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2020)
3.10			Form of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. Certificate of Retirement of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 3, 2018)
3.11			Certificate of Designations of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2019)
4.1			Form of Registration Agreement by and among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Atlantic Restaurants, Inc., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, L.P., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners II, L.P., Alan Vituli, Daniel T. Accordino and Joseph A. Zirkman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.24 to Carrols Corporation's 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K)
4.2			Form of Stock Certificate for Common Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 10, 2012)
4.3			Form of Registration Rights Agreement between Carrols Restaurant Group Inc. and Burger King Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2012)
4.4			Indenture governing the 8% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022, dated as of April 29, 2015, among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 6, 2015)
4.5			Form of 8% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8)
4.6			Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 29, 2015, among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 6, 2015)
4.7			Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 23, 2017, among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2017)
4.8			Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 6, 2017, among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Republic Foods, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2017)
4.9			Registration Rights Agreement between Carrols Holdco Inc. and Cambridge Franchise Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2019)
4.10			Description of Capital Stock #
10.1			Carrols Corporation Retirement Savings Plan dated April 1, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Carrols Corporation's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K) †
10.2			Carrols Corporation Retirement Savings plan July 1, 2002 Restatement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Carrols Corporation's September 29, 2002 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) †
10.3			Addendum incorporating EGTRRA Compliance Amendment to Carrols Corporation Retirement Savings Plan dated September 12, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to Carrols Corporation's September 29, 2002 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q) †
10.4			First Amendment, dated as of January 1, 2004, to Carrols Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.35 to Carrols Corporation's December 31, 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K) †
10.5			2006 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.27 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-137524)) †
10.6			Amendment to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, dated as of March 24, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 28, 2011) †


10.7			Amendment to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. 2006 Stock Incentive Plan, dated as of April 11, 2011 (incorporated by reference to Appendix A of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Definitive Proxy Statement filed on April 28, 2011) †
10.8			2016 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix A to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed on April 29, 2016) †
10.9			Form of Change of Control/Severance Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2013) †
10.10			Form of Change of Control and Severance Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 7, 2013) †
10.11			Form of Agreement, by and among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, L.P., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, II, L.P., BIB Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd., Alan Vituli, Daniel T. Accordino and Joseph A. Zirkman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.31 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-137524))
10.12			Form of Amendment No. 1 to Registration Agreement, by and among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, L.P., Madison Dearborn Capital Partners, II, L.P., BIB Holdings (Bermuda) Ltd., Alan Vituli, Daniel T. Accordino and Joseph A. Zirkman (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.32 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.'s Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-137524))
10.13			Employment Agreement dated as of December 22, 2011 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols LLC and Daniel T. Accordino (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 27, 2011) †
10.14			First Amendment to Employment Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2013, among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols LLC and Daniel T. Accordino (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 11, 2013) †
10.15			Amended and Restated Carrols Corporation and Subsidiaries Deferred Compensation Plan dated December 1, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.23 to Carrols Restaurant Group's and Carrols Corporation's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K) †
10.16			Separation and Distribution Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols Corporation, Carrols LLC and Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2012)
10.17			Tax Matters Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols Corporation, Carrols LLC and Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2012)
10.18			Employee Matters Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols Corporation, Carrols LLC and Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2012)
10.19			Transition Services Agreement dated as of April 24, 2012 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols Corporation, Carrols LLC and Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2012)
10.20			First Lien Security Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, between Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)
10.21			Amendment No. 1 to Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols LLC and Burger King Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)
10.22			Operating Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, between Carrols LLC and Burger King Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)
10.23			Credit Agreement, dated as of May 30, 2012, between Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, the lenders named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 1, 2012)


10.24			First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of December 19, 2014 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, the lenders named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 22, 2014)
10.25			First Amendment to Operating Agreement dated as of January 26, 2015, between Carrols LLC and Burger King Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.25 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 4, 2015)
10.26			Second Lien Security Agreement, dated as of April 29, 2015, among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A., as collateral agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 6, 2015)
10.27			Second Amendment to Credit Agreement and First Amendment to Security Agreement, dated as of April 29, 2015, among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, the lenders named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 6, 2015)
10.28			Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of February 12, 2016 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, the lenders named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 17, 2016)
10.29			Second Amendment to Operating Agreement dated as of December 17, 2015 between Carrols LLC and Burger King Corporation # (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.29 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 9, 2016)
10.30			Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of January 13, 2017 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, the lenders named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 20, 2017)
10.31			Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of June 20, 2017 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, the lenders named therein and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 9, 2017)
10.32			Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement between Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and Burger King Corporation, dated as of November 30, 2018 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 3, 2018)
10.33			Form of Area Development and Remodeling Agreement between Carrols LLC, Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and Burger King Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 25, 2019)
10.34			Voting Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2019, between Cambridge Franchise Holdings, LLC and Daniel T. Accordino (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 25, 2019)
10.35			Voting Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2019, between Cambridge Franchise Holdings, LLC and Paul R. Flanders (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 25, 2019)
10.36			Voting Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2019, between Cambridge Franchise Holdings, LLC and Richard G. Cross (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 25, 2019)
10.37			Voting Agreement, dated as of February 19, 2019, between Cambridge Franchise Holdings, LLC and William E. Myers (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 25, 2019)
10.38			Credit Agreement dated as of April 30, 2019 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2019)
10.39			First Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of December 13, 2019 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 18, 2019)


10.40			Security Agreement dated as of April 30, 2019 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., the guarantors named therein, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2019)
10.41			Voting Agreement dated as of April 30, 2019 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Burger King Corporation, Blue Holdco 1, LLC and Cambridge Franchise Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2019)
10.42			Consent Agreement dated as of April 30, 2019 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols Holdco Inc., Carrols Corporation, Burger King Corporation and Blue Holdco 1, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 6, 2019)
10.43			Development Agreement dated as of October 9, 2017 between Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc. and Cambridge Quality Chicken LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 10, 2019)
10.44			First Amendment to Development Agreement dated as of June 27, 2018 among Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc., Cambridge Quality Chicken, LLC, Frayser Quality, LLC, Cambridge Chicken Holdings, LLC, Matt Perelman and Alex Sloane (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 10, 2019)
10.45			Offer Letter dated as of November 20, 2019 between Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and Anthony Hull+(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 13, 2020)
10.46			Second Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of March 25, 2020 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., certain subsidiaries party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarter Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2020)
10.47			Third Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of April 8, 2020 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., certain subsidiaries party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarter Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2020)
10.48			Form of Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of April 16, 2020 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., certain subsidiaries party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarter Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2020)
10.49			Letter Agreement dated as of March 25, 2020 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Wells Fargo Securities LLC, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Trust Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarter Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2020)
10.50			Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of June 23, 2020 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., certain subsidiaries party thereto, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and the lenders party thereto (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarter Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 6, 2020)
10.51			Amendment to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Quarter Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 5, 2020)+
10.52			Amended and Restated Area Development Agreement dated as of January 4, 2021 among Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., Carrols Holdco Inc., Carrols Corporation, Carrols LLC and Burger King Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 8, 2021)
10.53			Employment Agreement dated as of February 9, 2021 between Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and Carl Hauch (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 9, 2021)+
10.54			Form of Restricted Stock Inducement Award Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 9, 2021)+
10.55			Form of Offer Letter dated as of January 14, 2020 between Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and Markus Hartmann#+


10.56			Separatio n and Release of Claims entered into on September 18, 2020 between Carrols C orporation and Markus Hartmann #+
14.1			Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and Carrols Corporation Code of Ethics (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 to Carrols Restaurant Group Inc.’s and Carrols Corporation’s 2006 Annual Report on Form 10-K)
21.1			List of Subsidiaries #
23.1			Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP #
31.1			Chief Executive Officer's Certificate Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.#
31.2			Chief Financial Officer's Certificate Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.#
32.1			Chief Executive Officer's Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.#
32.2			Chief Financial Officer's Certificate Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 for Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.#
101.INS			XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH			XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL			XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF			XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB			XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE			XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

# Filed herewith.

† Compensatory plan or arrangement

ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY

None.

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the stockholders and the Board of Directors of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 3, 2021, 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 January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 3, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

We have also 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 January 3, 2021, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated March 11, 2021 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

Change in Accounting Principle

As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases in fiscal year 2019 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), as amended, using the option to not restate comparative periods and apply the standard as of the date of initial application.

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 audits. 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 audits 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 audits 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 audits 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 audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matter

The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of this critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges – Refer to Notes 1 and 5 to the financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

As disclosed in the consolidated financial statements property and equipment, net were $349.6 million as of January 3, 2021. Impairment is reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be fully recoverable. As discussed in Note 5 to the financial statements, the Company recognized impairment and other lease charges for long-lived assets of $12.8 million during the year ended January 3, 2021.

If an indicator of impairment exists for any restaurant assets, an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows over the life of the primary asset for each restaurant is compared to that long-lived asset’s carrying value.

The determination of whether an impairment indicator has occurred involves the evaluation of subjective factors by management to assess what constitutes an event or change in circumstance that indicates a restaurant should be tested for recoverability, and therefore auditing the valuation of property and equipment involved especially subjective judgment.

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit:

Subjective auditor judgment was required to evaluate the completeness of management’s assessment as to whether an event or change in circumstance indicates a restaurant’s assets should be tested for recoverability. The primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter included the following:

We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s long-lived impairment process, including controls related to determining the completeness of management’s assessment as to which events or changes in circumstance indicates a restaurant’s assets should be tested for recoverability, most notably; low operating cash flows, declining sales and if the ratio of trailing twelve months cash flows extended over the remaining lease term does not exceed the net book value of the asset group, which are all utilized to identify a triggering event at the restaurant level.

We evaluated management’s process for determining whether all potential indicators of impairment were appropriately identified, including:

•comparing the consistency and precision of the methodology used to determine the proper impairment indicators by management to the relevant requirements of generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”);

•considering current industry events, Company specific events, macroeconomic conditions through review of relevant industry publications, current news publications, analyst reports and Board of Directors’ meeting minutes, in order to evaluate the completeness of events or changes in circumstances identified by management as indicators that the restaurant’s asset should be tested for recoverability;

•assessing the completeness of the impairment indicators identified by the Company by reviewing historical performance of previously impaired restaurants before an impairment charge was recorded, and comparing such restaurants that exhibited such triggers to the restaurants identified by management for the current year impairment indicator test;

•for restaurants that are nearing the expiration of their original-lease end date, comparing the trailing twelve months cash flows extended over the remaining lease term to net book value of the asset group.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Rochester, New York

March 11, 2021

We have served as the Company's auditor since 2005.

F- 2

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS OF JANUARY 3, 2021 AND DECEMBER 29, 2019

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)


	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	64,964	$	2,974
Trade and other receivables	19,862		13,445
Inventories	11,595		13,334
Prepaid rent	8,046		1,986
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	7,309		7,762
Refundable income taxes	169		284
Total current assets	111,945		39,785
Property and equipment, net (Note 3)	349,555		385,578
Franchise rights, net (Note 4)	334,597		348,941
Goodwill (Note 4)	122,619		122,619
Franchise agreements, at cost less accumulated amortization of $14,653 and $13,365, respectively	31,584		32,690
Operating right-of-use assets, net (Note 7)	799,962		811,016

Other assets	6,823		10,831
Total assets	$	1,757,085	$	1,751,460
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities (Note 8)	$	5,525	$	5,866
Current portion of operating lease liabilities (Note 7)	41,815		40,805
Accounts payable	27,596		45,780
Accrued interest	656		901
Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits	49,417		31,314
Accrued real estate taxes	7,774		8,139
Other current liabilities	23,558		16,520
Total current liabilities	156,341		149,325
Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities, net of current portion (Note 8)	475,695		455,565
Lease financing obligations	1,191		1,194
Operating lease liabilities (Note 7)	809,969		808,292
Deferred income taxes, net (Note 10)	11,362		6,983
Accrued postretirement benefits	1,523		2,555
Other liabilities (Note 6)	29,472		18,084
Total liabilities	1,485,553		1,441,998
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Stockholders’ equity (Note 12):
Preferred stock, par value $.01; authorized 20,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding—100 shares	—		—
Voting common stock, par value $.01; authorized—100,000,000 shares, issued—52,653,964 and 51,840,200 shares, respectively, and outstanding—49,389,382 and 50,496,265 shares, respectively	515		510
Additional paid-in capital	306,469		301,251
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)	(18,367)		11,096
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	(3,015)		622
Treasury stock, at cost	(14,070)		(4,017)
Total stockholders’ equity	271,532		309,462
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	1,757,085	$	1,751,460

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F- 3

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)


	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019		December 30, 2018
Revenue:
Restaurant sales	$	1,547,502	$	1,452,516	$	1,179,307
Other revenue	—		10,249		—
Total revenue	1,547,502		1,462,765		1,179,307
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	452,738		431,969		326,308
Restaurant wages and related expenses	498,127		485,278		382,829
Restaurant rent expense (Note 7)	118,444		107,147		81,409
Other restaurant operating expenses	236,059		227,364		178,750
Advertising expense	60,735		58,689		48,340
General and administrative (including stock-based compensation expense of $5,223, $5,753 and $5,812, respectively)	84,051		84,734		66,587
Depreciation and amortization	81,727		74,674		58,468
Impairment and other lease charges (Note 5)	12,778		3,564		3,685
Other income (Note 9)	(1,271)		(1,911)		(424)
Total operating expenses	1,543,388		1,471,508		1,145,952
Income (loss) from operations	4,114		(8,743)		33,355
Interest expense	27,283		27,856		23,638
Gain on bargain purchase (Note 2)	—		—		(230)
Loss on extinguishment of debt (Note 8)	—		7,443		—
Income (loss) before income taxes	(23,169)		(44,042)		9,947
Provision (benefit) for income taxes (Note 10)	6,294		(12,123)		(157)
Net income (loss)	$	(29,463)	$	(31,919)	$	10,104
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share (Note 13)	$	(0.58)	$	(0.74)	$	0.22
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic	50,751,185		43,421,715		35,715,372
Diluted	50,751,185		43,421,715		45,319,971
Comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net income (loss)	$	(29,463)	$	(31,919)	$	10,104
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(5,284)		1,268		564
Comprehensive income (loss)	$	(34,747)	$	(30,651)	$	10,668

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F- 4

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)


											Accumulated
							Additional		Retained		Other					Total
	Common Stock			Preferred Stock			Paid-In		Earnings		Comprehensive		Treasury Stock			Stockholders'
	Shares	Amount		Shares	Amount		Capital		(Deficit)		Income (Loss)		Shares	Amount		Equity
Balance at December 31, 2017	35,436,252	$	354	100	$	—	$	144,650	$	25,407	$	(1,210)	—	$	(141)	$	169,060
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		5,812		—		—		—	—		5,812
Vesting of non-vested shares and excess tax benefits	306,175	3		—	—		(3)		—		—		—	—		—
Net income	—	—		—	—		—		10,104		—		—	—		10,104
Change in postretirement benefit obligations, net of income tax of $186	—	—		—	—		—		—		564		—	—		564
Balance at December 30, 2018	35,742,427	$	357	100	$	—	$	150,459	$	35,511	$	(646)	—	$	(141)	$	185,540
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		5,753		—		—		—	—		5,753
Vesting of non-vested shares	492,135	4		—	—		(4)		—		—		—	—		—
Issuance of common and preferred stock	7,364,413	74		10,000	—		145,259		—		—		—	—		145,333
Purchase of treasury stock	—	—		—	—		—		—		—		553,112	(4,017)		(4,017)
Retirement of treasury stock	—	—		—	—		(141)		—		—		—	141		—
Conversion of preferred stock to common stock	7,450,402	75		(10,000)	—		(75)		—		—		—	—		—
Net loss	—	—		—	—		—		(31,919)		—		—	—		(31,919)
Adoption of ASC 842, net of taxes (Note 1)	—	—		—	—		—		7,504		—		—	—		7,504
Change in postretirement benefit obligations, net of income tax of $420	—	—		—	—		—		—		1,268		—	—		1,268
Balance at December 29, 2019	51,049,377	$	510	100	$	—	$	301,251	$	11,096	$	622	553,112	$	(4,017)	$	309,462
Stock-based compensation	—	—		—	—		5,223		—		—		—	—		5,223
Vesting of non-vested shares	436,739	5		—	—		(5)		—		—		—	—		—
Purchase of treasury stock	—	—		—	—		—		—		—		1,543,622	(10,053)		(10,053)
Net loss	—	—		—	—		—		(29,463)		—		—	—		(29,463)
Change in valuation of interest rate swap, net of income tax of $1,841 (Note 8)	—	—		—	—		—		—		(4,221)		—	—		(4,221)
Change in postretirement benefit obligation, net of income tax of $194	—	—		—	—		—		—		584		—	—		584
Balance at January 3, 2021	51,486,116	$	515	100	$	—	$	306,469	$	(18,367)	$	(3,015)	2,096,734	$	(14,070)	$	271,532

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F- 5

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(In thousands)


	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019		December 30, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$	(29,463)	$	(31,919)	$	10,104
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Loss (gain) on disposals of property and equipment	(994)		(74)		312
Stock-based compensation	5,223		5,753		5,812
Gain on bargain purchase (Note 2)	—		—		(230)
Impairment and other lease charges	12,778		3,564		3,685
Depreciation and amortization	81,727		74,674		58,468
Amortization of deferred financing costs	2,170		1,694		1,202
Amortization of bond premium and discount on debt	539		(80)		(913)
Amortization of deferred gains from sale-leaseback transactions	—		—		(1,584)
Deferred income taxes	6,026		(11,982)		(483)
Non-cash loss on extinguishment of debt	—		129		—
Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:
Refundable income taxes	115		(284)		55
Trade and other receivables	(6,417)		(523)		(2,275)
Accounts payable	(5,927)		1,196		(926)
Accrued interest	(245)		(2,917)		146
Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits	18,103		(538)		2,084
Other liabilities	10,993		238		3,998
Change in operating right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities, net	10,906		3,980		—
Other	(1,589)		5,797		1,314
Net cash provided by operating activities	103,945		48,708		80,769
Cash flows used for investing activities:
Capital expenditures:
New restaurant development	(17,824)		(53,596)		(23,171)
Restaurant remodeling	(15,317)		(50,383)		(31,951)
Other restaurant capital expenditures	(13,064)		(18,922)		(15,726)
Corporate and restaurant information systems	(10,685)		(11,978)		(4,887)
Total capital expenditures	(56,890)		(134,879)		(75,735)
Acquisition of restaurants, net of cash acquired (Note 2)	—		(130,646)		(38,102)
Proceeds from insurance recoveries	2,071		323		642

Properties purchased for sale-leaseback	(15,537)		(1,207)		(2,123)
Proceeds from sale-leaseback transactions	22,499		48,364		8,424
Net cash used for investing activities	(47,857)		(218,045)		(106,894)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of Term Loan B and B-1 Facilities	71,250		422,875		—
Repayments of Term Loan B and B-1 Facilities	(4,625)		(2,125)		—
Retirement of 8% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes	—		(280,500)		—
Borrowings under prior revolving credit facility	—		—		17,000
Repayments under prior revolving credit facility	—		—		(17,000)
Borrowings under revolving credit facility	150,000		436,000		—
Repayments under revolving credit facility	(195,750)		(390,250)		—
Payments on finance lease liabilities	(1,617)		(2,170)		(1,811)
Proceeds from lease financing obligations	—		—		2,692
	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019		December 30, 2018
Costs associated with financing long-term debt	(3,303)		(11,516)		(154)
Purchase of treasury shares	(10,053)		(4,017)		—
Net cash provided by financing activities	5,902		168,297		727
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	61,990		(1,040)		(25,398)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	2,974		4,014		29,412
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	64,964	$	2,974	$	4,014



Supplemental disclosures:
Interest paid on long-term debt	$	24,714	$	29,055	$	23,098
Interest paid on lease financing obligations	$	104	$	104	$	105
Accruals for capital expenditures	$	1,241	$	15,062	$	7,605
Common stock issued for consideration in acquisition	$	—	$	145,333	$	—
Non-cash reduction of lease financing obligations	$	—	$	—	$	2,538
Income taxes paid (refunded), net	$	153	$	144	$	(270)

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

F- 6

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

1. Basis of Presentation

Business Description. At January 3, 2021 Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. ("Carrols Restaurant Group") operated, as franchisee, 1,009 Burger King® restaurants in 23 Northeastern, Midwestern and Southeastern states and 65 Popeyes® restaurants in seven Southeastern states.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak to be a global pandemic, which continues to spread throughout the United States. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the communities the Company's restaurants operate in as federal, state and local governments have taken a series of actions to contain its spread. In March 2020, the Company closed its dining rooms in all restaurants and modified operating hours in line with local ordinances and day-part sales trends, and over the course of March and April of 2020, temporarily closed 46 restaurants that were geographically close to one of its other restaurants. Given sales improvements after the initial months of the pandemic, 44 of the temporarily closed restaurants had reopened by the end of 2020. Two of the restaurants temporarily closed in March were permanently closed in 2020.

Each restaurant operated according to their respective local governmental guidelines as well as safety procedures developed by Burger King and Popeyes. As individual states and local governments have allowed reopenings, the Company has evaluated opportunities to re-open dining rooms. Approximately 35% of dining rooms had reopened by the end of 2020, however, eat-in sales represented only approximately 1% of our total restaurant sales as guests continue to rely on our drive-thru, carry-out and delivery service modes.

Basis of Consolidation. Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. is a holding company and conducts all of its operations through its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries Carrols Corporation and New CFH, LLC and their wholly-owned subsidiaries. Carrols Corporation's material direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, "Carrols") include its wholly-owned subsidiary Carrols LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Carrols LLC's wholly-owned subsidiary Republic Foods, Inc., a Maryland corporation ("Republic Foods"). New CFH LLC's material direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries include Frayser Quality, LLC and Nashville Quality, LLC (and together with New CFH, LLC's immaterial direct and indirect subsidiaries, collectively, "New CFH"). Unless the context otherwise requires, Carrols Restaurant Group and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries are collectively referred to as the “Company.” All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Fiscal Year. The Company uses a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. The fiscal year ended January 3, 2021 contained 53 weeks and the fiscal years ended December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018 each contained 52 weeks.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of the consolidated 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 dates of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant items subject to such estimates include: other lease charges related to closed locations, insurance liabilities, evaluation for impairment of long-lived assets and franchise rights, lease accounting matters, the valuation of acquired assets and liabilities, valuation of interest rate swap and the valuation of deferred income tax assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. At both January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the Company did not have any cash invested in money market funds which are classified as cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets.

F- 7

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Inventories. Inventories, consisting primarily of food, beverages, and paper supplies, are stated at the lower of cost determined on the first-in, first-out method or net realizable value. Net realizable value is determined as the estimated selling price in the normal course of business minus the cost of disposal and transportation.

Property and Equipment. Property and equipment is recorded at cost. The Company capitalizes all direct costs incurred to develop, construct and substantially improve its restaurants. These costs are depreciated and charged to expense based upon their property classification when placed in service. Repairs and maintenance expenditures are expensed as incurred.

Depreciation and amortization is provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:


Owned buildings	9	to	30 years
Equipment	3	to	7 years
Computer hardware and software	3	to	7 years
Assets subject to finance leases	Shorter of useful life or lease term

Building costs incurred for new restaurants on leased land are amortized over the lease term, which is generally a period of twenty years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the underlying expected lease term. The Company includes renewal option periods when determining the expected lease term in circumstances where the non-exercise of one or more renewal options under the lease would result in an economic penalty.

Business Combinations. In accordance with ASC 805, the Company allocates the purchase price of an acquired business to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on the estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the amount allocated to the assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded as goodwill. The excess value of the net identifiable assets and liabilities acquired over the purchase price, if any, is recorded as a bargain purchase gain. The Company uses all available information to estimate fair values of identifiable intangible assets and property acquired. In making these determinations, the Company may engage an independent third party valuation specialist to assist with the valuation of certain leasehold improvements, franchise rights and favorable and unfavorable leases.

The Company estimates that the seller's carrying value of acquired restaurant equipment, subject to certain adjustments, is equivalent to fair value of this equipment at the date of the acquisition. The fair values of assumed franchise agreements are valued as if the remaining term of the agreement is at the market rate. The fair values of acquired land, buildings, certain leasehold improvements, and restaurant equipment subject to finance leases are determined using both the cost approach and market approach using significant inputs observable in the open market. The Company categorizes these inputs as Level 2 inputs under ASC 820. The fair value of acquired franchise rights and favorable or unfavorable lease positions are determined using the income approach and includes unobservable inputs. The Company categorizes these inputs as Level 3 inputs under ASC 820.

Franchise Rights. The Company determines the fair value of franchise rights based upon the acquired restaurants' future earnings, discounting those earnings using an appropriate market discount rate and subtracting a contributory charge for net working capital, property and equipment and assembled workforce to determine the fair value attributable to these franchise rights. Amounts allocated to franchise rights for each acquisition are amortized using the straight-line method over the average remaining term of the acquired franchise agreements plus one twenty-year renewal period.

Franchise Agreements. Fees for initial franchises and renewals are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the agreement, which is generally twenty years.

F- 8

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the value assigned to the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets of the businesses acquired. Goodwill is not amortized but is tested for impairment at least annually as of the fiscal year end.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets. The Company assesses the potential impairment of property and equipment, franchise rights and other definite-lived intangible assets by determining whether the carrying value of these assets can be recovered over their respective remaining useful lives through undiscounted future operating cash flows. Impairment is reviewed whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of these assets may not be fully recoverable. Impairment indicators at the restaurant level include low operating cash flows, declining sales and if the ratio of trailing twelve months cash flows extended over the remaining lease term does not exceed the net book value of the asset group.

Deferred Financing Costs. Financing costs incurred in obtaining long-term debt and lease financing obligations are capitalized and amortized over the life of the related obligation as interest expense using the effective interest method. Long-term debt on the consolidated balance sheets is presented net of the unamortized amount of the financing costs related to long-term borrowings.

Leases. The Company utilizes land and buildings in its operations under various lease agreements. The Company does not consider any one of these individual leases material to the Company's operations. Initial lease terms are generally for twenty years and provide for renewal options with rent escalations. The exercise of such renewal options are generally at the Company’s sole discretion. The Company evaluates renewal options at lease commencement to determine if such options are reasonably certain to be exercised based on economic factors. Certain leases also require contingent rent, determined as a percentage of sales as defined by the terms of the applicable lease agreement. For most locations, the Company is obligated for occupancy related costs including payment of property taxes, insurance and utilities.

Right-of-use (“ROU”) lease assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make payments in exchange for that right of use. As the rate implicit within our leases is not readily determinable, the Company uses market and term specific incremental borrowing rates which consider the rate of interest it expects to pay on a collateralized basis to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments under similar terms. ROU assets are also reduced by lease incentives, initial direct costs and adjusted by favorable lease assets and unfavorable lease liabilities.

Variable lease components represent amounts that are contractually fixed as a percentage of sales and are recognized in expense as incurred. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the consolidated balance sheet and are recognized as lease expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The Company does not account for lease components (e.g., fixed payments including rent, real estate taxes and insurance costs) separately from the non-lease components.

The Company also utilizes certain restaurant equipment under various finance lease agreements with initial terms of generally eight years. The Company does not consider any one of these individual leases material to the Company's operations.

For certain leases where rent escalates based upon a change in a financial index, such as the Consumer Price Index, the difference between the rate at lease inception and the subsequent fluctuations in that rate are included in variable lease costs. Additionally, because the Company has elected to not separate lease and non-lease components, in limited instances variable costs also include payments to the landlord for common area maintenance, real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term, with variable lease payments recognized in the period those payments are incurred.

Lease Financing Obligations. Lease financing obligations pertain to real estate sale-leaseback transactions accounted for under the financing method. The land and building assets subject to these obligations remain on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets at their historical costs and the building assets continue to be depreciated

F- 9

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

over their remaining useful lives. The proceeds received by the Company from these transactions are recorded as lease financing obligations and the lease payments are applied as payments of principal and interest. The selection of the interest rate on lease financing obligations is evaluated at inception of the lease based on the Company’s incremental borrowing rate adjusted to the rate required to prevent recognition of a non-cash loss or negative amortization of the obligation through the end of the primary lease term.

Revenue Recognition. Revenues from Company restaurants and other revenue from convenience store sales, net of sales discounts, are recognized when payment is tendered at the time of sale or upon fulfillment of delivery orders. Revenues are reported net of sales tax collected from customers and remitted to governmental taxing authorities.

Gift cards. The Company sells gift cards in its restaurants that are issued under the gift card program of Restaurant Brands International, Inc. ("RBI"). Proceeds from the sale of Burger King® and Popeyes® gift cards at the Company’s restaurants are remitted to RBI, and RBI reimburses the Company for any gift card redemptions at its restaurants. The Company recognizes revenue for restaurant sales upon redemption of gift cards by the customer.

Cost of Sales. The Company includes food, beverage and paper costs and delivery charges, net of any vendor purchase discounts and rebates, in cost of sales.

Income Taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities as measured by the tax rates that are anticipated to be in effect when those differences reverse. The deferred tax provision generally represents the net change in deferred tax assets and liabilities during the period including any changes in valuation allowances. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is established when it is necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount for which realization is likely. The Company recognizes 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 Company and its subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return.

Advertising Costs. All advertising costs are expensed as incurred. For the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, advertising costs were $60.7 million, $58.7 million and $48.3 million, respectively.

Pre-opening Costs. The Company’s pre-opening costs generally include payroll costs and travel associated with the opening of a new restaurant, rent and promotional costs. For the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, pre-opening costs were $0.2 million, $1.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively. These costs are expensed as incurred prior to a restaurant opening and are included in other restaurant operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

Insurance. The Company is self-insured for general liability, medical insurance and most workers’ compensation claims under policies where it pays all claims, subject to stop-loss limitations both for individual claims and in certain cases claims in the aggregate. Losses are accrued based upon the Company’s estimates of the aggregate liability for claims based on Company experience and other methods used to measure such estimates. The Company does not discount any of its self-insurance obligations.

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 on the measurement date. In determining fair value, the accounting standards establish a three level hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable and reflect the Company's own assumptions. Financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables, accounts payable and long-term debt. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables and accounts payable

F- 10

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

approximate fair value because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The carrying amount of the Term Loan B and Incremental Term B-1 Loan borrowings at January 3, 2021 approximate fair value because of their variable rates. The Carrols Restaurant Group 8.0% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2022 (the "8% Notes") were redeemed in full as of December 29, 2019.

Fair value measurements of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities are primarily used in the impairment analysis of long-lived assets, goodwill and intangible assets. Long-lived assets and definite-lived intangible assets are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs. As described in Note 5, the Company recorded long-lived asset impairment charges of $8.2 million, $1.7 million and $2.7 million during the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, respectively.

Stock-Based Compensation. The Company has an incentive stock plan under which incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock units (RSU) and non-vested shares may be granted to employees and non-employee directors. The Company has granted non-vested shares under this plan annually as well as granted non-vested shares, stock options, and RSU's to corporate employees for performance. Non-vested shares, options, and RSUs granted to corporate employees and non-employee directors generally vest on a straight-line basis over three years.

For non-vested stock awards, the fair market value of the award, determined based upon the closing value of the Company’s stock price on the grant date, is recorded to compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. For stock options, the fair-value of the options is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on assumptions for the risk-free rate of interest, expected dividend yield, expected volatility, and the expected term of the award. Compensation expense is recognized over the three-year vesting period. See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements.

Concentrations of Credit Risk. Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents. The Company maintains its day-to-day operating cash balances in interest-bearing transaction accounts at financial institutions, which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation up to $250,000. Although the Company maintains balances that exceed the federally insured limit, it has not experienced any losses related to these balances and believes its credit risk to be minimal.

Segment Information. Operating segments are components of an entity for which separate financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker in order to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company's chief operating decision maker currently evaluates the Company's operations from a number of different operational perspectives; however resource allocation decisions are made based on the chief operating decision maker's evaluation of the total Company operations. The Company derives all significant revenues from a single operating segment. Accordingly, the Company views the operating results of its restaurants as one reportable segment.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted. In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2020-04 (“ASU 2020-04”), Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by the discontinuation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). This ASU is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the effect adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) ("ASU No. 2019-12"). This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions, including an exception to the general methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period when the year-to-date loss exceeds the anticipated loss for the full year. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted and amendments applied on a prospective basis. The impact of the standard

F- 11

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

will depend on interim and anticipated profit or loss in a given period, however the Company does not expect ASU No. 2019-12 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Adopted. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, to introduce new guidance for the accounting for credit losses on instruments within its scope. ASU 2016-13 requires among other things, the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable supportable forecasts. In addition, ASU 2016-13 amends the accounting for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities and purchased financial assets with credit deterioration. This update was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company implemented this for the year beginning December 30, 2019 and the implementation had no impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This ASU simplifies the accounting for goodwill by eliminating step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under the new ASU, if the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss will be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. This update was effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company implemented this for the year ended January 3, 2021 and the implementation had no impact on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement benefits (Topic 715-20). This ASU amends ASC 715 to add certain relevant disclosures, remove certain disclosures no longer considered to be cost beneficial, and clarify specific disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. This ASU is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020 and requires application on a retrospective basis. The Company implemented this for the year ended January 3, 2021 and there was no impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In April 2020, the FASB staff issued interpretive guidance that indicated it would be acceptable for entities to make an election to account for lease concessions related to the COVID-19 pandemic consistent with how those concessions would be accounted for under ACS Topic 842, Leases ("ASC 842"), as though enforceable rights and obligations for those concessions existed (regardless of whether those enforceable rights and obligations for the concessions explicitly exist in the contract). Consequently, for concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, an entity will not have to analyze each contract to determine whether enforceable rights and obligations for concessions exist in the contract and can elect to apply or not apply the lease modification guidance in Topic 842 to those contracts. This election is available for concessions related to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that do not result in a substantial increase in the rights of the lessor or the obligations of the lessee. The Company has made the policy election to apply this interpretive guidance to certain rent relief resulting directly from COVID-19, and has assumed that enforceable rights and obligations for those concessions exist in the lease contract. Accordingly, the Company recognized abatements that did not result in an extension of lease term as reductions in variable lease payments, and deferrals that did not result in an extension of lease term as an increase in other current liabilities. This election will continue while these abatements or deferrals are in effect.

F- 12

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

2. Acquisitions

2019 Acquisitions

During the year ended December 29, 2019, the Company acquired a total of 234 restaurants from other franchisees, which are referred to as the "2019 acquired restaurants", in the following transactions:


Closing Date		Number of Restaurants	Purchase Price
April 30, 2019	(1)	220	$	259,083	Southeastern states, primarily TN, MS, LA
June 11, 2019		13	15,788		Baltimore, Maryland
August 20, 2019	(2)	1	1,108		Pennsylvania
		234	$	275,979

(1)During the second quarter of 2019, the Company completed the merger with New CFH, LLC ("Cambridge") and acquired 165 Burger King restaurants and 55 Popeyes restaurants.

(2)Acquisitions resulting from the exercise of the Company's right of first refusal on acquisitions in certain markets (see note 15).

On April 30, 2019 the Company completed a merger with Cambridge ("the Cambridge Merger") for a purchase price of $259.1 million through the issuance of shares of stock which consisted of (i) approximately 7.4 million shares of common stock, (ii) 10,000 shares of the Company's newly designated Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, which were converted into approximately 7.5 million shares of common stock on August 29, 2019, and (iii) the retirement of approximately $113.8 million of the indebtedness of Cambridge, net of cash acquired. All shares issued are subject to a two year restriction on sale or transfer subject to certain limited exceptions. As part of the transaction, Cambridge Franchise Holdings LLC ("Cambridge Holdings") has the right to designate up to two director nominees and two Cambridge Holdings executives joined the Company's Board of Directors on April 30, 2019.

Under the purchase method of accounting, the aggregate purchase price is allocated to the net tangible and intangible assets based on their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The purchase price allocation valued the common stock at $145.3 million based on the $9.81 closing price of the Company's stock on the date of acquisition.

The Company allocated the aggregate purchase price to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired in the Cambridge Merger at their estimated fair values. The Company engaged a third party valuation specialist to assist with the valuation of franchise rights, leasehold improvements and favorable and unfavorable leases included in the operating right-to-use assets acquired. The fair value of other property and equipment and franchise agreements was based on the carrying value of the respective assets given that in the three years prior to the Cambridge Merger, Cambridge had completed valuations in connection with its own acquisition of 132 restaurants and also recently constructed 33 new restaurants. The fair value of the operating lease liability is based upon the lease payments over the remaining lease term discounted by the Company's incremental borrowing rate. The deferred income tax liability allocated from the purchase price represents book and tax differences primarily related to the fair value of the acquired franchise rights.

Goodwill recorded in connection with the Cambridge Merger represents the excess of the purchase price over the aggregate fair value of net assets acquired and is related to the benefits expected as a result of the merger, including sales, operating synergies, development and growth opportunities. The Company believes that Cambridge's existing Burger King and Popeyes restaurant portfolios provide it with significant growth and development opportunities and due to the geographic location of the restaurants mitigate the dependence on the economic performance of any one particular geographic location or restaurant concept.

F- 13

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The following table summarizes the final allocation of the aggregate purchase price for the Cambridge Merger:



Inventory	$	2,839
Prepaid expenses	2,947
Other assets	1,846
Land and buildings	21,257
Restaurant equipment	25,358
Restaurant equipment - subject to finance leases	488
Right-of-use assets	251,431
Leasehold improvements	3,498
Franchise fees	7,300
Franchise rights (Note 4)	174,500
Deferred taxes	(44,292)
Goodwill (Note 4)	84,060
Finance lease obligations for restaurant equipment	(568)
Operating lease liabilities	(255,897)
Accounts payable	(8,014)
Accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits	(3,133)
Other liabilities	(4,537)
Net assets acquired	$	259,083

The Company allocated the aggregate purchase price for the 2019 acquisitions other than the Cambridge Merger at their estimated fair values. The following table summarizes the final allocation of the aggregate purchase price for these other 2019 acquisitions:



Inventory	$	158
Restaurant equipment	743
Restaurant equipment - subject to finance leases	150
Right-of-use assets	9,515
Leasehold improvements	6,205
Franchise fees	394
Franchise rights (Note 4)	9,809
Deferred taxes	29
Goodwill (Note 4)	86
Operating lease liabilities	(9,968)
Finance lease obligations for restaurant equipment	(185)
Accounts payable	(40)
Net assets acquired	$	16,896

The results of operations for the restaurants acquired are included from the closing date of the respective acquisition. The 2019 acquired restaurants contributed restaurant sales of $288.9 million during the year ended January 3, 2021 and $201.9 million and other revenue of $10.2 million during the year ended December 29, 2019. It is impracticable to disclose net earnings for the post-acquisition periods as net earnings of these restaurants were not tracked on a collective basis due to the integration of administrative functions, including field supervision.

The pro forma impact on the results of operations for restaurants acquired in 2019 and 2018 is included below. The pro forma results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the

F- 14

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

restaurants acquired in 2019 and 2018 been consummated at the beginning of the periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of any future consolidated operating results. The following table summarizes the Company's unaudited proforma operating results:


	Year Ended
	December 29, 2019		December 30, 2018
Restaurant sales	$	1,568,533	$	1,518,841
Net income (loss)	(25,586)		27,730
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share	(0.59)		0.60

This pro forma financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies or cost savings or any integration costs related to the 2019 acquired restaurants. The proforma results exclude transaction costs recorded as general and administrative expenses of $4.1 million and $1.4 million during the years ended December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, respectively.

2018 Acquisitions

During the year ended December 30, 2018 the Company acquired a total of 44 restaurants from other franchisees, which are referred to as the "2018 acquired restaurants", in the following transactions:


Closing Date		Number of Restaurants	Purchase Price		Market Location
February 13, 2018	(1)	1	$	—	New York
August 21, 2018	(2)	2	1,666		Detroit, Michigan
September 5, 2018	(2)	31	25,930		Western Virginia
October 2, 2018		10	10,506		South Carolina and Georgia
		44	$	38,102

(1)This acquisition resulted in a bargain purchase gain because the fair value of net assets acquired, largely representing a franchise right asset of $0.3 million, exceeded the total fair value of consideration paid by $0.2 million. The Company recognized this gain and recorded it as "Gain on bargain purchase" in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss).

(2)Acquisitions resulting from the exercise of the Company's right of first refusal on acquisitions in certain markets (see note 15).

F- 15

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The Company allocated the aggregate purchase price to the net tangible and intangible assets acquired in the acquisitions at their estimated fair values. The following table summarizes the final allocation of the aggregate purchase price for the four 2018 acquisitions:



Inventory	$	401



Restaurant equipment	2,092
Restaurant equipment - subject to capital lease	43
Leasehold improvements	1,329
Franchise fees	1,264
Franchise rights (Note 4)	31,275
Favorable leases	587
Deferred taxes	346
Goodwill (Note 4)	1,677
Capital lease obligations for restaurant equipment	(49)
Unfavorable leases	(624)
Accounts payable	(9)


Net assets acquired	$	38,332

The results of operations for the restaurants acquired are included from the closing date of the respective acquisition. The 2018 acquired restaurants contributed restaurant sales of $52.9 million and $16.9 million during the years ended December 29, 2019 and December 28, 2018, respectively. It is impracticable to disclose net earnings for the post-acquisition periods as net earnings of these restaurants were not tracked on a collective basis due to the integration of administrative functions, including field supervision.

The pro forma impact on the results of operations for restaurants acquired in 2018 is included below. The pro forma results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results that would have occurred had the restaurants acquired in 2018 been consummated at the beginning of the periods presented, nor are they necessarily indicative of any future consolidated operating results. The following table summarizes the Company's unaudited proforma operating results:


	Year Ended
	December 30, 2018
Restaurant sales	$	1,217,891
Net income	13,684
Basic and diluted net income per share	0.30

This pro forma financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies or cost savings or any integration costs related to the 2018 acquired restaurants. The proforma results exclude acquisition costs recorded as general and administrative expenses of $1.4 million during the year ended December 30, 2018.

Acquired Intangible Assets

Goodwill recorded in connection with the acquisitions in 2019 and 2018 represents costs in excess of fair values assigned to the underlying net assets of acquired restaurants. Acquired goodwill that is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes was $47.2 million in 2019 and $0.5 million in 2018.

F- 16

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The weighted average amortization period of the intangible assets acquired is as follows:


	2019 Acquisitions	2018 Acquisitions
Favorable leases	—	17.2
Unfavorable leases	—	18.3
Franchise rights	32.7	31.6

Beginning in 2019, favorable and unfavorable leases are now included as a component of the Company's operating right-of-use assets.

3. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 consisted of the following:


	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019
Land	$	8,301	$	8,800
Owned buildings	13,325		12,490
Leasehold improvements	424,685		413,543
Equipment	320,909		311,423
Assets subject to finance leases	16,663		17,132
	783,883		763,388
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization	(434,328)		(377,810)
	$	349,555	$	385,578

Assets subject to finance leases primarily represents buildings leased for certain restaurant locations and certain leases of restaurant equipment and had accumulated amortization at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 of $16.0 million and $15.2 million, respectively. Depreciation expense for all property and equipment for the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018 was $64.4 million, $60.8 million and $49.3 million, respectively.

4. Intangible Assets

Goodwill. The Company is required to test goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently, when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may be impaired. If the determined fair value of goodwill is less than the related carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized. The Company performs its annual impairment assessment as of the last day of the fiscal year. In performing its goodwill impairment test, the Company compared the net book value of its reporting unit to its estimated fair value, the latter determined by employing a combination of a discounted cash flow analysis and a market-based approach. There have been no recorded goodwill impairment losses during the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018.


Goodwill at December 30, 2018	$	38,469
Acquisitions of restaurants (Note 2)	84,150
Goodwill at December 29, 2019	122,619
Acquisitions of restaurants (Note 2)	—
Goodwill at January 3, 2021	$	122,619

F- 17

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Franchise Rights. Amounts allocated to franchise rights for each acquisition of Burger King® and Popeyes® restaurants are amortized using the straight-line method over the average remaining term of the acquired franchise agreements plus one twenty-year renewal period. The following is a summary of the Company’s franchise rights as of the respective balance sheet dates:


Balance at December 30, 2018	$	175,897
Acquisitions of restaurants (Note 2)	184,309
Amortization expense	(11,265)
Balance at December 29, 2019	348,941

Amortization expense	(14,344)
Balance at January 3, 2021	$	334,597

Amortization expense related to franchise rights for the year ended December 30, 2018 was $7.4 million. The Company expects annual amortization to be $13.7 million in each of the next five fiscal years. No impairment charges were recorded related to the Company’s franchise rights during the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018.

5. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Other Lease Charges

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, principally property and equipment, for impairment at the restaurant level. If an indicator of impairment exists for any of its assets, an estimate of the undiscounted future cash flows over the life of the primary asset for each restaurant is compared to that long-lived asset’s carrying value. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flow, the Company then determines the fair value of the asset and if an asset is determined to be impaired, the loss is measured by the excess of the carrying amount of the asset over its fair value. For closed restaurant locations, the Company reviews the future minimum lease payments and related ancillary costs from the date of the restaurant closure to the end of the remaining lease term and records a lease charge for the lease liabilities to be incurred, net of any estimated sublease recoveries.

For restaurants reviewed for impairment the Company determined the fair value of restaurant equipment, based on current economic conditions. These fair value asset measurements rely on significant unobservable inputs and are considered Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

During the year ended January 3, 2021, the Company recorded impairment and other lease charges of $12.8 million consisting of $1.2 million of capital expenditures at previously impaired restaurants, $5.0 million related to initial impairment charges for fifteen underperforming restaurants, other lease charges of $4.6 million primarily from 22 restaurant closures, and $2.0 million related to impairment of its right of first refusal under its Area Development and Remodeling Agreement with BKC (see Note 15)

During the year ended December 29, 2019, the Company recorded impairment and other lease charges of $3.6 million including $0.3 million for capital expenditures at previously impaired restaurants, $1.3 million related to initial impairment charges for seven underperforming restaurants, and other lease charges of $1.9 million mostly related to the closing of the six convenience stores acquired in 2019.

During the year ended December 30, 2018, the Company recorded impairment and other lease charges of $3.7 million including $0.4 million for capital expenditures at previously impaired restaurants, $0.4 million related to initial impairment charges for six underperforming restaurants, $1.9 million related to the write-off of defective product holding unit kitchen equipment that was replaced, losses of $0.8 million associated with the sale-leaseback of four restaurant properties, and other lease charges of $0.2 million.

F- 18

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

6. Other Liabilities, Long-Term

Other liabilities, long-term, at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 consisted of the following:


	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019
Accrued occupancy costs	$	2,394	$	8,523
Accrued workers’ compensation and general liability claims	5,499		5,370
Interest rate swap liability	6,062		—
Deferred compensation	4,419		3,902
Deferred federal payroll taxes	10,808		—
Other	290		289
	$	29,472	$	18,084

On March 27, 2020, the United States enacted the CARES Act as a response to the economic uncertainty resulting from COVID-19. The CARES Act provided for deferred payment of the employer portion of social security taxes through the end of 2020, with 50% of the deferred amount due December 31, 2021 and the remaining 50% due December 31, 2022. As of January 3, 2021, the Company deferred $21.6 million related to this provision, of which $10.8 million was recorded in accrued payroll, related taxes and benefits and $10.8 million was recorded in other liabilities, long-term in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

7. Leases

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting economic uncertainty in the restaurant industry, the Company contacted each of its landlords to potentially negotiate accommodations to preserve cash. For certain leases the Company was able to modify existing payment terms, in some cases through deferral of existing payments until future periods and in some cases through a reduction in payments due during this period. The Company elected the practical expedient to not evaluate whether a deferral of rent within the current term is a lease modification. Any concessions which resulted in extension of the existing lease term were accounted for as a lease modification under the current GAAP guidance. The total rent that was or will be deferred as a result of requests for relief from our landlords other than BKC was $5.8 million, of which $4.8 million was or is expected to be repaid over various periods that began in the third quarter of 2020. Additionally, the Company received $0.4 million in 2020 from BKC for concessions related to leases the Company subleases from BKC with third party landlords (see Note 15). As of January 3, 2021, $3.2 million remains to be repaid to landlords related to these deferrals.

During the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, the Company sold twelve, twenty-seven and five restaurant properties, respectively, in sale-leaseback transactions for net proceeds of $22.5 million, $48.4 million and $8.4 million, respectively. These leases have been classified as operating leases and generally contain a twenty-year initial term plus renewal options.

F- 19

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Rent commitments under finance and non-cancelable operating leases at January 3, 2021 were as follows:


Fiscal year ending:	Operating Leases		Finance Leases
January 2, 2022	$	99,191	$	583
January 1, 2023	98,850		240
December 31, 2023	98,005		68
December 29, 2024	96,853		42
December 28, 2025	94,613		28
Thereafter	877,149		59
Total lease payments	1,364,661		1,020
Less: imputed interest	(512,877)		(112)
Present value of lease liabilities	851,784		908
Less: current portion	(41,815)		(525)
Total long-term lease liabilities	$	809,969	$	383

Lease Cost

The components and classification of lease expense for the years ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 are as follows:


		Year ended
Lease cost	Classification	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019
Operating lease cost (1)	Restaurant rent expense	$	102,651	$	90,718
Operating lease cost	General and administrative	606		$	579
Variable lease cost - variable rent	Restaurant rent expense	16,245		$	16,454
Variable lease cost - common area maintenance	Other restaurant operating expenses	521		$	617
Sublease income	Restaurant rent expense	(452)		$	(25)
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of right-of-use assets	Depreciation and amortization	1,233		$	1,778
Interest on lease liabilities	Interest expense	130		$	256
Total lease cost		$	120,934	$	110,377

(1)Includes short-term leases which are not material.

F- 20

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Total rent expense for the year ended December 30, 2018 on operating leases, including contingent rent on both operating and finance leases, was as follows:


	Year ended
	December 30, 2018
Minimum rent on real property	$	72,206
Contingent rent on real property	9,203
Restaurant rent expense	81,409
Administrative and equipment rent	273
	$	81,682

Lease Position

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019:


Leases	Classification	January 3, 2021			December 29, 2019
Assets
Operating leases	Operating right-of-use assets, net	$	799,962		$	811,016
Finance leases	Property and equipment, net	644			1,882
Total leased assets		$	800,606		$	812,898

Liabilities
Current
Operating leases	Current portion of operating lease liabilities	$	41,815		$	40,805
Finance leases	Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities	525			1,616
Long-term
Operating leases	Operating lease liabilities	809,969			808,292
Finance leases	Long-term debt and finance lease liabilities	383			908
Total lease liabilities		$	852,692		$	851,621

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term
Operating leases		14.0 years			14.5 years
Finance leases		2.4 years			2.0 years

Weighted Average Discount Rate
Operating leases		7.0		%	7.0		%
Finance leases		8.9		%	7.9		%

F- 21

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

Other Information

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases for the years ended January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 are as follows:


	Year ended
	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019
Gain on sale-leaseback transactions	$	189	$	636
Lease assets and liabilities resulting from lease modifications and new leases	50,978		76,878
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	98,561		87,220
Operating cash flows from finance leases	130		256
Financing cash flows from finance lease obligations	1,617		2,170

8. Long-term Debt

Long-term debt at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 consisted of the following:


	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019
Collateralized:
Senior Credit Facility:
Term Loan B borrowings	$	419,375	$	422,875
Term Loan B-1 borrowings	73,875		—
Revolving credit borrowings	—		45,750
Finance lease liabilities	908		2,524
	494,158		471,149
Less: current portion of long-term debt and finance lease liabilities	(5,525)		(5,866)
Less: unamortized debt issuance costs	(7,777)		(7,768)
Less: original issue discount	(5,161)		(1,950)
Total Long-term Debt	$	475,695	$	455,565

On April 30, 2019, the Company entered into new senior secured credit facilities in an aggregate principal amount of $550.0 million, consisting of (i) a Term Loan B Facility in an aggregate principal amount of $425.0 million (the “Term Loan B Facility”) maturing on April 30, 2026 and (ii) a new revolving credit facility (including a sub-facility of $35.0 million for standby letters of credit) in an aggregate principal amount of $125.0 million maturing on April 30, 2024 (the “Revolving Credit Facility” and, together with the Term Loan B Facility, the (“New Senior Credit Facilities”).

On December 13, 2019, the Company entered into the First Amendment to Credit Agreement (the "First Amendment") which amended a financial covenant under the Senior Credit Facilities applicable solely with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility that previously required the Company to maintain quarterly a Total Net Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) of not greater than 4.75 to 1.00 (measured on a most recent four quarter basis), to now require that the Company maintain only a First Lien Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) of not greater than 5.75 to 1.00 (as measured on a most recent four quarter basis) if, and only if, on the last day of any fiscal quarter (beginning with the fiscal quarter ended December 29, 2019), the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility and the aggregate face amount of letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility (excluding undrawn letters of credit in an aggregate face amount up to $12.0 million) exceeds 35% of the aggregate amount of the maximum

F- 22

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The First Amendment also reduced the aggregate maximum revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility by $10.0 million to a total of $115.0 million.

The Second Amendment amended the definition of Applicable Margin (such definition and all other definitions used herein and otherwise not defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Senior Credit Facilities) to provide that on and after the date of the Second Amendment (the "Second Amendment Effective Date"), the Applicable Margin for borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility (including Letter of Credit Fees) shall be at a rate per annum equal to (a) for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount is greater than $115.0 million, (i) for the period commencing on the Second Amendment Effective Date and including the date that is 179 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, 3.5% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 2.5% for Alternate Base Rate Loans, (ii) for the period commencing on the date that is 180 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, through and including the date that is 269 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, 4.25% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 3.25% for Alternate Base Rate Loans, (iii) for the period commencing on the date that is 270 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, through and including the date that is 364 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date, 4.5% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 3.5% for Alternate Base Rate Loans and (iv) for the period commencing on the date that is 365 days after the Second Amendment Effective Date and thereafter, 4.75% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 3.75% for Alternate Base Rate Loans and (b) for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount is equal to or less than $115.0 million, 3.5% for LIBOR Rate Loans and 2.5% for Alternate Base Rate Loans.

The Second Amendment provides that beginning on the 180th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date and for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount is greater than $115.0 million, the Company shall pay to the Administrative Agent, for the ratable benefit of the Revolving Facility Lenders, a commitment fee (the "Ticking Fee") on the average daily amount of the Revolving Committed Amount at a rate per annum equal to (a) 0.125% for the 180th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date through and including the 269th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date, (b) 0.25% for the 270th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date through and including the 364th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date and (c) 1.00% for the 365th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date and thereafter. The Second Amendment provides that the Ticking Fee will be due and payable quarterly in arrears (calculated on a 360-day basis) on the last Business Day of each calendar quarter and will accrue from the 180th day after the Second Amendment Effective Date for so long as the Revolving Committed Amount is greater than $115.0 million. The Company recorded expense of $0.1 million related to these ticking fees in the year ended January 3, 2021. The Second Amendment also provides that the Company shall use the proceeds of an Extension of Credit which results in the sum of the aggregate principal amount of outstanding Revolving Loans plus the aggregate amount of LOC Obligations equaling an amount in excess of $115.0 million, solely for ongoing operations of the Company and its subsidiaries and shall not be held as cash on the balance sheet.

F- 23

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

On June 23, 2020 (the "Fifth Amendment Effective Date"), the Company entered into the Fifth Amendment to its Senior Credit Facilities (the "Fifth Amendment"). The Fifth Amendment increased the Term Loan (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) borrowings in the aggregate principal amount of $75 million of Incremental Term B-1 Loans (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities). The Incremental Term B-1 Loans constitute a new tranche of Term Loans ranking pari passu in right of payment and security with the Initial Term Loans for all purposes under the Senior Credit Facilities. The Incremental Term B-1 Loans have the same terms as outstanding borrowings under the Company's existing term loan B facility pursuant to and in accordance with the Senior Credit Facilities, provided that (i) borrowings under the Incremental Term B-1 Loans will bear interest at a rate per annum, at the Company’s option, of (a) the Alternate Base Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) plus the applicable margin of 5.25% or (b) the LIBOR Rate (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) (which shall not be less than 1% for Incremental Term B-1 Loans) plus the applicable margin of 6.25% and (ii) certain prepayments of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans by the Company prior to the first anniversary of the Fifth Amendment Effective Date are subject to a premium to the Administrative Agent (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities), for the ratable account of each applicable Term Loan Lender (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) holding Incremental Term B-1 Loans on the date of such prepayment equal to the Applicable Make-Whole Amount (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) with respect to the principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans so prepaid. The principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans will amortize in an aggregate annual amount equal to 1% of the original principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loans and shall be repayable in consecutive quarterly installments on the last day of the Company's fiscal quarters beginning on the third fiscal quarter of 2020 with the remaining outstanding principal amount of the Incremental Term B-1 Loan and all accrued but unpaid interest and other amounts payable with respect to the Incremental Term B-1 Loan due on April 30, 2026 which is the Term Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities).

The Company’s obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities are guaranteed by its subsidiaries and are secured by first priority liens on substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, including a pledge of all of the capital stock and equity interests of its subsidiaries.

Under the Senior Credit Facilities, the Company is required to make mandatory prepayments of borrowings in the event of dispositions of assets, debt issuances and insurance and condemnation proceeds (all subject to certain exceptions).

The Senior Credit Facilities contain certain covenants, including without limitation, those limiting the Company’s and its subsidiaries' ability to, among other things, incur indebtedness, incur liens, sell or acquire assets or businesses, change the character of its business in all material respects, engage in transactions with related parties, make certain investments, make certain restricted payments or pay dividends. In addition, the Senior Credit Facilities require the Company to meet a First Lien Leverage Ratio (as defined in the Senior Credit Facilities) if revolving credit borrowings exceed 35% of the aggregate borrowing capacity, as described under the First Amendment above. As there were no borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility at January 3, 2021, no First Lien Leverage Ratio calculation was required. The Company was in compliance with the covenants under its Senior Credit Facilities at January 3, 2021.

The Senior Credit Facilities contain customary default provisions, including that the lenders may terminate their obligation to advance and may declare the unpaid balance of borrowings, or any part thereof, immediately due and payable upon the occurrence and during the continuance of customary defaults which include, without limitation, payment default, covenant defaults, bankruptcy type defaults, cross-defaults on other indebtedness, judgments or upon the occurrence of a change of control.

F- 24

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The Term Loan B and B-1 borrowings are due and payable in quarterly installments, which began on September 30, 2019. Amounts outstanding at January 3, 2021 are due and payable as follows:

(i) twenty-one quarterly installments of $1.3 million;

(ii) one final payment of $467.0 million on April 30, 2026.

At January 3, 2021, borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities bore interest as follows:

(iii) Term Loan B-1 borrowings: at a rate per annum, at the Company’s option, of (a) the Alternate Base Rate plus the applicable margin of 5.25% or (b) the LIBOR Rate (which shall not be less than 1% for Incremental Term B-1 Loans) plus the applicable margin of 6.25%.

As of January 3, 2021, there were no revolving credit borrowings outstanding and $9.7 million of letters of credit issued under the Revolving Credit Facility. After reserving for issued letters of credit and outstanding revolving credit borrowings, $136.1 million was available for revolving credit borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility at January 3, 2021.

At January 3, 2021, principal payments required on long-term debt, including finance leases, were as follows:


Fiscal year ending:
January 2, 2022	$	5,525
January 1, 2023	5,218
December 31, 2023	5,055
December 29, 2024	5,034
December 28, 2025	5,023
Thereafter	468,303
	$	494,158

The weighted average interest rate on all debt, excluding lease financing obligations, for the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018 was 4.6%, 6.1% and 7.9%, respectively. Interest expense on the Company’s long-term debt, excluding lease financing obligations, was $27.2 million, $27.8 million and $23.5 million for the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, respectively.

Interest Rate Swap. In March 2020, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with its lenders to mitigate the risk of increases in the variable interest rate related to term loan borrowings under the Term Loan B Facility. The interest rate swap fixes the interest rate on 50% of the outstanding term loan borrowings under the Term Loan B Facility at 0.915% plus the applicable margin in its Senior Credit Facilities. The agreement matures on February 28, 2025 and has a notional amount of $220.0 million at January 3, 2021. The differences between the variable LIBOR rate and the interest rate swap rate of 0.915% are settled monthly. The Company made payments of $1.0 million to settle the interest rate swap during the twelve months ended January 3, 2021. The fair value of the Company's interest rate swap agreement was a liability of $6.1 million as of January 3, 2021 and is included in long-term other liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Changes in the valuation of the Company's interest rate swap were included as a component of other comprehensive income and will be reclassified to earnings as the losses are realized. The Company expects to reclassify net losses totaling $1.7 million into earnings in the next twelve months.

F- 25

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The Company's counterparties under this arrangement provided the Company with quarterly statements of the market values of these instruments based on significant inputs that were observable or could be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset or liability. The Company classified this within Level 2 of the valuation hierarchy described in Note 1. The impact on the derivative liabilities for the Company and the counterparties' non-performance risk to the derivative trades was considered when measuring the fair value of derivative liabilities.

9. Other Income

In 2020, the Company recorded other income, net of $1.3 million, which consisted of gains related to insurance recoveries from property damage at four of its restaurants of $2.1 million, net gain on twelve sale-leaseback transactions of $0.2 million and a loss on disposal of assets of $1.0 million.

In 2019, the Company recorded other income, net of $1.9 million which consisted of a $1.9 million gain from a settlement with RBI for their approval of new restaurant development by other franchisees which unfavorably impacted the Company's restaurants, $0.6 million net gains on sale-leaseback transactions, a $0.2 million gain related to insurance recoveries from fire at two of its restaurants and a loss on a disposal of restaurant equipment of $0.8 million.

In 2018 the Company recorded other income of $0.4 million, primarily related to insurance recoveries from fires at two restaurants.

10. Income Taxes

The provision (benefit) for income taxes was comprised of the following:


	Year ended
	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019		December 30, 2018
Current:
Federal	$	—	$	(260)	$	—
State	268		119		326
	268		(141)		326

Deferred:
Federal	(6,039)		(9,768)		(598)
State	(1,073)		(2,214)		115
	(7,112)		(11,982)		(483)
Increase in valuation allowance	13,138		—		—
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	6,294	$	(12,123)	$	(157)

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amount used for income tax purposes.

F- 26

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 were as follows:


	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019
Deferred income tax assets:

Operating lease liabilities	$	219,096	$	218,503
Federal net operating loss carryforwards	28,880		30,588
Tax credit carryforwards	35,650		32,378
State net operating loss carryforwards	6,032		5,388
Interest expense limitation under section 163 (j)	—		2,558
Stock-based compensation expense	1,323		1,274
Accrued vacation benefits	2,684		2,440
Accrued interest rate swap	1,841		—
Postretirement benefit obligations	853		944
Other deferred income tax assets	4,345		4,690
Gross deferred income tax assets	300,704		298,763
Less: Valuation allowance	(13,138)		—
Total deferred income tax assets	$	287,566	$	298,763

Deferred income tax liabilities:
Operating right-of-use assets	(205,897)		(208,804)
Property and equipment depreciation	(26,056)		(29,685)
Franchise rights	(65,329)		(66,725)
Accumulated other comprehensive income-postretirement benefits	(474)		(280)
Other deferred income tax liabilities	(1,172)		(252)
Total deferred income tax liabilities	(298,928)		(305,746)
Net long-term deferred income tax liabilities	$	(11,362)	$	(6,983)

The Company's federal net operating loss carryforwards generated prior to December 31, 2017 expire beginning in 2033. Federal net operating losses generated subsequent to 2017 have no expiration date. As of January 3, 2021, the Company had federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $136.7 million and approximately $7.6 million in state net operating loss carryforwards. The Company's state net operating loss carryforwards expire beginning in 2021 through 2038.

The Company has performed the required assessment of positive and negative evidence regarding the realization of deferred income tax assets in accordance with ASC 740 at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019. Under ASC 740, the weight given to negative and positive evidence is commensurate only to the extent that such evidence can be objectively verified. ASC 740 prescribes that objective historical evidence, in particular the Company’s three-year cumulative loss position at January 3, 2021, be given a greater weight than subjective evidence, including the Company’s forecast of future taxable income, which include assumptions that cannot be objectively verified. In determining the likelihood of future realization of the deferred income tax assets as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 the Company considered both positive and negative evidence and weighted the effect of such evidence based upon its objectivity. Based on the required weight of evidence under ASC 740, as of January 3, 2021 the Company determined that a valuation allowance was needed for certain federal income tax credits in the amount of $13.1 million as they may expire prior to their utilization by the Company. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during

F- 27

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

the carryforward period are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight may be given to subjective evidence such as projections for growth. The company recorded income tax expense of $13.1 million in fiscal 2020 relative to this valuation reserve.

A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax provision to the income tax provision (benefit) for the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019, and December 30, 2018 was as follows:


	Year ended
	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019		December 30, 2018
Statutory federal income tax provision (benefit)	$	(4,865)	$	(9,249)	$	2,089
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	(726)		(1,655)		325
Employment tax credits	(2,585)		(2,938)		(3,059)
Change in valuation allowances	13,138		—		—
Non-deductible expenses	214		1,374		415
Stock-based compensation	525		308		(53)
Rate change	312		—		—
Miscellaneous	281		37		126
Provision (benefit) for income taxes	$	6,294	$	(12,123)	$	(157)

The Company's policy is to recognize interest and/or penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. At January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the Company had no unrecognized tax benefits and no accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions. The tax years 2014 - 2020 remain open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which the Company is subject. Although it is not reasonably possible to estimate the amount by which unrecognized tax benefits may increase within the next twelve months due to uncertainties regarding the timing of examinations, the Company does not expect unrecognized tax benefits to significantly change in the next twelve months.

On March 27, 2020, the United States enacted the CARES Act as a response to the economic uncertainty resulting from COVID-19. The CARES Act includes modifications for net operating loss carryovers and carrybacks, limitations of business interest expense for tax, immediate refund of alternative minimum tax (AMT) credit carryovers as well as a technical correction to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, referred to herein as the U.S. Tax Act, for qualified improvement property. As of January 3, 2021, the Company expects that the carryback of net operating losses will not have an impact on its current tax attributes.

11. Stock-Based Compensation

2016 Stock Incentive Plan. In 2016, the Company adopted a stock plan entitled the 2016 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2016 Plan”) and reserved and authorized a total of 4,000,000 shares of common stock for grant thereunder. As of January 3, 2021, 887,171 shares were available for future grant or issuance.

Stock-based compensation expense for the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019, and December 30, 2018 was $5.2 million, $5.8 million and $5.8 million, respectively. As of January 3, 2021, the total remaining stock-based compensation expense relating to non-vested shares and stock options was approximately $7.7 million and the remaining weighted average vesting period for non-vested shares and stock options was 4.0 years.

Non-vested Shares

During the year ended January 3, 2021, the Company granted 790,000 non-vested shares of common stock to certain employees and officers of the Company and 73,128 non-vested shares to outside directors of the Company. These shares vest over their three-year vesting period, provided the participant has continuously remained an employee, officer, or director of the Company.

F- 28

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

On January 15, 2019, the Company granted 417,500 non-vested shares of common stock to certain employees and officers of the Company and 47,470 non-vested shares to outside directors of the Company. These shares vest over their three-year vesting period, provided the participant has continuously remained an employee, officer, or director of the Company. In September of 2019, the Company granted 10,000 non-vested shares of common stock to an interim officer of the Company, which vested in May 2020.

On January 15, 2018, the Company granted 350,000 non-vested shares of common stock to officers of the Company. These shares vest over their three-year vesting period. During 2018 the Company also issued an aggregate of 30,192 non-vested shares of common stock to non-employee directors. The non-vested share awards vest over three years, provided that the participant has continuously remained a director of the Company.

A summary of all non-vested common share activity for the year ended January 3, 2021 was as follows:


	Shares	Weighted Average Grant Date Price
Non-vested at December 29, 2019	790,823	$	11.35
Granted	863,128	$	5.42
Vested	(416,253)	$	12.07
Forfeited	(69,850)	$	6.24
Non-vested at January 3, 2021	1,167,848	$	7.02

The fair value of the non-vested shares is based on the closing price of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. As of January 3, 2021, the total non-vested stock-based compensation expense relating to non-vested shares and stock options was approximately $7.7 million and the remaining weighted average vesting period for non-vested shares and stock options was 4.0 years.

Stock Options

During the twelve months ended January 3, 2021, the Company granted in the aggregate options to purchase 1,075,000 shares of its common stock, consisting of 739,340 shares of non-qualified stock options and 335,660 shares of incentive stock options (“ISOs”) to certain employees and officers of the Company. These options become exercisable and are being expensed over their three-year vesting period. The options expire seven years from the date of the grant and were issued with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the stock price, or $7.12 per share of common stock, on the date of grant.

The following assumptions were used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of stock option awards at the grant date:


	2020
Risk-free interest rate	0.21		%
Expected term (in years)	4.5
Expected volatility	65.10		%
Expected dividend yield	—		%
Fair Value	$	3.65

Expected term represents the period that the stock option awards were expected to be outstanding. Given the Company has not issued stock options since 2010, it concluded that its stock option exercise history did not provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term and therefore used the simplified method to determine the expected term of this stock option grant. This method bases the expected term calculation on the average of the vesting term and the contractual term of the awards. The risk-free interest rate was based on the yield of constant maturity U.S. treasury bonds with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the awards. There was no

F- 29

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

expected dividend yield. The Company estimated the stock price volatility using weekly price observations over the most recent historical period equal to the expected life of the awards.

A summary of all stock option activity for the year ended January 3, 2021 was as follows:


	Options	Weighted Average Exercise Price		Average Remaining Contractual Life	Aggregate Intrinsic Value (1)
Options outstanding at December 29, 2019	—
Granted	1,075,000	$	7.12

Forfeited	(25,000)	$	7.12
Options Outstanding at January 3, 2021	1,050,000	$	7.12	6.6	$	—
Vested or expected to vest at January 3, 2021	1,050,000	$	7.12	6.6	$	—
Options exercisable at January 3, 2021	—

(1) The aggregate intrinsic value is calculated using the difference between the market price of the Company's common stock at January 3, 2021 of $6.28 and the grant date exercise price for only those awards that have a grant date exercise price that is less than the market price of the Company's common stock at January 3, 2021. There were no awards having a grant date exercise price less than the market price of the Company's common stock at January 3, 2021.

Restricted Stock Units

The Company has issued restricted stock units (“RSUs”) on shares of the Company's common shares to certain eligible employees. The RSUs generally vest in equal installments over three years. During the twelve months ended January 3, 2021, 20,486 RSUs vested into shares of the Company's common stock at a weighted average price of $2.92 per share.

A summary of all RSU activity for the year ended January 3, 2021 was as follows:


			Units
Non-vested at December 29, 2019			57,942

Vested			(20,486)

Non-vested at January 3, 2021			37,456

12. Stockholders' Equity

Preferred Stock. In 2012, Carrols Restaurant Group issued to BKC 100 shares of the Company's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series A Convertible Preferred Stock") pursuant to a certificate of designation. These shares were convertible into 9,414,580 shares of Carrols Restaurant Group Common Stock ("Carrols Common Stock"). In 2018, Carrols Restaurant Group, BKC and Blue Holdco 1, LLC ("Blue Holdco" and together with BKC, the "BKC Stockholders") exchanged the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock for Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series B Convertible Preferred Stock"), with substantially the same powers, preferences and rights of the shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, except to provide that such shares will be transferable by the BKC Stockholders solely to certain of its affiliates or subsidiaries.

The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock ranks senior to Carrols Common Stock with respect to rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of Carrols Restaurant Group. The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock is perpetual, will receive any dividends and amounts upon a liquidation event on an as converted basis, does not pay interest and has no mandatory prepayment features.

The BKC Stockholders also have certain approval and voting rights as set forth in the certificate of designation for the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock so long as they own greater than 7.5% of the outstanding shares of Carrols Common Stock (on an as-converted basis). The Series B Convertible Preferred Stock will vote with the Company's Common Stock on an as converted basis and provides for the right of the BKC Stockholders to elect (a)

F- 30

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

two members to the Company's Board of Directors until the date on which the number of shares of common stock into which the outstanding shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock held by the BKC stockholders are then convertible constitutes less than 11.5% of the total number of outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock and (b) one member to the Company's Board of Directors until the BKC Stockholders own Series B Convertible Preferred Stock (on an as converted basis) of less than 7.5% of the total number of outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock.

In connection with the Cambridge Merger, Cambridge Holdings was issued 10,000 shares of the Company's Series C Convertible Preferred Stock (the " Series C Convertible Preferred Stock") that was automatically converted during the third quarter of 2019 into approximately 7.5 million shares of the Company's Common Stock when such conversion was approved by the Company's stockholders at the Company's annual stockholders meeting on August 29, 2019. With the conversion of the Series C Convertible Preferred Stock in the third quarter of 2019, as of January 3, 2021 Cambridge Holdings beneficially owns approximately 23.9% of the Company's Common Stock after giving effect to the conversion of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock.

Stock Repurchase Program. On August 2, 2019, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan ("Repurchase Program") under which the Company may repurchase up to $25.0 million of its outstanding common stock. The authorization became effective August 2, 2019, and will expire 24 months thereafter, unless terminated earlier by the Company's Board of Directors. Purchases under the Repurchase Program may be made from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices or in privately negotiated transactions (including, without limitation, the use of Rule 10b5-1 plans) in compliance with applicable federal securities laws, including Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company has no obligation to repurchase stock under the Repurchase Program, and the timing, actual number and value of shares purchased will depend on the Company's stock price, trading volume, general market and economic conditions, and other factors.

During the twelve months ended January 3, 2021, the Company repurchased in open market transactions 1,534,304 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an average share price of $6.52 for a total cost of $10.0 million under the Repurchase Program.

During the twelve months ended December 29, 2019, the Company repurchased in open market transactions 553,112 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an average share price of $7.26 for a total cost of $4.0 million under the Repurchase Program.

At January 3, 2021, $11.0 million was available to repurchase shares under the Repurchase Program. Shares repurchased are being held in treasury until they are retired at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

13. Net Income (Loss) per Share

The Company applies the two-class method to calculate and present net income (loss) per share. The Company's non-vested restricted share awards and Series B Convertible Preferred Stock held by the BKC Stockholders contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and are considered participating securities for purposes of computing net income per share pursuant to the two-class method. Under the two-class method, net earnings are reduced by the amount of dividends declared (whether paid or unpaid) and the remaining undistributed earnings are then allocated to common stock and participating securities, based on their respective rights to receive dividends.

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects additional shares of common stock outstanding, where applicable, calculated using the treasury stock method or the two-class method.

F- 31

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per share:


	Year ended
	January 3, 2021		December 29, 2019		December 30, 2018
Basic net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss)	$	(29,463)	$	(31,919)	$	10,104
Less: Income attributable to non-vested shares	—		—		(178)
Less: Income attributable to preferred stock	—		—		(2,071)
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders	$	(29,463)	$	(31,919)	$	7,855
Weighted average common shares outstanding	50,751,185		43,421,715		35,715,372
Basic net income (loss) per share	$	(0.58)	$	(0.74)	$	0.22
Diluted net income (loss) per share:
Net income (loss)	$	(29,463)	$	(31,919)	$	10,104
Weighted average common shares outstanding	50,751,185		43,421,715		35,715,372
Dilutive effect of preferred stock and non-vested shares	—		—		9,604,599
Dilutive weighted average common shares outstanding	50,751,185		43,421,715		45,319,971
Diluted net income (loss) per share (1)	$	(0.58)	$	(0.74)	$	0.22
Shares excluded from diluted net income (loss) per share computations (2)	9,615,435		11,484,159		—

(1)Diluted net income (loss) per share is equal to basic net income (loss) per share for the periods presented due to the allocation of earnings to participating securities under the two-class method of calculating basic net income (loss) per share causing basic net income (loss) per share to be lower than diluted net income (loss) per share calculated under the treasury-stock method.

(2)Shares issuable upon conversion of preferred stock and non-vested shares were excluded from the computation of diluted net loss per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

14. Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Guarantees. Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc ("Fiesta"), a former wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, was spun-off in 2012 to the Company's stockholders. As of January 3, 2021, the Company is a guarantor under 18 Fiesta restaurant property leases, of which all but two of those restaurants are still operating with lease terms expiring on various dates through 2030. The Company is fully liable for all obligations under the terms of the leases in the event that Fiesta fails to pay any sums due under the lease, subject to indemnification provisions of the Separation and Distribution Agreement entered into in connection with the spin-off of Fiesta.

The maximum potential amount of future undiscounted rental payments the Company could be required to make under these leases at January 3, 2021 was $13.6 million. The obligations under these leases will generally continue to decrease over time as these operating leases expire, other than execution of option renewals that exist under the original leases. No payments related to these guarantees have been made by the Company to date and none are expected to be required to be made in the future. The Company has not recorded a liability for these guarantees in accordance with ASC 460 - Guarantees as Fiesta has indemnified the Company for all such obligations and the Company did not believe it was probable it would be required to perform under any of the guarantees or direct obligations.

Litigation. The Company is a party to various litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of any of these other matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial statements.

F- 32

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

15. Transactions with Related Parties

In connection with an acquisition of restaurants from BKC in 2012, the Company issued to BKC 100 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, which was exchanged for 100 shares of newly issued Series B Convertible Preferred Stock in 2018, and as of January 3, 2021 is convertible into approximately 15.2% of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock after giving effect to the conversion of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. See Note 12—Stockholder's Equity for further information. Pursuant to the terms of the Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, the BKC Stockholders are entitled to elect two representatives on the Company's Board of Directors.

The Company operates its Burger King® restaurants under franchise agreements with BKC and its Popeyes® restaurants under franchise agreements with Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen, Inc. ("PLK"), a subsidiary of RBI. These franchise agreements generally provide for an initial term of twenty years and currently have an initial franchise fee of $50,000. With BKC's and PLK's respective approval, the Company can elect to extend franchise agreements for additional 20 year terms, provided that the restaurant meets the current restaurant image standard and the Company is not in default under terms of the franchise agreement. In addition to the initial franchise fee, the Company generally pays BKC a monthly royalty at a rate of 4.5% of Burger King sales and Popeyes a weekly royalty at a rate of 5.0% of Popeyes sales. Royalty expense was $67.2 million, $62.0 million, and $50.5 million for the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, respectively.

The Company is also generally required to contribute 4% of restaurant sales from the Company's restaurants to the advertising funds utilized by BKC and PLK for their advertising, promotional programs and public relations activities, and amounts for additional local advertising in markets that approve such advertising. Advertising expense associated with these expenditures was $59.3 million, $56.7 million and $47.0 million for the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, respectively.

As of January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019, and December 30, 2018, the Company leased 232, 248 and 244 of its restaurant locations from BKC, respectively. As of January 3, 2021, the terms and conditions of the leases with BKC are identical to those between BKC and their third-party lessor for 101 of the restaurants. Aggregate rent under these BKC leases for the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018 was $25.9 million, $27.4 million, and $27.2 million, respectively. The Company does not believe that such lease terms have been significantly affected by the fact that the Company and BKC are deemed to be related parties.

As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the Company owed BKC $14.7 million and $11.5 million respectively, related to the payment of advertising, royalties, rent and real estate taxes, which is normally remitted on a monthly basis. These costs are included in accounts payable, other current liabilities, prepaid rent and accrued real estate taxes on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

The Company and BKC entered into an Area Development and Remodeling Agreement ("Area Development Agreement") commencing on April 30, 2019 and ending on September 30, 2024, which superseded the Operating Agreement dated as of May 30, 2012, as amended, between Carrols LLC and BKC. Pursuant to the Area Development Agreement, BKC assigned its right of first refusal under its franchise agreements with its franchisees to purchase all of the assets of a Burger King restaurant on the same terms proposed between such franchisee and a third party purchaser (the “ADA ROFR”), in 16 states and a limited number of counties in four additional states, and granted franchise pre-approval to acquire Burger King restaurants until the date that Carrols LLC has acquired more than an aggregate of an additional 500 Burger King restaurants excluding those restaurants the Company acquired in the Cambridge Merger. Carrols LLC agreed to pay BKC $3.0 million for the ADA ROFR in four equal installment payments over the course of one year. The ADA was amended and restated on January 4, 2021 (see Note 18) and an impairment charge was recorded during the year ended January 3, 2021 for the remaining value of the ADA ROFR (see Note 5).

The Company assumed Cambridge's development agreement for Popeyes®, which includes a right of first refusal for acquisitions in two southern states, as well as a development commitment to open, build and operate approximately 80 new Popeyes® restaurants over six years. The continued assignment of this Popeyes® right of

F- 33

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

YEARS ENDED JANUARY 3, 2021, DECEMBER 29, 2019 AND DECEMBER 30, 2018

(Tabular amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

first refusal is subject to suspension at Popeyes® discretion in the event of non-compliance by the Company with certain terms set forth in this development agreement.

The Company received $1.9 million related to a settlement with BKC for their approval of new restaurant development by other franchisees which unfavorably impacted the Company's restaurants which was recorded as other income in 2019 (see Note 9).

16. Retirement Plans

The Company offers its salaried employees the option to participate in the Carrols Corporation Retirement Savings Plan (the “Retirement Plan”). The Retirement Plan includes a savings option pursuant to section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code in addition to a post-tax savings option. Participating employees may contribute up to 50% of their salary annually to either of the savings options, subject to other limitations. The employees may allocate their contributions to various investment options available under a trust established by the Retirement Plan. The Company may elect to contribute to the Retirement Plan on an annual basis. The Company's contribution is equal to 50% of the employee's contribution subject to a maximum annual amount and begins to vest after one year of service and fully vests after five years of service. A year of service is defined as a plan year during which an employee completes at least 1,000 hours of service. Expense recognized for the Company's contributions to the Retirement Plan was $1.9 million, $1.4 million and $0.7 million for the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018, respectively.

The Company also has an Amended and Restated Deferred Compensation Plan which permits employees not eligible to participate in the Retirement Plan because they have been excluded as “highly compensated” employees (as so defined in the Retirement Plan) to voluntarily defer portions of their base salary and annual bonus. All amounts deferred by the participants earn interest at 8% per annum. There is no Company matching on any portion of the funds. At January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, a total of $4.4 million and $3.9 million, respectively, was deferred under this plan, including accrued interest, which is included in long-term other liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

17. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)


	Year Ended January 3, 2021
	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter (1)
Restaurant sales	$	351,518	(2)	$	368,418	(2)	$	407,036		$	420,530
Income (loss) from operations	(22,047)		(3)	14,302		(3)	10,228		(3)	1,631		(3)
Net income (loss)	(22,209)			7,842			3,531			(18,627)		(4)
Basic and diluted net loss per share	(0.44)			0.13			0.06			(0.37)
Restaurants open at end of period	1,093			1,092			1,088			1,074

	Year Ended December 29, 2019
	First Quarter			Second Quarter			Third Quarter			Fourth Quarter
Restaurant sales	$	290,789	(5)	$	365,674	(5)	$	398,414		$	397,639
Income (loss) from operations	(5,168)		(5)(6)	2,103		(5)(6)	(1,115)		(5)(6)	(4,563)		(5)(6)
Net loss	(11,469)			(3,732)			(6,812)			(9,906)
Basic and diluted net loss per share	(0.32)			(0.09)			(0.15)			(0.20)
Restaurants open at end of period	845			1,081			1,088			1,101

(1)The fourth quarter of 2020 includes an extra week (see footnote 1)

(2)In the first and second quarters of 2020, the Company's sales were impacted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurant sales during the last two weeks of March and first two weeks of April showed approximately 30% declines in

F- 34

comparable sales. The declines began easing mid-April and throughout May, with a return to positive changes in comparable restaurant sales for the month of June.

(3)In fiscal 2020, the Company recorded impairment and other lease charges of $2.9 million in the first quarter, $2.9 million in the second quarter, $2.0 million in the third quarter and $5.0 million in the fourth quarter. The fourth quarter of 2020 included a $2.0 million charge related to the ROFR termination (See Note 5).

(4)In the fourth quarter of 2020, the Company recorded a valuation allowance on certain of its tax credits of $12.9 million (see Note 10).

(5)In fiscal 2019, the Company acquired 233 restaurants in the second quarter in two separate transactions and one restaurant in the third quarter (See Note 2). In fiscal 2019 the Company recorded acquisition and integration costs related to the 2019 acquisitions of $2.6 million in the first quarter, $2.6 million in the second quarter, $2.8 million in the third quarter and $2.8 million in the fourth quarter (See Note 2).

(6)In fiscal 2019, the Company recorded impairment and other lease charges of $0.9 million in the first quarter, $0.4 million in the second quarter, $0.5 million in the third quarter and $1.8 million in the fourth quarter (See Note 5).

18. Subsequent Events

Subsequent Events. On January 4, 2021, the Company amended and restated its existing Area Development Agreement (See Note 15).

On October 1 of each year following the commencement date of the ADA, Carrols LLC had been required to pay BKC certain pre-paid franchise fees to be applied to new Burger King restaurants opened and operated by Carrols LLC. The Amended ADA eliminated the requirement for any prepayments due and payable on and after October 1, 2020, and the $0.6 million balance of prepaid franchise fees paid under the ADA that had not yet been applied to new restaurant development was forfeited.

Pursuant to the Amended ADA, Carrols LLC has agreed to open, build and operate a total of 50 new Burger King restaurants, 80% of which must be in Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana. This includes four Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2021, 10 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2022, 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2023, 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2024 and 12 additional Burger King restaurants by September 30, 2025.

F- 35

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the 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 March 2021.


			CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

			/s/ Daniel T. Accordino
			(Signature)
			Daniel T. Accordino Chief 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 on the dates indicated.

Signature

Title

Date

/s/ Daniel T. Accordino

President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors

March 11, 2021

Daniel T. Accordino

/s/ Anthony E. Hull

Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

March 11, 2021

Anthony E. Hull

/s/ Hannah S. Craven

Director

March 11, 2021

Hannah S. Craven

/s/ Deborah M. Derby

Director

March 11, 2021

Deborah M. Derby

/s/ Matthew Dunnigan

Director

March 11, 2021

Matthew Dunnigan

/s/ Christopher L. Finazzo

Director

March 11, 2021

Christopher L. Finazzo

/s/ Lawrence E. Hyatt

Director

March 11, 2021

Lawrence E. Hyatt

/s/ David S. Harris

Director

March 11, 2021

David S. Harris

/s/ Matthew Terker Perelman

Director

March 11, 2021

Matthew Terker Perelman

/s/ Alexander R. Sloane

Director

March 11, 2021

Alexander R. Sloane

Exhibit 4.10

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following is a description of the material terms of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.'s ("we", "us", "our" or the "Company") amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as amended, and of specific provisions of Delaware law. The following description is intended as a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, our amended and restated bylaws, as amended, and the Delaware General Corporation Law, or “DGCL.”

Authorized Capitalization

Our authorized capital stock consists of (i) 100,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, and (ii) 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.

Common Stock

Voting Rights. Holders of common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters submitted for a vote by the common stockholders, except as otherwise required by law and subject to the rights of any preferred stock we may issue in the future. The holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Accordingly, the holders of more than 50% of the shares of common stock can, if they choose to do so, elect all the directors to be elected by our common stockholders to each remove and replace one director. In such event, the holders of the remaining shares of common stock will not be able to elect any directors.

Dividend Rights. Holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably dividends if, as and when dividends are declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for that purpose, after payment of dividends required to be paid on any outstanding preferred stock ranking prior to the common stock as to the payment of dividends. In addition, we are a holding company and conduct all of our operations through our direct and indirect subsidiaries. As a result, for us to pay dividends, we need to rely on dividends or distributions to us from our direct and indirect subsidiaries. Our senior credit facility and debt instruments that we and our subsidiaries may enter into in the future may limit, our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.

Liquidation Rights. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably the assets available for the distribution to the common stockholders after payment of, or provision for, all of our liabilities and amounts due in respect of any outstanding preferred stock ranking prior to the common stock with respect to distributions under such circumstances.

Other Matters. Holders of common stock have no preemptive or conversion rights and are not subject to further calls or assessment by us. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to our common stock. All outstanding shares of our common stock are fully paid and non-assessable.

Preferred Stock

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will authorize our board of directors to establish one or more series of preferred stock. Unless required by law or by any stock exchange on which our common stock is listed, the authorized shares of preferred stock will be available for issuance at the discretion of our board of directors without further action by our stockholders. Our board of directors will be able to determine, with respect to any series of preferred stock, the terms and rights of that series including:

• the designation of the series;

• the number of shares of the series;

• whether dividends, if any, will be cumulative or non-cumulative and the dividend rate, if any, of the series;

• the dates at which dividends, if any, will be payable;

• the redemption rights and price or prices, if any, for shares of the series;

• the terms and amounts of any sinking fund provided for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series;

• the amounts payable on shares of the series in the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of our affairs;

• whether the shares of the series will be convertible into shares of any other class or series, or any other security, of our company or any other entity, and, if so, the specification of the other class or series or other security, the conversion price or prices or rate or rates and provisions for any adjustments to such prices or rates, the date or dates as of which the shares will be convertible and all other terms and conditions upon which the conversion may be made;

• the ranking of such series with respect to dividends and amounts payable on our liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, which may include provisions that such series will rank senior to our common stock with respect to dividends and those distributions;

• restrictions on the issuance of shares of the same series or any other class or series; and

• voting rights, if any, of the holders of the series.

Such rights, privileges, preferences, powers, qualifications, limitations and restrictions will be set forth in a certificate of designations adopted by our board of directors and filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, whereupon it will become part of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

To the extent that applicable law or the applicable certificate of designations provides that holders of shares of a series of preferred stock are entitled to voting rights, each holder shall be entitled to vote ratably (relative to each other such holder) on all matters submitted to a vote of such holders. Each holder may exercise such vote either in person or by proxy.

Subject to preferences to which holders of shares of any other series of preferred stock may be entitled and to the extent that the applicable certificate of designations so provides, the holders of shares of a series of preferred stock shall be entitled to receive ratably (relative to each other such holder) such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time in respect of shares of such series by our board of directors out of funds (including cash, securities and other property) legally available therefor. Subject to the prior rights of creditors and to preferences to which holders of shares of any other series of preferred stock may be entitled and to the extent that the applicable certificate of designations so provides, the holders of shares of a series of preferred stock are entitled to receive ratably (relative to each other such holder) our assets (including cash, securities and other property) distributed upon a liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect, among other things, the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that stockholders will receive dividend payments and payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The issuance of preferred stock could also have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control. See “- Authorized but Unissued Capital Stock” below.

Series B Convertible Preferred Stock

On May 30, 2012, the Company and Carrols LLC purchased 278 Burger King restaurants. As part of the consideration paid to Burger King Corporation ("BKC"), the Company issued 100 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock” and such shares the “Series A Shares”).

On November 30, 2018, the Company entered into a Preferred Stock Exchange Agreement (the “BKC Exchange Agreement”) with BKC. Pursuant to the terms of the BKC Exchange Agreement, BKC exchanged (the “Exchange”) the 100 Series A Shares for 100 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, par value

$0.01 per share, of the Company (the “Series B Preferred Stock" and such shares of Series B Preferred Stock, the “Series B Shares”). The powers, preferences and rights of the Series B Shares are substantially similar to those of the Series A Shares (including, without limitation, that the Series B Shares are convertible into the same number of shares of the Company's common stock on an as-converted basis as the Series A Shares), except that the Series B Shares may be transferred by BKC to certain other entities that are both affiliates of BKC and either Restaurant Brands International Inc. ("RBI") or RBI LP, each an indirect parent of BKC (such affiliates of BKC and RBI or RBI LP, the “RBI Investors”) without the termination of the Rights (as defined below) that were previously granted solely to BKC pursuant to the Certificate of Designation of the Series A Preferred Stock.

On November 30, 2018, in connection with the Exchange, the Company (i) upon issuance of 100 shares of Series B Preferred Stock to BKC pursuant to a Certificate of Designation of Series B Preferred Stock, dated as of November 30, 2018 (the “Series B Certificate of Designations”) and (ii) upon receipt of the 100 Series A Shares, which constituted all of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding, retired the Series A Preferred Stock by filing a Certificate of Retirement of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock of the Company (the “Series A Certificate of Retirement”) with the Secretary of State of Delaware as part of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, in accordance with the DGCL. The Series A Certificate of Retirement permanently retired the Series A Preferred Stock and eliminated all references to the Series A Preferred Stock from the Company's Certificate of Incorporation.

Each of the Series B Shares is convertible into 94,145.80 shares of the Company's common stock, or an aggregate of 9,414,580 shares of the Company's common stock (the “Series B Conversion Shares”) on an as-converted basis, after giving effect to the conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock (which is the exact same number of shares of the Company's common stock that the Series A Shares were convertible into).

The Series B Certificate of Designations provides that the RBI Investors will have certain rights (collectively the “BKC Rights”) including approval rights, so long as they collectively own greater than 10% of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock (on an as-converted basis) with regards to, among other things: (a) modifying the Company's organizational documents; (b) amending the size of the Company's Board of Directors; (c) authorizing or consummating any liquidation event (as defined in the Series B Certificate of Designations), except as permitted pursuant to the amended operating agreement; (d) engaging in any business other than the acquisition and operation of Burger King restaurants, except following a bankruptcy filing, reorganization or insolvency proceeding by or against BKC or RBI, which filing has not been dismissed within 60 days; and (e) issuing, in any single transaction or series of related transactions, shares of the Company's common stock in an amount exceeding 35% of the total number of shares of the Company's common stock outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance. The Series B Preferred Stock votes with the Company's common stock on an as-converted basis and will provide for the right of the RBI Investors to elect two members of the Company's Board of Directors as Class B members until the until the date on which the number of shares of the Company's common stock into which the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by the RBI Investors are then convertible constitutes less than 11.5% of the total number of outstanding shares of the Company's common stock (the “Class B Director Step-Down Date”). From the Class B Director Step-Down Date to the date on which the number of shares of the Company's common stock into which the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock held by the RBI Investors are then convertible constitute less than 7.5% of the total number of outstanding shares of the Company's common stock, the RBI Investors will have the right to elect one member to the Company's Board of Directors as a Class B member. The Series B Preferred Stock will rank senior to the Company's common stock with respect to rights on liquidation, winding-up and dissolution of the Company. The Series B Preferred Stock will receive dividends and amounts upon a liquidation event (as defined in the Series B Certificate of Designations) on an as converted basis.

Series B Convertible Preferred Stock Registration Rights

In May 2012 the Company and BKC entered into a registration rights agreement (the “BKC Registration Rights Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company agreed to file one shelf registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), covering the resale of at least 30% of

the conversion shares as promptly as possible upon written request of BKC at any time after the 36-month anniversary of the closing of the acquisition. The BKC Registration Rights Agreement also provides that BKC may make up to three demands to register for the resale of at least 33.3% of the conversion shares held by BKC under the Securities Act on the date of the closing of the acquisition upon the written request by BKC at any time following the 30-month anniversary of the closing of the acquisition. The BKC Registration Rights Agreement also provides that whenever the Company registers shares of the Company's common stock under the Securities Act (other than on a Form S-4 or Form S-8), BKC has the right as specified therein to register its conversion shares as part of that registration, provided, however, that such registration rights are subject to the rights of the managing underwriters, if any, to reduce or exclude certain conversion shares owned by BKC from an underwritten registration (and subject to certain rights of certain persons, including members of the Company's management that have piggyback registration rights). Except as otherwise provided in the BKC Registration Rights Agreement, the BKC Registration Rights Agreement requires us to pay for all costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts, commissions and underwriters’ counsel fees, incurred in connection with the registration of the Company's common stock, stock transfer taxes and the expenses of BKC’s legal counsel in connection with the sale of the conversion shares, provided that the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel for BKC up to $50,000 in the aggregate for any registration thereunder, subject to the limitations set forth therein. The Company also agreed to indemnify BKC against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The Company has also agreed, to the extent a shelf registration is effective, to file up to two prospectus supplements in connection with a block sale or non-marketed underwritten offering by BKC of the Company's common stock held by BKC and pay one half of the accounting and printing fees related thereto to the extent such sale or offering is for a sales price of no less than 90% of the average closing price of the Company's common stock for the five trading days ending immediately prior to such sale or offering and is not less than 300,000 shares of the Company's common stock.

The Exchange Agreement provides that the Company's common stock, issuable to BKC and the RBI Investors upon the conversion of the Series B Shares are to be included as “Registrable Securities,” as defined in the BKC Registration Rights Agreement.

Description of the Series C Preferred Stock

In connection with the closing of the acquisition (the "Cambridge Acquisition") of 165 Burger King® restaurants, 55 Popeyes® restaurants, six convenience stores and certain real property from Cambridge Franchise Holdings, LLC ("Cambridge Holdings") in 2019, on April 30, 2019, the Company issued to Cambridge Holdings, 10,000 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Series C Preferred Stock") pursuant to a Certificate of Designations of the Series C Preferred Stock which was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State. The 10,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock were converted into 7,450,402 shares of the Company's common stock upon approval of such conversion at the Company's 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders on August 29, 2019.

Description of the Cambridge Registration Rights and Stockholders’ Agreement

Simultaneously with the closing of the Cambridge Acquisition, the Company and Cambridge Holdings entered into the Registration Rights and Stockholders’ Agreement (the "Cambridge Registration Rights and Stockholders' Agreement") dated as of April 30, 2019 pursuant to which the Company agreed to file one shelf registration statement on Form S-3 covering the resale of at least 30% of the shares of our common stock held by Cambridge Holdings by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a combination of shares, recapitalization, merger consolidation or other reorganization (collectively, the “Cambridge Registrable Shares”) upon written request of Cambridge Holdings at any time after the 24-month anniversary of the closing of the Cambridge Acquisition. The Cambridge Registration Rights and Stockholders’ Agreement also provides that Cambridge Holdings may make up to three demands to register, in connection with an underwritten public offering of the Cambridge Registrable Shares, for the resale of at least 33.3% of the Cambridge Registrable Shares held by Cambridge Holdings at the time of such demand upon the written request by Cambridge Holdings at any time following the 24th month anniversary of the closing of the Cambridge Acquisition. The Cambridge Registration Rights and Stockholders’ Agreement also provides that whenever we register shares of

our common stock under the Securities Act (other than on a Form S-4 or Form S-8), then Cambridge Holdings will have the right as specified therein to register its shares of our common stock as part of that registration. The registration rights under the Cambridge Registration Rights and Stockholders’ Agreement are subject to the rights of the managing underwriters, if any, to reduce or exclude certain shares owned by Cambridge Holdings from an underwritten registration and the rights of RBI Investors pursuant to a the BKC Registration Rights Agreement (subject to certain rights of certain persons, including members of current and former management of the Company that have piggyback registration rights). Except as otherwise provided, the Cambridge Registration Rights and Stockholders’ Agreement requires the Company to pay for all costs and expenses, other than underwriting discounts, commissions and underwriters’ counsel fees, incurred in connection with the registration of our common stock, stock transfer taxes and the expenses of Cambridge Holdings’ legal counsel in connection with the sale of the Cambridge Registrable Shares, provided that the Company will pay the reasonable fees and expenses of one counsel for Cambridge Holdings up to $50,000 in the aggregate for any registration thereunder, subject to the limitations set forth therein. The Company will also agree to indemnify Cambridge Holdings against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

For the period that is two years after the date of the Cambridge Registration Rights and Stockholders’ Agreement, Cambridge Holdings may not, without the approval of a majority of the directors of the Company other than the Cambridge Investor Directors, directly or indirectly transfer any shares of our common stock held by Cambridge Holdings provided that such transfer restriction will not apply to (i) any transfer of shares of our common stock held by Cambridge Holdings yielding up to $6.0 million in gross aggregate proceeds, and (ii) transfers to Permitted Affiliates (as defined in the Cambridge Registration Rights and Stockholders' Agreement).

Until the date that Cambridge Holdings and the Permitted Affiliates hold shares of our common stock and together with shares of our common stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock, which were issued on August 29, 2019 (the “Conversion Common Stock”) constituting less than 14.5% of the total number of outstanding shares of our common stock (the “Cambridge Director Step-Down Date”), Cambridge Holdings has the right to nominate two individuals as director nominees of our board of directors (each a “Cambridge Investor Director”) and the board of directors will take all necessary action to support the election and appointment of such director nominees as directors of the board of directors. From the Cambridge Director Step-Down Date to the date that Cambridge Holdings and the Permitted Affiliates hold shares of our common stock and Conversion Common Stock constituting less than 10% of the total number of outstanding shares of our common stock (the “Cambridge Director Cessation Date”), Cambridge Holdings has the right to nominate one individual as a director nominee of our board of directors and the Company and our board of directors will take all necessary action to support the election and appointment of such director nominee as a director of the board of directors. Until the Cambridge Director Cessation Date, the Company and the board of directors will act to ensure that the number of Cambridge Investor Directors serving on each committee of the board of directors is, to the extent possible proportional to the number of Cambridge Investor Directors serving on the board of directors and that at least one Cambridge Investor Director serves on each of the Compensation Committee, the Finance Committee and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the board of directors at all times, provided that such Cambridge Investor Directors meet the requirements to serve on such committee under the rules and regulations of NASDAQ, the Securities Act and the Exchange Act.

Until the Cambridge Director Cessation Date, at each annual or special meeting of our stockholders at which any person is subject to election or re-election as a member of the board of directors, Cambridge Holdings has agreed to cause to be present for quorum purposes all shares of our common stock held by Cambridge Holdings and its Permitted Affiliates have the right to vote as of the record date for such meeting of our stockholders, and vote or cause to be voted all such shares of our common stock held by Cambridge Holdings in favor of the

election of all of the director nominees recommended for election by the board of directors, and against the removal of any such director (unless proposed by the Company).

Authorized but Unissued Capital Stock

The DGCL does not require stockholder approval for any issuance of authorized shares. Additional shares of our common stock or preferred stock may be used for a variety of corporate purposes, including future public offerings, to raise additional capital or to facilitate acquisitions.

One of the effects of the existence of unissued and unreserved common stock or preferred stock may be to enable our board of directors to issue shares to persons friendly to current management, which issuance could render more difficult or discourage an attempt to obtain control of our company by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity of our management and possibly deprive the stockholders of opportunities to sell their shares of common stock at prices higher than prevailing market prices.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Delaware General Corporate Law and Certain Provisions of Our Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated By-laws

Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We are a Delaware corporation subject to Section 203 of the DGCL. In general, Section 203 provides that, subject to certain exceptions, we may not engage in certain “business combinations” with any “interested stockholder” for a three-year period following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder unless:

• prior to such time, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

• upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding (but not the voting stock owned by the interested stockholder) those shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine whether shares held under the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

• at or subsequent to that time, the business combination is approved by our board of directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and not by written consent, and by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66 2/3% of our outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Generally, a “business combination” includes, among other things, a merger, asset sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with that person’s affiliates and associates, owns, or is an affiliate or associate of us and within the previous three years did own, 15% or more of our outstanding voting stock.

Section 203 generally makes it more difficult for a person who is or would be an “interested stockholder” to effect various business combinations with a corporation for a three-year period. The provisions of Section 203 may encourage companies interested in acquiring our company to negotiate in advance with our board of directors because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if our board of directors approves either the business combination or the transaction that results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. These provisions also may make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that our stockholders may otherwise deem to be in our and their best interests.

Classified Board of Directors. Our restated certificate of incorporation provides that our board of directors be divided into three classes of directors, as nearly equal in size as is practicable, serving staggered three-year terms.

Calling of Special Meeting of Stockholders. Our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws, as amended, provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called only by (1) our board of directors or chief executive officer for any purpose or (2) by the secretary if directed by the board of directors. Our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws provide that business transacted at any special meeting of stockholders shall be limited to matters relating to the purpose or purposes stated in the notice of such special meeting. Accordingly, our stockholders will not be entitled to take action by calling special meetings.

Adjournment of Stockholder Meetings. Our amended and restated bylaws, as amended, provide that only the Chairman of the Board of Directors or other person presiding over any stockholder meeting may adjourn the meeting whether or not a quorum is present at the meeting.

Advance Notice Requirements for Stockholder Proposals and Director Nominations. Our amended and restated by-laws, as amended, provide that stockholders seeking to bring business before or to nominate candidates for election as directors at an annual meeting of stockholders must provide timely notice of their proposal in writing to the corporate secretary. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered or mailed and received at our principal executive offices not less than 90 nor more than 120 days in advance of the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of stockholders provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more than thirty days, or delayed by more than seventy days, from such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered (a) not more than the one hundred twentieth day prior to such annual meeting and (b) not less than (i) the close of business on the later of the ninetieth day prior to such annual meeting or (ii) the tenth day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made by us. Our amended and restated by-laws will also specify requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice. Stockholder nominations for the election of directors at a special meeting must be received by our corporate secretary by the later of ten days following the day on which public announcement is first made of the date of the special meeting or 90 days prior to the date that meeting is proposed to be held. These provisions may impede stockholders’ ability to bring matters before an annual meeting of stockholders or make nominations for directors at an annual or special meeting of stockholders.

Amendment or Alteration of Bylaws. Stockholders may amend, alter, change or repeal provisions of our amended and restated bylaws, as amended, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. This may make it more difficult for stockholders to alter our amended and restated by-laws.

No Cumulative Voting. Holders of our common stock do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. Accordingly, holders of more than 50% of the shares of our common stock can, if they choose to do so, elect all of our directors to be elected by our common stockholders. In such event, holders of the remaining shares of our common stock will not be able to elect any directors.

Removal of Directors. Stockholders may only remove a director from our board of directors for cause, and then only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors.

Amendment or Alteration of Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Stockholders may amend, alter, change or repeal certain provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the shares entitled to vote at an election of directors. This may make it more difficult for stockholders to alter those provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation.

No Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Our restated certificate of incorporation requires that any action required or permitted to be taken by our stockholders must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders and may not be effected by any consent in writing.

Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

The DGCL authorizes corporations to limit or eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for breaches of directors’ fiduciary duties as directors. Our restated certificate of incorporation includes a provision that eliminates the personal liability of directors for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability:

• for breach of duty of loyalty;

• for acts or omissions not in good faith or involving intentional misconduct or knowing violations of law;

• under Section 174 of the DGCL (relating to unlawful dividends or stock repurchases or redemption); or

• for transactions from which the director derived improper personal benefit.

Our restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated by-laws, as amended, provide that we must indemnify and advance expenses to our directors and officers to the fullest extent authorized by the DGCL. We will also be expressly authorized to, and do, carry directors’ and officers’ insurance for our directors, officers and certain employees for some liabilities. We believe that these indemnification provisions and insurance are useful to attract and retain qualified directors and executive officers.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock is American Stock Transfer and Trust Company, Inc.

Listing

Our common stock is listed on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol “TAST.”

Exhibit 10.55

January 14, 2020

Mr. Markus Hartmann

Via email:

Dear Markus:

We are pleased and excited that you have decided to join Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. Below are the terms that have been agreed to:

Position

The position is that of Vice President General Counsel and reports to Dan Accordino. This offer is contingent upon passing a background check. Please complete the attached form and return it to me.

Start Date

It is anticipated you will start on February 14, 2020 if not sooner.

Base Salary/Merit Increases

Your annual base salary will be $275,000. This will be paid on a monthly basis in advance at the rate of $22,917. On March 2nd, you will receive a paycheck for the eleven days worked in February 2020 and the entire month of March 2020. Direct deposit, paycard or check is available if you so choose. You will be eligible for annual increases based upon your performance.

Annual Bonus

You will participate in the Executive Bonus Plan. Your target percent is 60% of your annual base salary. This is comprised of corporate financial achievement and a subjective objective accomplishment. The Executive Bonus Plan is attached.

Incentive Restricted Stock Awards

On February 17, 2020, you will receive a grant of 50,000 shares of CRG restricted stock. These shares will vest annually over three (3) years at the rate of 34%, 33% and 33%. Additional grants may be granted on an annual basis.

Mandatory Arbitration Program (MAP)

All employees are subject to our Mandatory Arbitration Program to resolve any employment disputes. A copy of the agreement is attached.

Page 2

Deferred Compensation Plan

Effective February 14, 2020, you will be eligible to participate in the Carrols Corporation Deferred Compensation Plan subject to the plan requirements. A copy of the Plan is enclosed.

Benefits

You and your dependents (as defined by plan documents) will be eligible to participate in the company’s Medical, Dental, Vision, Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account and Life Insurance plans. All benefits are per the plan documents. Your participation (if you elect) in these benefits will be effective March 1, 2020, provided you enroll on the Benefits Portal. You will also be eligible for the Short Term and Long Term Disability Plans. This benefit, if elected, will be effective June 1, 2020. Your share of the cost for the benefits you elect will be deducted from your monthly paycheck.

Vacation/Floating Days

Commencing with your employment, you will be eligible for three weeks of vacation each year. At the end of your tenth year of employment, you will then be eligible for four weeks of vacation. In the event of your termination, payment for unused vacation will be based on the Company’s vacation policy in effect at that time. You are also eligible for two (2) floating days each year.

Expense Reimbursement

You will be reimbursed for all business expenses incurred in accordance with Company policy including mileage reimbursable for use of your personal vehicle on company business.

Relocation

It is expected that you will relocate to the Syracuse, NY area for this position. Carrols will pay to have you professionally moved from Titusville, NJ to the Syracuse, NY area. This will include packing and unpacking. You will be expected to use a mover of the company’s choice. I will coordinate this for you when you are ready.

Bonus from Current Employer

We have agreed to pay you for the loss of the bonus from your current employer. This will be paid within 30 days of your start date. You need to provide documentation of what that bonus would have been. This payment will not exceed $54,402.

We are very excited to have you join the Carrols family.

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If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 315-424-0513 ext. 2318. Welcome to the Team!

Sincerely,

Jerry DiGenova

Vice President, Human Resources

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

JD/cd

Cc: D. Accordino, K. Dickter, Personnel file

_______________________________________________________________

Please indicate your acceptance by signing here


The above conditions are not intended to constitute an employment contract of any kind and do not guarantee continued employment, salary or benefits with Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. Your length of employment with Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. will be based upon your work performance and the needs of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc., as well as your own desires. Your employment with Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. may cease at any time; either at your request or at the discretion of any representative of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. authorized to end the employment relationship.

Exhibit 10.56

SEPARATION AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS AGREEMENT

This Separation and Release of Claims Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into to conclude all obligations arising from your employment with and separation from Carrols Corporation (the "Company"). Your employment ceased on September 10, 2020 (the "Separation Date"). This Agreement will become effective on the date (the "Effective Date") that is the eighth (8th) calendar day after you have signed and accepted it. As used in this Agreement: (a) "Company" means Carrols Corporation and its parent, subsidiaries and affiliated entities and their respective officers, directors, agents, representatives, employees, insurers employees, members, and shareholders; and (b) ''you" and "your" means Markus Hartmann.

Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Separation Date is the employment termination date for you for all purposes, meaning you are not entitled to any further compensation, monies, or other benefits from the Company, including but not limited to, wages, compensation, bonuses, and coverage under any benefit plans or programs sponsored by the Company, as of the Separation Date.

1.Representations and Warranties. You specifically represent, warrant, and confirm that:

(A) you have returned all Company property, including but not limited to all Company keys and key fob, the Company's garage door opener, credit cards, telephone(s), computer, equipment, and property, documents, materials, manuals, plans, reports, minutes, agendas, lists, forms, and correspondence which belong to the Company and which were generated during your employment with the Company and/or which relate to the performance of your job duties;

(B) you have not filed any claims, complaints, or actions of any kind against the Company with any court of law, or local, state, or federal government or agency;

(C)you have been properly paid for all hours worked for the Company;

(D)you have received all wages, salary, earnings, reimbursement of any out-of- pocket expenses incurred by you, and other compensation due to you through and including the Separation Date with the exception of those items which shall be paid to you as set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement;

(E)you have not engaged in and are not aware of any unlawful conduct relating to the business of the Company;

(F)you have been advised of your medical insurance benefit conversion privilege ("COBRA"), and the date on which your benefit will no longer be available through the Company's Group Plan and that the Company has communicated to you the advantages of utilizing such benefit and that the Company will also mail the COBRA notification and election forms to your residence;

(G)you have filed all medical claims, if any, for work related injuries or illnesses occurring during your employment with the Company;

(H)you have not suffered from any injury or illness on the job during the term of your employment with the Company, other than such injury or illness that you have notified the Company of in writing; and

(I)you will not seek future employment with the Company.

2. Separation Benefits.

(A) In consideration of (a) your acceptance and execution of this Agreement, (b) your non-revocation of all or any part of this Agreement, (c) your not having filed and not filing any claims, complaints, or actions of any kind against the Company with any court of law, or local, state, or federal government or agency, and (d) your compliance with this Agreement, including your waiver and release of claims as set forth in this Agreement and your reasonable cooperation in legal proceedings and investigations as set forth in this Agreement, the Company will pay you the following separation benefits:

(i) A monthly gross sum of $22,917.00 payable on the first business day each month for October, November, December 2020 and January, February, and March 2021. This will be reduced by taxes and withholdings.

(ii) The employer portion of premiums for continuation of your medical, dental and vision coverage until March 31, 2021. Your portion will be deducted from the monthly separation payment described in Section 2(A)(i) of this Agreement. You shall be eligible for continuation of health care benefits at your own expense under provisions of COBRA commencing April 1, 2021, for up to an additional eighteen (18) months, as provided by law.

(B) For purposes of clarification, no payments due to you under this Agreement shall be made or begin before the Effective Date and if you revoke all or any part of this Agreement, no payments shall be due or made.

(C) You will not be eligible to participate in or receive a bonus award, if any, through the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2020.

(D) Your Restricted Stock Award and your Stock Option Award have not vested, as such you are not entitled to either.

(E) Your eligibility and coverage under the existing group life, accidental death and dismemberment, and short and long-term disability plans, and any other voluntary coverage(s) terminated effective September 30, 2020.

(F) You understand, acknowledge, and agree that these separation benefits exceed what you are otherwise entitled to receive on separation from employment, and that these separation benefits are in exchange for you executing this Agreement and the releases and waivers contained in this Agreement. You further acknowledge that you are not entitled to any additional payment or consideration not specifically referenced in this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed or construed as an express or implied policy or practice of the Company to provide these or other benefits to any individuals other than you.

3. Release.

(A) General Release and Waiver of Claims. In exchange for the Company's agreements herein, which you agree and acknowledge are good and valuable consideration, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, you and your heirs, executors, representatives, agents, insurers, administrators, successors, and assigns (collectively, the "Releasors") irrevocably and unconditionally fully and forever waive, release, and discharge the Company, including but not limited to the Company's parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors, and assigns, and all of their respective past and present officers, directors, agents, representatives, employees, insurers employees, members, and shareholders, in their corporate and individual capacities (collectively, the "Releasees"), from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of action, obligations, judgments, rights, fees, damages, debts,

obligations, liabilities, and expenses (inclusive of attorneys' fees) of any kind whatsoever (collectively, "Claims") which you may have had, now have, or may hereafter claim to have against the Company through the Separation Date, whether such claims are known or unknown, contingent or otherwise, including, without limitation, any claims under any federal, state, local, or foreign law, that Releasors may have, have ever had or may in the future have arising out of, or in any way related to your hire, benefits, employment, termination, or separation from employment with the Company, and any actual or alleged act, omission, transaction, practice, conduct, occurrence, or other matter, including, but not limited to:

(i) any and all claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended (with respect to existing but not prospective claims), the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Pay Act, as amended, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended (with respect to unvested benefits), the Civil Rights Act of 1991, as amended, Section 1981 of U.S.C. Title 42, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, as amended, the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended (as more fully set forth below), the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, as amended, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the New York State Human Rights Law, the New York Labor Law (including but not limited to the Retaliatory Action by Employers Law, the New York State Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, all provisions prohibiting discrimination and retaliation, and all provisions regulating wage and hour law), the New York Civil Rights Law, Section 125 of the New York Workers' Compensation Law, Article 23-A of the New York Correction Law, and any other federal, state, local, or foreign law (statutory, regulatory, or otherwise) that may be legally waived and released;

(ii) any and all claims for compensation of any type whatsoever, including but not limited to claims for salary, wages, bonuses, commissions, incentive compensation, vacation, and severance that may be legally waived and released;

(iii) any and all claims arising under tort, contract, and quasi-contract law, including but not limited to claims of breach of an expressed or implied contract, tortious interference with contract or prospective business advantage, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, promissory estoppel, detrimental reliance, invasion of privacy, nonphysical injury, personal injury or sickness or any other harm, wrongful or retaliatory discharge, fraud, defamation, slander, libel, false imprisonment, and negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress;

(iv) any and all claims for monetary or equitable relief, including but not limited to attorneys' fees, back pay, front pay, reinstatement, experts' fees, medical fees or expenses, costs, and disbursements; and

(v) any claims that the parties being released and for whose benefit this Agreement is being signed and executed have acted improperly, illegally and/or unconscionably in any manner whatsoever at any time prior to the execution of this Agreement.

However, this general release and waiver of claims excludes, and you do not waive, release, or discharge: (a) any right to file an administrative charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New York State Division of Human Rights, or other similar federal or state administrative agencies, although you waive any right to monetary relief related to such a charge or administrative complaint; (b) claims which cannot be waived by law, such as claims for unemployment benefit rights and workers' compensation or to challenge the validity of the ADEA release; and (c) any right to file an unfair labor practice charge under the National Labor Relations Act.

(B) Specific Release of ADEA Claims. In further consideration of the payments and benefits provided to you in this Agreement, the Releasors hereby irrevocably and unconditionally fully and forever waive, release, and discharge the Releasees from any and all Claims, whether known or unknown , from the beginning of time to the Effective Date of this Agreement arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA), as amended, and its implementing regulations . By signing this Agreement, you hereby acknowledge and confirm that:

(i) you have read this Agreement in its entirety and understand all of its terms;

(ii) by this Agreement, you have been advised in writing of the right to consult with an attorney of your choosing as you believed was necessary before executing this Agreement;

(iii) you knowingly, freely, and voluntarily assent to all of the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement including, without limitation, the waiver, release, and covenants contained in it;

(iv) you are executing this Agreement, including the waiver and release, in exchange for good and valuable consideration in addition to anything of value to which you are otherwise entitled;

(v) you were given at least twenty-one (21) days to consider the terms of this Agreement and consult with an attorney of your choice, although you may sign it sooner if desired and that changes to this Agreement, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of the 21-day period;

(vi) you understand that you have seven (7) days from signing this Agreement to revoke the release in this paragraph by delivering notice of revocation by email delivery to Gerald J. DiGenova, Vice President Human Resources, jdigenova@carrols.com, 968 James Street, Syracuse, New York 13203 before the end of this seven-day period; and

(vii) you understand that the release contained in this paragraph does not apply to rights and claims that may arise after you sign this Agreement or to your right to challenge the validity of this release.

4. Post-Termination Obligations and Restrictive Covenants.

(A)You agree to direct individuals and organizations seeking employment information and/or references about you to Mr. Gerald DiGenova. In return, Mr. DiGenova will provide a confirmation of your dates of employment, positions held, duties performed, and at Carrols choosing rate of pay. You understand that if you direct such individuals and organizations (who are seeking employment information and/or references about you) to persons other than Mr. DiGenova, the Company will not be responsible for any information given by such people.

(B)You also agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company in the future by responding to questions and telling the truth regarding projects, presentations, and/or proposals that you worked on or assisted throughout your employment with the Company. You further agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company in the future by, including but not limited to, responding to questions, drafting, reviewing and signing affidavits, attending meetings and depositions, governmental proceedings and hearings and court hearings, and by cooperating with the Company and its accountants and attorneys with respect to third party or governmental investigations, claims, hearings or litigation for which you

have personal and/or business knowledge or which arise out of your service to the Company; provided that the Company shall make reasonable efforts to minimize disruption of your other activities.

(C)Following your separation from employment, you agree not to make, publish, or communicate to any person or entity or in any public forum any statements or engage in any actions which would disparage, denigrate, defame, or interfere with the Company or the Company's parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors, and assigns, and all of their respective past and present officers, directors or employees, or which could damage, harm or interfere with the Company's reputation, business relationships or standing with the public, investors, vendors, customers, clients and/or employees. This Section does not in any way restrict or impede you from exercising protected rights or rights under federal securities laws, including the Dodd-Frank Act, to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement or from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that such compliance does not exceed that required by the law, regulation, or order. You shall promptly provide written notice of any such order to Mr. DiGenova.

(D)You understand and acknowledge that by virtue of your employment with the Company, you had access to and knowledge of Confidential Information, were in a position of trust and confidence with the Company, and benefitted from the Company's goodwill. You understand and acknowledge that the Company invested significant time and expense in developing the Confidential Information and goodwill. You further understand and acknowledge that the restrictive covenants below are necessary to protect the Company's legitimate business interests in its Confidential Information and goodwill. You further understand and acknowledge that the Company would be irreparably harmed if you violated the restrictive covenants below.

(i) You understand and acknowledge that during the course of employment with the Company, you had access to and learned about confidential, secret and proprietary documents, materials, and other information, in tangible and intangible form, of and relating to the Company and its businesses ("Confidential Information"). You further understand and acknowledge that this Confidential Information and the Company's ability to reserve it for the exclusive knowledge and use of the Company is of great competitive importance and commercial value to the Company, and that improper use or disclosure of the Confidential Information by you might cause the Company to incur financial costs, loss of business advantage, liability under confidentiality agreements with third parties, civil damages, and criminal penalties. For purposes of this Agreement, Confidential Information includes, but is not limited to, all information not generally known to the public, in spoken, printed, electronic, or any other form or medium, relating directly or indirectly to: business processes, practices, methods, policies, plans, publications, documents, operations, services, strategies, techniques, agreements, contracts, terms of agreements, transactions, potential transactions, negotiations, pending negotiations, know-how, trade secrets, computer programs, computer software, applications, operating systems, software design, databases, manuals, records, supplier information, vendor information, franchisor information, financial information, results, accounting information, accounting records, legal information, pricing information, payroll information, staffing information, personnel information, employee lists, vendor list, reports, internal controls, security procedures, market studies, sales information, revenue, costs, notes, communications, algorithms, customer information, customer lists, of the Company or its businesses. You understand that the above list is not exhaustive, and that Confidential Information also includes other information that is marked or otherwise identified as confidential or proprietary, or that would otherwise appear to a reasonable person to be confidential or proprietary in the context and circumstances in which the information is known or used. You understand and agree that Confidential Information developed by you in the course of your employment by the Company is subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement as if the Company furnished the same Confidential Information to you in the first instance. Confidential Information shall not include information that is generally available to and known by the public at the time of disclosure to you, provided that such disclosure is through no direct or indirect fault of you or a person(s) acting on your behalf.

(ii) You agree and covenant: (a) to treat all Confidential Information as strictly confidential; (b) not to directly or indirectly disclose, publish, communicate, or make available Confidential Information, or allow it to be disclosed, published, communicated, or made available, in whole or part, to any entity or person whatsoever (including other employees of the Company not having a need to know and authority to know and use the Confidential Information in connection with the business of the Company and, in any event, not to anyone outside of the direct employ of the Company; and (c) not to access or use any Confidential Information, and not to copy any documents, records, files, media, or other resources containing any Confidential Information, or remove any such documents, records, files, media, or other resources from the premises or control of the Company. You understand and acknowledge that your obligations under this Agreement regarding any particular Confidential Information begin immediately and shall continue until the Confidential Information has become public knowledge other than as a result of your breach of this Agreement or a breach by those acting in concert with you or on your behalf.

(iii) You agree to maintain in confidence any information regarding past, current or potential claims, governmental proceedings, third party investigations or litigation relating to the Company. You also agree not to communicate with any party(ies), their attorneys, investigators or others who are adverse or potentially adverse to the Company except with prior notice to and in the presence of the Company's designated attorneys.

(iv) You understand and acknowledge that the Company has expended and continues to expend significant time and expense in recruiting and training its employees and that the loss of employees would cause significant and irreparable harm to the Company. You agree and covenant not to directly or indirectly solicit, hire, recruit, attempt to hire or recruit, or induce the termination of employment of any employee of the Company for period of thirty-six (36) months beginning on the Separation Date.

(E) In the event of a breach or threatened breach by you of any of the provisions of this Agreement, you hereby consent and agree that the Company shall be entitled to seek, in addition to other available remedies, a temporary or permanent injunction or other equitable relief against such breach or threatened breach from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing any actual damages or that money damages would not afford an adequate remedy, and without the necessity of posting any bond or other security. Any equitable relief shall be in addition to, not in lieu of, legal remedies, monetary damages, or other available relief. If you fail to comply with any of the terms of this Agreement or post-termination obligations contained in it, or if you revoke the ADEA release contained in Section 3 within the seven-day revocation period, the Company may, in addition to any other remedies it may have, reclaim any amounts paid to you under the provisions of this Agreement or terminate any benefits or payments that are later due under this Agreement, without waiving the releases provided in it. You and the Company mutually agree that this Agreement can be specifically enforced and can be cited as evidence in legal proceedings alleging breach of the Agreement.

5. Confidentiality of Agreement.

(i)You agree and covenant that you shall not disclose any of the terms of or amount paid under this Agreement or the negotiation thereof to any individual or entity; provided, however, that you will not be prohibited from making disclosures to your attorney, tax advisors, or immediate family members, or as may be required by law; provided such individuals shall not make further disclosures that would violate this Agreement if made by you.

(ii) This Section 5 does not in any way restrict or impede you from exercising protected rights to the extent that such rights cannot be waived by agreement or from complying with any applicable law or regulation or a valid order of a court of competent jurisdiction or an authorized government agency, provided that such compliance does not exceed that required by the law, regulation, or order.

(iii) You agree that you were given at least twenty-one (21) days to consider the terms of this Agreement and consult with an attorney of your choice, although you may sign this Agreement sooner if desired, and changes to this Agreement, whether material or immaterial, do not restart the running of the 21-day period.

(iv) You understand that you have seven (7) days from the date of signing this Agreement to revoke the confidentiality provision in this paragraph by delivering notice of revocation to Gerald J. DiGenova, Vice President Human Resources, 968 James Street, Syracuse, New York 13203 by email to jdigenova@carrols.com before the end of the seven-day period.

6. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of New York. This Agreement will bind you and all of your heirs, estates, successors and assigns and the Company and all of the Company's successors and assigns. You and the Company hereby agree that any suit, action, or proceeding arising out of this Agreement and permitted by this Agreement to be brought outside of the Company's Mandatory Arbitration Program (as set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement) shall be submitted to and brought exclusively before the appropriate federal or state courts in and for the State of New York. The parties acknowledge that this Agreement has been prepared, negotiated, executed, and entered into as a contract in the State of New York and that they are knowingly submitting to the jurisdiction of the State of New York and the federal and state courts therein. The parties further acknowledge that the terms of this Section 6 have been fully and fairly bargained for. Nothing in this Agreement precludes either party from bringing any suit, action of proceedings related to this Agreement ("Proceedings") in any other jurisdiction if (A) the courts of the State of New York or the United States Federal Courts located in the State of New York lack jurisdiction over the parties or the subject matter of the Proceedings or decline to accept the Proceedings on the grounds of lacking such jurisdiction (other than on grounds that the Proceeding is barred by the arbitration requirements of this Escrow Agreement); (B) the Proceedings are commenced by a party for the purpose of enforcing against the other party's property, assets or estate any decision or judgment rendered by any arbitrator or court in which Proceedings may be brought as provided hereunder; (C) the Proceedings are commenced to appeal any such court's decision or judgment to any higher court with competent appellate jurisdiction over that court's decisions or judgments if that higher court is located outside the State of New York, such as a federal court of appeals or the U.S. Supreme Court; or (D) any suit, action or proceeding has been commenced in another jurisdiction by or against the other party or against its property, assets or estate and, in order to exercise or protect its rights, interests or remedies under this Agreement, the party (1) joins, files a claim, or takes any other action, in any such suit, action or proceeding, or (2) otherwise commences any Proceeding in that other jurisdiction as the result of that other suit, action or proceeding having commenced in that other jurisdiction irrevocably submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of such courts and waive the defense of inconvenient forum to the maintenance of any such action or proceeding in such venue.

7. Arbitration. You and the Company acknowledge and agree that: (a) this Agreement is subject to the Company's existing Mandatory Arbitration Program which is incorporated into this Agreement by this reference; and (b) the Company' s existing Mandatory Arbitration Program is not superseded or replaced by this Agreement. Any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or related to your employment with the Company, this Agreement (including the validity of this arbitration clause), or any breach of this Agreement shall be submitted to and decided pursuant to the Company's existing Mandatory Arbitration Program; provided that this Section 7 shall not preclude the parties from seeking provisional remedies in aid of arbitration or equitable remedies from the courts designated in Section 6 of this Agreement.

8. Modification and Waiver. No provision of this Agreement may be amended or modified unless such amendment or modification is agreed to in writing and signed by you and the Company. No waiver by you or the Company of any breach by other party of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by the other party shall be deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar provision or condition at the same or any prior or subsequent time, nor shall the failure of or delay by either of the parties in exercising any right, power, or privilege under this Agreement operate as a waiver thereof to preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other such right, power, or privilege.

9. Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement be held by a court or arbitral authority of competent jurisdiction to be enforceable only if modified, or if any portion of this Agreement shall be held to be unenforceable and thus stricken, such holding shall not affect the validity of the remainder of this Agreement, the balance of which shall continue to be binding upon you and the Company with any such modification to become a part of this Agreement and treated as though originally set forth in this Agreement. The Parties further agree that any such court or arbitral authority is expressly authorized to modify any such unenforceable provision of this Agreement instead of severing such unenforceable provision from this Agreement in its entirety, whether by rewriting the offending provision, deleting any or all of the offending provision, adding additional language to this Agreement, or by making such other modifications as it deems necessary to carry out the intent and agreement of the parties as embodied in this Agreement to the maximum extent permitted by law. The parties expressly agree that this Agreement as so modified by the court or arbitral authority shall be binding upon and enforceable against each of them. If any of the provisions of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and if such provision or provisions are not modified as provided above, this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provisions had not been set forth in it.

10. Captions. Captions and headings of the sections and paragraphs of this Agreement are intended solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the caption or heading of any section or paragraph.

11.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Delivery of an executed counterpart's signature page of this Agreement by facsimile, e mail in portable document format (.pdf), or by any other electronic means intended to preserve the original graphic and pictorial appearance of a document has the same effect as delivery of an executed original of this Agreement.

12.Non-admission. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as an admission by the Company of any wrongdoing, liability, or noncompliance with any federal, state, city, or local rule, ordinance, statute, common la w, or other legal obligation.

13.Notices. All notices under this Agreement must be given in writing by email at the email addresses indicated in this Agreement or any other email address designated in writing by either party.

Notice to the Company: Gerald J. DiGenova, Vice President Human Resources

968 James Street

Syracuse, New York 13203 Email: jdigenova@carrols.com

Notice to You: Markus Hartmann

14.Section 409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended ("Section 409A"), or an exemption thereunder and shall be construed and administered in accordance with Section 409A. For purposes of Section 409(A), your separation from employment with the Company is an involuntary termination. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, payments provided under this Agreement may only be made upon an event and in a manner that complies with Section 409A or an applicable exemption. Any payments under this Agreement that may be excluded from Section 409A either as separation pay due to an involuntary separation from service, as a short-term deferral, or as a settlement payment pursuant to a bona fide legal dispute shall be excluded from Section 409A to the maximum extent possible. For purposes of Section 409A, any installment payments provided under this Agreement shall each be treated as a separate payment. To the extent required under Section 409A, any payments to be made under this Agreement upon a termination of employment shall only be made upon a "separation from service" under Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Agreement comply with Section 409A and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest, or other expenses that may be incurred by you on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.

15.Timing Before Signing and Revocation. You may take up to twenty-one (21) calendar days from receipt of this Agreement to decide whether to accept it. You may accept and sign this Agreement within this twenty-one (21) day time period, but you are not required to do so by the Company. In deciding whether to accept this Agreement, you should feel free to ask Gerald J. DiGenova any questions and if you wish, consult with your own personal attorney.

16.Officer Position. Your execution of this Agreement shall also constitute your resignation, as of the Effective Date, as Corporate Secretary and officer of the Company

You may revoke your acceptance of this Agreement by delivering written notice of revocation to Mr. Gerald J. DiGenova at 968 James St., Syracuse, New York 13203, at any time prior to the Effective Date. If you revoke your acceptance of this Agreement, it will become null and void for all purposes and the Company will have no obligation to provide you the payments or other separation benefits set out above in this Agreement.

Please give careful consideration to the terms of this Agreement. You are encouraged to contact your own legal counsel if necessary to assist you in understanding the terms and conditions herein. Please understand that your acceptance of this Agreement is a prerequisite to receiving the payments set out in this Agreement. If you accept all of the terms of this Agreement, please signify by signing below and returning to Mr. DiGenova.

17.Acknowledgment of Full Understanding. MARKUS HARTMANN ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES: (A) THAT HE HAS FULLY READ, UNDERSTANDS, AND VOLUNTARILY ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT; (B) THAT HE HAS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK QUESTIONS AND CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY OF HIS CHOICE BEFORE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT; (C) THAT THE COMPANY'S IN-HOUSE AND OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL HAVE REPRESENTED ONLY THE COMPANY IN CONNECTION WITH THE NEGOTIATION, DRAFTING, AND ENTERING INTO OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT HE HAS NOT BEEN PROVIDED NOR HAS HE RELIED UPON ANY LEGAL ADVICE FROM THE COMPANY'S IN HOUSE OR OUTSIDE LEGAL COUNSEL; AND (D) THAT HIS SIGNATURE BELOW IS AN AGREEMENT TO RELEASE THE COMPANY FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS THAT CAN BE RELEASED AS A MATTER OF LAW AS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT.

[SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]

You hereby acknowledge that you have read the above and foregoing Agreement, and acknowledge its contents, and have signed it as your own free act and deed on this 18th day of September, 2020.

Carrols Corporation

/s/ Markus Hartmann By: /s/ Gerald J. DiGenova

Markus Hartmann Gerald J. DiGenova

Vice President Human Resources

STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF ONONDAGA

On the 18th day of September in the year 2021 before me, the undersigned, personally appeared MARKUS HARTMANN, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the individual whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same in his capacity, and that by his signature on the instrument, the individual, or the person upon behalf of which the individual acted, executed the instrument.

/s/ Philip Dunham

Notary Public

STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF ONONDAGA

On the 18th day of September in the year 2021 before me, the undersigned, personally appeared GERALD J. DIGENOVA, personally known to me or proved to me on the basis of satisfactory evidence to be the individual whose name is subscribed to the within instrument and acknowledged to me that he executed the same in his capacity, and that by his signature on the instrument, the individual, or the person upon behalf of which the individual acted, executed the instrument.

/s/ Philip Dunham

Notary Public

WAIVER OF 21-DAY REVIEW OF AGREEMENT

I, Markus Hartmann, hereby state that I am aware that I am accorded twenty-one (21) days in which to consider waiver of a claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and Older Workers Benefit Protection Act as specified in the above referenced Agreement between Carrols Corporation and me. However, because I want to expedite the monthly payments and receipt of the payment referenced in said Agreement, I, here by voluntarily waive said twenty-one (21) day review period. I further state that I was not coerced into signing this waiver and do so with full and complete knowledge. Finally, I state that I fully understand this waiver and agree to it.

/s/ Markus Hartmann September 18, 2021

Markus Hartmann Date

STATE OF NEW YORK

COUNTY OF ONONDAGA

/s/ Philip Dunham

Notary Public

Exhibit 21.1

CARROLS RESTAURANT GROUP, INC.

Subsidiaries of the Registrant


Name						State of Incorporation or Organization

Carrols Corporation						Delaware

Carrols LLC						Delaware

Carrols Holdco Inc.						Delaware

Republic Foods, Inc.						Maryland

New CFH, LLC						Delaware

Cambridge Franchise Real Estate, LLC						Delaware

Carolina Quality Properties, LLC						North Carolina

Carolina Quality, LLC						North Carolina

Alabama Quality, L.L.C.						Alabama

Louisiana Quality, LLC						Delaware

Mirabile Investment Corporation						Tennessee

Tennessee Quality, LLC						Delaware

LQ Real Estate, LLC						Delaware

TQ Real Estate, LLC						Delaware

Nashville Quality, LLC						Delaware

Cambridge Quality Chicken, LLC						Delaware

Frayser Holdings, LLC						Delaware

Frayser Quality, LLC						Delaware

Cambridge Southeastern Real Estate, LLC						Delaware

CFH Real Estate, LLC						Delaware

Cambridge Chicken Holdings, LLC						Delaware

Cambridge Real Estate Development, LLC						Delaware

Exhibit 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos. 333-213325, 333-179164, and 333-143622 on Form S-8 and Registration Statement Nos. 333-209085, 333-194377, and 333-184919 on Form S-3 of our reports dated March 11, 2021, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. and the effectiveness of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 3, 2021.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Rochester, New York

March 11, 2021

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Daniel T. Accordino, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: March 11, 2021						/s/ DANIEL T. ACCORDINO
						Daniel T. Accordino Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Anthony E. Hull, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc.;

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.


Date: March 11, 2021						/s/ ANTHONY E. HULL
						Anthony E. Hull Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned, Daniel T. Accordino, Chief Executive Officer of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended January 3, 2021, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Annual Report”), fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Annual Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


/s/ DANIEL T. ACCORDINO
Daniel T. Accordino
Chief Executive Officer

March 11, 2021

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATE PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned, Anthony E. Hull, Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Carrols Restaurant Group, Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(2) The information contained in the Annual Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.


/s/ ANTHONY E. HULL
Anthony E. Hull
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

March 11, 2021