Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and other intangible assets consisted of the following (in thousands):
September 30,
20252024
Indefinite useful lives:
Goodwill$62,725 $61,911 
Licenses132,292 124,492 
Tradename and domain name20,872 19,118 
Total goodwill and other intangibles with indefinite lives215,889 205,521 
Amortization Period
Definite useful lives:
Discounted leasesLease term185 63 
Non-compete agreements5 years— — 
Software5 years10 40 
LicensesLease term18,586 19,732 
Leases acquired in-placeLease term16 
Total other intangibles with definite lives18,784 19,851 
Total goodwill and other intangible assets$234,673 $225,372 
Substantially all of our goodwill and other intangible assets belong to our Nightclubs segment.
20252024
Definite- Lived Intangibles Indefinite- Lived Intangibles Goodwill Definite- Lived Intangibles Indefinite- Lived Intangibles Goodwill
Beginning balance$19,851 $143,610 $61,911 $23,599 $155,546 $70,772 
Acquisitions1,296 13,494 814 23 — — 
Impairment— (3,790)— (590)(11,936)(8,861)
Dispositions(1)(150)— (687)— — 
Amortization(2,362)— — (2,494)— — 
Ending balance$18,784 $153,164 $62,725 $19,851 $143,610 $61,911 
Definite-lived intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):
September 30,
20252024
Licenses$28,886 $27,725 
Software2,354 2,355 
Leases acquired in-place826 826 
Discounted leases432 297 
Non-compete agreements1,100 1,100 
Distribution agreements317 317 
Total definite-lived intangibles33,915 32,620 
Less accumulated amortization and impairment(15,131)(12,769)
Definite-lived intangibles, net$18,784 $19,851 
As of September 30, 2025 and 2024, the accumulated impairment balance of indefinite-lived intangibles was $32.6 million and $28.8 million, respectively, while the accumulated impairment balance of goodwill was $34.3 million and $34.3 million, respectively. As of September 30, 2025 and 2024, the gross amount of goodwill amounted to $97.0 million and $96.2 million, respectively. Future amortization expense related to definite-lived intangible assets that are subject to amortization at September 30, 2025 is: 2026 - $2.3 million; 2027 - $2.2 million; 2028 - $1.5 million; 2029 - $1.5 million; 2030 - $1.5 million; and thereafter - $8.7 million.
Indefinite-lived intangible assets consist of SOB licenses, liquor licenses, and tradenames, which were obtained as part of acquisitions. These licenses are the result of zoning ordinances, thus are valid indefinitely, subject to filing annual renewal applications, which are done at minimal costs to the Company. We considered certain licenses that are associated with leased locations as definite-lived. The discounted cash flow of the income approach method was used in calculating the value of these licenses in a business combination, while the relief-from-royalty method was used in calculating the value of tradenames. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025, the Company recognized a $3.8 million impairment related to the SOB licenses of six clubs. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024, the Company recognized a $11.8 million impairment related to the SOB licenses of seven clubs, a $8.9 million impairment related to goodwill of four reporting units, and a $693,000 impairment related to tradename of one club. During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, the Company recognized a $6.5 million impairment related to the SOB licenses of eight clubs and a $4.2 million impairment related to the goodwill of four reporting units.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Mar 19, 2026Showing above
2024Dec 16, 2024
2023Dec 14, 2023
2022Dec 14, 2022
2021Dec 14, 2021
2020Dec 14, 2020
2019Feb 13, 2020
2018Dec 31, 2018
2017Feb 14, 2018
2016Dec 13, 2016
2015Dec 14, 2015

About Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosures

Goodwill and intangible asset disclosures reveal the premium paid in acquisitions and how management assesses whether that premium retains its value. Since goodwill is no longer amortized under US GAAP, the annual impairment test is the only mechanism that adjusts carrying values downward — making the assumptions behind that test critically important for investors.

Key signals: a history of goodwill impairments suggests management consistently overpays for acquisitions. Watch the gap between reporting unit fair value and carrying amount — when fair value exceeds carrying amount by less than 10-20%, a small decline in business performance could trigger a write-down. For finite-lived intangibles, examine useful life assumptions across customer relationships, technology, and trade names; aggressive estimates inflate near-term earnings. Compare total intangibles-to-total-assets ratios against peers to assess acquisition dependency. Rising goodwill as a percentage of equity can signal balance sheet fragility.