6. Intangible Assets, net
Intangible assets, net consisted of the following as of December 28, 2025 and December 29, 2024 (in thousands):
December 28, 2025December 29, 2024
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Carrying
Amount
Gross
Carrying
Amount
Accumulated
Amortization
Net
Carrying
Amount
Intangible assets subject to amortization:
Franchise rights$45,117 $(42,332)$2,785 $46,091 $(41,647)$4,444 
Leasehold interests12,845 (11,113)1,732 12,867 (10,906)1,961 
Liquor licenses and other8,999 (8,843)156 9,596 (9,419)177 
$66,961 $(62,288)$4,673 $68,554 $(61,972)$6,582 
Indefinite-lived intangible assets:
Liquor licenses and other$4,482 $— $4,482 $4,482 $— $4,482 
Intangible assets, net$71,443 $(62,288)$9,155 $73,036 $(61,972)$11,064 
The aggregate amortization expense related to intangible assets subject to amortization were $1.8 million, $2.3 million, and $2.4 million for fiscal years 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
The estimated aggregate future amortization expense as of December 28, 2025 were as follows (in thousands):
2026$1,435 
20271,070 
2028611 
2029343 
2030290 
Thereafter924 
$4,673 

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 25, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 26, 2025
2023Feb 28, 2024
2022Feb 28, 2023

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.