(16) Fair Value Measurement

At December 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the fair values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximated their carrying values based on the short-term nature of these instruments. There were no transfers among levels within the fair value hierarchy during the year ended December 30, 2025.

The following table presents the fair values for our financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis:

Fair Value Measurements

  ​ ​ ​

Level

  ​ ​ ​

December 30, 2025

  ​ ​ ​

December 31, 2024

Deferred compensation plan—assets

 

1

$

134,347

$

101,071

Deferred compensation plan—liabilities

 

1

$

(134,158)

$

(101,071)

Debt securities

 

2

$

4,188

$

-

We report the accounts of the deferred compensation plan in other assets and the corresponding liability in other liabilities in our consolidated balance sheets. These investments are considered trading securities and are reported at fair value based on quoted market prices. The realized and unrealized holding gains and losses related to these investments, as well as the offsetting compensation expense, are recorded in general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of income.

Debt security investments are held by our wholly-owned captive insurance company as collateral for certain insurance coverages. These investments, which are classified as available for sale, are primarily comprised of corporate bonds and are recorded in other long-term assets on the balance sheet. The fair value of these investments is based on market values obtained from an independent third-party pricing service. As of December 30, 2025, the book value of these investments approximated the fair value of the investments, and therefore there were no unrealized amounts recorded in other comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of income.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 27, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 28, 2025
2023Feb 23, 2024
2022Feb 24, 2023
2021Feb 25, 2022
2020Feb 26, 2021
2019Feb 28, 2020
2018Feb 22, 2019
2017Feb 23, 2018
2016Feb 24, 2017
2015Feb 26, 2016

About Fair Value Disclosures

Fair value disclosures classify all assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy: Level 1 (quoted market prices), Level 2 (observable inputs like yield curves), and Level 3 (unobservable inputs requiring management estimates). The proportion of Level 3 assets directly reflects how much of the balance sheet depends on internal models rather than market evidence.

Key signals: a growing Level 3 balance relative to total fair-value assets increases valuation uncertainty and earnings volatility risk. Watch for transfers between levels — assets moving from Level 2 to Level 3 often signal deteriorating market liquidity. Unrealized gains and losses on Level 3 positions flow through earnings or other comprehensive income, so large swings deserve scrutiny. For financial institutions, examine the sensitivity disclosures that show how Level 3 valuations change under alternative assumptions. Compare the fair value of debt against its carrying amount to gauge hidden leverage.