B.FAIR VALUE

We apply the provisions of ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, to assets and liabilities measured at fair value. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows (in thousands):

December 27, 2025

December 28, 2024

Quoted

Prices with

Quoted

Prices with

Prices in

Other

Prices with

Prices in

Other

Prices with

Active

Observable

Unobservable

Active

Observable

Unobservable

Markets

Inputs

Inputs

Markets

Inputs

Inputs

  ​ ​ ​

(Level 1)

  ​ ​ ​

(Level 2)

  ​ ​ ​

(Level 3)

Total

  ​ ​ ​

(Level 1)

  ​ ​ ​

(Level 2)

  ​ ​ ​

(Level 3)

  ​ ​ ​

Total

Money market funds

$

182,051

$

26,450

$

  ​ ​ ​

$

208,501

  ​ ​ ​

$

356,700

$

21,150

$

  ​ ​ ​

$

377,850

Fixed income funds

 

5,365

44,227

 

 

49,592

 

5,272

33,076

 

 

38,348

Treasury securities

345

345

344

344

Equity securities

 

18,492

28,000

 

 

46,492

 

16,431

26,000

 

 

42,431

Alternative investments

4,186

4,186

4,044

4,044

Mutual funds:

 

  ​

 

Domestic stock funds

 

10,436

 

 

10,436

 

9,534

 

 

9,534

International stock funds

 

816

 

 

816

 

641

 

 

641

Target funds

 

11

 

 

11

 

10

 

 

10

Bond funds

 

6

 

 

6

 

6

 

 

6

Alternative funds

490

490

477

477

Total mutual funds

 

11,759

 

 

 

11,759

 

10,668

 

 

 

10,668

Total

$

218,012

$

70,677

$

32,186

$

320,875

$

389,415

$

54,226

$

30,044

$

473,685

From the assets measured at fair value as of December 27, 2025, listed in the table above, $207.9 million of money market funds are held in Cash and cash equivalents, $34.3 million of mutual funds, equity securities, and alternative investments are held in Investments, $28.0 million of equity securities are held in Other assets, $0.2 million of mutual funds are held in Other assets for our deferred compensation plan, and $49.9 million of fixed income funds and $0.6 million of money market funds are held in Restricted investments. As of December 28, 2024, $377.4 million of money market funds were held in Cash and cash equivalents, $31.0 million of mutual funds, equity securities, and alternative investments were held in Investments, $26.0 million of equity securities are held in Other assets, $0.2 million of mutual funds were held in Other assets for our deferred compensation plan, and $38.7 million of fixed income funds and $0.4 million of money market funds were held in Restricted investments.

We maintain money market, mutual funds, bonds, and/or equity securities in our non-qualified deferred compensation plan, our wholly owned licensed captive insurance company, and assets held in financial institutions. These funds are valued at prices quoted in an active exchange market and are included in Cash and cash equivalents, Investments, Other Assets, and Restricted Investments. We have elected not to apply the fair value option under ASC 825, Financial Instruments, to any of our financial instruments except for those expressly required by U.S. GAAP.

We have $28.0 million and $26.0 million of investments through our Innov8 Fund as of December 27, 2025 and December 28, 2024, respectively, which is designed to invest in emerging projects, services, and technologies. These investments are valued as Level 3 assets and are categorized as “Equity securities.” We evaluate these investments quarterly, including a qualitative assessment for indicators of impairment in accordance with ASC 321-10-35-3. During the fourth quarter of 2025, we concluded that one investment was fully impaired, resulting in a $6.5 million loss.

In accordance with our investment policy, our wholly-owned company, Ardellis Insurance Ltd. ("Ardellis"), maintains an investment portfolio, totaling $84.3 million and $69.8 million as of December 27, 2025 and December 28, 2024, respectively, which has been included in the aforementioned table of total investments. This portfolio consists of domestic and international equity securities, alternative investments, and fixed income bonds.

Ardellis’ available for sale investment portfolio, including funds held with the State of Michigan, consists of the following (in thousands):

December 27, 2025

December 28, 2024

Unrealized

Unrealized

  ​ ​ ​

Cost

  ​ ​ ​

Gain (Loss)

  ​ ​ ​

Fair Value

  ​ ​ ​

Cost

  ​ ​ ​

Gain (Loss)

  ​ ​ ​

Fair Value

Fixed income

$

49,342

$

209

  ​

$

49,551

$

39,645

  ​ ​ ​

$

(1,297)

  ​

$

38,348

Treasury securities

345

345

344

344

Equity

 

14,028

4,464

  ​

 

18,492

 

13,161

3,270

  ​

 

16,431

Mutual funds

8,545

3,152

11,697

8,549

2,064

10,613

Alternative investments

3,436

750

4,186

3,321

723

4,044

Total

$

75,696

$

8,575

  ​

$

84,271

$

65,020

$

4,760

  ​

$

69,780

Our fixed income investments consist of a blend of US Government and Agency bonds and investment grade corporate bonds with varying maturities. Our equity investments consist of small, mid, and large cap growth and value funds, as well as international equity. Our mutual fund investments consist of domestic and international stock. Our alternative investments consist of a private real estate income trust which is valued as a Level 3 asset. The net pre-tax unrealized gain was $8.6 million and $4.8 million as of December 27, 2025 and December 28, 2024. Carrying amounts above are recorded in the Investments and Restricted investments line items within the balance sheet as of December 27, 2025 and December 28, 2024.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 25, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 26, 2025
2023Feb 28, 2024
2022Mar 1, 2023
2021Feb 23, 2022
2020Mar 3, 2021
2019Feb 26, 2020
2018Feb 27, 2019
2017Feb 28, 2018
2016Mar 1, 2017
2015Feb 24, 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.