Implementing the New Accounting Lease Standard: What Restaurants Need to Know

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted restaurants due to mandatory restaurant closures, capacity limitations, social distancing guidelines and other restrictions mandated by federal, state and local governments. While the uncertainty of the virus’ ongoing impact remains, and as restaurants begin navigating the “new normal,” another hurdle is approaching. The latest challenge is related to lease accounting, specifically for those restaurants required to present financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). To assist with implementing these changes and maintaining compliance, we are providing details on what restaurants need to know.

The long-awaited change to the lease accounting standard ASU 2016-02, Leases (ASC 842) is effective for non-public, calendar year-end companies on January 1, 2022. Under the new lease standard, companies must record a right of use (ROU) asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for most leasing arrangements. The new standard will impact your restaurant’s financial statements and could also impact your debt covenant and other calculations.

Given the volume and diversity of leased assets inherent in the industry, restaurants face significant challenges in implementing and maintaining compliance with ASC 842.  Restaurants typically lease their facilities and equipment, each with different terms and conditions.

In addition, the definition of a lease has changed under the new standard, which could result in the identification of leases embedded in service contracts, supply agreements and contract arrangements.

How will the new lease standard impact your company?

• An increase in balance sheet assets and liabilities: Both operating and finance (formerly capital) leases are recorded on the balance sheet, and the amounts could be significant.
• A negative impact on your financial covenant calculations: Calculations that include the lease liability such as debt to EBITDA, debt to equity and fixed charge coverage will change and may result in noncompliance.
• Accounting policy and practice changes: Existing policies and practices must be reviewed and updated to ensure compliance.

Restaurants must give themselves ample time to review and identify all contracts that could contain leases, including service and other contracts. Time is also needed for businesses to develop new lease reporting methods, policies and practices as necessary. The accumulation and organization of this information are time-consuming tasks, and there is no need to wait.

What does your company need to be doing now?

1. Review debt covenant calculations and contact your lender. Read your debt agreements and review the covenant calculations to determine whether the calculations include debt and, therefore, could be negatively impacted. Discuss the potential amendments to your debt agreements sooner rather than later. 
2. Identify the contract population. Accumulate all active lease agreements and amendments and service and other contracts that could contain leases.

Given that the effective date of the new standard is quickly approaching, we encourage you to act soon. If you have any questions on implementing and maintaining compliance with ASC 842, Moore Colson can help. Contact us for more information.