Restaurant operators are navigating a market shaped by shifting consumer preferences, inflation-driven cost pressures and intense competition tied to location, pricing and labor availability. In this setting, Nathan's Famous, Inc. (NATH) and Ark Restaurants Corp. (ARKR) stand out as two consumer-facing food companies with brand-led foundations, but very different operating models that shape their risk and earnings profiles. Nathan’s Famous is primarily engaged in marketing its brand and selling products thr ...

Restaurant operators are navigating a mixed consumer spending backdrop, higher labor and input costs and the ongoing need to refresh concepts to sustain traffic. In this environment, Ark Restaurants Corp. (ARKR) and Flanigan’s Enterprises, Inc. (BDL) stand out as two niche players with distinct operating models. ARKR runs a portfolio of destination, high-traffic restaurants and food concepts across major tourist and urban markets, while BDL operates and franchises a long-established Florida-focused casual d ...

Shares of Ark Restaurants Corp. (ARKR) have lost 3.6% since the company reported earnings for the quarter ended Sept. 27, 2025. This compares unfavorably with the S&P 500 Index’s 2.3% gain over the same time frame. Over the past month, the stock has lost 10.3% versus the S&P 500’s 8.1% rise.ARKR’s Earnings SnapshotFor the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025, Ark Restaurants reported total revenues of $37.3 million, down 14% year over year from $43.4 million. Excluding revenues from El Rio Grande and the Tampa Foo ...

Business Operations - As of September 27, 2025, the company owned and operated 16 restaurants and bars, 12 fast food concepts, and catering operations exclusively in the United States[94]. - The company continues to operate its properties while pursuing lease extensions and protecting its rights amid ongoing disputes with the landlord[100]. - The Company extended its lease for America at the New York-New York Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas through December 31, 2033, agreeing to spend a minimum of $4,000,000 on a refresh by March 31, 2026[144]. Financial Performance - For the year ended September 27, 2025, total revenues decreased by 9.7% to $165.8 million compared to $183.5 million for the year ended September 28, 2024[107]. - Same-store food and beverage sales decreased by 4.2% for the year ended September 27, 2025, with notable declines in New York (-10.8%) and Washington, D.C. (-14.9%)[109]. - The operating loss for the year ended September 27, 2025, was $4.1 million, a 5.4% improvement from an operating loss of $4.3 million for the year ended September 28, 2024[106]. - Total costs and expenses for the year ended September 27, 2025 were $169,815,000, a decrease of $18,024,000 or 9.6% compared to $187,839,000 in 2024[112]. - Net cash provided by operating activities decreased to $1,752,000 in 2025 from $4,654,000 in 2024, primarily due to lower operating income[132]. Revenue Sources - The Bryant Park Grill and The Porch at Bryant Park collectively accounted for $25.5 million and $31.1 million of total revenues for the years ended September 27, 2025, and September 28, 2024, respectively, representing approximately 15.4% and 17.4% of total revenue[101]. - Bryant Park Grill & Café and The Porch at Bryant Park collectively accounted for $25.5 million and $31.1 million of total revenues for the years ended September 27, 2025, and September 28, 2024, representing approximately 15.4% and 17.4% of total revenue for those periods, respectively[138]. Investment and Impairment - The company has made a total investment of $5.3 million in the New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC since March 12, 2013[103]. - The company anticipates potential impairment of its investment in New Meadowlands Racetrack if a proposed referendum for casino licenses does not pass[105]. - The carrying value of the investment in New Meadowlands Racetrack is assessed each reporting period for potential impairment based on various factors including the probability of gambling being approved in northern New Jersey[164]. - The company recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $3,440,000 for goodwill in the year ended September 27, 2025, due to a decline in stock price and lease uncertainties[171]. - Goodwill impairment charge for the year ended September 27, 2025 was $3,440,000, compared to $4,000,000 in the previous year, indicating a decline in the company's equity value[122]. Cost Management - Food and beverage cost of sales decreased by $3,092,000 to $46,427,000, representing 28.0% of total revenues, up from 27.0% in the previous year[112]. - Payroll expenses decreased by $5,498,000 to $60,346,000, accounting for 36.4% of total revenues, slightly up from 35.9%[113]. - Occupancy expenses decreased by $2,095,000 to $22,527,000, making up 13.6% of total revenues, compared to 13.4% in the prior year[114]. - General and administrative expenses decreased by $262,000 to $12,001,000, which is 7.2% of total revenues, up from 6.7%[116]. Lease and Termination - The company recognized a gain of $5.2 million on the termination of the Tampa Food Court lease, contributing to the overall operating results[106]. - A subsidiary received a termination payment of $5,500,000 for vacating the food court at The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, resulting in a recognized gain of $5,235,000 during the year ended September 27, 2025[151]. - The Company recognized a loss of $876,000 from the termination of the El Rio Grande lease and a gain of $173,000 from refinements of estimates during the year ended September 27, 2025[150]. Debt and Financing - The Credit Agreement was amended to extend the maturity date to June 1, 2028, reduce maximum obligations from $30,000,000 to $20,000,000, and increase the minimum tangible net worth covenant from $22,000,000 to $28,000,000[153]. Accounting and Valuation - The company assesses goodwill and trademarks for impairment annually and whenever events indicate that carrying values may not be recoverable[169]. - The company provides a deferred income tax valuation allowance due to uncertainty about the realization of deferred tax amounts[168]. - Recent accounting standards adopted in fiscal 2025 are discussed in Note 1 of the consolidated financial statements[174].

Ark Restaurants Corp.’s (ARKR) investors have been experiencing some short-term losses from the stock lately, despite its bumpy ride over recent months. Shares of the owners and operators of restaurants and bars, fast food concepts and catering operations have lost 31.8% in the past six months compared with the industry’s 5.1% decline. It has also underperformed the sector and the S&P 500’s gains of 6% and 16.3%, respectively, in the same time frame.A key recent development for ARKR was the release of its f ...

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Ark Restaurants (NasdaqGM:ARKR) Q4 2025 Earnings Call December 16, 2025 11:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsAnthony Sirica - President and CFOMichael Weinstein - Chairman and CEOConference Call ParticipantsJeffrey Kaminsky - Research AnalystOperatorGreetings and welcome to Ark Restaurants' Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2025 Results Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance during t ...

Ark Restaurants (NasdaqGM:ARKR) Q4 2025 Earnings Call December 16, 2025 11:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsMichael Weinstein - Chairman and CEOChristopher Love - SecretaryAnthony Sirica - President and CFOConference Call ParticipantsJeffrey Kaminsky - Research AnalystOperatorGreetings and welcome to Ark Restaurants' fourth quarter and year-end 2025 results call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require ...

Ark Restaurants (NasdaqGM:ARKR) Q4 2025 Earnings Call December 16, 2025 11:00 AM ET Speaker3Greetings and welcome to Ark Restaurants' fourth quarter and year-end 2025 results call. At this time, all participants are in a listen-only mode. A question-and-answer session will follow the formal presentation. If anyone should require operator assistance during the conference, please press star zero on your telephone keypad. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. I would now like to turn the call over ...

Financial Performance - Total revenues for the 13 weeks ended September 27, 2025 were $37,323,000, a decrease of 14% compared to $43,406,000 for the same period in 2024[5] - Total revenues for the year ended September 27, 2025 were $165,751,000, down 9.7% from $183,545,000 in 2024[6] - The consolidated net loss attributable to Ark Restaurants Corp. for the 52 weeks ended September 27, 2025, was $11.466 million, compared to a loss of $3.896 million for the prior year, representing an increase in loss of 194.5%[34] - The Company recorded a gain of $5,235,000 from the termination of the lease for the Tampa Food Court during the year ended September 27, 2025[23] EBITDA and Operating Loss - EBITDA, as adjusted, for the 13 weeks ended September 27, 2025 was $(1,071,000), down from $503,000 in the same quarter last year[3][8] - EBITDA for the 13 weeks ended September 27, 2025, was $(823) thousand, an improvement from $(4.610) million for the same period in 2024[34] - The company reported a total operating loss of $1.722 million for the 13 weeks ended September 27, 2025, compared to a loss of $5.519 million for the same period in 2024[34] Impairment and Expenses - The Company recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $3,440,000 for the year ended September 27, 2025 due to a decline in stock price and uncertainty regarding lease renewals[27] - The company incurred impairment losses on right-of-use and long-lived assets amounting to $4.700 million for the 52 weeks ended September 27, 2025[34] - The ongoing litigation related to the Bryant Park operations has negatively impacted revenue and cash flow, with litigation expenses exceeding $400,000 in the current quarter[3] Sales and Revenue Sources - Company-wide same store sales decreased by 10.1% and 4.2% for the 13 and 52 weeks ended September 27, 2025, primarily due to lower catering and a la carte revenue at the Bryant Park Grill[7] - The Bryant Park Grill & Cafe and The Porch at Bryant Park accounted for $25.5 million and $31.1 million of total revenues for the years ended September 27, 2025 and September 28, 2024, representing approximately 15.4% and 17.4% of total revenue, respectively[16] Cash and Debt Position - The Company had cash and cash equivalents of $11,324,000 and total outstanding debt of $3,609,000 as of September 27, 2025[4] Operational Strategy - The company operates 16 restaurants and bars, 12 fast food concepts, and catering operations primarily in New York City, Florida, Washington, DC, Las Vegas, and Alabama[31] - The company plans to operate Bryant Park Grill & Café and The Porch at Bryant Park until lease extensions are awarded or they are ordered to vacate, indicating ongoing strategic management of restaurant locations[32] - The company expressed uncertainty regarding its ability to open new restaurants in existing and new markets due to challenges in site selection and lease negotiations[32] Payroll and Employment - Payroll expenses for the 13 weeks ended September 27, 2025, were $14.242 million, down from $15.875 million in the same period in 2024, reflecting a decrease of 10.3%[34]