17. NON-CONTROLLING INTERESTS

The Company’s consolidated financial statements include the accounts of entities where the Company has operating control but may own less than 100% of the equity interest in the LLC or other entity. A significant element of the Company’s plans to finance growth is through the use of partnerships where private investors contribute all or substantially all of the capital required to open its Little Big Burger restaurants in return for an ownership interest in the LLC and an economic interest in the net income of the restaurant location. The Company manages the operations of the restaurant in return for a management fee and an economic interest in the net income of the restaurant location. While terms may vary by LLC, the investor generally contributes between $250,000 and $350,000 per location and is entitled to 80% of the net income of the LLC until such time as the investor recoups the initial investment and the investor return on net income changes from 80% to 50%, and in certain cases to 20%, of net income. The Company contributes the intellectual property and management related to operating a Little Big Burger, manages the construction, opening and ongoing operations of the store in return for a 5% management fee and 20% of net income until such time as the investor recoups the initial investment and the Company return on net income changes from 20% to 50%, and in certain cases to 80%, of net income.

The accounts of these partnerships are included in the consolidated accounts of the Company and intercompany transactions, including management fees and intercompany loans and advances, are eliminated in consolidation. The carrying amount of the Company’s interest in subsidiaries where owns less than 100% is adjusted quarterly based on the company’s ownership of the net assets of each entity.