9. Commitments and Contingencies

Lease Commitments

The Company leases its corporate office, retail locations and distribution centers under long‑term operating lease agreements that expire in various years through 2032. Additionally, certain equipment is leased under short‑term operating leases.

Certain lease agreements include escalating rents over the lease terms. The Company expenses rent on a straight‑line basis over the life of the lease, which commences on the date the Company has the right to control the property. The cumulative expense recognized on a straight‑line basis in excess of the cumulative payments is included in deferred rent in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Future minimum lease payments under non‑cancelable operating leases (with initial or remaining lease terms in excess of one year) as of December 27, 2018, are:

Lease expense for the years ended December 27, 2018,  December 28, 2017, and December 29, 2016, was approximately $94,103 thousand, $71,524 thousand, and $53,899 thousand, respectively.

Litigation

The Company is subject to other various legal actions, claims and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business, including claims related to breach of contracts, products liabilities, intellectual property matters and employment related matters resulting from its business activities. The Company establishes reserves for specific legal proceedings when it determines that the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. These proceedings are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.