Note 3 – Property and Equipment, Net

The Company’s fixed assets are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation, amortization and impairment. Depreciation and amortization expense are provided for in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of depreciable and amortizable assets to operations over their estimated service lives. Depreciation and amortization expense for fiscal year 2018 and 2017 was $5,802 and $6,397, respectively, which included amortization expense of $475 in each year for capital leased assets. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets retired or otherwise disposed of are removed from the accounts and the resultant gain or loss is reflected in earnings. Repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred.

Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017:

On April 17, 2013, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Whitney Automotive Group, Inc. (“WAG”) entered into a sales leaseback for its facility in LaSalle, Illinois, receiving $9,750 pursuant to a purchase and sale agreement dated April 17, 2013 between WAG and STORE Capital Acquisitions, LLC. The Company used the net proceeds of $9,507 from this sale to reduce its revolving loan payable. Simultaneously with the execution of the purchase and sale agreement and the closing of the sale of the property, the Company entered into a lease agreement with STORE Master Funding III, LLC (“STORE”) whereby we leased back the property for our continued use as an office, retail and warehouse facility for storage, sale and distribution of automotive parts, accessories and related items for 20 years, terminating on April 30, 2033. The related assets represent the amounts included in land and building in the summary above. The Company’s initial base annual rent is $853 for the first year (“Base Rent Amount”), after which the rental amount will increase annually on May 1 by the lesser of 1.5% or 1.25 times the change in the Consumer Price Index as published by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, except that in no event will the adjusted annual rental amount fall below the Base Rent Amount. We were not required to pay any security deposit. Under the terms of the lease, we are required to pay all taxes associated with the lease, pay for any required maintenance on the property, maintain certain levels of insurance and indemnify STORE for losses incurred that are related to our use or occupancy of the property. The lease was accounted for as a capital lease and the $376 excess of the net proceeds over the net carrying amount of the property is amortized in interest expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term of 20 years. As of December 29, 2018, the gross carrying value, the accumulated depreciation and the net carrying value of all capital leased assets included in property and equipment were $11,306,  $3,969 and $7,337, respectively. As of December 30, 2017, the gross carrying value, the accumulated depreciation and the net carrying value of all capital leased assets included in property and equipment were $11,306,  $3,121 and $8,185, respectively.

Construction in process primarily relates to the Company’s internally developed software. Certain of the Company’s net property and equipment were located in the Philippines as of December 29, 2018 and December 30, 2017, in the amount of $129 and $269, respectively.

Depreciation of property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes, at rates based on the following estimated useful lives:

*The estimated useful life is the lesser of 3‑5 years or the lease term, whichever is shorter.