6. INVESTMENTS

Investments at cost consist of the following at December 31, 2019 and 2018:

Chanticleer Investors LLC – The Company invested $800,000 during 2011 and 2012 in exchange for a 22% ownership stake in Chanticleer Investors, LLC, which in turn held a 3% interest in Hooters of America, the operator and franchisor of the Hooters Brand worldwide. As a result, the Company’s effective economic interest in Hooters of America was approximately 0.6%. Effective June 28, 2019, Hooters of America closed on the sale of a controlling interest in the company. The consideration paid in the sale transaction was a combination of cash proceeds and equity in the newly formed company. The Company netted approximately $48,000 in cash upon the transaction and retained a non-controlling interest in the equity of the newly formed company. Based on an analysis of the transaction and the value of the cash received and retained non-controlling interest, the Company concluded that its investment was impaired as of June 30, 2019 and recorded a $435,000 write down of the investment. The Company recorded an approximately $16,000 in preferred return on its investment.