WENDY'S CO, 10-K filed on 3/3/2021
Annual Report
v3.20.4
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Feb. 23, 2021
Jun. 26, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]      
Document Type 10-K    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Period End Date Jan. 03, 2021    
Document Transition Report false    
Entity File Number 1-2207    
Entity Registrant Name THE WENDY’S COMPANY    
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code DE    
Entity Tax Identification Number 38-0471180    
Entity Address, Address Line One One Dave Thomas Blvd.    
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 43017    
Entity Address, City or Town Dublin,    
Entity Address, State or Province OH    
City Area Code 614    
Local Phone Number 764-3100    
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock, $.10 par value    
Trading Symbol WEN    
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Central Index Key 0000030697    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --01-03    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes    
Entity Filer Category Large Accelerated Filer    
Entity Small Business false    
Entity Emerging Growth Company false    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2020    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Amendment Flag false    
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag true    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   223,841,105  
Entity Public Float     $ 3,782.5
v3.20.4
Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 306,989 $ 300,195
Restricted cash 33,973 34,539
Accounts and notes receivable, net 109,891 117,461
Inventories 4,732 3,891
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 89,732 15,585
Advertising funds restricted assets 142,306 82,376
Total current assets 687,623 554,047
Properties 915,889 977,000
Finance lease assets 206,153 200,144
Operating lease assets 821,480 857,199
Goodwill 751,049 755,911
Other intangible assets 1,224,960 1,247,212
Investments 44,574 45,949
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases 268,221 256,606
Other assets 120,057 100,461
Total assets 5,040,006 4,994,529
Current liabilities:    
Current portion of long-term debt 28,962 22,750
Current portion of finance lease liabilities 12,105 11,005
Current portion of operating lease liabilities 45,346 43,775
Accounts payable 31,063 22,701
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 155,321 165,272
Advertising funds restricted liabilities 140,511 84,195
Total current liabilities 413,308 349,698
Long-term debt 2,218,163 2,257,561
Long-term finance lease liabilities 506,076 480,847
Long-term operating lease liabilities 865,325 897,737
Deferred income taxes 280,755 270,759
Deferred franchise fees 89,094 91,790
Other liabilities 117,689 129,778
Total liabilities 4,490,410 4,478,170
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:    
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 1,500,000 shares authorized; 470,424 shares issued; 224,268 and 224,889 shares outstanding, respectively 47,042 47,042
Additional paid-in capital 2,899,276 2,874,001
Retained earnings 238,674 185,725
Common stock held in treasury, at cost; 246,156 and 245,535 shares, respectively (2,585,755) (2,536,581)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (49,641) (53,828)
Total stockholders’ equity 549,596 516,359
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 5,040,006 $ 4,994,529
Common Stock, Par Value $ 0.10 $ 0.10
Common Stock, Shares Authorized 1,500,000 1,500,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued 470,424 470,424
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding 224,268 224,889
Treasury Stock, Shares 246,156 245,535
v3.20.4
Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Revenues      
Franchise rental income $ 232,648 $ 233,065  
Franchise rental income     $ 203,297
Revenues 1,733,825 1,709,002 1,589,936
Costs and Expenses      
Cost of sales 614,907 597,530 548,588
Franchise support and other costs 26,464 43,686 25,203
Franchise rental expense 125,613 123,929 91,104
Advertising funds expense 345,360 338,116 321,866
General and administrative 206,876 200,206 217,489
Depreciation and amortization 132,775 131,693 128,879
System optimization gains, net (3,148) (1,283) (463)
Reorganization and realignment costs 16,030 16,965 9,068
Impairment of long-lived assets 8,037 6,999 4,697
Other operating income, net (8,397) (11,418) (6,387)
Costs and expenses 1,464,517 1,446,423 1,340,044
Operating profit 269,308 262,579 249,892
Interest expense, net (117,737) (115,971) (119,618)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 0 (8,496) (11,475)
Investment (loss) income, net (225) 25,598 450,736
Other income, net 1,449 7,771 5,381
Income before income taxes 152,795 171,481 574,916
Provision for income taxes (34,963) (34,541) (114,801)
Net Income $ 117,832 $ 136,940 $ 460,115
Earnings Per Share      
Earnings Per Share, Basic $ 0.53 $ 0.60 $ 1.93
Earnings Per Share, Diluted $ 0.52 $ 0.58 $ 1.88
Sales      
Revenues      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax $ 722,764 $ 707,485 $ 651,577
Franchise royalty revenue and fees      
Revenues      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 444,749 428,999 409,043
Advertising funds revenue      
Revenues      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax $ 333,664 $ 339,453 $ 326,019
v3.20.4
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Net income $ 117,832 $ 136,940 $ 460,115
Other comprehensive income (loss), net:      
Foreign currency translation adjustment 4,187 7,845 (16,524)
Unrealized gains arising during the period 0 0 156
Income tax provision 0 0 (39)
Final settlement of pension liability 0 0 932
Change in unrecognized pension loss 0 0 (1,049)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net 4,187 7,845 (15,475)
Comprehensive income $ 122,019 $ 144,785 $ 444,640
v3.20.4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Total
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
Common Stock
Additional Paid-In Capital
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
Common Stock Held in Treasury
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Stockholders' Equity, beginning of period at Dec. 31, 2017 $ 573,203 $ (70,210) $ 47,042 $ 2,885,955 $ (163,289) $ (70,210) $ (2,150,307) $ (46,198)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity                
Net income 460,115   0 0 460,115   0 0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax (15,475)   0 0 0   0 (15,475)
Cash dividends (80,532)   0 0 (80,532)   0 0
Repurchases of common stock, including accelerated share repurchase (270,377)   0 0 0   (270,377) 0
Share-based compensation 17,918   0 17,918 0   0 0
Common stock issued upon exercises of stock options 38,819   0 (9,582) 0   48,401 0
Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted shares (5,431)   0 (9,711) 0   4,280 0
Other 419   0 116 193   110 0
Stockholders' Equity, end of period at Dec. 30, 2018 648,449 $ (1,105) 47,042 2,884,696 146,277 $ (1,105) (2,367,893) (61,673)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity                
Net income 136,940   0 0 136,940   0 0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax 7,845   0 0 0   0 7,845
Cash dividends (96,364)   0 0 (96,364)   0 0
Repurchases of common stock, including accelerated share repurchase (217,771)   0 (15,000) 0   (202,771) 0
Share-based compensation 18,676   0 18,676 0   0 0
Common stock issued upon exercises of stock options 28,136   0 (808) 0   28,944 0
Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted shares (8,627)   0 (13,677) 0   5,050 0
Other 180   0 114 (23)   89 0
Stockholders' Equity, end of period at Dec. 29, 2019 516,359   47,042 2,874,001 185,725   (2,536,581) (53,828)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity                
Net income 117,832   0 0 117,832   0 0
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax 4,187   0 0 0   0 4,187
Cash dividends (64,866)   0 0 (64,866)   0 0
Repurchases of common stock, including accelerated share repurchase (61,095)   0 15,000 0   (76,095) 0
Share-based compensation 18,930   0 18,930 0   0 0
Common stock issued upon exercises of stock options 23,351   0 (912) 0   24,263 0
Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted shares (5,389)   0 (7,889) 0   2,500 0
Other 287   0 146 (17)   158 0
Stockholders' Equity, end of period at Jan. 03, 2021 $ 549,596   $ 47,042 $ 2,899,276 $ 238,674   $ (2,585,755) $ (49,641)
v3.20.4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income $ 117,832 $ 136,940 $ 460,115
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization 132,775 131,693 128,879
Share-based compensation 18,930 18,676 17,918
Impairment of long-lived assets 8,037 6,999 4,697
Deferred income tax 10,266 837 (6,568)
Non-cash rental expense (income), net 28,937 28,202 (17,043)
Change in operating lease liabilities (40,905) (41,911) 0
Net receipt (recognition) of deferred vendor incentives 2,495 (501) 139
System optimization gains, net (3,148) (1,283) (463)
Gain on sale of investments, net 0 (24,496) (450,000)
Distributions received from TimWen joint venture 8,376 13,400 13,390
Equity in earnings in joint ventures, net (6,096) (8,673) (8,076)
Long-term debt-related activities, net (see below) 6,723 15,317 18,673
Other, net (6,438) (4,838) 5,178
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts and notes receivable, net (16,243) 16,935 13,226
Inventories (841) (163) (434)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (8,780) (1,569) 6,824
Advertising funds restricted assets and liabilities 49,052 (2,720) 13,955
Accounts payable 1,620 1,054 (145)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities (18,231) 5,034 23,963
Net cash provided by operating activities 284,361 288,933 224,228
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Capital expenditures (68,969) (74,453) (69,857)
Acquisitions (4,879) (5,052) (21,401)
Dispositions 6,091 3,448 3,223
Proceeds from sale of investments 169 24,496 450,000
Notes receivable, net (662) (3,370) 959
Payments for investments 0 0 13
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (68,250) (54,931) 362,911
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Proceeds from long-term debt 153,315 850,000 934,837
Repayments of long-term debt (191,462) (899,800) (894,501)
Repayments of finance lease liabilities (8,383) (6,835)  
Repayments of finance lease liabilities     (5,571)
Deferred financing costs (2,122) (14,008) (17,340)
Repurchases of common stock, including accelerated share repurchase (62,173) (217,797) (269,809)
Dividends (64,866) (96,364) (80,532)
Proceeds from stock option exercises 23,361 28,328 45,228
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation (5,577) (8,820) (11,805)
Contingent consideration payment 0 0 (6,269)
Net cash used in financing activities (157,907) (365,296) (305,762)
Net cash provided by (used in) operations before effect of exchange rate changes on cash 58,204 (131,294) 281,377
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 1,330 3,489 (7,689)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 59,534 (127,805) 273,688
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 358,707 486,512 212,824
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period 418,241 358,707 486,512
Long-term debt-related activities, net:      
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 0 8,496 11,475
Accretion of long-term debt 1,161 1,272 1,255
Amortization of deferred financing costs 5,562 5,549 5,943
Long-term debt-related activities, net: 6,723 15,317 18,673
Cash paid for:      
Interest 136,228 138,270 137,607
Income taxes, net of refunds 16,202 34,798 102,827
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:      
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable 3,673 6,026 6,460
Finance leases 34,918 50,061  
Finance leases     6,569
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period:      
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 418,241 $ 486,512 $ 486,512
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure and Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Corporate Structure

The Wendy’s Company (“The Wendy’s Company” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is the parent company of its 100% owned subsidiary holding company, Wendy’s Restaurants, LLC (“Wendy’s Restaurants”). Wendy’s Restaurants is the parent company of Wendy’s International, LLC and its subsidiaries (“Wendy’s”). Wendy’s franchises and operates Wendy’s quick-service restaurants specializing in hamburger sandwiches throughout the United States of America (“U.S.”) and also franchises Wendy’s quick-service restaurants in 30 foreign countries and U.S. territories. At January 3, 2021, Wendy’s operated and franchised 361 and 6,467 restaurants, respectively.

The Company manages and internally reports its business in the following segments: (1) Wendy’s U.S., (2) Wendy’s International and (3) Global Real Estate & Development. See Note 26 for further information.

Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include all of the Company’s subsidiaries. We also consider for consolidation entities in which we have certain interests, where the controlling financial interest may be achieved through arrangements that do not involve voting interests. Such an entity, known as a variable interest entity (“VIE”), is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that possesses the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that are significant to it. The principal entities in which we possess a variable interest include the Company’s national advertising funds for the U.S. and Canada (the “Advertising Funds”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. We continue to monitor the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results and financial condition; however, we cannot predict the ultimate duration, scope or severity of the COVID-19 pandemic or its ultimate impact on our results of operations, financial condition and prospects.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year presentation to conform to the current year presentation.

Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal reporting periods consist of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Sunday closest to December 31 and are referred to herein as (1) “the year ended January 3, 2021” or “2020,” which consisted of 53 weeks, (2) “the year ended December 29, 2019” or “2019,” which consisted of 52 weeks, and (3) “the year ended December 30, 2018” or “2018,” which consisted of 52 weeks. All references to years, quarters and months relate to fiscal periods rather than calendar periods.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when acquired are considered cash equivalents. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents principally consist of cash in bank and money market mutual fund accounts and are primarily not in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured accounts.
We believe that our vulnerability to risk concentrations in our cash equivalents is mitigated by (1) our policies restricting the eligibility, credit quality and concentration limits for our placements in cash equivalents and (2) insurance from the Securities Investor Protection Corporation of up to $500 per account, as well as supplemental private insurance coverage maintained by substantially all of our brokerage firms, to the extent our cash equivalents are held in brokerage accounts.

Restricted Cash

In accordance with the Company’s securitized financing facility, certain cash accounts have been established with the trustee for the benefit of the trustee and the noteholders and are restricted in their use. Such restricted cash primarily represents cash collections and cash reserves held by the trustee to be used for payments of principal, interest and commitment fees required for the Company’s senior secured notes. Restricted cash also includes cash collected by the Advertising Funds, usage of which is restricted for advertising activities and is included in “Advertising funds restricted assets.” Refer to Note 7 for further information.

Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net

Accounts and notes receivable, net, consist primarily of royalties, rents, property taxes and franchise fees due principally from franchisees, credit card receivables, insurance receivables and refundable income taxes. Reserve estimates include consideration of the likelihood of default expected over the estimated life of the receivable. The Company periodically assesses the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts on its receivables based upon several key credit quality indicators such as outstanding past due balances, the financial strength of the obligor, the estimated fair value of any underlying collateral and agreement characteristics.

We believe that our vulnerability to risk concentrations in our receivables is mitigated by (1) favorable historical collectability on past due balances, (2) recourse to the underlying collateral regarding sales-type and direct financing lease receivables, and (3) our expectations for fluctuations in general market conditions. Receivables are considered delinquent once they are contractually past due under the terms of the underlying agreements. As of January 3, 2021, there were no material receivables more than one year past due.

Inventories

The Company’s inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined in accordance with the first-in, first-out method and consist primarily of restaurant food items and paper supplies.

Properties and Depreciation and Amortization

Properties are stated at cost, including capitalized internal costs of employees to the extent such employees are dedicated to specific restaurant construction projects, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization of properties is computed principally on the straight-line basis using the following estimated useful lives of the related major classes of properties: 3 to 20 years for office and restaurant equipment (including technology), 3 to 15 years for transportation equipment and 7 to 30 years for buildings and improvements. When the Company commits to a plan to cease using certain properties before the end of their estimated useful lives, depreciation expense is accelerated to reflect the use of the assets over their shortened useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the respective leases, including periods covered by renewal options that the Company is reasonably assured of exercising.

The Company reviews properties for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. If such review indicates an asset group may not be recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of an asset group to be held and used or over the fair value less cost to sell of an asset to be disposed. See “Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” below for further information.

The Company classifies assets as held for sale and ceases depreciation of the assets when there is a plan for disposal of the assets and those assets meet the held for sale criteria. Assets held for sale are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” in the consolidated balance sheets.
Goodwill

Goodwill, representing the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the acquired net assets, is not amortized. Goodwill associated with our Company-operated restaurants is reduced as a result of restaurant dispositions based on the relative fair values and is included in the carrying value of the restaurant in determining the gain or loss on disposal. If a Company-operated restaurant is sold within two years of being acquired from a franchisee, the goodwill associated with the acquisition is written off in its entirety. Goodwill has been assigned to reporting units for purposes of impairment testing.  The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. Our annual impairment test of goodwill may be completed through a qualitative assessment to determine if the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not greater than the carrying amount.  If we elect to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting units, or if a qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the estimated carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under the quantitative test, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill).  If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Our critical estimates in this impairment test include future sales growth, operating profit, income tax rates, terminal value growth rates, capital expenditures and the weighted average cost of capital (discount rate).

Our fair value estimates are subject to change as a result of many factors including, among others, any changes in our business plans, changing economic conditions and the competitive environment. Should actual cash flows and our future estimates vary adversely from those estimates we use, we may be required to recognize goodwill impairment charges in future years.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Our long-lived assets include (1) properties and related definite-lived intangible assets (e.g., favorable leases) that are leased and/or subleased to franchisees, (2) Company-operated restaurant assets and related definite-lived intangible assets, which include reacquired rights under franchise agreements, and (3) finance and operating lease assets.

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We assess the recoverability of our long-lived assets by comparing the carrying amount of the asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated through leases and/or subleases or by our individual Company-operated restaurants. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, then impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value and is included in “Impairment of long-lived assets.” Our critical estimates in this review process include the anticipated future cash flows from leases and/or subleases or individual Company-operated restaurants, which is used in assessing the recoverability of the respective long-lived assets.

Our fair value estimates are subject to change as a result of many factors including, among others, any changes in our business plans, changing economic conditions and the competitive environment. Should actual cash flows and our future estimates vary adversely from those estimates we used, we may be required to recognize additional impairment charges in future years.

Other Intangible Assets

Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis using the following estimated useful lives of the related classes of intangibles: for favorable leases, the terms of the respective leases, including periods covered by renewal options that the Company as lessor is reasonably certain the tenant will exercise; 1 to 5 years for computer software; 4 to 20 years for reacquired rights under franchise agreements; and 20 years for franchise agreements. Trademarks have an indefinite life and are not amortized.
The Company reviews definite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the intangible asset may not be recoverable. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired. Our annual impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets may be completed through a qualitative assessment to determine if the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets is more likely than not greater than the carrying amount. If we elect to bypass the qualitative assessment, or if a qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the estimated carrying value exceeds the fair value, we test for impairment using a quantitative process. If the Company determines that impairment of its intangible assets may exist, the amount of impairment loss is measured as the excess of carrying value over fair value. Our estimates in the determination of the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets include the anticipated future revenues of Company-operated and franchised restaurants and the resulting cash flows.

Investments

The Company has a 50% share in a partnership in a Canadian restaurant real estate joint venture (“TimWen”) with a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International Inc., a quick-service restaurant company that owns the Tim Hortons® brand (Tim Hortons is a registered trademark of Tim Hortons USA Inc.). In addition, the Company has a 20% share in a joint venture in Brazil (the “Brazil JV”). The Company has significant influence over these investees. Such investments are accounted for using the equity method, under which our results of operations include our share of the income (loss) of the investees in “Other operating income, net.” Other investments in equity securities, including investments in limited partnerships, in which the Company does not have significant influence, and for which there is not a readily determinable fair value, are recorded at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. Realized gains and losses are reported as income or loss in the period in which the securities are sold or otherwise disposed. Cash distributions and dividends received that are determined to be returns of capital are recorded as a reduction of the carrying value of our investments and returns on our investments are recorded to “Investment (loss) income, net.”

The difference between the carrying value of our TimWen equity investment and the underlying equity in the historical net assets of the investee is accounted for as if the investee were a consolidated subsidiary. Accordingly, the carrying value difference is amortized over the estimated lives of the assets of the investee to which such difference would have been allocated if the equity investment were a consolidated subsidiary. To the extent the carrying value difference represents goodwill, it is not amortized.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company has granted share-based compensation awards to certain employees under several equity plans (the “Equity Plans”). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an equity award, which include grants of employee stock options and restricted shares, based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant. Share-based compensation expense is recognized net of estimated forfeitures, determined based on historical experience. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense over the requisite service period unless the awards are subject to performance conditions, in which case we recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period to the extent performance conditions are considered probable. The Company determines the grant date fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model (the “Black-Scholes Model”). The grant date fair value of restricted share awards (“RSAs”), restricted share units (“RSUs”) and performance-based awards are determined using the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, as set forth in the applicable plan document, unless the awards are subject to market conditions, in which case we use a Monte Carlo simulation model. The Monte Carlo simulation model utilizes multiple input variables to estimate the probability that market conditions will be achieved.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company’s primary foreign operations are in Canada where the functional currency is the Canadian dollar. Financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are prepared in their functional currency and then translated into U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date and revenues, costs and expenses are translated at a monthly average exchange rate. Net gains or losses resulting from the translation are recorded to the “Foreign currency translation adjustment” component of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss.” Gains and losses arising from the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on transactions in foreign currency are included in “General and administrative.”
Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. A deferred tax asset or liability is recognized whenever there are (1) future tax effects from temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and (2) operating loss, capital loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to the years in which those differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent the Company believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. In evaluating the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including the interaction and the timing of future reversals of existing temporary differences, projected future taxable income, recent operating results and tax-planning strategies. When considered necessary, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amount of the deferred tax assets to their anticipated realizable value.

The Company records uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process whereby we first determine if it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is then measured for purposes of financial statement recognition as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon being effectively settled.

Interest accrued for uncertain tax positions is charged to “Interest expense, net.” Penalties accrued for uncertain tax positions are charged to “General and administrative.”

Restaurant Acquisitions and Dispositions

The Company accounts for the acquisition of restaurants from franchisees using the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. The acquisition method of accounting involves the allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. This allocation process requires the use of estimates and assumptions to derive fair values and to complete the allocation. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed represents goodwill derived from the acquisition. See “Goodwill” above for further information.

In connection with the sale of Company-operated restaurants to franchisees, the Company typically enters into several agreements, in addition to an asset purchase agreement, with franchisees including franchise, development, relationship and lease agreements. The Company typically sells restaurants’ cash, inventory and equipment and retains ownership or the leasehold interest to the real estate to lease and/or sublease to the franchisee. The Company has determined that its restaurant dispositions usually represent multiple-element arrangements, and as such, the cash consideration received is allocated to the separate elements based on their relative selling price. Cash consideration generally includes up-front consideration for the sale of the restaurants, technical assistance fees and development fees and future cash consideration for royalties and lease payments. The Company considers the future lease payments in allocating the initial cash consideration received. The Company obtains third-party evidence to estimate the relative selling price of the stated rent under the lease and/or sublease agreements which is primarily based upon comparable market rents. Based on the Company’s review of the third-party evidence, the Company records favorable or unfavorable lease assets/liabilities with a corresponding offset to the gain or loss on the sale of the restaurants. The cash consideration per restaurant for technical assistance fees and development fees is consistent with the amounts stated in the related franchise agreements which are charged for separate standalone arrangements. The Company recognizes the technical assistance and development fees over the contractual term of the franchise agreements. Future royalty income is also recognized in revenue as earned. See “Revenue Recognition” below for further information.

Revenue Recognition

“Sales” includes revenues recognized upon delivery of food to the customer at Company-operated restaurants. “Sales” excludes taxes collected from the Company’s customers. Revenue is recognized when the food is purchased by the customer, which is when our performance obligation is satisfied. “Sales” also includes income for gift cards. Gift card payments are recorded as deferred income when received and are recognized as revenue upon redemption.

“Franchise royalty revenue and fees” includes royalties, new build technical assistance fees, renewal fees, franchisee-to- franchisee restaurant transfer (“Franchise Flip”) technical assistance fees, Franchise Flip advisory fees and development fees.
Royalties from franchised restaurants are based on a percentage of sales of the franchised restaurant and are recognized as earned. New build technical assistance fees, renewal fees and Franchise Flip technical assistance fees are recorded as deferred revenue when received and recognized as revenue over the contractual term of the franchise agreements, once the restaurant has opened. Development fees are deferred when received, allocated to each agreed upon restaurant, and recognized as revenue over the contractual term of each respective franchise agreement, once the restaurant has opened. These franchise fees are considered highly dependent upon and interrelated with the franchise right granted in the franchise agreement. Franchise Flip advisory fees include valuation services and fees for selecting pre-approved buyers for Franchise Flips. Franchise Flip advisory fees are paid by the seller and are recognized as revenue at closing of the Franchise Flip transaction.

“Franchise rental income” includes rental income from properties owned and leased by the Company and leased or subleased to franchisees. Rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective operating lease terms. Favorable and unfavorable lease amounts related to the leased and/or subleased properties are amortized to rental income on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the leases.

“Advertising funds revenue” includes contributions to the Advertising Funds by franchisees. Revenue related to these contributions is based on a percentage of sales of the franchised restaurants and is recognized as earned.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includes food and paper, restaurant labor and occupancy, advertising and other operating costs relating to Company-operated restaurants. Cost of sales excludes depreciation and amortization expense.

Vendor Incentives

The Company receives incentives from certain vendors. These incentives are recognized as earned and are classified as a reduction of “Cost of sales.”

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in “Cost of sales” and “Advertising funds expense.” Production costs of advertising are expensed when the advertisement is first released.

Franchise Support and Other Costs

The Company incurs costs to provide direct support services to our franchisees, as well as certain other direct and incremental costs to the Company’s franchise operations. These costs primarily relate to franchise development services, facilitating Franchise Flips and information technology services, which are charged to “Franchise support and other costs,” as incurred.

Self-Insurance

The Company is self-insured for most workers’ compensation losses and health care claims and purchases insurance for general liability and automotive liability losses, all subject to a $500 per occurrence retention or deductible limit. The Company provides for their estimated cost to settle both known claims and claims incurred but not yet reported. Liabilities associated with these claims are estimated, in part, by considering the frequency and severity of historical claims, both specific to us, as well as industry-wide loss experience and other actuarial assumptions. We determine our insurance obligations with the assistance of actuarial firms. Since there are many estimates and assumptions involved in recording insurance liabilities and in the case of workers’ compensation a significant period of time elapses before the ultimate resolution of claims, differences between actual future events and prior estimates and assumptions could result in adjustments to these liabilities.
Leases

Determination of Whether a Contract Contains a Lease

The Company evaluates the contracts it enters into to determine whether such contracts contain leases. A contract contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. At commencement, contracts containing a lease are further evaluated for classification as an operating or finance lease where the Company is a lessee, or as an operating, sales-type or direct financing lease where the Company is a lessor, based on their terms.

ROU Model and Determination of Lease Term

The Company uses the right-of-use (“ROU”) model to account for leases where the Company is the lessee, which requires an entity to recognize a lease liability and ROU asset on the lease commencement date. A lease liability is measured equal to the present value of the remaining lease payments over the lease term and is discounted using the incremental borrowing rate, as the rate implicit in the Company’s leases is not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Lease payments include payments made before the commencement date and any residual value guarantees, if applicable. The initial ROU asset consists of the initial measurement of the lease liability, adjusted for any favorable or unfavorable terms for leases acquired from franchisees, as well as payments made before the commencement date, initial direct costs and lease incentives earned. When determining the lease term, the Company includes option periods that it is reasonably certain to exercise as failure to renew the lease would impose a significant economic detriment. For properties used for Company-operated restaurants, the primary economic detriment relates to the existence of unamortized leasehold improvements which might be impaired if we choose not to exercise the available renewal options. The lease term for properties leased or subleased to franchisees is determined based upon the economic detriment to the franchisee and includes consideration of the length of the franchise agreement, historical performance of the restaurant and the existence of bargain renewal options. Lease terms for real estate are generally initially between 15 and 20 years and, in most cases, provide for rent escalations and renewal options.

Operating Leases

For operating leases, minimum lease payments or receipts, including minimum scheduled rent increases, are recognized as rent expense where the Company is a lessee, or income where the Company is a lessor, as applicable, on a straight-line basis (“Straight-Line Rent”) over the applicable lease terms. There is a period under certain lease agreements referred to as a rent holiday (“Rent Holiday”) that generally begins on the possession date and ends on the rent commencement date. During a Rent Holiday, no cash rent payments are typically due under the terms of the lease; however, expense is recorded for that period on a straight-line basis. The excess of the Straight-Line Rent over the minimum rents paid is included in the ROU asset where the Company is a lessee. The excess of the Straight-Line Rent over the minimum rents received is recorded as a deferred lease asset and is included in “Other assets” where the Company is a lessor. Certain leases contain provisions, referred to as contingent rent (“Contingent Rent”), that require additional rental payments based upon restaurant sales volume. Contingent Rent is recognized each period as the liability is incurred or the asset is earned.

Lease cost for operating leases includes the amortization of the ROU asset and interest expense related to the operating lease liability. Variable lease cost for operating leases includes Contingent Rent and payments for executory costs such as real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance, which are excluded from the measurement of the lease liability. Short-term lease cost for operating leases includes rental expense for leases with a term of less than 12 months. Lease costs are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations based on the nature of the underlying lease as follows: (1) rental expense related to leases for Company-operated restaurants is recorded to “Cost of sales,” (2) rental expense for leased properties that are subsequently subleased to franchisees is recorded to “Franchise rental expense” and (3) rental expense related to leases for corporate offices and equipment is recorded to “General and administrative.”
Favorable and unfavorable lease amounts for operating leases where the Company is the lessor are recorded as components of “Other intangible assets” and “Other liabilities,” respectively. Favorable and unfavorable lease amounts are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the leases. When the expected term of a lease is determined to be shorter than the original amortization period, the favorable or unfavorable lease balance associated with the lease is adjusted to reflect the revised lease term.

Rental income and favorable and unfavorable lease amortization for operating leases on properties leased or subleased to franchisees is recorded to “Franchise rental income.” Lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs under operating leases are recognized on a gross basis as “Franchise rental income” with a corresponding expense recorded to “Franchise rental expense.”

Finance Leases

Lease cost for finance leases where the Company is the lessee includes the amortization of the ROU asset, which is amortized on a straight-line basis and recorded to “Depreciation and amortization,” and interest expense on the finance lease liability, which is calculated using the interest method and recorded to “Interest expense, net.” Finance lease ROU assets are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the respective leases, including periods covered by renewal options that the Company is reasonably certain of exercising.

Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases

For sales-type and direct financing leases where the Company is the lessor, the Company records its investment in properties leased to franchisees on a net basis, which is comprised of the present value of the lease payments not yet received and the present value of the guaranteed and unguaranteed residual assets. The current and long-term portions of our net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” and “Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases,” respectively. Unearned income is recognized as interest income over the lease term and is included in “Interest expense, net.” Sales-type leases result in the recognition of gain or loss at the commencement of the lease, which is recorded to “Other operating income, net.” The gain or loss recognized upon commencement of the lease is directly affected by the Company’s estimate of the amount to be derived from the guaranteed and unguaranteed residual assets at the end of the lease term. The Company’s main component of this estimate is the expected fair value of the underlying assets, primarily the fair value of land. Lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs under sales-type and direct financing leases are recognized on a gross basis as “Franchise rental income” with a corresponding expense recorded to “Franchise rental expense.”

Significant Assumptions and Judgments

Management makes certain estimates and assumptions regarding each new lease and sublease agreement, renewal and amendment, including, but not limited to, property values, market rents, property lives, discount rates and probable term, all of which can impact (1) the classification and accounting for a lease or sublease as operating or finance, including sales-type and direct financing, (2) the Rent Holiday and escalations in payment that are taken into consideration when calculating Straight-Line Rent, (3) the term over which leasehold improvements for each restaurant are amortized and (4) the values and lives of adjustments to the initial ROU asset where the Company is the lessee, or favorable and unfavorable leases where the Company is the lessor. The amount of depreciation and amortization, interest and rent expense and income reported would vary if different estimates and assumptions were used.

Concentration of Risk

Wendy’s had no customers which accounted for 10% or more of consolidated revenues in 2020, 2019 or 2018. As of January 3, 2021, Wendy’s had one main in-line distributor of food, packaging and beverage products, excluding breads, that serviced approximately 67% of Wendy’s restaurants in the U.S. and four additional in-line distributors that, in the aggregate, serviced approximately 32% of Wendy’s restaurants in the U.S. We believe that our vulnerability to risk concentrations related to significant vendors and sources of our raw materials is mitigated as we believe that there are other vendors who would be able to service our requirements. However, if a disruption of service from any of our main in-line distributors was to occur, we could experience short-term increases in our costs while distribution channels were adjusted.
Wendy’s restaurants are principally located throughout the U.S. and to a lesser extent, in 30 foreign countries and U.S. territories with the largest number in Canada. Wendy’s U.S. restaurants are located in 50 states and the District of Columbia, with the largest number in Florida, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Because our restaurant operations are generally located throughout the U.S. and to a much lesser extent, Canada and other foreign countries and U.S. territories, we believe the risk of geographic concentration is not significant. We could be adversely affected by changing consumer preferences resulting from concerns over nutritional or safety aspects of beef, chicken, french fries or other products we sell or the effects of food safety events or disease outbreaks. Our exposure to foreign exchange risk is primarily related to fluctuations in the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar for our Canadian operations. However, our exposure to Canadian dollar foreign currency risk is mitigated by the fact that there are no Company-operated restaurants in Canada and less than 10% of Wendy’s franchised restaurants are in Canada.

The Company is subject to credit risk through its accounts receivable consisting primarily of amounts due from franchisees for royalties, franchise fees and rent. In addition, we have notes receivable from certain of our franchisees. The financial condition of these franchisees is largely dependent upon the underlying business trends of the Wendy’s brand and market conditions within the quick-service restaurant industry. This concentration of credit risk is mitigated, in part, by the number of franchisees and the short-term nature of the franchise receivables.

New Accounting Standards Adopted

Income Taxes

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles and the simplification of areas such as franchise taxes, transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill, separate entity financial statements and interim recognition of enactment of tax laws or tax rate changes. The Company early adopted this amendment during the first quarter of 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The objective of the new guidance is to provide additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the statement of financial position or disclosed in the notes to financial statements. New incremental disclosure requirements include the amount of fair value hierarchy level 3 changes in unrealized gains and losses and the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for level 3 fair value measurements. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance that simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test. The Company adopted this amendment during the first quarter of 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued an amendment that requires the Company to use a current expected credit loss model that results in the immediate recognition of an estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the financial instruments that are within the scope of the guidance, including trade receivables. The Company adopted this amendment during the first quarter of 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on leases, which outlines principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases applicable to both lessors and lessees. The new guidance requires lessees to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by finance and operating leases. The Company adopted the new guidance during the first quarter of 2019 using the effective date as the date of initial application; therefore, the comparative periods have not been adjusted and continue to be reported under the previous lease guidance.

The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the package of practical expedients, which permits us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. For those leases that fall under the definition of a short-term lease, the Company elected the short-term lease recognition exemption. Under this practical expedient, for those leases that qualify, we did not recognize ROU assets or liabilities, which included not recognizing ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition. The Company also elected the practical expedient for lessees to account for lease components and nonlease components as a single lease component for all underlying classes of assets. In addition, the Company elected the practical expedient for lessors to account for lease components and nonlease components as a single lease component in instances where the lease component is predominant, the timing and pattern of transfer for the lease component and nonlease component are the same and the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. The Company did not elect the use-of-hindsight practical expedient.

The standard had a material impact on our consolidated balance sheets and related disclosures. Upon adoption at the beginning of 2019, we recognized operating lease liabilities of $1,011,000 based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments, with corresponding ROU assets of $934,000. The measurement of the operating lease ROU assets included, among other items, favorable lease amounts of $23,000 and unfavorable lease amounts of $30,000, which were previously included in “Other intangible assets” and “Other liabilities,” respectively, as well as the excess of rent expense recognized on a straight-line basis over the minimum rents paid of $67,000, which was previously included in “Other liabilities.” In addition, the standard requires lessors to recognize lessees’ payments to the Company for executory costs on a gross basis as revenue with a corresponding expense, which resulted in an increase of approximately $38,000 to our 2019 franchise rental income and expense. The Company also recognized a decrease to retained earnings of $1,105 as a result of impairing newly recognized ROU assets upon transition to the new guidance. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated statement of cash flows.

New Accounting Standards

Financial Instruments

In August 2020, the FASB issued an amendment that simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts on an entity’s own equity. The amendment simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current accounting guidance. In addition, the amendment removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, which will permit more equity contracts to qualify for the exception, and also simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. The amendment is effective commencing with our 2022 fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
v3.20.4
Revenue (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Revenue [Abstract]  
Revenue from Contract with Customer Revenue
Nature of Goods and Services

The Company generates revenues from sales at Company-operated restaurants and earns fees and rental income from franchised restaurants. Revenues are recognized upon delivery of food to the customer at Company-operated restaurants or upon the fulfillment of terms outlined in the franchise agreement for franchised restaurants. The franchise agreement provides the franchisee the right to construct, own and operate a Wendy’s restaurant upon a site accepted by Wendy’s and to use the Wendy’s system in connection with the operation of the restaurant at that site. The franchise agreement generally provides for a 20-year term and a 10-year renewal subject to certain conditions. The initial term may be extended up to 25 years and the renewal extended up to 20 years for qualifying restaurants under certain new restaurant development and reimaging programs.

The franchise agreement requires that the franchisee pay a royalty based on a percentage of sales at the franchised restaurant, as well as make contributions to the Advertising Funds based on a percentage of sales. Wendy’s may offer development incentive programs from time to time that provide for a discount or lesser royalty amount or Advertising Fund contribution for a limited period of time. The agreement also typically requires that the franchisee pay Wendy’s a technical assistance fee. The technical assistance fee is used to defray some of the costs to Wendy’s for training, start-up and transitional services related to new and existing franchisees acquiring restaurants and in the development and opening of new restaurants.

Wendy’s also enters into development agreements with certain franchisees. The development agreement generally provides the franchisee with the right to develop a specified number of new Wendy’s restaurants using the Image Activation design within a stated, non-exclusive territory for a specified period, subject to the franchisee meeting interim new restaurant development requirements.

Wendy’s owns and leases sites from third parties, which it leases and/or subleases to franchisees. Noncancelable lease terms are generally initially between 15 and 20 years and, in most cases, provide for rent escalations and renewal options. The initial lease term for properties leased or subleased to franchisees is generally set to be coterminous with the initial 20-year term of the related franchise agreement and any renewal term is coterminous with the 10-year renewal term of the related franchise agreement.

Royalties and contributions to the Advertising Funds are generally due within the month subsequent to which the revenue was generated through sales at the franchised restaurant. Technical assistance fees and renewal fees are generally due upon execution of the related franchise agreement. Rental income is due in accordance with the terms of each lease, which is generally at the beginning of each month.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables disaggregate revenue by segment and source for 2020, 2019 and 2018:
2020
Wendy’s U.S.Wendy’s InternationalGlobal Real Estate & DevelopmentTotal
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$722,764 $— $— $722,764 
Franchise royalty revenue373,162 43,346 — 416,508 
Franchise fees22,126 1,962 4,153 28,241 
Franchise rental income— — 232,648 232,648 
Advertising funds revenue313,330 20,334 — 333,664 
Total revenues$1,431,382 $65,642 $236,801 $1,733,825 
2019
Wendy’s U.S.Wendy’s InternationalGlobal Real Estate & DevelopmentTotal
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$707,485 $— $— $707,485 
Franchise royalty revenue355,702 44,998 — 400,700 
Franchise fees21,889 2,978 3,432 28,299 
Franchise rental income— — 233,065 233,065 
Advertising funds revenue319,231 20,222 — 339,453 
Total revenues$1,404,307 $68,198 $236,497 $1,709,002 

2018
Wendy’s U.S.Wendy’s InternationalGlobal Real Estate & DevelopmentTotal
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$651,577 $— $— $651,577 
Franchise royalty revenue335,500 42,446 — 377,946 
Franchise fees18,972 5,607 6,518 31,097 
Franchise rental income— — 203,297 203,297 
Advertising funds revenue306,442 19,577 — 326,019 
Total revenues$1,312,491 $67,630 $209,815 $1,589,936 

Contract Balances

The following table provides information about receivables and contract liabilities (deferred franchise fees) from contracts with customers:
January 3,
2021 (a)
December 29,
2019 (a)
Receivables, which are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” (b)$57,677 $39,188 
Receivables, which are included in “Advertising funds restricted assets”
63,252 54,394 
Deferred franchise fees (c)97,785 100,689 
_______________

(a)Excludes funds collected from the sale of gift cards, which are primarily reimbursed to franchisees upon redemption at franchised restaurants and do not ultimately result in the recognition of revenue in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

(b)Includes receivables related to “Sales” and “Franchise royalty revenue and fees.”

(c)Deferred franchise fees are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Deferred franchise fees” and totaled $8,691 and $89,094 as of January 3, 2021, respectively, and $8,899 and $91,790 as of December 29, 2019, respectively.
Significant changes in deferred franchise fees are as follows:
202020192018
Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period$100,689 $102,205 $102,492 
Revenue recognized during the period
(8,955)(9,487)(9,641)
New deferrals due to cash received and other6,051 7,971 9,354 
Deferred franchise fees at end of period$97,785 $100,689 $102,205 

Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees

The following table reflects the estimated franchise fees to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied at the end of the period:
Estimate for fiscal year:
2021$8,691 
20226,140 
20235,968 
20245,770 
20255,581 
Thereafter65,635 
$97,785 
v3.20.4
System Optimization Gains, Net
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Plant, Property and Equipment  
System Optimization Gains, Net Properties
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Land$372,473 $375,109 
Buildings and improvements504,504 508,602 
Leasehold improvements409,306 405,158 
Office, restaurant and transportation equipment255,469 279,799 
1,541,752 1,568,668 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(625,863)(591,668)
$915,889 $977,000 

Depreciation and amortization expense related to properties was $77,656, $81,219 and $79,009 during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
System Optimization  
Plant, Property and Equipment  
System Optimization Gains, Net System Optimization Gains, Net
The Company’s system optimization initiative included a shift from Company-operated restaurants to franchised restaurants over time, through acquisitions and dispositions, as well as facilitating Franchise Flips. As of January 1, 2017, the Company completed its plan to reduce its ongoing Company-operated restaurant ownership to approximately 5% of the total system. While the Company has no plans to reduce its ownership below the approximately 5% level, the Company expects to continue to optimize the Wendy’s system through Franchise Flips, as well as evaluating strategic acquisitions of franchised restaurants and strategic dispositions of Company-operated restaurants to existing and new franchisees, to further strengthen the franchisee base, drive new restaurant development and accelerate reimages. During 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company facilitated 54, 37 and 96 Franchise Flips, respectively. Additionally, during 2020 and 2018, the Company completed the sale of one and three Company-operated restaurants to franchisees, respectively. No Company-operated restaurants were sold to franchisees during 2019. The Company expects to sell 43 Company-operated restaurants in New York to franchisees in the second quarter of 2021.

Gains and losses recognized on dispositions are recorded to “System optimization gains, net” in our consolidated statements of operations. Costs related to acquisitions and dispositions under our system optimization initiative are recorded to “Reorganization and realignment costs,” which are further described in Note 5. All other costs incurred related to facilitating Franchise Flips are recorded to “Franchise support and other costs.”
The following is a summary of the disposition activity recorded as a result of our system optimization initiative:
Year Ended
202020192018
Number of restaurants sold to franchisees— 
Proceeds from sales of restaurants$50 $— $1,436 
Net assets sold (a)(34)— (1,370)
Goodwill related to sales of restaurants— — (208)
Net favorable leases— — 220 
Other — — 11 
16 — 89 
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants (b)362 1,087 445 
Gain on sales of restaurants, net378 1,087 534 
Gain (loss) on sales of other assets, net (c)2,770 196 (71)
System optimization gains, net$3,148 $1,283 $463 
_______________

(a)Net assets sold consisted primarily of equipment.

(b)2020, 2019 and 2018 include the recognition of deferred gains of $368, $911 and $1,029, respectively, as a result of the resolution of certain contingencies related to the extension of lease terms for restaurants previously sold to franchisees. 2018 also includes cash proceeds, net of payments, of $6 related to post-closing reconciliations with franchisees.

(c)During 2020, 2019 and 2018, Wendy’s received cash proceeds of $6,041, $3,448 and $1,781, respectively, primarily from the sale of surplus and other properties.

Assets Held for Sale

January 3, 2020December 29, 2019
Number of restaurants classified as held for sale43 — 
Net restaurant assets held for sale (a)$20,587 $— 
Other assets held for sale (b)$1,732 $1,437 
_______________

(a)Net restaurant assets held for sale include the New York Company-operated restaurants we expect to sell in the second quarter of 2021 and consist primarily of cash, inventory, property and an estimate of allocable goodwill.

(b)Other assets held for sale primarily consist of surplus properties.

Assets held for sale are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets.”
v3.20.4
Acquisitions
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
Acquisitions Acquisitions
No restaurants were acquired from franchisees during 2020. During 2019 and 2018, the Company acquired five restaurants and 16 restaurants from franchisees, respectively. The Company did not incur any material acquisition-related costs associated with the acquisitions and such transactions were not significant to our consolidated financial statements. The table below presents the allocation of the total purchase price to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for restaurants acquired from franchisees:
Year Ended
20192018 (a)
Restaurants acquired from franchisees16 
Total consideration paid, net of cash received$5,052 $21,401 
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Properties666 4,363 
Acquired franchise rights1,354 10,127 
Finance lease assets5,350 5,360 
Other assets— 621 
Finance lease liabilities(4,084)(3,135)
Unfavorable leases— (733)
Other(2,316)(2,240)
Total identifiable net assets970 14,363 
Goodwill$4,082 $7,038 
_______________

(a)The fair values of the identifiable intangible assets related to restaurants acquired in 2018 were provisional amounts as of December 30, 2018, pending final purchase accounting adjustments. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation during the three months ended March 31, 2019, which resulted in a decrease in the fair value of acquired franchise rights of $2,989 and an increase in deferred tax assets of $140.

NPC Quality Burgers, Inc. (“NPC”)

As previously announced, NPC, the Company’s largest franchisee, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2020 and commenced a process to sell all or substantially all of its assets, including its interest in approximately 393 Wendy’s restaurants across eight different markets, pursuant to a court-approved auction process. On November 18, 2020, the Company submitted a consortium bid together with a group of pre-qualified franchisees to acquire NPC’s Wendy’s restaurants. Under the terms of the consortium bid, several existing and new franchisees would have been the ultimate purchasers of seven of the NPC markets, while the Company would have acquired one market. As part of the consortium bid, the Company submitted a deposit of $43,240, which is included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” as of January 3, 2021. The deposit included $38,361 received from the group of prequalified franchisees, which was payable to the franchisees and included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” as of January 3, 2021 pending resolution of the bankruptcy sale process.

On January 7, 2021, following a court-approved mediation process, NPC and certain affiliates of Flynn Restaurant Group (“FRG”) and the Company entered into separate asset purchase agreements under which all of NPC’s Wendy’s restaurants will be sold to Wendy’s approved franchisees. Under the proposed transaction, FRG will acquire approximately half of NPC’s Wendy’s restaurants in four markets, while several existing Wendy’s franchisees that were part of the Company’s consortium bid will acquire the other half of NPC’s Wendy’s restaurants in the other four markets. The Company does not expect to acquire and operate any restaurants as part of this transaction. The Company expects that the sale of the restaurants will be completed in the late first quarter or early second quarter of 2021, subject to the satisfaction of various closing conditions specified in the asset purchase agreements.
v3.20.4
Reorganization and Realignment Costs
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Reorganization and Realignment Costs Reorganization and Realignment Costs
The following is a summary of the initiatives included in “Reorganization and realignment costs:”
Year Ended
202020192018
Operations and field realignment$3,801 $— $— 
IT realignment7,288 9,127 — 
G&A realignment614 7,749 8,785 
System optimization initiative4,327 89 283 
Reorganization and realignment costs$16,030 $16,965 $9,068 

Operations and Field Realignment

In September 2020, the Company initiated a plan to reallocate resources to better support the long-term growth strategies for Company and franchise operations (the “Operations and Field Realignment Plan”). The Operations and Field Realignment Plan realigns the Company’s restaurant operations team, including transitioning from separate leaders of Company and franchise operations to a single leader of all U.S. restaurant operations. We also expect to incur contract termination charges, including the planned closure of certain field offices. The Company expects to incur total costs aggregating approximately $7,000 to $9,000 related to the Operations and Field Realignment Plan. During 2020, the Company recognized costs totaling $3,801, which primarily included severance and related employee costs and share-based compensation. The Company expects to incur additional costs aggregating approximately $3,000 to $5,000, comprised primarily of third-party and other costs. The Company expects to recognize the majority of the remaining costs associated with the Operations and Field Realignment Plan during 2021.

The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the Operations and Field Realignment Plan:

Year Ended
2020
Severance and related employee costs$3,113 
Third party and other costs67 
3,180 
Share-based compensation (a)621 
Total operations and field realignment$3,801 
_______________

(a)Primarily represents incremental share-based compensation resulting from the modification of stock options in connection with the termination of employees under the Operations and Field Realignment Plan.

The accruals for the Operations and Field Realignment Plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and totaled $2,487 and $113 as of January 3, 2021. The table below presents a rollforward of our accruals for the Operations and Field Realignment Plan.

Balance December 29, 2019ChargesPaymentsBalance January 3, 2021
Severance and related employee costs$— $3,113 $(513)$2,600 
Third party and other costs— 67 (67)— 
$— $3,180 $(580)$2,600 
Information Technology (IT”) Realignment

In December 2019, our Board of Directors approved a plan to realign and reinvest resources in the Company’s IT organization to strengthen its ability to accelerate growth (the “IT Realignment Plan”). The Company has partnered with a third-party global IT consultant on this new structure to leverage their global capabilities, which will enable a more seamless integration between its digital and corporate IT assets. The IT Realignment Plan has reduced certain employee compensation and other related costs that the Company has reinvested back into IT to drive additional capabilities and capacity across all of its technology platforms. Additionally, in June 2020, the Company made changes to its leadership structure that included the elimination of the Chief Digital Experience Officer position and the creation of a Chief Information Officer position, for which the Company completed the hiring process in October 2020. During 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized costs totaling $7,288 and $9,127, respectively, which primarily included third-party and other costs and recruitment and relocation costs in 2020 and severance and related employee costs and third-party and other costs in 2019. The Company does not expect to incur any material additional costs under the IT Realignment Plan.

The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the IT Realignment Plan:
Year EndedTotal Incurred Since Inception
20202019
Severance and related employee costs$843 $7,548 $8,391 
Recruitment and relocation costs1,296 — 1,296 
Third-party and other costs5,149 1,386 6,535 
7,288 8,934 16,222 
Share-based compensation (a)— 193 193 
Total IT realignment $7,288 $9,127 $16,415 
_______________

(a)Primarily represents incremental share-based compensation resulting from the modification of stock options in connection with the termination of employees under the IT realignment plan.

As of January 3, 2021, the accruals for our IT Realignment Plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.” As of December 29, 2019, the accruals for our IT Realignment Plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and totaled $8,025 and $599, respectively. The tables below present a rollforward of our accruals for the IT Realignment Plan:
Balance December 29, 2019ChargesPaymentsBalance January 3, 2021
Severance and related employee costs$7,548 $843 $(6,883)$1,508 
Recruitment and relocation costs— 1,296 (1,296)— 
Third-party and other costs1,076 5,149 (6,225)— 
$8,624 $7,288 $(14,404)$1,508 

Balance December 30, 2018ChargesPaymentsBalance December 29, 2019
Severance and related employee costs$— $7,548 $— $7,548 
Recruitment and relocation costs— — — — 
Third-party and other costs— 1,386 (310)1,076 
$— $8,934 $(310)$8,624 
General and Administrative (G&A”) Realignment

In May 2017, the Company initiated a plan to further reduce its G&A expenses (the “G&A Realignment Plan”). Additionally, in May 2019, the Company announced changes to its management and operating structure that included the creation of two new positions, a President, U.S and Chief Commercial Officer and a President, International and Chief Development Officer, and the elimination of the Chief Operations Officer position. During 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized costs related to the plan totaling $614, $7,749 and $8,785, respectively, which primarily included recruitment and relocation costs and share-based compensation in 2020 and severance and related employee costs and share-based compensation in 2019 and 2018. The Company does not expect to incur any material additional costs under the G&A Realignment Plan.

The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the G&A Realignment Plan:
Year EndedTotal Incurred
Since Inception
202020192018
Severance and related employee costs$28 $5,485 $3,797 $24,266 
Recruitment and relocation costs360 950 1,077 2,876 
Third-party and other costs13 100 1,019 2,223 
401 6,535 5,893 29,365 
Share-based compensation (a)213 1,214 1,557 8,111 
Termination of defined benefit plans (b)— — 1,335 1,335 
Total G&A realignment$614 $7,749 $8,785 $38,811 
_______________

(a)Primarily represents incremental share-based compensation resulting from the modification of stock options in connection with the termination of employees under the G&A Realignment Plan.

(b)During 2018, the Company terminated two frozen defined benefit plans. See Note 19 for further information.

As of January 3, 2021, the accruals for the G&A Realignment Plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.” As of December 29, 2019, the accruals for the G&A Realignment Plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and totaled $4,504 and $855, respectively. The tables below present a rollforward of our accruals for the G&A Realignment Plan.
Balance
December 29,
2019
ChargesPaymentsBalance
January 3,
2021
Severance and related employee costs$5,276 $28 $(4,372)$932 
Recruitment and relocation costs83 360 (443)— 
Third-party and other costs— 13 (13)— 
$5,359 $401 $(4,828)$932 
Balance
December 30,
2018
ChargesPaymentsBalance
December 29,
2019
Severance and related employee costs$7,241 $5,485 $(7,450)$5,276 
Recruitment and relocation costs83 950 (950)83 
Third-party and other costs— 100 (100)— 
$7,324 $6,535 $(8,500)$5,359 
System Optimization Initiative

The Company recognizes costs related to acquisitions and dispositions under its system optimization initiative. During 2020, the Company recognized costs totaling $4,327, which were primarily comprised of professional fees related to the NPC bankruptcy sale process. See Note 4 for further information. The Company expects to incur additional costs of approximately $3,000 related to the NPC bankruptcy sale process during 2021.

The following is a summary of the costs recorded as a result of our system optimization initiative:
Year EndedTotal Incurred Since Inception
202020192018
Severance and related employee costs$— $— $— $18,237 
Professional fees4,323 72 264 22,107 
Other17 19 5,853 
4,327 89 283 46,197 
Accelerated depreciation and amortization (a)— — — 25,398 
Share-based compensation (b)— — — 5,013 
Total system optimization initiative$4,327 $89 $283 $76,608 
_______________

(a)Primarily includes accelerated amortization of previously acquired franchise rights related to Company-operated restaurants in territories that have been sold to franchisees in connection with our system optimization initiative.

(b)Represents incremental share-based compensation resulting from the modification of stock options and performance-based awards in connection with the termination of employees under our system optimization initiative.

The table below presents a rollforward of our accruals for our system optimization initiative, which are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.”
Balance
December 29, 2019
ChargesPaymentsBalance
January 3, 2021
Professional fees$— $4,323 $(3,093)$1,230 
Other— (4)— 
$— $4,327 $(3,097)$1,230 
v3.20.4
Income Per Share
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Income Per Share Income Per Share
Basic income per share for 2020, 2019 and 2018 was computed by dividing net income amounts by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

The weighted average number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted income per share were as follows:
Year Ended
202020192018
Common stock:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding223,684 229,944 237,797 
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares4,330 5,131 7,166 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding228,014 235,075 244,963 
Diluted net income per share was computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of basic shares outstanding plus the potential common share effect of dilutive stock options and restricted shares. We excluded potential common shares of 2,064, 2,518 and 1,520 for 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, from our diluted net income per share calculation as they would have had anti-dilutive effects.
v3.20.4
Cash and Receivables (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Cash and Receivables [Abstract]  
Cash and Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Cash and Receivables
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash$231,922 $185,203 
Cash equivalents75,067 114,992 
306,989 300,195 
Restricted cash
Accounts held by trustee for the securitized financing facility 33,635 34,209 
Other338 330 
33,973 34,539 
Advertising Funds (a)77,279 23,973 
111,252 58,512 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$418,241 $358,707 
_______________

(a)Included in “Advertising funds restricted assets.”

January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
GrossAllowance for Doubtful AccountsNetGrossAllowance for Doubtful AccountsNet
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net
Current
Accounts receivable (a) (b)$97,399 $(3,739)$93,660 $103,852 $(3,314)$100,538 
Notes receivable from franchisees (c) (d)21,227 (4,996)16,231 23,628 (6,705)16,923 
$118,626 $(8,735)$109,891 $127,480 $(10,019)$117,461 
Non-current (e)
Notes receivable from franchisees (d)$6,759 $(629)$6,130 $1,617 $— $1,617 
_______________

(a)Includes income tax refund receivables of $5,399 and $13,555 as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively. Additionally, 2019 includes receivables of $25,350 related to insurance coverage for the financial institutions class action. See Note 11 for further information on our legal reserves.

(b)During 2020, rent receivables increased by $5,226 due to actions taken by the Company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included offering to defer base rent payments on properties owned by Wendy’s and leased to franchisees by 50% and offering to pass along any deferrals that were obtained on properties leased by Wendy’s and subleased to franchisees by up to 100%, beginning in May for a three month period, which are being repaid over a 12 month period beginning in August 2020.

(c)Includes the current portion of sales-type and direct financing lease receivables of $5,965 and $3,146 as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively. See Note 20 for further information.
Included a note receivable from a U.S. franchisee totaling $1,000 as of December 29, 2019. The note was repaid during 2020.

(d)Includes a note receivable from a franchisee in India, of which $356 and $1,000 are included in current notes receivable as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively, and $629 which is included in non-current notes receivable as of January 3, 2021. As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the Company had a reserve of $985 on the loan outstanding to the franchisee in India.

Includes a note receivable from a franchisee in Indonesia, of which $831 and $1,262 are included in current notes receivable and $1,780 and $1,617 are included in non-current notes receivable as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively.

Includes notes receivable related to the Brazil JV, of which $12,775 and $15,920 are included in current notes receivable as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively, and $4,350 is included in non-current notes receivable as of January 3, 2021. As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the Company had reserves of $4,640 and $5,720, respectively, on the loans outstanding related to the Brazil JV. See Note 8 for further information.

(e)Included in “Other assets.”

The following is an analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts:
Accounts ReceivableNotes ReceivableTotal
2020
Balance at December 29, 2019
$3,314 $6,705 $10,019 
Provision for doubtful accounts647 206 853 
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries(222)(1,286)(1,508)
Balance at January 3, 2021
$3,739 $5,625 $9,364 
2019
Balance at December 30, 2018
$4,939 $2,000 $6,939 
Provision for doubtful accounts(1,618)4,912 3,294 
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries(7)(207)(214)
Balance at December 29, 2019
$3,314 $6,705 $10,019 
2018
Balance at December 31, 2017$4,546 $— $4,546 
Provision for doubtful accounts606 1,956 2,562 
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries(213)44 (169)
Balance at December 30, 2018
$4,939 $2,000 $6,939 
v3.20.4
Investments
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Investments [Abstract]  
Investments Investments
The following is a summary of the carrying value of our investments:
Year End
January 3,
2021
December 29,
2019
Equity method investments$44,574 $45,310 
Other investments in equity securities— 639 
$44,574 $45,949 

Equity Method Investments

Wendy’s has a 50% share in the TimWen real estate joint venture and a 20% share in the Brazil JV, both of which are accounted for using the equity method of accounting, under which our results of operations include our share of the income (loss) of the investees in “Other operating income, net.”

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Wendy’s entered into the Brazil JV during the second quarter of 2015 for the operation of Wendy’s restaurants in Brazil.  Wendy’s, Starboard International Holdings B.V. and Infinity Holding E Participações Ltda. contributed $1, $2 and $2, respectively, each receiving proportionate equity interests of 20%, 40% and 40%, respectively.  The Company did not receive any distributions and our share of the Brazil JV’s net losses was $417, $1,022 and $1,344 during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Wendy’s has loans outstanding related to the Brazil JV totaling $17,125 and $15,920 as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively. The loans are denominated in U.S. Dollars, which is also the functional currency of the subsidiary; therefore, there is no exposure to changes in foreign currency rates. The loans bear interest at rates ranging from 3.25% to 6.5% per year. Of the total loans outstanding as of January 3, 2021, $12,775 was due primarily in the fourth quarter of 2020 and $4,350 is due in 2024. As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the Company had reserves of $4,640 on the past due loans and $5,720 on the current loans outstanding, respectively, related to the Brazil JV. The Company is currently pursuing collection of certain of the past due amounts. See Note 7 for further information.

The carrying value of our investment in TimWen exceeded our interest in the underlying equity of the joint venture by $23,433 and $25,160 as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively, primarily due to purchase price adjustments from the 2008 merger of Triarc Companies, Inc. and Wendy’s International, Inc. (the “Wendy’s Merger”).

Presented below is activity related to our portion of TimWen and the Brazil JV included in our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations as of and for the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018.
Year Ended
202020192018
Balance at beginning of period$45,310 $47,021 $55,363 
Investment— — 13 
Equity in earnings for the period8,389 10,943 10,402 
Amortization of purchase price adjustments (a)(2,293)(2,270)(2,326)
6,096 8,673 8,076 
Distributions received(8,376)(13,400)(13,390)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in
“Other comprehensive income (loss), net” and other
1,544 3,016 (3,041)
Balance at end of period$44,574 $45,310 $47,021 
_______________
(a)Purchase price adjustments that impacted the carrying value of the Company’s investment in TimWen are being amortized over the average original aggregate life of 21 years.

Indirect Investment in Inspire Brands

In connection with the sale of Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (“Arby’s”) during 2011, Wendy’s Restaurants obtained an 18.5% equity interest in ARG Holding Corporation (“ARG Parent”) (through which Wendy’s Restaurants indirectly retained an 18.5% interest in Arby’s). The carrying value of our investment was reduced to zero during 2013 in connection with the receipt of a dividend that was determined to be a return of our investment.

Our 18.5% equity interest was diluted to 12.3% in February 2018, when a subsidiary of ARG Parent acquired Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. As a result of the acquisition, our diluted ownership interest included both the Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings brands under the newly formed combined company, Inspire Brands, Inc. (“Inspire Brands”). In August 2018, the Company sold its remaining 12.3% ownership interest to Inspire Brands for $450,000 and incurred transaction costs of $55, which were recorded to “Investment (loss) income, net.” The Company recorded income tax expense of $97,501 on the transaction, of which $95,038 was paid during the fourth quarter of 2018.

Other Investments in Equity Securities

In October 2019, the Company received a $25,000 cash settlement related to a previously held investment. As a result, the Company recorded $24,366 to “Investment (loss) income, net” and $634 to “General and administrative” for the reimbursement of related costs during the fourth quarter of 2019.
v3.20.4
Properties (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Properties Properties
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Land$372,473 $375,109 
Buildings and improvements504,504 508,602 
Leasehold improvements409,306 405,158 
Office, restaurant and transportation equipment255,469 279,799 
1,541,752 1,568,668 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(625,863)(591,668)
$915,889 $977,000 

Depreciation and amortization expense related to properties was $77,656, $81,219 and $79,009 during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
v3.20.4
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill activity for 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

Wendy’s U.S.Wendy’s
International
Global Real Estate & DevelopmentTotal
Balance at December 30, 2018:
Goodwill, gross$595,560 $39,173 $122,548 $757,281 
Accumulated impairment losses (a)— (9,397)— (9,397)
Goodwill, net595,560 29,776 122,548 747,884 
Changes in goodwill:
Restaurant acquisitions (b)6,931 — — 6,931 
Currency translation adjustment— 1,096 — 1,096 
Balance at December 29, 2019:
Goodwill, gross602,491 40,269 122,548 765,308 
Accumulated impairment losses (a)— (9,397)— (9,397)
Goodwill, net602,491 30,872 122,548 755,911 
Changes in goodwill:
Restaurant dispositions (c)(5,394)— — (5,394)
Currency translation adjustment and other(223)755 — 532 
Balance at January 3, 2021:
Goodwill, gross596,874 41,024 122,548 760,446 
Accumulated impairment losses (a)— (9,397)— (9,397)
Goodwill, net$596,874 $31,627 $122,548 $751,049 
_______________

(a)Accumulated impairment losses resulted from the full impairment of goodwill of the Wendy’s international franchise restaurants during the fourth quarter of 2013.

(b)Includes an adjustment to the fair value of net assets acquired in connection with the acquisition of franchised restaurants during 2018. See Note 4 for further information.

(c)During 2020, in connection with the Company’s plan to sell 43 Company-operated restaurants in New York in the second quarter of 2021, goodwill of $5,394 was reclassified to assets held for sale. See Note 3 for further information.
The following is a summary of the components of other intangible assets and the related amortization expense:
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
CostAccumulated AmortizationNetCostAccumulated AmortizationNet
Indefinite-lived:
Trademarks$903,000 $— $903,000 $903,000 $— $903,000 
Definite-lived:
Franchise agreements349,255 (203,938)145,317 348,825 (187,063)161,762 
Favorable leases163,015 (55,581)107,434 166,098 (47,695)118,403 
Reacquired rights under franchise agreements
9,872 (3,414)6,458 10,172 (2,766)7,406 
Software206,741 (143,990)62,751 181,666 (125,025)56,641 
$1,631,883 $(406,923)$1,224,960 $1,609,761 $(362,549)$1,247,212 

Aggregate amortization expense:
Actual for fiscal year:
2018$52,064 
201953,182 
202052,588 
Estimate for fiscal year:
2021$47,669 
202242,612 
202339,419 
202434,889 
202528,095 
Thereafter129,276 
v3.20.4
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]  
Accrued Expenses Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Legal reserves (a)$2,006 $52,272 
Accrued compensation and related benefits44,264 56,010 
Accrued taxes27,162 23,926 
NPC consortium bid (b)38,361 — 
Other43,528 33,064 
$155,321 $165,272 
_______________

(a)Included a legal reserve of $50,000 as of December 29, 2019 for a settlement of the financial institutions class action. The Company maintains insurance coverage for legal settlements, receivables for which are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net.” See Note 7 for further information.

After exhaustion of applicable insurance receivables of $25,350, the Company made a payment of $24,650 for the settlement of the financial institutions class action in January 2020.
(b)Represents amounts received from franchisees as part of the consortium bid to acquire NPC’s Wendy’s restaurants. See Note 4 for further information.
v3.20.4
Long-Term Debt
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
Year End
January 3,
2021
December 29,
2019
Series 2019-1 Class A-2 Notes:
3.783% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2026
$386,000 $398,000 
4.080% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2029
434,250 447,750 
Series 2018-1 Class A-2 Notes:
3.573% Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2025
436,500 441,000 
3.884% Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2028
460,750 465,500 
Series 2015-1 Class A-2 Notes:
4.497% Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes, anticipated repayment date 2025
473,750 478,750 
Canadian revolving credit facility1,962 — 
7% debentures, due in 2025
83,998 82,837 
Unamortized debt issuance costs(30,085)(33,526)
2,247,125 2,280,311 
Less amounts payable within one year(28,962)(22,750)
Total long-term debt$2,218,163 $2,257,561 

Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, excluding the effect of purchase accounting adjustments, as of January 3, 2021 were as follows:
Fiscal Year
2021$28,962 
202222,750 
202322,750 
202422,750 
2025975,500 
Thereafter1,210,500 
$2,283,212 

Senior Notes

Wendy’s Funding, LLC (“Wendy’s Funding”), a limited-purpose, bankruptcy-remote, wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of The Wendy’s Company, is the master issuer (the “Master Issuer”) of outstanding senior secured notes under a securitized financing facility that was entered into in June 2015. As of January 3, 2021, the Master Issuer issued the following outstanding series of fixed rate senior secured notes: (i) 2019-1 Class A-2-I with an initial principal amount of $400,000; (ii) 2019-1 Class A-2-II with an initial principal amount of $450,000; (iii) 2018-1 Class A-2-I with an initial principal amount of $450,000; (iv) 2018-1 Class A-2-II with an initial principal amount of $475,000; and (v) 2015-1 Class A-2-III with an initial principal amount of $500,000 (collectively, the “Class A-2 Notes”). The Master Issuer also issued outstanding Series 2019-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes, Class A-1 (the “2019-1 Class A-1 Notes”), which allow for the borrowing of up to $150,000 from time to time on a revolving basis using various credit instruments, including a letter of credit facility. In March 2020, the Company drew down $120,000 under the 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes, which the Company fully repaid in July 2020. As a result, as of January 3, 2021, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes. In June 2020, the Master Issuer also issued outstanding Series 2020-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes, Class A-1 (the “2020-1 Class A-1 Notes”), which allow for the borrowing of up to $100,000 from time to time on a revolving basis using various credit
instruments. The Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Series 2020-1 Class A-1 Notes as of January 3, 2021. The drawdown of the 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes in March 2020 and the issuance of the 2020-1 Class A-1 Notes in June 2020 were taken as precautionary measures to provide enhanced financial flexibility considering the uncertain market conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes and the 2020-1 Class A-1 Notes are collectively the “Class A-1 Notes,” and the Class A-1 Notes and the Class A-2 Notes are collectively the “Senior Notes.”

The Senior Notes are secured by a security interest in substantially all of the assets of the Master Issuer and certain other limited-purpose, bankruptcy-remote, wholly-owned indirect subsidiaries of the Company that act as guarantors (collectively, the “Securitization Entities”), except for certain real estate assets and subject to certain limitations as set forth in the indenture governing the Senior Notes (the “Indenture”) and the related guarantee and collateral agreements.  The assets of the Securitization Entities include most of the domestic and certain of the foreign revenue-generating assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, which principally consist of franchise-related agreements, certain Company-operated restaurants, intellectual property and license agreements for the use of intellectual property.

Interest and principal payments on the Class A-2 Notes are payable on a quarterly basis. The requirement to make such quarterly principal payments on the Class A-2 Notes is subject to certain financial conditions set forth in the Indenture. The legal final maturity dates for the Class A-2 Notes range from 2045 through 2049. If the Master Issuer has not repaid or refinanced the Class A-2 Notes prior to their respective anticipated repayment dates, which range from 2025 through 2029, additional interest will accrue pursuant to the Indenture.

The Class A-1 Notes accrue interest at a variable interest rate based on (i) the prime rate, (ii) overnight federal funds rates, (iii) the London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) for U.S. Dollars or (iv) with respect to advances made by conduit investors, the weighted average cost of, or related to, the issuance of commercial paper allocated to fund or maintain such advances, in each case plus any applicable margin and as specified in the respective purchase agreements for the Class A-1 Notes. There is a commitment fee on the unused portions of the Class A-1 Notes, which ranges from 0.40% to 0.75% based on utilization for the 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes, and is 1.50% for the 2020-1 Class A-1 Notes. As of January 3, 2021, $26,228 of letters of credit were outstanding against the 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes, which relate primarily to interest reserves required under the Indenture governing the 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes.

Covenants and Restrictions

The Senior Notes are subject to a series of covenants and restrictions customary for transactions of this type, including (i) that the Master Issuer maintains specified reserve accounts to be used to make required payments in respect of the Senior Notes, (ii) provisions relating to optional and mandatory prepayments and the related payment of specified amounts, including specified make-whole payments in the case of the Class A-2 Notes under certain circumstances, (iii) certain indemnification payments in the event, among other things, the assets pledged as collateral for the Senior Notes are in stated ways defective or ineffective and (iv) covenants relating to recordkeeping, access to information and similar matters. The Senior Notes are also subject to customary rapid amortization events provided for in the Indenture, including events tied to failure to maintain stated debt service coverage ratios, the sum of global gross sales for specified restaurants being below certain levels on certain measurement dates, certain manager termination events, an event of default, and the failure to repay or refinance the Class A-2 Notes on the applicable scheduled maturity date. The Senior Notes are also subject to certain customary events of default, including events relating to non-payment of required interest, principal, or other amounts due on or with respect to the Senior Notes, failure to comply with covenants within certain time frames, certain bankruptcy events, breaches of specified representations and warranties, failure of security interests to be effective, and certain judgments. In addition, the Indenture and the related management agreement contain various covenants that limit the Company and its subsidiaries’ ability to engage in specified types of transactions, subject to certain exceptions, including, for example, to (i) incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, (ii) sell certain assets, (iii) create or incur liens on certain assets to secure indebtedness or (iv) consolidate, merge, sell or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of their assets.

In accordance with the Indenture, certain cash accounts have been established with the Indenture trustee for the benefit of the trustee and the noteholders, and are restricted in their use. As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, Wendy’s Funding had restricted cash of $33,635 and $34,209, respectively, which primarily represents cash collections and cash reserves held by the trustee to be used for payments of principal, interest and commitment fees required for the Class A-2 Notes.
Refinancing Transactions

In June 2019, the Master Issuer completed a refinancing transaction under which the Master Issuer issued the Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes and the Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes. The Master Issuer’s outstanding Series 2015-1 Class A-2-II Notes were redeemed as part of the transaction. As a result, the Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $7,150 during 2019, which was comprised of the write-off of certain unamortized deferred financing costs. As part of the June 2019 refinancing transaction, the Master Issuer also issued the 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes. The Company’s previous Series 2018-1 Class A-1 Notes were canceled on the closing date and the letters of credit outstanding against the Series 2018-1 Class A-1 Notes were transferred to the 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes.

In January 2018, the Master Issuer completed a refinancing transaction under which the Master Issuer issued the Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes and the Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes. The net proceeds from the sale of the notes were used to redeem the Master Issuer’s outstanding Series 2015-1 Class A-2-I Notes, to pay prepayment and transaction costs and for general corporate purposes. As a result, the Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $11,475 during 2018, which was comprised of the write-off of certain deferred financing costs and a specified make-whole payment.

Debt Issuance Costs

During 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company incurred debt issuance costs of $2,122, $14,008 and $17,580 in connection with the issuance of the 2020-1 Class A-1 Notes and the June 2019 and January 2018 refinancing transactions, respectively. The debt issuance costs are being amortized to “Interest expense, net” through the anticipated repayment dates of the Class A-2 Notes utilizing the effective interest rate method. As of January 3, 2021, the effective interest rates, including the amortization of debt issuance costs, were 4.7%, 3.9%, 4.1%, 4.0% and 4.2% for the Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes, Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes, Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes, Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes and Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes, respectively.

Other Long-Term Debt

Wendy’s 7% debentures are unsecured and were reduced to fair value in connection with the Wendy’s Merger based on their outstanding principal of $100,000 and an effective interest rate of 8.6%. The fair value adjustment is being accreted and the related charge included in “Interest expense, net” until the debentures mature. These debentures contain covenants that restrict the incurrence of indebtedness secured by liens and certain finance lease transactions. In December 2019, Wendy’s repurchased $10,000 in principal of its 7% debentures for $10,550, including a premium of $500 and transaction fees of $50. As a result, the Company recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $1,346 during the fourth quarter of 2019.

A Canadian subsidiary of Wendy’s has a revolving credit facility of C$6,000, which bears interest at the Bank of Montreal Prime Rate. Borrowings under the facility are guaranteed by Wendy’s. In March 2020, the Company drew down C$5,500 under the revolving credit facility, of which the Company repaid C$1,000 in October 2020 and C$2,000 in December 2020. As a result, as of January 3, 2021, the Company had outstanding borrowings of C$2,500 under the revolving credit facility. Subsequent to January 3, 2021, the Company repaid the C$2,500 outstanding balance under the Canadian revolving credit facility.

Wendy’s U.S. advertising fund has a revolving line of credit of $25,000, which was established to support the advertising fund operations and bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.15%. Borrowings under the line of credit are guaranteed by Wendy’s. In February 2020, the Company drew down $4,397 under the revolving line of credit, which the Company fully repaid in February 2020. In March 2020, the Company drew down $25,000 under the revolving line of credit, which the Company fully repaid in September 2020. As a result, as of January 3, 2021, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving line of credit.

The increased borrowings were taken as precautionary measures to provide enhanced financial flexibility considering the uncertain market conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Interest Expense

Interest expense on the Company’s long-term debt was $106,116, $105,829 and $107,929 during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which was recorded to “Interest expense, net.”
Pledged Assets

The following is a summary of the Company’s assets pledged as collateral for certain debt:
Year End
January 3,
2021
Cash and cash equivalents$27,962 
Restricted cash and other assets (including long-term)33,641 
Accounts and notes receivable, net40,389 
Inventories3,897 
Properties60,794 
Other intangible assets1,043,640 
$1,210,323 
v3.20.4
Fair Value Measurements
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Disclosures Fair Value Measurements
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques under the accounting guidance related to fair value measurements are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. These inputs are classified into the following hierarchy:

Level 1 Inputs - Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

Level 2 Inputs - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

Level 3 Inputs - Pricing inputs are unobservable for the assets or liabilities and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the assets or liabilities. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.
Financial Instruments

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Fair Value
Measurements
Financial assets
Cash equivalents$75,067 $75,067 $114,992 $114,992 Level 1
Other investments in equity securities (a)— — 639 1,649 Level 3
Financial liabilities
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)386,000 409,778 398,000 405,152 Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)434,250 469,555 447,750 459,136 Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)436,500 450,381 441,000 444,859 Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)460,750 491,021 465,500 475,718 Level 2
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes (b)473,750 481,851 478,750 490,531 Level 2
Canadian revolving credit facility1,962 1,962 — — Level 2
7% debentures, due in 2025 (b)83,998 98,775 82,837 94,838 Level 2
_______________

(a)The fair values of our investments were not significant and were based on our review of information provided by the investment managers or investees, which was based on (1) valuations performed by the investment managers or investees, (2) quoted market or broker/dealer prices for similar investments and (3) quoted market or broker/dealer prices adjusted by the investment managers for legal or contractual restrictions, risk of nonperformance or lack of marketability, depending upon the underlying investments. In June 2020, the Company impaired a miscellaneous investment due to the deterioration in operating performance of the underlying assets. In July 2020, the Company sold its remaining interest in this investment.

(b)The fair values were based on quoted market prices in markets that are not considered active markets.

The carrying amounts of cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of those items. The carrying amounts of accounts and notes receivable, net (both current and non-current) approximate fair value due to the effect of the related allowance for doubtful accounts. Our cash equivalents are the only financial assets measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities remeasured to fair value on a non-recurring basis resulted in impairment that we have recorded to “Impairment of long-lived assets” in our consolidated statements of operations.

Total impairment losses may reflect the impact of remeasuring long-lived assets held and used (including land, buildings, leasehold improvements, favorable lease assets and ROU assets) to fair value as a result of (1) declines in operating performance at Company-operated restaurants and (2) the Company’s decision to lease and/or sublease the land and/or buildings to franchisees in connection with the sale or anticipated sale of restaurants, including any subsequent lease modifications. The fair values of long-lived assets held and used presented in the tables below represent the remaining carrying value and were estimated based on either discounted cash flows of future anticipated lease and sublease income or discounted cash flows of future anticipated Company-operated restaurant performance.
Total impairment losses may also include the impact of remeasuring long-lived assets held for sale, which primarily include surplus properties. The fair values of long-lived assets held for sale presented in the tables below represent the remaining carrying value and were estimated based on current market values. See Note 17 for further information on impairment of our long-lived assets.
Fair Value Measurements2020 Total Losses
January 3,
2021
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Held and used$2,653 $— $— $2,653 $7,586 
Held for sale855 — — 855 451 
Total$3,508 $— $— $3,508 $8,037 
    
Fair Value Measurements2019 Total Losses
December 29,
2019
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Held and used$3,582 $— $— $3,582 $5,602 
Held for sale988 — — 988 1,397 
Total$4,570 $— $— $4,570 $6,999 
v3.20.4
Income Taxes
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
Income before income taxes is set forth below:
Year Ended
202020192018
Domestic$149,046 $160,474 $560,776 
Foreign (a)3,749 11,007 14,140 
$152,795 $171,481 $574,916 
_______________

(a)Excludes foreign income of domestic subsidiaries.

The (provision for) benefit from income taxes is set forth below:
Year Ended
202020192018
Current:
U.S. federal$(16,176)$(18,421)$(109,078)
State(3,723)(6,093)(2,661)
Foreign(4,798)(9,190)(9,630)
Current tax provision(24,697)(33,704)(121,369)
Deferred:
U.S. federal(6,707)1,585 5,071 
State(3,185)(2,449)441 
Foreign(374)27 1,056 
Deferred tax (provision) benefit(10,266)(837)6,568 
Income tax provision$(34,963)$(34,541)$(114,801)
Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are set forth below:
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Deferred tax assets:
Operating and finance lease liabilities$365,005 $345,173 
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards62,210 59,597 
Unfavorable leases23,511 26,020 
Deferred revenue24,303 23,907 
Accrued compensation and related benefits16,443 18,477 
Accrued expenses and reserves7,673 13,786 
Deferred rent— 492 
Other5,869 3,757 
Valuation allowances(49,968)(45,183)
Total deferred tax assets455,046 446,026 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Operating and finance lease assets(332,515)(313,803)
Intangible assets(301,969)(311,596)
Fixed assets(63,826)(60,788)
Other(37,491)(30,598)
Total deferred tax liabilities(735,801)(716,785)
$(280,755)$(270,759)

The amounts and expiration dates of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are as follows:
AmountExpiration
Tax credit carryforwards:
U.S. federal foreign tax credits$13,681 2022-2030
State tax credits708 2021-2023
Foreign tax credits of non-U.S. subsidiaries4,125 Not applicable
Total$18,514 
Net operating loss carryforwards:
State and local net operating loss carryforwards$1,182,774 2021-2035
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards1,044 Not applicable
Total$1,183,818 

The Company’s valuation allowances of $49,968 and $45,183 as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively, relate to foreign and state tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards. Valuation allowances increased $4,785 and $3,008 during 2020 and 2019, respectively, and decreased $5,120 during 2018. The relative presence of Company-operated restaurants in various states impacts expected future state taxable income available to utilize state net operating loss carryforwards.
Major Tax Legislation

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. government enacted comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act made broad and complex changes to the U.S. tax code that affects 2017 and subsequent years, including but not limited to (1) requiring a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries, (2) bonus depreciation that will allow for full expensing of qualified property, (3) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% in years 2018 and forward, (4) a tax on global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) and (5) limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation.

In 2018, we recorded a net tax expense of $2,159 related to the Tax Act consisting of $2,454 related to the impact of the corporate rate reduction on our net deferred tax liabilities and state taxes and a net expense of $991 related to the limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation, partially offset by $1,286 for the net benefit of foreign tax credits.
_______________

The current portion of refundable income taxes was $5,399 and $13,555 as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively, and is included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net.” There were no long-term refundable income taxes as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019.

The reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% to reported income tax is set forth below:
Year Ended
202020192018 (a)
Income tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate$(32,087)$(36,011)$(120,732)
State income tax provision, net of U.S. federal income tax effect (4,664)(6,470)(221)
Prior years’ tax matters (b)1,761 6,135 (9,970)
Excess federal tax benefits from share-based compensation5,338 5,841 10,250 
Foreign and U.S. tax effects of foreign operations(397)250 (856)
Valuation allowances (4,593)(2,833)5,120 
Non-deductible goodwill (c)— — (41)
Tax credits1,901 879 1,089 
Non-deductible executive compensation(1,973)(1,925)(1,098)
Unrepatriated earnings(283)(402)(326)
Non-deductible expenses and other34 (5)1,984 
$(34,963)$(34,541)$(114,801)
_______________

(a)2018 includes the following impacts associated with the Tax Act: (1) a net expense of $2,426 related to the impact of the corporate rate reduction on our net deferred tax liabilities, (2) a net expense of $991 related to the limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation, (3) a net expense of $28 of state income tax and (4) a net benefit of $1,286 related to foreign tax credits.

(b)2019 primarily relates to a reduction in unrecognized tax benefits due to a lapse of statute of limitations. 2018 includes expense of $9,542 related to the Tax Act, which was partially offset by a $7,535 benefit reported in “Valuation allowances.”

(c)Substantially all of the goodwill included in the net gain (loss) on sales of restaurants in 2018 under our system optimization initiative was non-deductible for tax purposes. See Note 3 for further information.

The Company participates in the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) Compliance Assurance Process (“CAP”). As part of CAP, tax years are examined on a contemporaneous basis so that all or most issues are resolved prior to the filing of the tax return. As such, our tax returns for fiscal years 2009 through 2018 have been settled. The statute of limitations for the Company’s state tax returns vary, but generally the Company’s state income tax returns from its 2017 fiscal year and forward
remain subject to examination. We believe that adequate provisions have been made for any liabilities, including interest and penalties that may result from the completion of these examinations.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

As of January 3, 2021, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $20,973, which, if resolved favorably would reduce income tax expense by $16,601. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits follows:
Year End
January 3,
2021
December 29,
2019
December 30,
2018
Beginning balance$22,323 $27,632 $28,848 
Additions:
Tax positions of current year322 1,356 3,874 
Tax positions of prior years— — 2,598 
Reductions:
Tax positions of prior years(1,183)(227)(7,553)
Settlements(119)— (21)
Lapse of statute of limitations(370)(6,438)(114)
Ending balance$20,973 $22,323 $27,632 

The reductions in unrecognized tax benefits in 2020 was primarily related to decreases as a result of settlements with various taxing jurisdictions. The additions in unrecognized tax benefits in 2019 was primarily related to the uncertainty of the income tax consequences of a cash settlement related to a previously held investment. The addition of unrecognized tax benefits in 2018 was primarily related to the sale of our ownership interest in Inspire Brands, and the reduction of unrecognized benefits in 2018 was primarily related to settlements with various taxing jurisdictions, including amended returns that were filed in 2017.

During 2021, we believe it is reasonably possible the Company will reduce unrecognized tax benefits by up to $220 due primarily to the lapse of statutes of limitations and expected settlements.

During 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized $159, $(489) and $(12) of expense (income) for interest and $81, $81 and $309 of income for penalties, respectively, related to uncertain tax positions. The Company has $873 and $946 accrued for interest and $37 and $118 accrued for penalties as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively.
v3.20.4
Stockholders' Equity
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]  
Stockholders' Equity Stockholders’ Equity
Dividends

During 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company paid dividends per share of $0.29, $0.42 and $0.34, respectively.
Treasury Stock

There were 470,424 shares of common stock issued at the beginning and end of 2020, 2019 and 2018. Treasury stock activity for 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
Treasury Stock
202020192018
Number of shares at beginning of year245,535 239,191 229,912 
Repurchases of common stock3,512 10,158 15,808 
Common shares issued:
Stock options, net(2,358)(2,912)(5,824)
Restricted stock, net(465)(834)(627)
Director fees(15)(14)(15)
Other(53)(54)(63)
Number of shares at end of year246,156 245,535 239,191 

Repurchases of Common Stock

In February 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $100,000 of our common stock through February 28, 2021, when and if market conditions warranted and to the extent legally permissible. As previously announced, beginning in March 2020, the Company temporarily suspended all share repurchase activity under the February 2020 authorization in connection with the Company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an extension of the February 2020 authorization by one year, through February 28, 2022, when and if market and economic conditions warrant and to the extent legally permissible. The Company resumed share repurchases in August 2020. During 2020, the Company repurchased 1,572 shares under the February 2020 repurchase authorization with an aggregate purchase price of $32,285, of which $723 was accrued at January 3, 2021, and excluding commissions of $22. As of January 3, 2021, the Company had $67,715 of availability remaining under its February 2020 authorization. Subsequent to January 3, 2021 through February 23, 2021, the Company repurchased 457 shares under the February 2020 authorization with an aggregate purchase price of $9,570, excluding commissions of $6.

In February 2019, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $225,000 of our common stock through March 1, 2020, when and if market conditions warranted and to the extent legally permissible. In November 2019, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (the “2019 ASR Agreement”) with a third-party financial institution to repurchase common stock as part of the Company’s existing share repurchase program. Under the 2019 ASR Agreement, the Company paid the financial institution an initial purchase price of $100,000 in cash and received an initial delivery of 4,051 shares of common stock, representing an estimated 85% of the total shares expected to be delivered under the 2019 ASR Agreement. In February 2020, the Company completed the 2019 ASR Agreement and received an additional 628 shares of common stock at an average purchase price of $23.89. The total number of shares of common stock ultimately purchased by the Company under the 2019 ASR Agreement was based on the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices of the common stock during the term of the 2019 ASR Agreement, less an agreed upon discount. In total, 4,679 shares were delivered under the 2019 ASR Agreement at an average purchase price of $21.37 per share.

In addition to the shares repurchased in connection with the 2019 ASR Agreement, during 2020, the Company repurchased 1,312 shares with an aggregate purchase price of $28,770, excluding commissions of $18, under the February 2019 authorization. After taking into consideration these repurchases, with the completion of the 2019 ASR Agreement in February 2020, the Company completed its February 2019 authorization.

In addition to the shares repurchased in connection with the 2019 ASR Agreement, during 2019, the Company repurchased 6,107 shares with an aggregate purchase price of $117,685, of which $1,801 was accrued at December 29, 2019, and excluding commissions of $86, under the February 2019 authorization and the Company’s November 2018 authorization referenced below.
In February 2018, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $175,000 of our common stock through March 3, 2019, when and if market conditions warranted and to the extent legally permissible. In November 2018, our Board of Directors approved an additional share repurchase program for up to $220,000 of our common stock through December 27, 2019, when and if market conditions warranted and to the extent legally permissible. In November 2018, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (the “2018 ASR Agreement”) with a third-party financial institution to repurchase common stock as part of the Company’s existing share repurchase programs. Under the 2018 ASR Agreement, the Company paid the financial institution an initial purchase price of $75,000 in cash and received an initial delivery of 3,645 shares of common stock, representing an estimated 85% of the total shares expected to be delivered under the 2018 ASR Agreement. In December 2018, the Company completed the 2018 ASR Agreement and received an additional 720 shares of common stock. The total number of shares of common stock ultimately purchased by the Company under the 2018 ASR Agreement was based on the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices of the common stock during the term of the 2018 ASR Agreement, less an agreed upon discount. In addition to the shares repurchased in connection with the 2018 ASR Agreement, during 2018, the Company repurchased 10,058 shares under the February 2018 and November 2018 authorizations with an aggregate purchase price of $172,584, of which $1,827 was accrued at December 30, 2018, and excluding commissions of $141.

In February 2017, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $150,000 of our common stock through March 4, 2018, when and if market conditions warranted and to the extent legally permissible. The Company completed the February 2017 authorization during 2018 with the repurchase of 1,385 shares with an aggregate purchase price of $22,633, excluding commissions of $19.

Preferred Stock

There were 100,000 shares authorized and no shares issued of preferred stock throughout 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table provides a rollforward of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax as applicable:
Foreign Currency TranslationPension (a)Total
Balance at December 31, 2017$(45,149)$(1,049)$(46,198)
Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income(16,524)1,049 (15,475)
Balance at December 30, 2018(61,673)— (61,673)
Current-period other comprehensive income7,845 — 7,845 
Balance at December 29, 2019(53,828)— (53,828)
Current-period other comprehensive income4,187 — 4,187 
Balance at January 3, 2021$(49,641)$— $(49,641)
_______________
(a)During 2018, the Company terminated two frozen defined benefit plans. See Note 19 for further information.
v3.20.4
Share-Based Compensation
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Share-Based Compensation Share-Based CompensationThe Company has the ability to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, other stock-based awards and performance compensation awards to current or prospective employees, directors, officers, consultants or advisors. During 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors and its stockholders approved the adoption of the 2020 Omnibus Award Plan (the “2020 Plan”) for the issuance of equity instruments as described above. The Company’s previous 2010 Omnibus Award Plan (as amended, the “2010 Plan”) expired in accordance with its terms in 2020. Equity grants in 2020 were issued from both the 2020 Plan and the 2010 Plan. All equity grants during 2019 and 2018 were issued from the 2010 Plan. The 2020 Plan is currently the only equity plan from which future equity awards may be granted, but outstanding awards granted under the 2010 Plan will continue to be governed by the terms of the 2010 Plan. As of January 3, 2021, there were approximately 26,691 shares of common stock available for future grants under the 2020 Plan. During the periods presented in
the consolidated financial statements, the Company settled all exercises of stock options and vesting of restricted shares, including performance shares, with treasury shares.

Stock Options

The Company’s current outstanding stock options have maximum contractual terms of 10 years and vest ratably over three years or cliff vest after three years. The exercise price of options granted is equal to the market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of stock options on the date of grant is calculated using the Black-Scholes Model. The aggregate intrinsic value of an option is the amount by which the fair value of the underlying stock exceeds its exercise price.

The following table summarizes stock option activity during 2020:
Number of OptionsWeighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life in Years
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at December 29, 201911,937 $13.92 
Granted1,807 22.48 
Exercised(2,395)10.09 
Forfeited and/or expired(107)19.48 
Outstanding at January 3, 202111,242 $16.06 6.74$66,853 
Vested or expected to vest at January 3, 202111,115 $16.01 6.72$66,676 
Exercisable at January 3, 20217,240 $13.46 5.59$61,278 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $28,111, $26,947 and $62,744, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $6.02, $3.40 and $4.12, respectively.

The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options was determined using the following assumptions:
202020192018
Risk-free interest rate0.22 %1.57 %2.77 %
Expected option life in years4.504.505.62
Expected volatility38.02 %23.55 %24.27 %
Expected dividend yield1.72 %2.03 %1.84 %

The risk-free interest rate represents the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bond yield correlating to the expected life of the stock options granted. The expected option life represents the period of time that the stock options granted are expected to be outstanding based on historical exercise trends for similar grants. The expected volatility is based on the historical market price volatility of the Company over a period equivalent to the expected option life. The expected dividend yield represents the Company’s annualized average yield for regular quarterly dividends declared prior to the respective stock option grant dates.

The Black-Scholes Model has limitations on its effectiveness including that it was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable and that the model requires the use of highly subjective assumptions, such as expected stock price volatility. Employee stock option awards have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options and changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates.
Restricted Shares

The Company grants RSAs and RSUs, which primarily cliff vest after 1 to 3 years. For the purposes of our disclosures, the term “Restricted Shares” applies to RSAs and RSUs collectively unless otherwise noted. The fair value of Restricted Shares granted is determined using the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, as set forth in the applicable plan document.

The following table summarizes activity of Restricted Shares during 2020:
Number of Restricted SharesWeighted
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 29, 20191,071 $16.46 
Granted458 22.39 
Vested(401)16.11 
Forfeited(39)18.37 
Non-vested at January 3, 20211,089 $19.01 

The total fair value of Restricted Shares that vested in 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $8,634, $9,996 and $10,060, respectively.

Performance Shares

The Company grants performance-based awards to certain officers and key employees. The vesting of these awards is contingent upon meeting one or more defined operational or financial goals (a performance condition) or common stock share prices (a market condition). The quantity of shares awarded ranges from 0% to 200% of “Target,” as defined in the award agreement as the midpoint number of shares, based on the level of achievement of the performance and market conditions.

The fair values of the performance condition awards granted in 2020, 2019 and 2018 were determined using the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, as set forth in the applicable plan document. Share-based compensation expense recorded for performance condition awards is reevaluated at each reporting period based on the probability of the achievement of the goal.

The fair value of market condition awards granted in 2020, 2019 and 2018 were estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation model. The Monte Carlo simulation model utilizes multiple input variables to estimate the probability that the market conditions will be achieved and is applied to the trading price of our common stock on the date of grant.

The input variables are noted in the table below:
202020192018
Risk-free interest rate1.38 %2.51 %2.38 %
Expected life in years3.003.003.00
Expected volatility23.26 %23.19 %24.97 %
Expected dividend yield (a)0.00 %0.00 %0.00 %
_______________

(a)The Monte Carlo method assumes a reinvestment of dividends.

Share-based compensation expense is recorded ratably for market condition awards during the requisite service period and is not reversed, except for forfeitures, at the vesting date regardless of whether the market condition is met.
The following table summarizes activity of performance shares at Target during 2020:
Performance Condition AwardsMarket Condition Awards
SharesWeighted
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
SharesWeighted
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 29, 2019439 $15.75 362 $19.09 
Granted149 23.37 115 30.31 
Dividend equivalent units issued (a)— — 
Vested (b)(148)13.87 (130)16.81 
Forfeited(18)17.29 (7)26.32 
Non-vested at January 3, 2021429 $19.06 346 $23.65 
_______________

(a)Dividend equivalent units are issued in lieu of cash dividends for non-vested performance shares. There is no weighted average fair value associated with dividend equivalent units.

(b)Market condition awards exclude the vesting of an additional 80 shares, which resulted from the performance of the awards exceeding Target.

The total fair value of performance condition awards that vested in 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $3,447, $7,720 and $3,681, respectively. The total fair value of market condition awards that vested in 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $4,910, $7,135 and $3,143, respectively.

Modifications of Share-Based Awards

During 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company modified the terms of awards granted to seven, ten and eight employees, respectively, in connection with its Operations and Field Realignment Plan, IT Realignment Plan and G&A Realignment Plan discussed in Note 5. These modifications resulted in the accelerated vesting of certain stock options in connection with the termination of such employees. As a result, during 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized an increase in share-based compensation of $621, $1,011 and $1,238, respectively, which was included in “Reorganization and realignment costs.”

Share-Based Compensation

Total share-based compensation and the related income tax benefit recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations were as follows:
Year Ended
202020192018
Stock options$8,499 $7,685 $7,172 
Restricted shares (a)6,507 5,762 6,030 
Performance shares:
Performance condition awards782 2,195 1,491 
Market condition awards2,521 2,023 1,987 
Modifications, net621 1,011 1,238 
Share-based compensation18,930 18,676 17,918 
Less: Income tax benefit(2,958)(2,990)(3,418)
Share-based compensation, net of income tax benefit$15,972 $15,686 $14,500 
_______________
(a)2020, 2019 and 2018 include $213, $396 and $319, respectively, related to retention awards in connection with the Company’s G&A Realignment Plan, which is included in “Reorganization and realignment costs.” See Note 5 for further information.

As of January 3, 2021, there was $25,156 of total unrecognized share-based compensation, which will be recognized over a weighted average amortization period of 2.16 years.
v3.20.4
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]  
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company records impairment charges as a result of (1) the deterioration in operating performance of certain Company-operated restaurants, (2) the Company’s decision to lease and/or sublease properties to franchisees in connection with the sale or anticipated sale of Company-operated restaurants, including any subsequent lease modifications, and (3) closing Company-operated restaurants and classifying such surplus properties as held for sale. Impairment charges during 2020 were primarily due to the deterioration in operating performance of certain Company-operated restaurants as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional impairment charges may be recognized by the Company in the event of further deterioration in operating performance of Company-operated restaurants.

The following is a summary of impairment losses recorded, which represent the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the affected assets and are included in “Impairment of long-lived assets:”
Year Ended
202020192018
Company-operated restaurants$7,586 $294 $4,060 
Restaurants leased or subleased to franchisees— 5,308 283 
Surplus properties451 1,397 354 
$8,037 $6,999 $4,697 
v3.20.4
Investment Income, Net (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Investment Income, Net [Abstract]  
Investment Income, Net Investment (Loss) Income, Net
Year Ended
202020192018
Gain on sale of investments, net (a) (b)$— $24,496 $450,000 
Impairment loss on other investments in equity securities(471)— — 
Other, net246 1,102 736 
$(225)$25,598 $450,736 
_______________

(a)In October 2019, the Company received a $25,000 cash settlement related to a previously held investment. As a result, the Company recorded $24,366 to “Investment (loss) income, net” and $634 to “General and administrative” for the reimbursement of related costs.

(b)During 2018, the Company sold its remaining ownership interest in Inspire Brands for $450,000. See Note 8 for further information.
v3.20.4
Retirement Benefit Plans
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Retirement Benefits [Abstract]  
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure Retirement Benefit Plans
401(k) Plan

The Company has a 401(k) defined contribution plan (the “401(k) Plan”) for employees who meet certain minimum requirements and elect to participate. The 401(k) Plan permits employees to contribute up to 75% of their compensation, subject to certain limitations, and provides for matching employee contributions up to 4% of compensation and for discretionary profit sharing contributions. In connection with the matching and profit sharing contributions, the Company recognized compensation expense of $5,175, $4,631 and $4,619 in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Pension Plans

The Company maintained two domestic qualified defined benefit plans, the benefits under which were frozen in 1988 and for which the Company had no unrecognized prior service cost. Arby’s employees who were eligible to participate through 1988 (the “Eligible Arby’s Employees”) were covered under one of these plans. Pursuant to the terms of the Arby’s sale agreement, Wendy’s Restaurants retained the liabilities related to the Eligible Arby’s Employees under these plans and received $400 from the buyer for the unfunded liability related to the Eligible Arby’s Employees. The measurement date used by the Company in determining amounts related to its defined benefit plans was the same as the Company’s fiscal year end. During 2018, the Company terminated the defined benefit plans, resulting in a settlement loss of $1,335 recorded to “Reorganization and realignment costs.”

Wendy’s Executive Plans

In conjunction with the Wendy’s Merger, amounts due under supplemental executive retirement plans (collectively, the “SERP”) were funded into a restricted account. As of January 1, 2011, participation in the SERP was frozen to new entrants and future contributions, and existing participants’ balances only earn annual interest. The corresponding SERP liabilities are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and, in the aggregate, were $432 and $662 as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively.

Effective January 1, 2017, the Company implemented a non-qualified, unfunded deferred compensation plan for management and highly compensated employees, whereby participants may defer all or a portion of their base compensation and certain incentive awards on a pre-tax basis. The Company credits the amounts deferred with earnings based on the investment options selected by the participants. The Company may also make discretionary contributions to the plan. The total of participant deferrals was $1,108 and $774 at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively, which are included in “Other liabilities.”
v3.20.4
Leases
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Leases [Abstract]  
Leases, Company as Lessee Leases
Nature of Leases

The Company operates restaurants that are located on sites owned by us and sites leased by us from third parties. In addition, the Company owns sites and leases sites from third parties, which it leases and/or subleases to franchisees. At January 3, 2021, Wendy’s and its franchisees operated 6,828 Wendy’s restaurants. Of the 361 Company-operated Wendy’s restaurants, Wendy’s owned the land and building for 142 restaurants, owned the building and held long-term land leases for 149 restaurants and held leases covering the land and building for 70 restaurants. Wendy’s also owned 509 and leased 1,245 properties that were either leased or subleased principally to franchisees. The Company also leases restaurant, office and transportation equipment.

Company as Lessee

The components of lease cost for 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
Year Ended
20202019
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of finance lease assets$13,395 $11,241 
Interest on finance lease liabilities40,682 37,012 
54,077 48,253 
Operating lease cost91,475 90,537 
Variable lease cost (a)59,076 58,978 
Short-term lease cost4,641 4,717 
Total operating lease cost (b)155,192 154,232 
Total lease cost$209,269 $202,485 
_______________
(a)Includes expenses for executory costs of $38,652 and $37,758 for 2020 and 2019, respectively, for which the Company is reimbursed by sublessees.

(b)Includes $125,553 and $123,899 for 2020 and 2019, respectively, recorded to “Franchise rental expense” for leased properties that are subsequently leased to franchisees. Also includes $26,866 and $27,419 for 2020 and 2019, respectively, recorded to “Cost of sales” for leases for Company-operated restaurants.

The components of rental expense for operating leases for 2018, as accounted for under previous guidance, were as follows:
Year Ended
2018
Rental expense:
Minimum rentals$95,749 
Contingent rentals18,971 
Total rental expense (a)$114,720 
_______________

(a)Includes rental expense related to (1) leases for Company-operated restaurants recorded to “Cost of sales,” (2) leased properties that are subsequently leased to franchisees recorded to “Franchise rental expense” and (3) leases for corporate offices and equipment recorded to “General and administrative.”

Amortization of finance lease assets was $11,603 for 2018.

The following table includes supplemental cash flow and non-cash information related to leases:
Year End
20202019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from finance leases$39,349 $39,887 
Operating cash flows from operating leases85,689 91,824 
Financing cash flows from finance leases8,383 6,835 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Finance lease liabilities34,918 50,061 
Operating lease liabilities18,327 15,411 
The following table includes supplemental information related to leases:
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29,
2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Finance leases16.217.1
Operating leases14.615.4
Weighted average discount rate:
Finance leases9.54 %9.87 %
Operating leases5.06 %5.09 %
Supplemental balance sheet information:
Finance lease assets, gross$261,308 $242,889 
Accumulated amortization(55,155)(42,745)
Finance lease assets206,153 200,144 
Operating lease assets821,480 857,199 

The following table illustrates the Company’s future minimum rental payments for non-cancelable leases as of January 3, 2021:
Finance
Leases
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearCompany-OperatedFranchise
and Other
Company-OperatedFranchise
and Other
2021 (a)$4,779 $47,503 $19,195 $70,730 
20224,963 49,000 19,010 70,633 
20234,927 50,632 19,037 70,460 
20245,045 51,007 19,111 70,328 
20255,140 51,423 19,065 69,977 
Thereafter59,126 628,162 167,441 699,756 
Total minimum payments$83,980 $877,727 $262,859 $1,051,884 
Less interest
(30,716)(412,810)(77,388)(326,684)
Present value of minimum lease payments (b) (c)$53,264 $464,917 $185,471 $725,200 
_______________

(a)In addition to the 2021 future minimum rental payments, the Company expects to pay $5,439 primarily during 2021 related to rent deferrals obtained due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The related payable is included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.” See Note 7 for further information.

(b)The present value of minimum finance lease payments of $12,105 and $506,076 are included in “Current portion of finance lease liabilities” and “Long-term finance lease liabilities,” respectively.

(c)The present value of minimum operating lease payments of $45,346 and $865,325 are included in “Current portion of operating lease liabilities” and “Long-term operating lease liabilities,” respectively.
Leases, Company as Lessor
Company as Lessor

The components of lease income for 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
Year Ended
20202019
Sales-type and direct-financing leases:
Selling profit$1,995 $2,285 
Interest income (a)29,067 26,333 
Operating lease income174,452 176,629 
Variable lease income58,196 56,436 
Franchise rental income (b)$232,648 $233,065 
_______________

(a)Included in “Interest expense, net.”

(b)Includes sublease income of $169,921 and $171,126 recognized during 2020 and 2019, respectively. Sublease income includes lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs of $38,636 and $37,739 for 2020 and 2019, respectively.

The components of rental income for operating leases and subleases for 2018, as accounted for under previous guidance, were as follows:
Year Ended
2018
Rental income:
Minimum rentals$184,154 
Contingent rentals19,143 
Total rental income (a)$203,297 
_______________

(a)Includes sublease income of $138,363.

During 2018, the Company recognized $27,638 in interest income related to our direct financing leases, which is included in “Interest expense, net.”
The following table illustrates the Company’s future minimum rental receipts for non-cancelable leases and subleases as of January 3, 2021:
Sales-Type and
Direct Financing Leases
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearSubleasesOwned PropertiesSubleasesOwned Properties
2021 (a)$31,128 $3,573 $110,920 $54,543 
202231,953 2,037 111,605 56,017 
202332,994 2,081 112,498 56,220 
202434,965 2,089 112,541 57,311 
202533,844 2,196 111,953 57,904 
Thereafter440,802 21,231 1,115,693 743,814 
Total future minimum receipts605,686 33,207 $1,675,210 $1,025,809 
Unearned interest income(348,692)(16,015)
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases (b)$256,994 $17,192 
_______________

(a)In addition to the 2021 future minimum rental receipts, the Company expects to collect $5,226 primarily during 2021 related to the offer to defer base rent payments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The related receivable is included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net.” See Note 7 for further information.

(b)The present value of minimum direct financing rental receipts of $5,965 and $268,221 are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” and “Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases,” respectively. The present value of minimum direct financing rental receipts includes a net investment in unguaranteed residual assets of $215.

Properties owned by the Company and leased to franchisees and other third parties under operating leases include:
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Land$279,956 $281,792 
Buildings and improvements309,605 311,047 
Restaurant equipment1,701 1,727 
591,262 594,566 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(170,722)(157,130)
$420,540 $437,436 
v3.20.4
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies
Guarantees and Contingent Liabilities

Franchisee Image Activation Incentive Programs

In order to promote new restaurant development, Wendy’s has an incentive program for franchisees that provides for technical assistance fee waivers and reductions in royalty and national advertising payments for up to the first two years of operation for qualifying new restaurants opened prior to December 31, 2022. In addition, Wendy’s has a restaurant development incentive program that provides for incremental reductions in royalty and national advertising payments for up to the first two years of operation for qualifying new restaurants for existing franchisees that sign up for the program under a new development agreement, or through an extension of their existing development agreement, and commit to incremental development of new Wendy’s restaurants. Under any extended development agreements, franchisees are also eligible for technical assistance fee waivers for restaurants opened one year in advance of their original development schedule so long as
the restaurants are opened prior to December 31, 2022. Wendy’s also provides franchisees with the option of an early 20-year or 25-year renewal of their franchise agreement upon completion of reimaging utilizing certain approved Image Activation reimage designs.

Wendy’s also had incentive programs for 2017 available to franchisees that commenced Image Activation restaurant remodels by December 15, 2017. The remodel incentive programs provided for reductions in royalty payments for one year after the completion of construction.

Lease Guarantees

Wendy’s has guaranteed the performance of certain leases and other obligations, primarily from former Company-operated restaurant locations now operated by franchisees, amounting to $90,348 as of January 3, 2021. These leases extend through 2045. We have had no judgments against us as guarantor of these leases as of January 3, 2021. In the event of default by a franchise owner, Wendy’s generally retains the right to acquire possession of the related restaurant locations. The liability recorded for our probable exposure associated with these lease guarantees was not material as of January 3, 2021.

Insurance

Wendy’s is self-insured for most workers’ compensation losses and purchases insurance for general liability and automotive liability losses, all subject to a $500 per occurrence retention or deductible limit. Wendy’s determines its liability for claims incurred but not reported for the insurance liabilities on an actuarial basis. As of January 3, 2021, the Company had $18,687 recorded for these insurance liabilities. Wendy’s is self-insured for health care claims for eligible participating employees subject to certain deductibles and limitations and determines its liability for health care claims incurred but not reported based on historical claims runoff data. As of January 3, 2021, the Company had $3,396 recorded for these health care insurance liabilities.

Letters of Credit

As of January 3, 2021, the Company had outstanding letters of credit with various parties totaling $26,587. Substantially all of the outstanding letters of credit include amounts outstanding against the 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes. See Note 12 for further information. We do not expect any material loss to result from these letters of credit.

Purchase and Capital Commitments

Beverage Agreement

The Company has an agreement with a beverage vendor, which provides fountain beverage products and certain marketing support funding to the Company and its franchisees. This agreement requires minimum purchases of certain fountain beverages (“Fountain Beverages”) by the Company and its franchisees at agreed upon prices until the total contractual gallon volume usage is reached. This agreement also provides for an annual advance to be paid to the Company based on the vendor’s expectation of the Company’s annual Fountain Beverages usage, which is amortized over actual usage during the year. In January 2019, the Company amended its contract with the beverage vendor, which now expires at the later of reaching a minimum usage requirement or December 31, 2025. Beverage purchases made by the Company under this agreement during 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $10,986, $11,440 and $10,108, respectively. The Company estimates future annual purchases to be approximately $10,000 in 2021, $10,500 in 2022, $11,000 in 2023, $11,400 in 2024 and $11,900 in 2025 based on current pricing and the expected ratio of usage at Company-operated restaurants to franchised restaurants. As of January 3, 2021, $2,509 is due to the beverage vendor and is included in “Accounts payable,” principally for annual estimated payments that exceeded usage under this agreement.
IT Services Agreement

In December 2019, the Company entered into an agreement to partner with a third-party global IT consultant on the Company’s new IT organization structure to leverage the consultant’s global capabilities, which the Company believes will enable a more seamless integration between its digital and corporate IT assets. Costs incurred by the Company under this agreement were $16,961 and $1,386 during 2020 and 2019, respectively. The Company’s unconditional purchase obligations under the agreement are approximately $17,200 in 2021, $15,400 in 2022, $13,000 in 2023, $12,200 in 2024 and $6,600 in 2025. As of January 3, 2021, $448 is due to the consultant and is included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.”

Marketing Agreement

The Company has an agreement with two national broadcasters that grants the Company certain marketing and media rights. Costs incurred by the Company under this agreement were approximately $11,000 in each of 2019 and 2018, which are included in “Advertising funds expense.” No costs were incurred under this agreement in 2020. The Company’s unconditional purchase obligations under the agreement are approximately $15,400 in 2021, $12,900 in 2022, $13,400 in 2023 and $12,700 in 2024.
v3.20.4
Transactions with Related Parties
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Transactions with Related Parties Transactions with Related Parties
The following is a summary of transactions between the Company and its related parties:
Year Ended
202020192018
Transactions with QSCC:
Wendy’s Co-Op (a)$— $(504)$(470)
Lease income (b)(217)(217)(215)
TimWen lease and management fee payments (c)$16,130 $16,660 $13,044 
Yellow Cab royalty, advertising fund, lease and other income (d)$1,090 $— $— 
_______________

Transactions with QSCC

(a)Wendy’s has a purchasing co-op relationship structure (the “Wendy’s Co-op”) with its franchisees that establishes Quality Supply Chain Co-op, Inc. (“QSCC”). QSCC manages, for the Wendy’s system in the U.S. and Canada, contracts for the purchase and distribution of food, proprietary paper, operating supplies and equipment under national agreements with pricing based upon total system volume. QSCC’s supply chain management facilitates continuity of supply and provides consolidated purchasing efficiencies while monitoring and seeking to minimize possible obsolete inventory throughout the Wendy’s supply chain in the U.S. and Canada.

Wendy’s and its franchisees pay sourcing fees to third-party vendors on certain products sourced by QSCC. Such sourcing fees are remitted by these vendors to QSCC and are the primary means of funding QSCC’s operations. Should QSCC’s sourcing fees exceed its expected needs, QSCC’s board of directors may return some or all of the excess to its members in the form of a patronage dividend. Wendy’s recorded its share of patronage dividends of $504 and $470 in 2019 and 2018, respectively, which are included as a reduction of “Cost of sales.” There were no patronage dividends recorded during 2020.

(b)Pursuant to a lease agreement entered into on January 1, 2017, Wendy’s leased 14,333 square feet of office space to QSCC for an annual base rental of $215. In November 2018, the lease agreement was amended to increase the leased square footage to 14,493 and to increase the annual base rental to $217. The lease was further amended in December 2020 to extend the lease term by one year to December 31, 2021. The Company received $217, $217 and $215 of lease income from QSCC during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which has been recorded to “Franchise rental income.”
TimWen lease and management fee payments

(c)A wholly-owned subsidiary of Wendy’s leases restaurant facilities from TimWen, which are then subleased to franchisees for the operation of Wendy’s/Tim Hortons combo units in Canada. Wendy’s paid TimWen $16,339, $16,867 and $13,256 under these lease agreements during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, TimWen paid Wendy’s a management fee under the TimWen joint venture agreement of $209, $207 and $212 during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which has been included as a reduction to “General and administrative.”

Transactions with Yellow Cab

(d)Certain family members and affiliates of Mr. Nelson Peltz, our Chairman, and Mr. Peter May, our Vice Chairman, as well as Mr. Matthew Peltz, a director of the Company, hold indirect, minority ownership interests in operating companies managed by Yellow Cab Holdings, LLC (“Yellow Cab”), a Wendy’s franchisee, that as of January 3, 2021 owned and operated 24 Wendy’s restaurants. During the three months ended January 3, 2021, the Company recognized $1,090 in royalty, advertising fund, lease and other income from Yellow Cab and related entities. As of January 3, 2021, $298 was due from Yellow Cab for such payments, which is included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net.”

In November 2020, the Company submitted a consortium bid together with a group of pre-qualified franchisees (of which Yellow Cab was a member) to acquire the Wendy’s restaurants owned by NPC, the Company’s largest franchisee, which filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2020. As part of the consortium bid, in November 2020, the Company received deposits from each of the pre-qualified franchisees (including Yellow Cab), which amounts were transferred to a third-party escrow account pending resolution of the bankruptcy sale process. The Yellow Cab deposit is included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and an amount equal to that deposit is being held in escrow and is included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” as of January 3, 2021. On January 7, 2021, following a court-approved mediation process, Yellow Cab was selected as the purchaser for 54 of NPC’s Wendy’s restaurants and, at closing, its deposit will be applied against the purchase price for the restaurants. See Note 4 for further information.
v3.20.4
Legal and Environmental Matters
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Loss Contingency [Abstract]  
Legal and Environmental Matters Legal and Environmental MattersThe Company is involved in litigation and claims incidental to our business. We provide accruals for such litigation and claims when payment is probable and reasonably estimable. We believe we have adequate accruals for continuing operations for all of our legal and environmental matters. We cannot estimate the aggregate possible range of loss for our existing litigation and claims for various reasons, including, but not limited to, many proceedings being in preliminary stages, with various motions either yet to be submitted or pending, discovery yet to occur and/or significant factual matters unresolved. In addition, most cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages and many involve multiple parties. Predicting the outcomes of settlement discussions or judicial or arbitral decisions is inherently difficult and future developments could cause these actions or claims, individually or in aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows of a particular reporting period. Certain of the Company’s present and former directors have been named in two putative shareholder derivative complaints arising out of the cybersecurity incidents that affected certain of our franchisees in 2015 and 2016.  The first case, brought by James Graham in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (the “Graham Case”), asserts claims of breach of fiduciary duty, waste of corporate assets, unjust enrichment and gross mismanagement, and additionally names one non-director executive officer of the Company.  The second case, brought by Thomas Caracci in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio (the “Caracci Case”), asserts claims of breach of fiduciary duty and violations of Section 14(a) and Rule 14a-9 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Collectively, the plaintiffs seek a judgment on behalf of the Company for all damages incurred or that will be incurred as a result of the alleged wrongful acts or omissions, a judgment ordering disgorgement of all profits, benefits, and other compensation obtained by the named individual defendants, a judgment directing the Company to reform its governance and internal procedures, attorneys’ fees and other costs.  The Graham Case and the Caracci Case have been consolidated and on December 21, 2018, the court issued an order naming Graham and his counsel as lead in the case. On January 31, 2019, Graham filed a consolidated verified shareholder derivative complaint with the court. On January 24, 2020, the court granted preliminary approval of the settlement filed in this case. The settlement is subject to the notice and objection provisions set forth therein, and to final approval by the court. If approved, the settlement will resolve and dismiss the claims asserted in these actions.
v3.20.4
Advertising Costs and Funds
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Marketing and Advertising Expense [Abstract]  
Advertising Costs and Funds Advertising Costs and Funds
We maintain U.S. and Canadian national advertising funds established to collect and administer funds contributed for use in advertising and promotional programs. Contributions to the Advertising Funds are required from both Company-operated and franchised restaurants and are based on a percentage of restaurant sales. In addition to the contributions to the Advertising Funds, Company-operated and franchised restaurants make additional contributions to other local and regional advertising programs.

Restricted assets and related liabilities of the Advertising Funds at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 are as follows:
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents (a)$77,279 $23,973 
Accounts receivable, net63,252 54,394 
Other assets1,775 4,009 
Advertising funds restricted assets$142,306 $82,376 
Accounts payable (a)$123,064 $66,749 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities17,447 17,446 
Advertising funds restricted liabilities$140,511 $84,195 
_______________

(a)Increases during 2020 are due to the timing of payments to vendors.

Advertising expenses included in “Cost of sales” totaled $29,671, $29,954 and $27,939 in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
v3.20.4
Geographic Information
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Segments, Geographical Areas [Abstract]  
Geographic Information Geographic Information
The table below presents revenues and properties information by geographic area:
U.S.InternationalTotal
2020
Revenues$1,635,696 $98,129 $1,733,825 
Properties879,806 36,083 915,889 
2019
Revenues$1,606,619 $102,383 $1,709,002 
Properties941,607 35,393 977,000 
2018
Revenues$1,495,639 $94,297 $1,589,936 
Properties990,992 32,275 1,023,267 
v3.20.4
Segment Information (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Segment Information Segment Information
The Company is comprised of the following segments: (1) Wendy’s U.S., (2) Wendy’s International and (3) Global Real Estate & Development. Wendy’s U.S. includes the operation and franchising of Wendy’s restaurants in the U.S. and derives its revenues from sales at Company-operated restaurants and royalties, fees and advertising fund collections from franchised restaurants. Wendy’s International includes the franchising of Wendy’s restaurants in countries and territories other than the U.S. and derives its revenues from royalties, fees and advertising fund collections from franchised restaurants. Global Real Estate & Development includes real estate activity for owned sites and sites leased from third parties, which are leased and/or subleased to franchisees, and also includes our share of the income of our TimWen real estate joint venture. In addition, Global Real Estate & Development earns fees from facilitating Franchise Flips and providing other development-related services to franchisees. The Company measures segment profit based on segment adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). Segment adjusted EBITDA excludes certain unallocated general and administrative expenses and other items that vary from period to period without correlation to the Company’s core operating performance. When the Company’s chief operating decision maker reviews balance sheet information, it is at a consolidated level. The accounting policies of the Company’s segments are the same as those described in Note 1.

Revenues by segment are as follows:
Year Ended
202020192018
Wendy’s U.S.$1,431,382 $1,404,307 $1,312,491 
Wendy’s International65,642 68,198 67,630 
Global Real Estate & Development236,801 236,497 209,815 
Total revenues$1,733,825 $1,709,002 $1,589,936 

The following table reconciles profit by segment to the Company’s consolidated income before income taxes:
Year Ended
202020192018
Wendy’s U.S. (a)$393,314 $369,193 $355,455 
Wendy’s International20,119 20,246 25,597 
Global Real Estate & Development100,731 107,116 110,632 
Total segment profit514,164 496,555 491,684 
Advertising funds surplus2,904 1,337 4,153 
Unallocated general and administrative (b)(94,256)(81,230)(104,208)
Depreciation and amortization(132,775)(131,693)(128,879)
System optimization gains, net3,148 1,283 463 
Reorganization and realignment costs(16,030)(16,965)(9,068)
Impairment of long-lived assets(8,037)(6,999)(4,697)
Unallocated other operating income, net190 291 444 
Interest expense, net(117,737)(115,971)(119,618)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt— (8,496)(11,475)
Investment (loss) income, net(225)25,598 450,736 
Other income, net1,449 7,771 5,381 
Income before income taxes$152,795 $171,481 $574,916 
_______________

(a)2020 includes advertising funds expense of $14,600 related to the Company funding of incremental advertising.

(b)Includes corporate overhead costs, such as employee compensation and related benefits. 2018 also includes the impact of legal reserves for a settlement of the financial institutions class action of $27,500.
Net income (loss) of our equity method investments for the Brazil JV and TimWen are included in segment profit for the Wendy’s International and Global Real Estate & Development segments, respectively. Net income (loss) of equity method investments by segment was as follows:
Year Ended
202020192018
Wendy’s International$(417)$(1,022)$(1,344)
Global Real Estate & Development6,513 9,695 9,420 
Total net income of equity method investments$6,096 $8,673 $8,076 
v3.20.4
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]  
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
The tables below set forth summary unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information for 2020 and 2019. The Company reports on a fiscal year consisting of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. During 2020, the Company’s first, second and third fiscal quarters contained 13 weeks and the Company’s fourth quarter contained 14 weeks. All of the Company’s fiscal quarters in 2019 contained 13 weeks.
2020 Quarter Ended (a)
March 29June 28September 27January 3
Revenues$404,960 $402,306 $452,242 $474,317 
Cost of sales149,999 140,626 159,545 164,737 
Operating profit48,732 60,661 81,348 78,567 
Net income$14,441 $24,904 $39,753 $38,734 
Basic income per share
$.06 $.11 $.18 $.17 
Diluted income per share
$.06 $.11 $.17 $.17 
2019 Quarter Ended (b)
March 31June 30September 29December 29
Revenues$408,583 $435,348 $437,880 $427,191 
Cost of sales142,579 151,092 152,425 151,434 
Operating profit66,266 80,573 79,023 36,717 
Net income
$31,894 $32,386 $46,127 $26,533 
Basic income per share
$.14 $.14 $.20 $.12 
Diluted income per share
$.14 $.14 $.20 $.11 
_______________

(a)The Company’s consolidated statements of operation in fiscal 2020 were significantly impacted by the advertising funds deficit and reorganization and realignment costs. The pre-tax impact of the advertising funds deficit for the first, second and third quarters was $1,387, $3,205 and $7,293, respectively. The pre-tax impact of reorganization and realignment costs for the first, second, third, and fourth quarters was $3,910, $2,911, $3,375 and $5,834, respectively (see Note 5 for further information).

(b)The Company’s consolidated statements of operations in fiscal 2019 were significantly impacted by investment income, net, franchise support and other costs, reorganization and realignment costs and loss on early extinguishment of debt. The pre-tax impact of investment income, net for the fourth quarter was $24,599 (see Note 8 for further information). The pre-tax impact of franchise support and other costs for the fourth quarter included approximately $16,400 to support U.S. franchisees in preparation for the launch of breakfast across the U.S. system on March 2, 2020. The pre-tax impact of reorganization and realignment costs for the fourth quarter was $12,194 (see Note 5 for further information). The pre-tax impact of loss on early extinguishment of debt for the second and fourth quarters was $7,150 and $1,346, respectively (see Note 12 for further information).
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Principles of Consolidation, Policy
Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include all of the Company’s subsidiaries. We also consider for consolidation entities in which we have certain interests, where the controlling financial interest may be achieved through arrangements that do not involve voting interests. Such an entity, known as a variable interest entity (“VIE”), is required to be consolidated by its primary beneficiary. The primary beneficiary is the entity that possesses the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact its economic performance and has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that are significant to it. The principal entities in which we possess a variable interest include the Company’s national advertising funds for the U.S. and Canada (the “Advertising Funds”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates, Policy
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. We continue to monitor the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, results and financial condition; however, we cannot predict the ultimate duration, scope or severity of the COVID-19 pandemic or its ultimate impact on our results of operations, financial condition and prospects.
Reclassifications, Policy
Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year presentation to conform to the current year presentation.
Fiscal Year, Policy
Fiscal Year

The Company’s fiscal reporting periods consist of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Sunday closest to December 31 and are referred to herein as (1) “the year ended January 3, 2021” or “2020,” which consisted of 53 weeks, (2) “the year ended December 29, 2019” or “2019,” which consisted of 52 weeks, and (3) “the year ended December 30, 2018” or “2018,” which consisted of 52 weeks. All references to years, quarters and months relate to fiscal periods rather than calendar periods.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy
Cash and Cash Equivalents

All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when acquired are considered cash equivalents. The Company’s cash and cash equivalents principally consist of cash in bank and money market mutual fund accounts and are primarily not in Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured accounts.
We believe that our vulnerability to risk concentrations in our cash equivalents is mitigated by (1) our policies restricting the eligibility, credit quality and concentration limits for our placements in cash equivalents and (2) insurance from the Securities Investor Protection Corporation of up to $500 per account, as well as supplemental private insurance coverage maintained by substantially all of our brokerage firms, to the extent our cash equivalents are held in brokerage accounts.
Restricted Cash, Policy
Restricted Cash

In accordance with the Company’s securitized financing facility, certain cash accounts have been established with the trustee for the benefit of the trustee and the noteholders and are restricted in their use. Such restricted cash primarily represents cash collections and cash reserves held by the trustee to be used for payments of principal, interest and commitment fees required for the Company’s senior secured notes. Restricted cash also includes cash collected by the Advertising Funds, usage of which is restricted for advertising activities and is included in “Advertising funds restricted assets.” Refer to Note 7 for further information.
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net, Policy
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net

Accounts and notes receivable, net, consist primarily of royalties, rents, property taxes and franchise fees due principally from franchisees, credit card receivables, insurance receivables and refundable income taxes. Reserve estimates include consideration of the likelihood of default expected over the estimated life of the receivable. The Company periodically assesses the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts on its receivables based upon several key credit quality indicators such as outstanding past due balances, the financial strength of the obligor, the estimated fair value of any underlying collateral and agreement characteristics.

We believe that our vulnerability to risk concentrations in our receivables is mitigated by (1) favorable historical collectability on past due balances, (2) recourse to the underlying collateral regarding sales-type and direct financing lease receivables, and (3) our expectations for fluctuations in general market conditions. Receivables are considered delinquent once they are contractually past due under the terms of the underlying agreements. As of January 3, 2021, there were no material receivables more than one year past due.
Inventories, Policy
Inventories

The Company’s inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined in accordance with the first-in, first-out method and consist primarily of restaurant food items and paper supplies.
Properties and Depreciation and Amortization, Policy
Properties and Depreciation and Amortization

Properties are stated at cost, including capitalized internal costs of employees to the extent such employees are dedicated to specific restaurant construction projects, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization of properties is computed principally on the straight-line basis using the following estimated useful lives of the related major classes of properties: 3 to 20 years for office and restaurant equipment (including technology), 3 to 15 years for transportation equipment and 7 to 30 years for buildings and improvements. When the Company commits to a plan to cease using certain properties before the end of their estimated useful lives, depreciation expense is accelerated to reflect the use of the assets over their shortened useful lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the respective leases, including periods covered by renewal options that the Company is reasonably assured of exercising.

The Company reviews properties for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. If such review indicates an asset group may not be recoverable, an impairment loss is recognized for the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of an asset group to be held and used or over the fair value less cost to sell of an asset to be disposed. See “Impairment of Long-Lived Assets” below for further information.

The Company classifies assets as held for sale and ceases depreciation of the assets when there is a plan for disposal of the assets and those assets meet the held for sale criteria. Assets held for sale are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” in the consolidated balance sheets.
Goodwill, Policy
Goodwill

Goodwill, representing the excess of the cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the acquired net assets, is not amortized. Goodwill associated with our Company-operated restaurants is reduced as a result of restaurant dispositions based on the relative fair values and is included in the carrying value of the restaurant in determining the gain or loss on disposal. If a Company-operated restaurant is sold within two years of being acquired from a franchisee, the goodwill associated with the acquisition is written off in its entirety. Goodwill has been assigned to reporting units for purposes of impairment testing.  The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually during the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may be impaired. Our annual impairment test of goodwill may be completed through a qualitative assessment to determine if the fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not greater than the carrying amount.  If we elect to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting units, or if a qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the estimated carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under the quantitative test, the fair value of the reporting unit is compared with its carrying value (including goodwill).  If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Our critical estimates in this impairment test include future sales growth, operating profit, income tax rates, terminal value growth rates, capital expenditures and the weighted average cost of capital (discount rate).

Our fair value estimates are subject to change as a result of many factors including, among others, any changes in our business plans, changing economic conditions and the competitive environment. Should actual cash flows and our future estimates vary adversely from those estimates we use, we may be required to recognize goodwill impairment charges in future years.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Policy
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Our long-lived assets include (1) properties and related definite-lived intangible assets (e.g., favorable leases) that are leased and/or subleased to franchisees, (2) Company-operated restaurant assets and related definite-lived intangible assets, which include reacquired rights under franchise agreements, and (3) finance and operating lease assets.

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. We assess the recoverability of our long-lived assets by comparing the carrying amount of the asset group to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated through leases and/or subleases or by our individual Company-operated restaurants. If the carrying amount of the long-lived asset group is not recoverable on an undiscounted cash flow basis, then impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value and is included in “Impairment of long-lived assets.” Our critical estimates in this review process include the anticipated future cash flows from leases and/or subleases or individual Company-operated restaurants, which is used in assessing the recoverability of the respective long-lived assets.

Our fair value estimates are subject to change as a result of many factors including, among others, any changes in our business plans, changing economic conditions and the competitive environment. Should actual cash flows and our future estimates vary adversely from those estimates we used, we may be required to recognize additional impairment charges in future years.
Other Intangible Assets, Policy
Other Intangible Assets

Definite-lived intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis using the following estimated useful lives of the related classes of intangibles: for favorable leases, the terms of the respective leases, including periods covered by renewal options that the Company as lessor is reasonably certain the tenant will exercise; 1 to 5 years for computer software; 4 to 20 years for reacquired rights under franchise agreements; and 20 years for franchise agreements. Trademarks have an indefinite life and are not amortized.
The Company reviews definite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the intangible asset may not be recoverable. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired. Our annual impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets may be completed through a qualitative assessment to determine if the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets is more likely than not greater than the carrying amount. If we elect to bypass the qualitative assessment, or if a qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the estimated carrying value exceeds the fair value, we test for impairment using a quantitative process. If the Company determines that impairment of its intangible assets may exist, the amount of impairment loss is measured as the excess of carrying value over fair value. Our estimates in the determination of the fair value of indefinite-lived intangible assets include the anticipated future revenues of Company-operated and franchised restaurants and the resulting cash flows.
Investments, Policy
Investments

The Company has a 50% share in a partnership in a Canadian restaurant real estate joint venture (“TimWen”) with a subsidiary of Restaurant Brands International Inc., a quick-service restaurant company that owns the Tim Hortons® brand (Tim Hortons is a registered trademark of Tim Hortons USA Inc.). In addition, the Company has a 20% share in a joint venture in Brazil (the “Brazil JV”). The Company has significant influence over these investees. Such investments are accounted for using the equity method, under which our results of operations include our share of the income (loss) of the investees in “Other operating income, net.” Other investments in equity securities, including investments in limited partnerships, in which the Company does not have significant influence, and for which there is not a readily determinable fair value, are recorded at cost, less any impairment, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for an identical or similar investment of the same issuer. Realized gains and losses are reported as income or loss in the period in which the securities are sold or otherwise disposed. Cash distributions and dividends received that are determined to be returns of capital are recorded as a reduction of the carrying value of our investments and returns on our investments are recorded to “Investment (loss) income, net.”

The difference between the carrying value of our TimWen equity investment and the underlying equity in the historical net assets of the investee is accounted for as if the investee were a consolidated subsidiary. Accordingly, the carrying value difference is amortized over the estimated lives of the assets of the investee to which such difference would have been allocated if the equity investment were a consolidated subsidiary. To the extent the carrying value difference represents goodwill, it is not amortized.
Share-based Compensation, Policy
Share-Based Compensation

The Company has granted share-based compensation awards to certain employees under several equity plans (the “Equity Plans”). The Company measures the cost of employee services received in exchange for an equity award, which include grants of employee stock options and restricted shares, based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant. Share-based compensation expense is recognized net of estimated forfeitures, determined based on historical experience. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense over the requisite service period unless the awards are subject to performance conditions, in which case we recognize compensation expense over the requisite service period to the extent performance conditions are considered probable. The Company determines the grant date fair value of stock options using a Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model (the “Black-Scholes Model”). The grant date fair value of restricted share awards (“RSAs”), restricted share units (“RSUs”) and performance-based awards are determined using the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant, as set forth in the applicable plan document, unless the awards are subject to market conditions, in which case we use a Monte Carlo simulation model. The Monte Carlo simulation model utilizes multiple input variables to estimate the probability that market conditions will be achieved.
Foreign Currency Translation, Policy
Foreign Currency Translation

The Company’s primary foreign operations are in Canada where the functional currency is the Canadian dollar. Financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are prepared in their functional currency and then translated into U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date and revenues, costs and expenses are translated at a monthly average exchange rate. Net gains or losses resulting from the translation are recorded to the “Foreign currency translation adjustment” component of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss.” Gains and losses arising from the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on transactions in foreign currency are included in “General and administrative.”
Income Taxes, Policy
Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under the asset and liability method. A deferred tax asset or liability is recognized whenever there are (1) future tax effects from temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and (2) operating loss, capital loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to the years in which those differences are expected to be recovered or settled.

Deferred tax assets are recognized to the extent the Company believes these assets will more likely than not be realized. In evaluating the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including the interaction and the timing of future reversals of existing temporary differences, projected future taxable income, recent operating results and tax-planning strategies. When considered necessary, a valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amount of the deferred tax assets to their anticipated realizable value.

The Company records uncertain tax positions on the basis of a two-step process whereby we first determine if it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. A tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is then measured for purposes of financial statement recognition as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon being effectively settled.

Interest accrued for uncertain tax positions is charged to “Interest expense, net.” Penalties accrued for uncertain tax positions are charged to “General and administrative.”
Restaurant Acquisitions, Policy
Restaurant Acquisitions and Dispositions

The Company accounts for the acquisition of restaurants from franchisees using the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. The acquisition method of accounting involves the allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. This allocation process requires the use of estimates and assumptions to derive fair values and to complete the allocation. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed represents goodwill derived from the acquisition. See “Goodwill” above for further information.
Restaurant Dispositions, Policy In connection with the sale of Company-operated restaurants to franchisees, the Company typically enters into several agreements, in addition to an asset purchase agreement, with franchisees including franchise, development, relationship and lease agreements. The Company typically sells restaurants’ cash, inventory and equipment and retains ownership or the leasehold interest to the real estate to lease and/or sublease to the franchisee. The Company has determined that its restaurant dispositions usually represent multiple-element arrangements, and as such, the cash consideration received is allocated to the separate elements based on their relative selling price. Cash consideration generally includes up-front consideration for the sale of the restaurants, technical assistance fees and development fees and future cash consideration for royalties and lease payments. The Company considers the future lease payments in allocating the initial cash consideration received. The Company obtains third-party evidence to estimate the relative selling price of the stated rent under the lease and/or sublease agreements which is primarily based upon comparable market rents. Based on the Company’s review of the third-party evidence, the Company records favorable or unfavorable lease assets/liabilities with a corresponding offset to the gain or loss on the sale of the restaurants. The cash consideration per restaurant for technical assistance fees and development fees is consistent with the amounts stated in the related franchise agreements which are charged for separate standalone arrangements. The Company recognizes the technical assistance and development fees over the contractual term of the franchise agreements. Future royalty income is also recognized in revenue as earned. See “Revenue Recognition” below for further information.
Revenue Recognition, Policy
Revenue Recognition

“Sales” includes revenues recognized upon delivery of food to the customer at Company-operated restaurants. “Sales” excludes taxes collected from the Company’s customers. Revenue is recognized when the food is purchased by the customer, which is when our performance obligation is satisfied. “Sales” also includes income for gift cards. Gift card payments are recorded as deferred income when received and are recognized as revenue upon redemption.

“Franchise royalty revenue and fees” includes royalties, new build technical assistance fees, renewal fees, franchisee-to- franchisee restaurant transfer (“Franchise Flip”) technical assistance fees, Franchise Flip advisory fees and development fees.
Royalties from franchised restaurants are based on a percentage of sales of the franchised restaurant and are recognized as earned. New build technical assistance fees, renewal fees and Franchise Flip technical assistance fees are recorded as deferred revenue when received and recognized as revenue over the contractual term of the franchise agreements, once the restaurant has opened. Development fees are deferred when received, allocated to each agreed upon restaurant, and recognized as revenue over the contractual term of each respective franchise agreement, once the restaurant has opened. These franchise fees are considered highly dependent upon and interrelated with the franchise right granted in the franchise agreement. Franchise Flip advisory fees include valuation services and fees for selecting pre-approved buyers for Franchise Flips. Franchise Flip advisory fees are paid by the seller and are recognized as revenue at closing of the Franchise Flip transaction.

“Franchise rental income” includes rental income from properties owned and leased by the Company and leased or subleased to franchisees. Rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the respective operating lease terms. Favorable and unfavorable lease amounts related to the leased and/or subleased properties are amortized to rental income on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the leases.

“Advertising funds revenue” includes contributions to the Advertising Funds by franchisees. Revenue related to these contributions is based on a percentage of sales of the franchised restaurants and is recognized as earned.
Cost of Sales, Policy
Cost of Sales

Cost of sales includes food and paper, restaurant labor and occupancy, advertising and other operating costs relating to Company-operated restaurants. Cost of sales excludes depreciation and amortization expense.
Vendor Incentives, Policy
Vendor Incentives

The Company receives incentives from certain vendors. These incentives are recognized as earned and are classified as a reduction of “Cost of sales.”
Advertising Costs, Policy
Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in “Cost of sales” and “Advertising funds expense.” Production costs of advertising are expensed when the advertisement is first released.
Franchise Support and Other Costs, Policy
Franchise Support and Other Costs

The Company incurs costs to provide direct support services to our franchisees, as well as certain other direct and incremental costs to the Company’s franchise operations. These costs primarily relate to franchise development services, facilitating Franchise Flips and information technology services, which are charged to “Franchise support and other costs,” as incurred.
Self-insurance, Policy
Self-Insurance

The Company is self-insured for most workers’ compensation losses and health care claims and purchases insurance for general liability and automotive liability losses, all subject to a $500 per occurrence retention or deductible limit. The Company provides for their estimated cost to settle both known claims and claims incurred but not yet reported. Liabilities associated with these claims are estimated, in part, by considering the frequency and severity of historical claims, both specific to us, as well as industry-wide loss experience and other actuarial assumptions. We determine our insurance obligations with the assistance of actuarial firms. Since there are many estimates and assumptions involved in recording insurance liabilities and in the case of workers’ compensation a significant period of time elapses before the ultimate resolution of claims, differences between actual future events and prior estimates and assumptions could result in adjustments to these liabilities.
Lessee, Leases, Policy
Leases

Determination of Whether a Contract Contains a Lease

The Company evaluates the contracts it enters into to determine whether such contracts contain leases. A contract contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. At commencement, contracts containing a lease are further evaluated for classification as an operating or finance lease where the Company is a lessee, or as an operating, sales-type or direct financing lease where the Company is a lessor, based on their terms.

ROU Model and Determination of Lease Term

The Company uses the right-of-use (“ROU”) model to account for leases where the Company is the lessee, which requires an entity to recognize a lease liability and ROU asset on the lease commencement date. A lease liability is measured equal to the present value of the remaining lease payments over the lease term and is discounted using the incremental borrowing rate, as the rate implicit in the Company’s leases is not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Lease payments include payments made before the commencement date and any residual value guarantees, if applicable. The initial ROU asset consists of the initial measurement of the lease liability, adjusted for any favorable or unfavorable terms for leases acquired from franchisees, as well as payments made before the commencement date, initial direct costs and lease incentives earned. When determining the lease term, the Company includes option periods that it is reasonably certain to exercise as failure to renew the lease would impose a significant economic detriment. For properties used for Company-operated restaurants, the primary economic detriment relates to the existence of unamortized leasehold improvements which might be impaired if we choose not to exercise the available renewal options. The lease term for properties leased or subleased to franchisees is determined based upon the economic detriment to the franchisee and includes consideration of the length of the franchise agreement, historical performance of the restaurant and the existence of bargain renewal options. Lease terms for real estate are generally initially between 15 and 20 years and, in most cases, provide for rent escalations and renewal options.

Operating Leases

For operating leases, minimum lease payments or receipts, including minimum scheduled rent increases, are recognized as rent expense where the Company is a lessee, or income where the Company is a lessor, as applicable, on a straight-line basis (“Straight-Line Rent”) over the applicable lease terms. There is a period under certain lease agreements referred to as a rent holiday (“Rent Holiday”) that generally begins on the possession date and ends on the rent commencement date. During a Rent Holiday, no cash rent payments are typically due under the terms of the lease; however, expense is recorded for that period on a straight-line basis. The excess of the Straight-Line Rent over the minimum rents paid is included in the ROU asset where the Company is a lessee. The excess of the Straight-Line Rent over the minimum rents received is recorded as a deferred lease asset and is included in “Other assets” where the Company is a lessor. Certain leases contain provisions, referred to as contingent rent (“Contingent Rent”), that require additional rental payments based upon restaurant sales volume. Contingent Rent is recognized each period as the liability is incurred or the asset is earned.

Lease cost for operating leases includes the amortization of the ROU asset and interest expense related to the operating lease liability. Variable lease cost for operating leases includes Contingent Rent and payments for executory costs such as real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance, which are excluded from the measurement of the lease liability. Short-term lease cost for operating leases includes rental expense for leases with a term of less than 12 months. Lease costs are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations based on the nature of the underlying lease as follows: (1) rental expense related to leases for Company-operated restaurants is recorded to “Cost of sales,” (2) rental expense for leased properties that are subsequently subleased to franchisees is recorded to “Franchise rental expense” and (3) rental expense related to leases for corporate offices and equipment is recorded to “General and administrative.”
Favorable and unfavorable lease amounts for operating leases where the Company is the lessor are recorded as components of “Other intangible assets” and “Other liabilities,” respectively. Favorable and unfavorable lease amounts are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the leases. When the expected term of a lease is determined to be shorter than the original amortization period, the favorable or unfavorable lease balance associated with the lease is adjusted to reflect the revised lease term.

Rental income and favorable and unfavorable lease amortization for operating leases on properties leased or subleased to franchisees is recorded to “Franchise rental income.” Lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs under operating leases are recognized on a gross basis as “Franchise rental income” with a corresponding expense recorded to “Franchise rental expense.”

Finance Leases

Lease cost for finance leases where the Company is the lessee includes the amortization of the ROU asset, which is amortized on a straight-line basis and recorded to “Depreciation and amortization,” and interest expense on the finance lease liability, which is calculated using the interest method and recorded to “Interest expense, net.” Finance lease ROU assets are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the respective leases, including periods covered by renewal options that the Company is reasonably certain of exercising.

Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases

For sales-type and direct financing leases where the Company is the lessor, the Company records its investment in properties leased to franchisees on a net basis, which is comprised of the present value of the lease payments not yet received and the present value of the guaranteed and unguaranteed residual assets. The current and long-term portions of our net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” and “Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases,” respectively. Unearned income is recognized as interest income over the lease term and is included in “Interest expense, net.” Sales-type leases result in the recognition of gain or loss at the commencement of the lease, which is recorded to “Other operating income, net.” The gain or loss recognized upon commencement of the lease is directly affected by the Company’s estimate of the amount to be derived from the guaranteed and unguaranteed residual assets at the end of the lease term. The Company’s main component of this estimate is the expected fair value of the underlying assets, primarily the fair value of land. Lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs under sales-type and direct financing leases are recognized on a gross basis as “Franchise rental income” with a corresponding expense recorded to “Franchise rental expense.”

Significant Assumptions and Judgments

Management makes certain estimates and assumptions regarding each new lease and sublease agreement, renewal and amendment, including, but not limited to, property values, market rents, property lives, discount rates and probable term, all of which can impact (1) the classification and accounting for a lease or sublease as operating or finance, including sales-type and direct financing, (2) the Rent Holiday and escalations in payment that are taken into consideration when calculating Straight-Line Rent, (3) the term over which leasehold improvements for each restaurant are amortized and (4) the values and lives of adjustments to the initial ROU asset where the Company is the lessee, or favorable and unfavorable leases where the Company is the lessor. The amount of depreciation and amortization, interest and rent expense and income reported would vary if different estimates and assumptions were used.
Lessor, Leases, Policy
Leases

Determination of Whether a Contract Contains a Lease

The Company evaluates the contracts it enters into to determine whether such contracts contain leases. A contract contains a lease if the contract conveys the right to control the use of identified property, plant or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. At commencement, contracts containing a lease are further evaluated for classification as an operating or finance lease where the Company is a lessee, or as an operating, sales-type or direct financing lease where the Company is a lessor, based on their terms.

ROU Model and Determination of Lease Term

The Company uses the right-of-use (“ROU”) model to account for leases where the Company is the lessee, which requires an entity to recognize a lease liability and ROU asset on the lease commencement date. A lease liability is measured equal to the present value of the remaining lease payments over the lease term and is discounted using the incremental borrowing rate, as the rate implicit in the Company’s leases is not readily determinable. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow, on a collateralized basis over a similar term, an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. Lease payments include payments made before the commencement date and any residual value guarantees, if applicable. The initial ROU asset consists of the initial measurement of the lease liability, adjusted for any favorable or unfavorable terms for leases acquired from franchisees, as well as payments made before the commencement date, initial direct costs and lease incentives earned. When determining the lease term, the Company includes option periods that it is reasonably certain to exercise as failure to renew the lease would impose a significant economic detriment. For properties used for Company-operated restaurants, the primary economic detriment relates to the existence of unamortized leasehold improvements which might be impaired if we choose not to exercise the available renewal options. The lease term for properties leased or subleased to franchisees is determined based upon the economic detriment to the franchisee and includes consideration of the length of the franchise agreement, historical performance of the restaurant and the existence of bargain renewal options. Lease terms for real estate are generally initially between 15 and 20 years and, in most cases, provide for rent escalations and renewal options.

Operating Leases

For operating leases, minimum lease payments or receipts, including minimum scheduled rent increases, are recognized as rent expense where the Company is a lessee, or income where the Company is a lessor, as applicable, on a straight-line basis (“Straight-Line Rent”) over the applicable lease terms. There is a period under certain lease agreements referred to as a rent holiday (“Rent Holiday”) that generally begins on the possession date and ends on the rent commencement date. During a Rent Holiday, no cash rent payments are typically due under the terms of the lease; however, expense is recorded for that period on a straight-line basis. The excess of the Straight-Line Rent over the minimum rents paid is included in the ROU asset where the Company is a lessee. The excess of the Straight-Line Rent over the minimum rents received is recorded as a deferred lease asset and is included in “Other assets” where the Company is a lessor. Certain leases contain provisions, referred to as contingent rent (“Contingent Rent”), that require additional rental payments based upon restaurant sales volume. Contingent Rent is recognized each period as the liability is incurred or the asset is earned.

Lease cost for operating leases includes the amortization of the ROU asset and interest expense related to the operating lease liability. Variable lease cost for operating leases includes Contingent Rent and payments for executory costs such as real estate taxes, insurance and common area maintenance, which are excluded from the measurement of the lease liability. Short-term lease cost for operating leases includes rental expense for leases with a term of less than 12 months. Lease costs are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations based on the nature of the underlying lease as follows: (1) rental expense related to leases for Company-operated restaurants is recorded to “Cost of sales,” (2) rental expense for leased properties that are subsequently subleased to franchisees is recorded to “Franchise rental expense” and (3) rental expense related to leases for corporate offices and equipment is recorded to “General and administrative.”
Favorable and unfavorable lease amounts for operating leases where the Company is the lessor are recorded as components of “Other intangible assets” and “Other liabilities,” respectively. Favorable and unfavorable lease amounts are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the leases. When the expected term of a lease is determined to be shorter than the original amortization period, the favorable or unfavorable lease balance associated with the lease is adjusted to reflect the revised lease term.

Rental income and favorable and unfavorable lease amortization for operating leases on properties leased or subleased to franchisees is recorded to “Franchise rental income.” Lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs under operating leases are recognized on a gross basis as “Franchise rental income” with a corresponding expense recorded to “Franchise rental expense.”

Finance Leases

Lease cost for finance leases where the Company is the lessee includes the amortization of the ROU asset, which is amortized on a straight-line basis and recorded to “Depreciation and amortization,” and interest expense on the finance lease liability, which is calculated using the interest method and recorded to “Interest expense, net.” Finance lease ROU assets are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the terms of the respective leases, including periods covered by renewal options that the Company is reasonably certain of exercising.

Sales-Type and Direct Financing Leases

For sales-type and direct financing leases where the Company is the lessor, the Company records its investment in properties leased to franchisees on a net basis, which is comprised of the present value of the lease payments not yet received and the present value of the guaranteed and unguaranteed residual assets. The current and long-term portions of our net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” and “Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases,” respectively. Unearned income is recognized as interest income over the lease term and is included in “Interest expense, net.” Sales-type leases result in the recognition of gain or loss at the commencement of the lease, which is recorded to “Other operating income, net.” The gain or loss recognized upon commencement of the lease is directly affected by the Company’s estimate of the amount to be derived from the guaranteed and unguaranteed residual assets at the end of the lease term. The Company’s main component of this estimate is the expected fair value of the underlying assets, primarily the fair value of land. Lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs under sales-type and direct financing leases are recognized on a gross basis as “Franchise rental income” with a corresponding expense recorded to “Franchise rental expense.”

Significant Assumptions and Judgments

Management makes certain estimates and assumptions regarding each new lease and sublease agreement, renewal and amendment, including, but not limited to, property values, market rents, property lives, discount rates and probable term, all of which can impact (1) the classification and accounting for a lease or sublease as operating or finance, including sales-type and direct financing, (2) the Rent Holiday and escalations in payment that are taken into consideration when calculating Straight-Line Rent, (3) the term over which leasehold improvements for each restaurant are amortized and (4) the values and lives of adjustments to the initial ROU asset where the Company is the lessee, or favorable and unfavorable leases where the Company is the lessor. The amount of depreciation and amortization, interest and rent expense and income reported would vary if different estimates and assumptions were used.
Concentration of Risk, Policy
Concentration of Risk

Wendy’s had no customers which accounted for 10% or more of consolidated revenues in 2020, 2019 or 2018. As of January 3, 2021, Wendy’s had one main in-line distributor of food, packaging and beverage products, excluding breads, that serviced approximately 67% of Wendy’s restaurants in the U.S. and four additional in-line distributors that, in the aggregate, serviced approximately 32% of Wendy’s restaurants in the U.S. We believe that our vulnerability to risk concentrations related to significant vendors and sources of our raw materials is mitigated as we believe that there are other vendors who would be able to service our requirements. However, if a disruption of service from any of our main in-line distributors was to occur, we could experience short-term increases in our costs while distribution channels were adjusted.
Wendy’s restaurants are principally located throughout the U.S. and to a lesser extent, in 30 foreign countries and U.S. territories with the largest number in Canada. Wendy’s U.S. restaurants are located in 50 states and the District of Columbia, with the largest number in Florida, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Michigan. Because our restaurant operations are generally located throughout the U.S. and to a much lesser extent, Canada and other foreign countries and U.S. territories, we believe the risk of geographic concentration is not significant. We could be adversely affected by changing consumer preferences resulting from concerns over nutritional or safety aspects of beef, chicken, french fries or other products we sell or the effects of food safety events or disease outbreaks. Our exposure to foreign exchange risk is primarily related to fluctuations in the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar for our Canadian operations. However, our exposure to Canadian dollar foreign currency risk is mitigated by the fact that there are no Company-operated restaurants in Canada and less than 10% of Wendy’s franchised restaurants are in Canada.

The Company is subject to credit risk through its accounts receivable consisting primarily of amounts due from franchisees for royalties, franchise fees and rent. In addition, we have notes receivable from certain of our franchisees. The financial condition of these franchisees is largely dependent upon the underlying business trends of the Wendy’s brand and market conditions within the quick-service restaurant industry. This concentration of credit risk is mitigated, in part, by the number of franchisees and the short-term nature of the franchise receivables.
New Accounting Standards and New Accounting Standards Adopted, Policy
New Accounting Standards Adopted

Income Taxes

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance to simplify the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles and the simplification of areas such as franchise taxes, transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill, separate entity financial statements and interim recognition of enactment of tax laws or tax rate changes. The Company early adopted this amendment during the first quarter of 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. The objective of the new guidance is to provide additional information about assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the statement of financial position or disclosed in the notes to financial statements. New incremental disclosure requirements include the amount of fair value hierarchy level 3 changes in unrealized gains and losses and the range and weighted average used to develop significant unobservable inputs for level 3 fair value measurements. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter of 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill Impairment

In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance that simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment by eliminating step two from the goodwill impairment test. The Company adopted this amendment during the first quarter of 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued an amendment that requires the Company to use a current expected credit loss model that results in the immediate recognition of an estimate of credit losses that are expected to occur over the life of the financial instruments that are within the scope of the guidance, including trade receivables. The Company adopted this amendment during the first quarter of 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on leases, which outlines principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases applicable to both lessors and lessees. The new guidance requires lessees to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by finance and operating leases. The Company adopted the new guidance during the first quarter of 2019 using the effective date as the date of initial application; therefore, the comparative periods have not been adjusted and continue to be reported under the previous lease guidance.

The new standard provides a number of optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the package of practical expedients, which permits us not to reassess under the new standard our prior conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. For those leases that fall under the definition of a short-term lease, the Company elected the short-term lease recognition exemption. Under this practical expedient, for those leases that qualify, we did not recognize ROU assets or liabilities, which included not recognizing ROU assets or lease liabilities for existing short-term leases of those assets in transition. The Company also elected the practical expedient for lessees to account for lease components and nonlease components as a single lease component for all underlying classes of assets. In addition, the Company elected the practical expedient for lessors to account for lease components and nonlease components as a single lease component in instances where the lease component is predominant, the timing and pattern of transfer for the lease component and nonlease component are the same and the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. The Company did not elect the use-of-hindsight practical expedient.

The standard had a material impact on our consolidated balance sheets and related disclosures. Upon adoption at the beginning of 2019, we recognized operating lease liabilities of $1,011,000 based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments, with corresponding ROU assets of $934,000. The measurement of the operating lease ROU assets included, among other items, favorable lease amounts of $23,000 and unfavorable lease amounts of $30,000, which were previously included in “Other intangible assets” and “Other liabilities,” respectively, as well as the excess of rent expense recognized on a straight-line basis over the minimum rents paid of $67,000, which was previously included in “Other liabilities.” In addition, the standard requires lessors to recognize lessees’ payments to the Company for executory costs on a gross basis as revenue with a corresponding expense, which resulted in an increase of approximately $38,000 to our 2019 franchise rental income and expense. The Company also recognized a decrease to retained earnings of $1,105 as a result of impairing newly recognized ROU assets upon transition to the new guidance. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated statement of cash flows.

New Accounting Standards

Financial Instruments

In August 2020, the FASB issued an amendment that simplifies the accounting for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity, including convertible instruments and contracts on an entity’s own equity. The amendment simplifies accounting for convertible instruments by removing major separation models required under current accounting guidance. In addition, the amendment removes certain settlement conditions that are required for equity contracts to qualify for the derivative scope exception, which will permit more equity contracts to qualify for the exception, and also simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation in certain areas. The amendment is effective commencing with our 2022 fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.
v3.20.4
Revenue (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Revenue [Abstract]  
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following tables disaggregate revenue by segment and source for 2020, 2019 and 2018:
2020
Wendy’s U.S.Wendy’s InternationalGlobal Real Estate & DevelopmentTotal
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$722,764 $— $— $722,764 
Franchise royalty revenue373,162 43,346 — 416,508 
Franchise fees22,126 1,962 4,153 28,241 
Franchise rental income— — 232,648 232,648 
Advertising funds revenue313,330 20,334 — 333,664 
Total revenues$1,431,382 $65,642 $236,801 $1,733,825 
2019
Wendy’s U.S.Wendy’s InternationalGlobal Real Estate & DevelopmentTotal
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$707,485 $— $— $707,485 
Franchise royalty revenue355,702 44,998 — 400,700 
Franchise fees21,889 2,978 3,432 28,299 
Franchise rental income— — 233,065 233,065 
Advertising funds revenue319,231 20,222 — 339,453 
Total revenues$1,404,307 $68,198 $236,497 $1,709,002 

2018
Wendy’s U.S.Wendy’s InternationalGlobal Real Estate & DevelopmentTotal
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$651,577 $— $— $651,577 
Franchise royalty revenue335,500 42,446 — 377,946 
Franchise fees18,972 5,607 6,518 31,097 
Franchise rental income— — 203,297 203,297 
Advertising funds revenue306,442 19,577 — 326,019 
Total revenues$1,312,491 $67,630 $209,815 $1,589,936 
Contract balances, assets and liabilities
The following table provides information about receivables and contract liabilities (deferred franchise fees) from contracts with customers:
January 3,
2021 (a)
December 29,
2019 (a)
Receivables, which are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” (b)$57,677 $39,188 
Receivables, which are included in “Advertising funds restricted assets”
63,252 54,394 
Deferred franchise fees (c)97,785 100,689 
_______________

(a)Excludes funds collected from the sale of gift cards, which are primarily reimbursed to franchisees upon redemption at franchised restaurants and do not ultimately result in the recognition of revenue in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

(b)Includes receivables related to “Sales” and “Franchise royalty revenue and fees.”

(c)Deferred franchise fees are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Deferred franchise fees” and totaled $8,691 and $89,094 as of January 3, 2021, respectively, and $8,899 and $91,790 as of December 29, 2019, respectively.
Deferred franchise fee rollforward
Significant changes in deferred franchise fees are as follows:
202020192018
Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period$100,689 $102,205 $102,492 
Revenue recognized during the period
(8,955)(9,487)(9,641)
New deferrals due to cash received and other6,051 7,971 9,354 
Deferred franchise fees at end of period$97,785 $100,689 $102,205 
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction
The following table reflects the estimated franchise fees to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied at the end of the period:
Estimate for fiscal year:
2021$8,691 
20226,140 
20235,968 
20245,770 
20255,581 
Thereafter65,635 
$97,785 
v3.20.4
System Optimization Gains, Net (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Plant, Property and Equipment  
Summary of Disposition Activity
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Land$372,473 $375,109 
Buildings and improvements504,504 508,602 
Leasehold improvements409,306 405,158 
Office, restaurant and transportation equipment255,469 279,799 
1,541,752 1,568,668 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(625,863)(591,668)
$915,889 $977,000 
Assets Held for Sale
January 3, 2020December 29, 2019
Number of restaurants classified as held for sale43 — 
Net restaurant assets held for sale (a)$20,587 $— 
Other assets held for sale (b)$1,732 $1,437 
_______________

(a)Net restaurant assets held for sale include the New York Company-operated restaurants we expect to sell in the second quarter of 2021 and consist primarily of cash, inventory, property and an estimate of allocable goodwill.
(b)Other assets held for sale primarily consist of surplus properties.
System Optimization  
Plant, Property and Equipment  
Summary of Disposition Activity
The following is a summary of the disposition activity recorded as a result of our system optimization initiative:
Year Ended
202020192018
Number of restaurants sold to franchisees— 
Proceeds from sales of restaurants$50 $— $1,436 
Net assets sold (a)(34)— (1,370)
Goodwill related to sales of restaurants— — (208)
Net favorable leases— — 220 
Other — — 11 
16 — 89 
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants (b)362 1,087 445 
Gain on sales of restaurants, net378 1,087 534 
Gain (loss) on sales of other assets, net (c)2,770 196 (71)
System optimization gains, net$3,148 $1,283 $463 
_______________

(a)Net assets sold consisted primarily of equipment.

(b)2020, 2019 and 2018 include the recognition of deferred gains of $368, $911 and $1,029, respectively, as a result of the resolution of certain contingencies related to the extension of lease terms for restaurants previously sold to franchisees. 2018 also includes cash proceeds, net of payments, of $6 related to post-closing reconciliations with franchisees.
(c)During 2020, 2019 and 2018, Wendy’s received cash proceeds of $6,041, $3,448 and $1,781, respectively, primarily from the sale of surplus and other properties.
v3.20.4
Acquisitions (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition The table below presents the allocation of the total purchase price to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for restaurants acquired from franchisees:
Year Ended
20192018 (a)
Restaurants acquired from franchisees16 
Total consideration paid, net of cash received$5,052 $21,401 
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Properties666 4,363 
Acquired franchise rights1,354 10,127 
Finance lease assets5,350 5,360 
Other assets— 621 
Finance lease liabilities(4,084)(3,135)
Unfavorable leases— (733)
Other(2,316)(2,240)
Total identifiable net assets970 14,363 
Goodwill$4,082 $7,038 
_______________

(a)The fair values of the identifiable intangible assets related to restaurants acquired in 2018 were provisional amounts as of December 30, 2018, pending final purchase accounting adjustments. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation during the three months ended March 31, 2019, which resulted in a decrease in the fair value of acquired franchise rights of $2,989 and an increase in deferred tax assets of $140.
v3.20.4
Reorganization and Realignment Costs (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Restructuring and Related Costs
The following is a summary of the initiatives included in “Reorganization and realignment costs:”
Year Ended
202020192018
Operations and field realignment$3,801 $— $— 
IT realignment7,288 9,127 — 
G&A realignment614 7,749 8,785 
System optimization initiative4,327 89 283 
Reorganization and realignment costs$16,030 $16,965 $9,068 
Operations and Field Realignment  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Restructuring and Related Costs
The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the Operations and Field Realignment Plan:

Year Ended
2020
Severance and related employee costs$3,113 
Third party and other costs67 
3,180 
Share-based compensation (a)621 
Total operations and field realignment$3,801 
_______________

(a)Primarily represents incremental share-based compensation resulting from the modification of stock options in connection with the termination of employees under the Operations and Field Realignment Plan.
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost
The accruals for the Operations and Field Realignment Plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and totaled $2,487 and $113 as of January 3, 2021. The table below presents a rollforward of our accruals for the Operations and Field Realignment Plan.

Balance December 29, 2019ChargesPaymentsBalance January 3, 2021
Severance and related employee costs$— $3,113 $(513)$2,600 
Third party and other costs— 67 (67)— 
$— $3,180 $(580)$2,600 
IT Realignment  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Restructuring and Related Costs
The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the IT Realignment Plan:
Year EndedTotal Incurred Since Inception
20202019
Severance and related employee costs$843 $7,548 $8,391 
Recruitment and relocation costs1,296 — 1,296 
Third-party and other costs5,149 1,386 6,535 
7,288 8,934 16,222 
Share-based compensation (a)— 193 193 
Total IT realignment $7,288 $9,127 $16,415 
_______________

(a)Primarily represents incremental share-based compensation resulting from the modification of stock options in connection with the termination of employees under the IT realignment plan.
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost
As of January 3, 2021, the accruals for our IT Realignment Plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.” As of December 29, 2019, the accruals for our IT Realignment Plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and totaled $8,025 and $599, respectively. The tables below present a rollforward of our accruals for the IT Realignment Plan:
Balance December 29, 2019ChargesPaymentsBalance January 3, 2021
Severance and related employee costs$7,548 $843 $(6,883)$1,508 
Recruitment and relocation costs— 1,296 (1,296)— 
Third-party and other costs1,076 5,149 (6,225)— 
$8,624 $7,288 $(14,404)$1,508 

Balance December 30, 2018ChargesPaymentsBalance December 29, 2019
Severance and related employee costs$— $7,548 $— $7,548 
Recruitment and relocation costs— — — — 
Third-party and other costs— 1,386 (310)1,076 
$— $8,934 $(310)$8,624 
G&A Realignment  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Restructuring and Related Costs
The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the G&A Realignment Plan:
Year EndedTotal Incurred
Since Inception
202020192018
Severance and related employee costs$28 $5,485 $3,797 $24,266 
Recruitment and relocation costs360 950 1,077 2,876 
Third-party and other costs13 100 1,019 2,223 
401 6,535 5,893 29,365 
Share-based compensation (a)213 1,214 1,557 8,111 
Termination of defined benefit plans (b)— — 1,335 1,335 
Total G&A realignment$614 $7,749 $8,785 $38,811 
_______________

(a)Primarily represents incremental share-based compensation resulting from the modification of stock options in connection with the termination of employees under the G&A Realignment Plan.
(b)During 2018, the Company terminated two frozen defined benefit plans. See Note 19 for further information.
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost
As of January 3, 2021, the accruals for the G&A Realignment Plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.” As of December 29, 2019, the accruals for the G&A Realignment Plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and totaled $4,504 and $855, respectively. The tables below present a rollforward of our accruals for the G&A Realignment Plan.
Balance
December 29,
2019
ChargesPaymentsBalance
January 3,
2021
Severance and related employee costs$5,276 $28 $(4,372)$932 
Recruitment and relocation costs83 360 (443)— 
Third-party and other costs— 13 (13)— 
$5,359 $401 $(4,828)$932 
Balance
December 30,
2018
ChargesPaymentsBalance
December 29,
2019
Severance and related employee costs$7,241 $5,485 $(7,450)$5,276 
Recruitment and relocation costs83 950 (950)83 
Third-party and other costs— 100 (100)— 
$7,324 $6,535 $(8,500)$5,359 
System Optimization  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Restructuring and Related Costs
The following is a summary of the costs recorded as a result of our system optimization initiative:
Year EndedTotal Incurred Since Inception
202020192018
Severance and related employee costs$— $— $— $18,237 
Professional fees4,323 72 264 22,107 
Other17 19 5,853 
4,327 89 283 46,197 
Accelerated depreciation and amortization (a)— — — 25,398 
Share-based compensation (b)— — — 5,013 
Total system optimization initiative$4,327 $89 $283 $76,608 
_______________

(a)Primarily includes accelerated amortization of previously acquired franchise rights related to Company-operated restaurants in territories that have been sold to franchisees in connection with our system optimization initiative.

(b)Represents incremental share-based compensation resulting from the modification of stock options and performance-based awards in connection with the termination of employees under our system optimization initiative.
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost
The table below presents a rollforward of our accruals for our system optimization initiative, which are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.”
Balance
December 29, 2019
ChargesPaymentsBalance
January 3, 2021
Professional fees$— $4,323 $(3,093)$1,230 
Other— (4)— 
$— $4,327 $(3,097)$1,230 
v3.20.4
Income Per Share (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted income per share
The weighted average number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted income per share were as follows:
Year Ended
202020192018
Common stock:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding223,684 229,944 237,797 
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares4,330 5,131 7,166 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding228,014 235,075 244,963 
v3.20.4
Cash and Receivables (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Cash and Receivables [Abstract]  
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash$231,922 $185,203 
Cash equivalents75,067 114,992 
306,989 300,195 
Restricted cash
Accounts held by trustee for the securitized financing facility 33,635 34,209 
Other338 330 
33,973 34,539 
Advertising Funds (a)77,279 23,973 
111,252 58,512 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$418,241 $358,707 
_______________

(a)Included in “Advertising funds restricted assets.”
Schedule of Accounts and Notes Receivable
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
GrossAllowance for Doubtful AccountsNetGrossAllowance for Doubtful AccountsNet
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net
Current
Accounts receivable (a) (b)$97,399 $(3,739)$93,660 $103,852 $(3,314)$100,538 
Notes receivable from franchisees (c) (d)21,227 (4,996)16,231 23,628 (6,705)16,923 
$118,626 $(8,735)$109,891 $127,480 $(10,019)$117,461 
Non-current (e)
Notes receivable from franchisees (d)$6,759 $(629)$6,130 $1,617 $— $1,617 
_______________

(a)Includes income tax refund receivables of $5,399 and $13,555 as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively. Additionally, 2019 includes receivables of $25,350 related to insurance coverage for the financial institutions class action. See Note 11 for further information on our legal reserves.

(b)During 2020, rent receivables increased by $5,226 due to actions taken by the Company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which included offering to defer base rent payments on properties owned by Wendy’s and leased to franchisees by 50% and offering to pass along any deferrals that were obtained on properties leased by Wendy’s and subleased to franchisees by up to 100%, beginning in May for a three month period, which are being repaid over a 12 month period beginning in August 2020.

(c)Includes the current portion of sales-type and direct financing lease receivables of $5,965 and $3,146 as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively. See Note 20 for further information.
Included a note receivable from a U.S. franchisee totaling $1,000 as of December 29, 2019. The note was repaid during 2020.

(d)Includes a note receivable from a franchisee in India, of which $356 and $1,000 are included in current notes receivable as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively, and $629 which is included in non-current notes receivable as of January 3, 2021. As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the Company had a reserve of $985 on the loan outstanding to the franchisee in India.

Includes a note receivable from a franchisee in Indonesia, of which $831 and $1,262 are included in current notes receivable and $1,780 and $1,617 are included in non-current notes receivable as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively.

Includes notes receivable related to the Brazil JV, of which $12,775 and $15,920 are included in current notes receivable as of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, respectively, and $4,350 is included in non-current notes receivable as of January 3, 2021. As of January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019, the Company had reserves of $4,640 and $5,720, respectively, on the loans outstanding related to the Brazil JV. See Note 8 for further information.

(e)Included in “Other assets.”
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The following is an analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts:
Accounts ReceivableNotes ReceivableTotal
2020
Balance at December 29, 2019
$3,314 $6,705 $10,019 
Provision for doubtful accounts647 206 853 
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries(222)(1,286)(1,508)
Balance at January 3, 2021
$3,739 $5,625 $9,364 
2019
Balance at December 30, 2018
$4,939 $2,000 $6,939 
Provision for doubtful accounts(1,618)4,912 3,294 
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries(7)(207)(214)
Balance at December 29, 2019
$3,314 $6,705 $10,019 
2018
Balance at December 31, 2017$4,546 $— $4,546 
Provision for doubtful accounts606 1,956 2,562 
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries(213)44 (169)
Balance at December 30, 2018
$4,939 $2,000 $6,939 
v3.20.4
Investments (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Schedule of Equity Method Investments  
Schedule of Equity Method Investments and Other Investments in Equity Securities
The following is a summary of the carrying value of our investments:
Year End
January 3,
2021
December 29,
2019
Equity method investments$44,574 $45,310 
Other investments in equity securities— 639 
$44,574 $45,949 
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Presented below is activity related to our portion of TimWen and the Brazil JV included in our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations as of and for the years ended January 3, 2021, December 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018.
Year Ended
202020192018
Balance at beginning of period$45,310 $47,021 $55,363 
Investment— — 13 
Equity in earnings for the period8,389 10,943 10,402 
Amortization of purchase price adjustments (a)(2,293)(2,270)(2,326)
6,096 8,673 8,076 
Distributions received(8,376)(13,400)(13,390)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in
“Other comprehensive income (loss), net” and other
1,544 3,016 (3,041)
Balance at end of period$44,574 $45,310 $47,021 
_______________
(a)Purchase price adjustments that impacted the carrying value of the Company’s investment in TimWen are being amortized over the average original aggregate life of 21 years.
v3.20.4
Properties (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Properties
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Land$372,473 $375,109 
Buildings and improvements504,504 508,602 
Leasehold improvements409,306 405,158 
Office, restaurant and transportation equipment255,469 279,799 
1,541,752 1,568,668 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(625,863)(591,668)
$915,889 $977,000 
v3.20.4
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Goodwill
Goodwill activity for 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

Wendy’s U.S.Wendy’s
International
Global Real Estate & DevelopmentTotal
Balance at December 30, 2018:
Goodwill, gross$595,560 $39,173 $122,548 $757,281 
Accumulated impairment losses (a)— (9,397)— (9,397)
Goodwill, net595,560 29,776 122,548 747,884 
Changes in goodwill:
Restaurant acquisitions (b)6,931 — — 6,931 
Currency translation adjustment— 1,096 — 1,096 
Balance at December 29, 2019:
Goodwill, gross602,491 40,269 122,548 765,308 
Accumulated impairment losses (a)— (9,397)— (9,397)
Goodwill, net602,491 30,872 122,548 755,911 
Changes in goodwill:
Restaurant dispositions (c)(5,394)— — (5,394)
Currency translation adjustment and other(223)755 — 532 
Balance at January 3, 2021:
Goodwill, gross596,874 41,024 122,548 760,446 
Accumulated impairment losses (a)— (9,397)— (9,397)
Goodwill, net$596,874 $31,627 $122,548 $751,049 
_______________

(a)Accumulated impairment losses resulted from the full impairment of goodwill of the Wendy’s international franchise restaurants during the fourth quarter of 2013.

(b)Includes an adjustment to the fair value of net assets acquired in connection with the acquisition of franchised restaurants during 2018. See Note 4 for further information.

(c)During 2020, in connection with the Company’s plan to sell 43 Company-operated restaurants in New York in the second quarter of 2021, goodwill of $5,394 was reclassified to assets held for sale. See Note 3 for further information.
Schedule Of Finite Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
The following is a summary of the components of other intangible assets and the related amortization expense:
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
CostAccumulated AmortizationNetCostAccumulated AmortizationNet
Indefinite-lived:
Trademarks$903,000 $— $903,000 $903,000 $— $903,000 
Definite-lived:
Franchise agreements349,255 (203,938)145,317 348,825 (187,063)161,762 
Favorable leases163,015 (55,581)107,434 166,098 (47,695)118,403 
Reacquired rights under franchise agreements
9,872 (3,414)6,458 10,172 (2,766)7,406 
Software206,741 (143,990)62,751 181,666 (125,025)56,641 
$1,631,883 $(406,923)$1,224,960 $1,609,761 $(362,549)$1,247,212 
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense
Aggregate amortization expense:
Actual for fiscal year:
2018$52,064 
201953,182 
202052,588 
Estimate for fiscal year:
2021$47,669 
202242,612 
202339,419 
202434,889 
202528,095 
Thereafter129,276 
v3.20.4
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]  
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Legal reserves (a)$2,006 $52,272 
Accrued compensation and related benefits44,264 56,010 
Accrued taxes27,162 23,926 
NPC consortium bid (b)38,361 — 
Other43,528 33,064 
$155,321 $165,272 
_______________

(a)Included a legal reserve of $50,000 as of December 29, 2019 for a settlement of the financial institutions class action. The Company maintains insurance coverage for legal settlements, receivables for which are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net.” See Note 7 for further information.

After exhaustion of applicable insurance receivables of $25,350, the Company made a payment of $24,650 for the settlement of the financial institutions class action in January 2020.
(b)Represents amounts received from franchisees as part of the consortium bid to acquire NPC’s Wendy’s restaurants. See Note 4 for further information.
v3.20.4
Long-Term Debt (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Long-term debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
Year End
January 3,
2021
December 29,
2019
Series 2019-1 Class A-2 Notes:
3.783% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2026
$386,000 $398,000 
4.080% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2029
434,250 447,750 
Series 2018-1 Class A-2 Notes:
3.573% Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2025
436,500 441,000 
3.884% Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2028
460,750 465,500 
Series 2015-1 Class A-2 Notes:
4.497% Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes, anticipated repayment date 2025
473,750 478,750 
Canadian revolving credit facility1,962 — 
7% debentures, due in 2025
83,998 82,837 
Unamortized debt issuance costs(30,085)(33,526)
2,247,125 2,280,311 
Less amounts payable within one year(28,962)(22,750)
Total long-term debt$2,218,163 $2,257,561 
Aggregate maturities of long-term debt
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, excluding the effect of purchase accounting adjustments, as of January 3, 2021 were as follows:
Fiscal Year
2021$28,962 
202222,750 
202322,750 
202422,750 
2025975,500 
Thereafter1,210,500 
$2,283,212 
Pledged Assets
The following is a summary of the Company’s assets pledged as collateral for certain debt:
Year End
January 3,
2021
Cash and cash equivalents$27,962 
Restricted cash and other assets (including long-term)33,641 
Accounts and notes receivable, net40,389 
Inventories3,897 
Properties60,794 
Other intangible assets1,043,640 
$1,210,323 
v3.20.4
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping
The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Fair Value
Measurements
Financial assets
Cash equivalents$75,067 $75,067 $114,992 $114,992 Level 1
Other investments in equity securities (a)— — 639 1,649 Level 3
Financial liabilities
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)386,000 409,778 398,000 405,152 Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)434,250 469,555 447,750 459,136 Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)436,500 450,381 441,000 444,859 Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)460,750 491,021 465,500 475,718 Level 2
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes (b)473,750 481,851 478,750 490,531 Level 2
Canadian revolving credit facility1,962 1,962 — — Level 2
7% debentures, due in 2025 (b)83,998 98,775 82,837 94,838 Level 2
_______________

(a)The fair values of our investments were not significant and were based on our review of information provided by the investment managers or investees, which was based on (1) valuations performed by the investment managers or investees, (2) quoted market or broker/dealer prices for similar investments and (3) quoted market or broker/dealer prices adjusted by the investment managers for legal or contractual restrictions, risk of nonperformance or lack of marketability, depending upon the underlying investments. In June 2020, the Company impaired a miscellaneous investment due to the deterioration in operating performance of the underlying assets. In July 2020, the Company sold its remaining interest in this investment.

(b)The fair values were based on quoted market prices in markets that are not considered active markets.
Fair value of assets and liabilities (other than cash and cash equivalents) measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis
Fair Value Measurements2020 Total Losses
January 3,
2021
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Held and used$2,653 $— $— $2,653 $7,586 
Held for sale855 — — 855 451 
Total$3,508 $— $— $3,508 $8,037 
    
Fair Value Measurements2019 Total Losses
December 29,
2019
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Held and used$3,582 $— $— $3,582 $5,602 
Held for sale988 — — 988 1,397 
Total$4,570 $— $— $4,570 $6,999 
v3.20.4
Income Taxes (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign
Income before income taxes is set forth below:
Year Ended
202020192018
Domestic$149,046 $160,474 $560,776 
Foreign (a)3,749 11,007 14,140 
$152,795 $171,481 $574,916 
_______________

(a)Excludes foreign income of domestic subsidiaries.
Schedule of Components of Income Tax (Expense) Benefit
The (provision for) benefit from income taxes is set forth below:
Year Ended
202020192018
Current:
U.S. federal$(16,176)$(18,421)$(109,078)
State(3,723)(6,093)(2,661)
Foreign(4,798)(9,190)(9,630)
Current tax provision(24,697)(33,704)(121,369)
Deferred:
U.S. federal(6,707)1,585 5,071 
State(3,185)(2,449)441 
Foreign(374)27 1,056 
Deferred tax (provision) benefit(10,266)(837)6,568 
Income tax provision$(34,963)$(34,541)$(114,801)
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are set forth below:
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Deferred tax assets:
Operating and finance lease liabilities$365,005 $345,173 
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards62,210 59,597 
Unfavorable leases23,511 26,020 
Deferred revenue24,303 23,907 
Accrued compensation and related benefits16,443 18,477 
Accrued expenses and reserves7,673 13,786 
Deferred rent— 492 
Other5,869 3,757 
Valuation allowances(49,968)(45,183)
Total deferred tax assets455,046 446,026 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Operating and finance lease assets(332,515)(313,803)
Intangible assets(301,969)(311,596)
Fixed assets(63,826)(60,788)
Other(37,491)(30,598)
Total deferred tax liabilities(735,801)(716,785)
$(280,755)$(270,759)
Summary of Net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards
The amounts and expiration dates of net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards are as follows:
AmountExpiration
Tax credit carryforwards:
U.S. federal foreign tax credits$13,681 2022-2030
State tax credits708 2021-2023
Foreign tax credits of non-U.S. subsidiaries4,125 Not applicable
Total$18,514 
Net operating loss carryforwards:
State and local net operating loss carryforwards$1,182,774 2021-2035
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards1,044 Not applicable
Total$1,183,818 
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation
The reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% to reported income tax is set forth below:
Year Ended
202020192018 (a)
Income tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate$(32,087)$(36,011)$(120,732)
State income tax provision, net of U.S. federal income tax effect (4,664)(6,470)(221)
Prior years’ tax matters (b)1,761 6,135 (9,970)
Excess federal tax benefits from share-based compensation5,338 5,841 10,250 
Foreign and U.S. tax effects of foreign operations(397)250 (856)
Valuation allowances (4,593)(2,833)5,120 
Non-deductible goodwill (c)— — (41)
Tax credits1,901 879 1,089 
Non-deductible executive compensation(1,973)(1,925)(1,098)
Unrepatriated earnings(283)(402)(326)
Non-deductible expenses and other34 (5)1,984 
$(34,963)$(34,541)$(114,801)
_______________

(a)2018 includes the following impacts associated with the Tax Act: (1) a net expense of $2,426 related to the impact of the corporate rate reduction on our net deferred tax liabilities, (2) a net expense of $991 related to the limitations on the deductibility of certain executive compensation, (3) a net expense of $28 of state income tax and (4) a net benefit of $1,286 related to foreign tax credits.

(b)2019 primarily relates to a reduction in unrecognized tax benefits due to a lapse of statute of limitations. 2018 includes expense of $9,542 related to the Tax Act, which was partially offset by a $7,535 benefit reported in “Valuation allowances.”

(c)Substantially all of the goodwill included in the net gain (loss) on sales of restaurants in 2018 under our system optimization initiative was non-deductible for tax purposes. See Note 3 for further information.
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward
As of January 3, 2021, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $20,973, which, if resolved favorably would reduce income tax expense by $16,601. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits follows:
Year End
January 3,
2021
December 29,
2019
December 30,
2018
Beginning balance$22,323 $27,632 $28,848 
Additions:
Tax positions of current year322 1,356 3,874 
Tax positions of prior years— — 2,598 
Reductions:
Tax positions of prior years(1,183)(227)(7,553)
Settlements(119)— (21)
Lapse of statute of limitations(370)(6,438)(114)
Ending balance$20,973 $22,323 $27,632 
v3.20.4
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]  
Schedule of Treasury Stock
There were 470,424 shares of common stock issued at the beginning and end of 2020, 2019 and 2018. Treasury stock activity for 2020, 2019 and 2018 was as follows:
Treasury Stock
202020192018
Number of shares at beginning of year245,535 239,191 229,912 
Repurchases of common stock3,512 10,158 15,808 
Common shares issued:
Stock options, net(2,358)(2,912)(5,824)
Restricted stock, net(465)(834)(627)
Director fees(15)(14)(15)
Other(53)(54)(63)
Number of shares at end of year246,156 245,535 239,191 
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table provides a rollforward of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax as applicable:
Foreign Currency TranslationPension (a)Total
Balance at December 31, 2017$(45,149)$(1,049)$(46,198)
Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income(16,524)1,049 (15,475)
Balance at December 30, 2018(61,673)— (61,673)
Current-period other comprehensive income7,845 — 7,845 
Balance at December 29, 2019(53,828)— (53,828)
Current-period other comprehensive income4,187 — 4,187 
Balance at January 3, 2021$(49,641)$— $(49,641)
_______________
(a)During 2018, the Company terminated two frozen defined benefit plans. See Note 19 for further information.
v3.20.4
Share-Based Compensation (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Share-based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity
The following table summarizes stock option activity during 2020:
Number of OptionsWeighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life in Years
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at December 29, 201911,937 $13.92 
Granted1,807 22.48 
Exercised(2,395)10.09 
Forfeited and/or expired(107)19.48 
Outstanding at January 3, 202111,242 $16.06 6.74$66,853 
Vested or expected to vest at January 3, 202111,115 $16.01 6.72$66,676 
Exercisable at January 3, 20217,240 $13.46 5.59$61,278 
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Stock Options, Valuation Assumptions
The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options was determined using the following assumptions:
202020192018
Risk-free interest rate0.22 %1.57 %2.77 %
Expected option life in years4.504.505.62
Expected volatility38.02 %23.55 %24.27 %
Expected dividend yield1.72 %2.03 %1.84 %
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity
The following table summarizes activity of Restricted Shares during 2020:
Number of Restricted SharesWeighted
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 29, 20191,071 $16.46 
Granted458 22.39 
Vested(401)16.11 
Forfeited(39)18.37 
Non-vested at January 3, 20211,089 $19.01 
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Performance Share Awards, Valuation Assumptions
The input variables are noted in the table below:
202020192018
Risk-free interest rate1.38 %2.51 %2.38 %
Expected life in years3.003.003.00
Expected volatility23.26 %23.19 %24.97 %
Expected dividend yield (a)0.00 %0.00 %0.00 %
_______________

(a)The Monte Carlo method assumes a reinvestment of dividends.
Schedule of Nonvested Performance-based Units Activity
The following table summarizes activity of performance shares at Target during 2020:
Performance Condition AwardsMarket Condition Awards
SharesWeighted
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
SharesWeighted
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at December 29, 2019439 $15.75 362 $19.09 
Granted149 23.37 115 30.31 
Dividend equivalent units issued (a)— — 
Vested (b)(148)13.87 (130)16.81 
Forfeited(18)17.29 (7)26.32 
Non-vested at January 3, 2021429 $19.06 346 $23.65 
_______________

(a)Dividend equivalent units are issued in lieu of cash dividends for non-vested performance shares. There is no weighted average fair value associated with dividend equivalent units.

(b)Market condition awards exclude the vesting of an additional 80 shares, which resulted from the performance of the awards exceeding Target.
Schedule of Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs
Total share-based compensation and the related income tax benefit recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations were as follows:
Year Ended
202020192018
Stock options$8,499 $7,685 $7,172 
Restricted shares (a)6,507 5,762 6,030 
Performance shares:
Performance condition awards782 2,195 1,491 
Market condition awards2,521 2,023 1,987 
Modifications, net621 1,011 1,238 
Share-based compensation18,930 18,676 17,918 
Less: Income tax benefit(2,958)(2,990)(3,418)
Share-based compensation, net of income tax benefit$15,972 $15,686 $14,500 
_______________
(a)2020, 2019 and 2018 include $213, $396 and $319, respectively, related to retention awards in connection with the Company’s G&A Realignment Plan, which is included in “Reorganization and realignment costs.” See Note 5 for further information.
v3.20.4
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]  
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The following is a summary of impairment losses recorded, which represent the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the affected assets and are included in “Impairment of long-lived assets:”
Year Ended
202020192018
Company-operated restaurants$7,586 $294 $4,060 
Restaurants leased or subleased to franchisees— 5,308 283 
Surplus properties451 1,397 354 
$8,037 $6,999 $4,697 
v3.20.4
Investment Income, Net (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Investment Income, Net [Abstract]  
Investment Income
Year Ended
202020192018
Gain on sale of investments, net (a) (b)$— $24,496 $450,000 
Impairment loss on other investments in equity securities(471)— — 
Other, net246 1,102 736 
$(225)$25,598 $450,736 
_______________

(a)In October 2019, the Company received a $25,000 cash settlement related to a previously held investment. As a result, the Company recorded $24,366 to “Investment (loss) income, net” and $634 to “General and administrative” for the reimbursement of related costs.

(b)During 2018, the Company sold its remaining ownership interest in Inspire Brands for $450,000. See Note 8 for further information.
v3.20.4
Leases (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 30, 2018
Leases [Abstract]    
Lease, Cost
The components of lease cost for 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
Year Ended
20202019
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of finance lease assets$13,395 $11,241 
Interest on finance lease liabilities40,682 37,012 
54,077 48,253 
Operating lease cost91,475 90,537 
Variable lease cost (a)59,076 58,978 
Short-term lease cost4,641 4,717 
Total operating lease cost (b)155,192 154,232 
Total lease cost$209,269 $202,485 
_______________
(a)Includes expenses for executory costs of $38,652 and $37,758 for 2020 and 2019, respectively, for which the Company is reimbursed by sublessees.

(b)Includes $125,553 and $123,899 for 2020 and 2019, respectively, recorded to “Franchise rental expense” for leased properties that are subsequently leased to franchisees. Also includes $26,866 and $27,419 for 2020 and 2019, respectively, recorded to “Cost of sales” for leases for Company-operated restaurants.
 
Schedule of Rent Expense  
The components of rental expense for operating leases for 2018, as accounted for under previous guidance, were as follows:
Year Ended
2018
Rental expense:
Minimum rentals$95,749 
Contingent rentals18,971 
Total rental expense (a)$114,720 
_______________

(a)Includes rental expense related to (1) leases for Company-operated restaurants recorded to “Cost of sales,” (2) leased properties that are subsequently leased to franchisees recorded to “Franchise rental expense” and (3) leases for corporate offices and equipment recorded to “General and administrative.”
Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow and Non-cash Information Related to Leases
The following table includes supplemental cash flow and non-cash information related to leases:
Year End
20202019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from finance leases$39,349 $39,887 
Operating cash flows from operating leases85,689 91,824 
Financing cash flows from finance leases8,383 6,835 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Finance lease liabilities34,918 50,061 
Operating lease liabilities18,327 15,411 
 
Schedule of Supplemental Information Related to Leases
The following table includes supplemental information related to leases:
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29,
2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Finance leases16.217.1
Operating leases14.615.4
Weighted average discount rate:
Finance leases9.54 %9.87 %
Operating leases5.06 %5.09 %
Supplemental balance sheet information:
Finance lease assets, gross$261,308 $242,889 
Accumulated amortization(55,155)(42,745)
Finance lease assets206,153 200,144 
Operating lease assets821,480 857,199 
 
Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity
The following table illustrates the Company’s future minimum rental payments for non-cancelable leases as of January 3, 2021:
Finance
Leases
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearCompany-OperatedFranchise
and Other
Company-OperatedFranchise
and Other
2021 (a)$4,779 $47,503 $19,195 $70,730 
20224,963 49,000 19,010 70,633 
20234,927 50,632 19,037 70,460 
20245,045 51,007 19,111 70,328 
20255,140 51,423 19,065 69,977 
Thereafter59,126 628,162 167,441 699,756 
Total minimum payments$83,980 $877,727 $262,859 $1,051,884 
Less interest
(30,716)(412,810)(77,388)(326,684)
Present value of minimum lease payments (b) (c)$53,264 $464,917 $185,471 $725,200 
_______________

(a)In addition to the 2021 future minimum rental payments, the Company expects to pay $5,439 primarily during 2021 related to rent deferrals obtained due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The related payable is included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.” See Note 7 for further information.

(b)The present value of minimum finance lease payments of $12,105 and $506,076 are included in “Current portion of finance lease liabilities” and “Long-term finance lease liabilities,” respectively.

(c)The present value of minimum operating lease payments of $45,346 and $865,325 are included in “Current portion of operating lease liabilities” and “Long-term operating lease liabilities,” respectively.
 
Lessee, Operating Lease, Liability, Maturity
The following table illustrates the Company’s future minimum rental payments for non-cancelable leases as of January 3, 2021:
Finance
Leases
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearCompany-OperatedFranchise
and Other
Company-OperatedFranchise
and Other
2021 (a)$4,779 $47,503 $19,195 $70,730 
20224,963 49,000 19,010 70,633 
20234,927 50,632 19,037 70,460 
20245,045 51,007 19,111 70,328 
20255,140 51,423 19,065 69,977 
Thereafter59,126 628,162 167,441 699,756 
Total minimum payments$83,980 $877,727 $262,859 $1,051,884 
Less interest
(30,716)(412,810)(77,388)(326,684)
Present value of minimum lease payments (b) (c)$53,264 $464,917 $185,471 $725,200 
_______________

(a)In addition to the 2021 future minimum rental payments, the Company expects to pay $5,439 primarily during 2021 related to rent deferrals obtained due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The related payable is included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.” See Note 7 for further information.

(b)The present value of minimum finance lease payments of $12,105 and $506,076 are included in “Current portion of finance lease liabilities” and “Long-term finance lease liabilities,” respectively.

(c)The present value of minimum operating lease payments of $45,346 and $865,325 are included in “Current portion of operating lease liabilities” and “Long-term operating lease liabilities,” respectively.
 
Lease, Income
The components of lease income for 2020 and 2019 are as follows:
Year Ended
20202019
Sales-type and direct-financing leases:
Selling profit$1,995 $2,285 
Interest income (a)29,067 26,333 
Operating lease income174,452 176,629 
Variable lease income58,196 56,436 
Franchise rental income (b)$232,648 $233,065 
_______________

(a)Included in “Interest expense, net.”

(b)Includes sublease income of $169,921 and $171,126 recognized during 2020 and 2019, respectively. Sublease income includes lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs of $38,636 and $37,739 for 2020 and 2019, respectively.
 
Schedule of Rent Income  
The components of rental income for operating leases and subleases for 2018, as accounted for under previous guidance, were as follows:
Year Ended
2018
Rental income:
Minimum rentals$184,154 
Contingent rentals19,143 
Total rental income (a)$203,297 
_______________

(a)Includes sublease income of $138,363.
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Maturity
The following table illustrates the Company’s future minimum rental receipts for non-cancelable leases and subleases as of January 3, 2021:
Sales-Type and
Direct Financing Leases
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearSubleasesOwned PropertiesSubleasesOwned Properties
2021 (a)$31,128 $3,573 $110,920 $54,543 
202231,953 2,037 111,605 56,017 
202332,994 2,081 112,498 56,220 
202434,965 2,089 112,541 57,311 
202533,844 2,196 111,953 57,904 
Thereafter440,802 21,231 1,115,693 743,814 
Total future minimum receipts605,686 33,207 $1,675,210 $1,025,809 
Unearned interest income(348,692)(16,015)
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases (b)$256,994 $17,192 
_______________

(a)In addition to the 2021 future minimum rental receipts, the Company expects to collect $5,226 primarily during 2021 related to the offer to defer base rent payments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The related receivable is included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net.” See Note 7 for further information.

(b)The present value of minimum direct financing rental receipts of $5,965 and $268,221 are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” and “Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases,” respectively. The present value of minimum direct financing rental receipts includes a net investment in unguaranteed residual assets of $215.
 
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments to be Received, Maturity
The following table illustrates the Company’s future minimum rental receipts for non-cancelable leases and subleases as of January 3, 2021:
Sales-Type and
Direct Financing Leases
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearSubleasesOwned PropertiesSubleasesOwned Properties
2021 (a)$31,128 $3,573 $110,920 $54,543 
202231,953 2,037 111,605 56,017 
202332,994 2,081 112,498 56,220 
202434,965 2,089 112,541 57,311 
202533,844 2,196 111,953 57,904 
Thereafter440,802 21,231 1,115,693 743,814 
Total future minimum receipts605,686 33,207 $1,675,210 $1,025,809 
Unearned interest income(348,692)(16,015)
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases (b)$256,994 $17,192 
_______________

(a)In addition to the 2021 future minimum rental receipts, the Company expects to collect $5,226 primarily during 2021 related to the offer to defer base rent payments in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The related receivable is included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net.” See Note 7 for further information.

(b)The present value of minimum direct financing rental receipts of $5,965 and $268,221 are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” and “Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases,” respectively. The present value of minimum direct financing rental receipts includes a net investment in unguaranteed residual assets of $215.
 
Schedule of Property Subject To Operating Lease
Properties owned by the Company and leased to franchisees and other third parties under operating leases include:
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Land$279,956 $281,792 
Buildings and improvements309,605 311,047 
Restaurant equipment1,701 1,727 
591,262 594,566 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(170,722)(157,130)
$420,540 $437,436 
 
v3.20.4
Transactions with Related Parties (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]  
Schedule of Related Party Transactions by Related Party
The following is a summary of transactions between the Company and its related parties:
Year Ended
202020192018
Transactions with QSCC:
Wendy’s Co-Op (a)$— $(504)$(470)
Lease income (b)(217)(217)(215)
TimWen lease and management fee payments (c)$16,130 $16,660 $13,044 
Yellow Cab royalty, advertising fund, lease and other income (d)$1,090 $— $— 
_______________

Transactions with QSCC

(a)Wendy’s has a purchasing co-op relationship structure (the “Wendy’s Co-op”) with its franchisees that establishes Quality Supply Chain Co-op, Inc. (“QSCC”). QSCC manages, for the Wendy’s system in the U.S. and Canada, contracts for the purchase and distribution of food, proprietary paper, operating supplies and equipment under national agreements with pricing based upon total system volume. QSCC’s supply chain management facilitates continuity of supply and provides consolidated purchasing efficiencies while monitoring and seeking to minimize possible obsolete inventory throughout the Wendy’s supply chain in the U.S. and Canada.

Wendy’s and its franchisees pay sourcing fees to third-party vendors on certain products sourced by QSCC. Such sourcing fees are remitted by these vendors to QSCC and are the primary means of funding QSCC’s operations. Should QSCC’s sourcing fees exceed its expected needs, QSCC’s board of directors may return some or all of the excess to its members in the form of a patronage dividend. Wendy’s recorded its share of patronage dividends of $504 and $470 in 2019 and 2018, respectively, which are included as a reduction of “Cost of sales.” There were no patronage dividends recorded during 2020.

(b)Pursuant to a lease agreement entered into on January 1, 2017, Wendy’s leased 14,333 square feet of office space to QSCC for an annual base rental of $215. In November 2018, the lease agreement was amended to increase the leased square footage to 14,493 and to increase the annual base rental to $217. The lease was further amended in December 2020 to extend the lease term by one year to December 31, 2021. The Company received $217, $217 and $215 of lease income from QSCC during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which has been recorded to “Franchise rental income.”
TimWen lease and management fee payments

(c)A wholly-owned subsidiary of Wendy’s leases restaurant facilities from TimWen, which are then subleased to franchisees for the operation of Wendy’s/Tim Hortons combo units in Canada. Wendy’s paid TimWen $16,339, $16,867 and $13,256 under these lease agreements during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, TimWen paid Wendy’s a management fee under the TimWen joint venture agreement of $209, $207 and $212 during 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, which has been included as a reduction to “General and administrative.”

Transactions with Yellow Cab

(d)Certain family members and affiliates of Mr. Nelson Peltz, our Chairman, and Mr. Peter May, our Vice Chairman, as well as Mr. Matthew Peltz, a director of the Company, hold indirect, minority ownership interests in operating companies managed by Yellow Cab Holdings, LLC (“Yellow Cab”), a Wendy’s franchisee, that as of January 3, 2021 owned and operated 24 Wendy’s restaurants. During the three months ended January 3, 2021, the Company recognized $1,090 in royalty, advertising fund, lease and other income from Yellow Cab and related entities. As of January 3, 2021, $298 was due from Yellow Cab for such payments, which is included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net.”

In November 2020, the Company submitted a consortium bid together with a group of pre-qualified franchisees (of which Yellow Cab was a member) to acquire the Wendy’s restaurants owned by NPC, the Company’s largest franchisee, which filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 2020. As part of the consortium bid, in November 2020, the Company received deposits from each of the pre-qualified franchisees (including Yellow Cab), which amounts were transferred to a third-party escrow account pending resolution of the bankruptcy sale process. The Yellow Cab deposit is included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and an amount equal to that deposit is being held in escrow and is included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” as of January 3, 2021. On January 7, 2021, following a court-approved mediation process, Yellow Cab was selected as the purchaser for 54 of NPC’s Wendy’s restaurants and, at closing, its deposit will be applied against the purchase price for the restaurants. See Note 4 for further information.
v3.20.4
Advertising Costs and Funds (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Restricted Assets and Liabilities  
Restricted Assets and Liabilities  
Schedule of Restricted Assets and Liabilities
Restricted assets and related liabilities of the Advertising Funds at January 3, 2021 and December 29, 2019 are as follows:
Year End
January 3, 2021December 29, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents (a)$77,279 $23,973 
Accounts receivable, net63,252 54,394 
Other assets1,775 4,009 
Advertising funds restricted assets$142,306 $82,376 
Accounts payable (a)$123,064 $66,749 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities17,447 17,446 
Advertising funds restricted liabilities$140,511 $84,195 
_______________

(a)Increases during 2020 are due to the timing of payments to vendors.
v3.20.4
Geographic Information (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Segments, Geographical Areas [Abstract]  
Geographic Information
The table below presents revenues and properties information by geographic area:
U.S.InternationalTotal
2020
Revenues$1,635,696 $98,129 $1,733,825 
Properties879,806 36,083 915,889 
2019
Revenues$1,606,619 $102,383 $1,709,002 
Properties941,607 35,393 977,000 
2018
Revenues$1,495,639 $94,297 $1,589,936 
Properties990,992 32,275 1,023,267 
v3.20.4
Segment Information (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated
Revenues by segment are as follows:
Year Ended
202020192018
Wendy’s U.S.$1,431,382 $1,404,307 $1,312,491 
Wendy’s International65,642 68,198 67,630 
Global Real Estate & Development236,801 236,497 209,815 
Total revenues$1,733,825 $1,709,002 $1,589,936 
Reconciliation of Profit from Segments to Consolidated
The following table reconciles profit by segment to the Company’s consolidated income before income taxes:
Year Ended
202020192018
Wendy’s U.S. (a)$393,314 $369,193 $355,455 
Wendy’s International20,119 20,246 25,597 
Global Real Estate & Development100,731 107,116 110,632 
Total segment profit514,164 496,555 491,684 
Advertising funds surplus2,904 1,337 4,153 
Unallocated general and administrative (b)(94,256)(81,230)(104,208)
Depreciation and amortization(132,775)(131,693)(128,879)
System optimization gains, net3,148 1,283 463 
Reorganization and realignment costs(16,030)(16,965)(9,068)
Impairment of long-lived assets(8,037)(6,999)(4,697)
Unallocated other operating income, net190 291 444 
Interest expense, net(117,737)(115,971)(119,618)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt— (8,496)(11,475)
Investment (loss) income, net(225)25,598 450,736 
Other income, net1,449 7,771 5,381 
Income before income taxes$152,795 $171,481 $574,916 
_______________

(a)2020 includes advertising funds expense of $14,600 related to the Company funding of incremental advertising.

(b)Includes corporate overhead costs, such as employee compensation and related benefits. 2018 also includes the impact of legal reserves for a settlement of the financial institutions class action of $27,500.
Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated
Net income (loss) of our equity method investments for the Brazil JV and TimWen are included in segment profit for the Wendy’s International and Global Real Estate & Development segments, respectively. Net income (loss) of equity method investments by segment was as follows:
Year Ended
202020192018
Wendy’s International$(417)$(1,022)$(1,344)
Global Real Estate & Development6,513 9,695 9,420 
Total net income of equity method investments$6,096 $8,673 $8,076 
v3.20.4
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
The tables below set forth summary unaudited consolidated quarterly financial information for 2020 and 2019. The Company reports on a fiscal year consisting of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. During 2020, the Company’s first, second and third fiscal quarters contained 13 weeks and the Company’s fourth quarter contained 14 weeks. All of the Company’s fiscal quarters in 2019 contained 13 weeks.
2020 Quarter Ended (a)
March 29June 28September 27January 3
Revenues$404,960 $402,306 $452,242 $474,317 
Cost of sales149,999 140,626 159,545 164,737 
Operating profit48,732 60,661 81,348 78,567 
Net income$14,441 $24,904 $39,753 $38,734 
Basic income per share
$.06 $.11 $.18 $.17 
Diluted income per share
$.06 $.11 $.17 $.17 
2019 Quarter Ended (b)
March 31June 30September 29December 29
Revenues$408,583 $435,348 $437,880 $427,191 
Cost of sales142,579 151,092 152,425 151,434 
Operating profit66,266 80,573 79,023 36,717 
Net income
$31,894 $32,386 $46,127 $26,533 
Basic income per share
$.14 $.14 $.20 $.12 
Diluted income per share
$.14 $.14 $.20 $.11 
_______________

(a)The Company’s consolidated statements of operation in fiscal 2020 were significantly impacted by the advertising funds deficit and reorganization and realignment costs. The pre-tax impact of the advertising funds deficit for the first, second and third quarters was $1,387, $3,205 and $7,293, respectively. The pre-tax impact of reorganization and realignment costs for the first, second, third, and fourth quarters was $3,910, $2,911, $3,375 and $5,834, respectively (see Note 5 for further information).

(b)The Company’s consolidated statements of operations in fiscal 2019 were significantly impacted by investment income, net, franchise support and other costs, reorganization and realignment costs and loss on early extinguishment of debt. The pre-tax impact of investment income, net for the fourth quarter was $24,599 (see Note 8 for further information). The pre-tax impact of franchise support and other costs for the fourth quarter included approximately $16,400 to support U.S. franchisees in preparation for the launch of breakfast across the U.S. system on March 2, 2020. The pre-tax impact of reorganization and realignment costs for the fourth quarter was $12,194 (see Note 5 for further information). The pre-tax impact of loss on early extinguishment of debt for the second and fourth quarters was $7,150 and $1,346, respectively (see Note 12 for further information).
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Corporate Structure (Details)
Jan. 03, 2021
countries
number_of_restaurants
Franchisor Disclosure  
Number of Restaurants 6,828
Entity Operated Units  
Franchisor Disclosure  
Number of Restaurants 361
Franchised Units  
Franchisor Disclosure  
Number of Restaurants 6,467
International  
Franchisor Disclosure  
Number of Countries Entity Operates | countries 30
International | Entity Operated Units  
Franchisor Disclosure  
Number of Restaurants 0
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Cash Equivalents (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Cash Equivalents, Insurance from Securities Investor Protection Corporation, Maximum per Account $ 500
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
More than one year past due  
Receivables, Past Due  
Accounts and notes receivable, net $ 0
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Properties and Depreciation and Amortization (Details)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Office and restaurant equipment | Minimum  
Properties  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life 3 years
Office and restaurant equipment | Maximum  
Properties  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life 20 years
Transportation equipment | Minimum  
Properties  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life 3 years
Transportation equipment | Maximum  
Properties  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life 15 years
Buildings and improvements | Minimum  
Properties  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life 7 years
Buildings and improvements | Maximum  
Properties  
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life 30 years
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Other Intangible Assets and Deferred Financing Costs (Details)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Computer software | Minimum  
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets  
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life 1 year
Computer software | Maximum  
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets  
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life 5 years
Reacquired rights under franchise agreements | Minimum  
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets  
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life 4 years
Reacquired rights under franchise agreements | Maximum  
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets  
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life 20 years
Franchise agreements  
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets  
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life 20 years
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Investments (Details)
Jan. 03, 2021
TimWen  
Schedule of Investments  
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 50.00%
Brazil JV  
Schedule of Investments  
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 20.00%
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Self-insurance (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Insurance Claims  
Loss Contingencies  
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss per Occurrence, Maximum $ 500
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Leases (Details)
Jan. 03, 2021
Minimum  
Operating Leased Assets  
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract 15 years
Maximum  
Operating Leased Assets  
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract 20 years
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Concentration of Risk (Details)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
countries
distributors
number_of_restaurants
customers
states
Concentration Risk  
Number of Customers Accounting for More Than 10% of Revenues | customers 0
Number of Restaurants 6,828
U.S.  
Concentration Risk  
Number of Main In-line Distributors | distributors 1
Number of Additional In-line Distributors | distributors 4
Number of States Where Restaurants are Located | states 50
International  
Concentration Risk  
Number of Countries Entity Operates (Including Canada) | countries 30
Entity Operated Units  
Concentration Risk  
Number of Restaurants 361
Entity Operated Units | International  
Concentration Risk  
Number of Restaurants 0
Main In-line Distributor Risk | U.S.  
Concentration Risk  
Concentration Risk, Percentage 67.00%
Additional In-line Distributor Risk | U.S.  
Concentration Risk  
Concentration Risk, Percentage 32.00%
Geographic Concentration Risk | International  
Concentration Risk  
Concentration Risk, Percentage 10.00%
v3.20.4
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies New Accounting Standards Adopted (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 29, 2019
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 30, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle          
Operating lease assets $ 857,199 $ 821,480      
Cumulative effect on retained earnings, net of tax (516,359) (549,596)   $ (648,449) $ (573,203)
Retained Earnings          
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle          
Cumulative effect on retained earnings, net of tax (185,725) $ (238,674)   (146,277) 163,289
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle          
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle          
Cumulative effect on retained earnings, net of tax       1,105 70,210
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle | Retained Earnings          
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle          
Cumulative effect on retained earnings, net of tax       $ 1,105 $ 70,210
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02          
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle          
Operating lease liabilities     $ 1,011,000    
Operating lease assets     934,000    
Favorable leases     23,000    
Unfavorable leases     30,000    
Straight-line rent in excess of minimum rents paid     67,000    
Effect on future earnings, amount 38,000        
Effect on future earnings, offset amount $ 38,000        
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 | Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle | Retained Earnings          
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle          
Cumulative effect on retained earnings, net of tax     $ 1,105    
v3.20.4
Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Sep. 27, 2020
Jun. 28, 2020
Mar. 29, 2020
Dec. 29, 2019
Sep. 29, 2019
Jun. 30, 2019
Mar. 31, 2019
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Franchise agreement term                 20 years    
Franchise agreement renewal term                 10 years    
Franchise agreement extension term                 25 years    
Franchise agreement renewal term extension                 20 years    
Franchise rental income                 $ 232,648 $ 233,065  
Franchise rental income                     $ 203,297
Total revenues $ 474,317 $ 452,242 $ 402,306 $ 404,960 $ 427,191 $ 437,880 $ 435,348 $ 408,583 $ 1,733,825 1,709,002 1,589,936
Minimum                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract 15 years               15 years    
Maximum                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract 20 years               20 years    
Sales at Company-operated restaurants                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 $ 722,764 707,485 651,577
Franchise royalty revenue                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 416,508 400,700 377,946
Franchise fees                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 28,241 28,299 31,097
Advertising funds revenue                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 333,664 339,453 326,019
Wendy's U.S.                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Franchise rental income                 0 0  
Franchise rental income                     0
Total revenues                 1,431,382 1,404,307 1,312,491
Wendy's U.S. | Sales at Company-operated restaurants                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 722,764 707,485 651,577
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise royalty revenue                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 373,162 355,702 335,500
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise fees                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 22,126 21,889 18,972
Wendy's U.S. | Advertising funds revenue                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 313,330 319,231 306,442
Wendy's International                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Franchise rental income                 0 0  
Franchise rental income                     0
Total revenues                 65,642 68,198 67,630
Wendy's International | Sales at Company-operated restaurants                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 0 0 0
Wendy's International | Franchise royalty revenue                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 43,346 44,998 42,446
Wendy's International | Franchise fees                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 1,962 2,978 5,607
Wendy's International | Advertising funds revenue                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 20,334 20,222 19,577
Global Real Estate & Development                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Franchise rental income                 232,648 233,065  
Franchise rental income                     203,297
Total revenues                 236,801 236,497 209,815
Global Real Estate & Development | Sales at Company-operated restaurants                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 0 0 0
Global Real Estate & Development | Franchise royalty revenue                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 0 0 0
Global Real Estate & Development | Franchise fees                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 4,153 3,432 6,518
Global Real Estate & Development | Advertising funds revenue                      
Disaggregation of Revenue                      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax                 $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
v3.20.4
Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Contract balances      
Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period $ 100,689 $ 102,205 $ 102,492
Revenue recognized during the period (8,955) (9,487) (9,641)
New deferrals due to cash received and other 6,051 7,971 9,354
Deferred franchise fees at end of period 97,785 100,689 $ 102,205
Deferred franchise fees, current 8,691 8,899  
Deferred franchise fees, noncurrent 89,094 91,790  
Accounts Receivable | Short-term Contract with Customer      
Contract balances      
Receivables, Net, Current 57,677 39,188  
Advertising funds restricted assets | Short-term Contract with Customer      
Contract balances      
Receivables, Net, Current $ 63,252 $ 54,394  
v3.20.4
Remaining Performance Obligation (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount $ 97,785
2021  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount 8,691
2022  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount 6,140
2023  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount 5,968
2024  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount 5,770
2025  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount 5,581
Thereafter  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation  
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount $ 65,635
v3.20.4
System Optimization (Gains) Losses, Net Summary of Disposition Activity (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Jan. 01, 2017
Plant, Property and Equipment        
Company-operated restaurant ownership percentage       5.00%
Number of restaurants classified as held for sale | number_of_restaurants 43 0    
Proceeds from sales of restaurants $ 6,091 $ 3,448 $ 3,223  
System optimization gains, net $ 3,148 $ 1,283 $ 463  
Sale of franchise-operated restaurants to franchisees        
Plant, Property and Equipment        
Number of restaurants sold to franchisees | number_of_restaurants 54 37 96  
Sale of company-owned restaurants to franchisees        
Plant, Property and Equipment        
Number of restaurants sold to franchisees | number_of_restaurants 1 0 3  
Proceeds from sales of restaurants $ 50 $ 0 $ 1,436  
Net assets sold (34) 0 (1,370)  
Goodwill related to sales of restaurants 0 0 (208)  
Net favorable leases 0 0 220  
Other 0 0 11  
Gain on sales of restaurants, net, before post-closing adjustments 16 0 89  
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants 362 1,087 445  
System optimization gains, net 378 1,087 534  
Recognition of deferred gain on sale of property 368 911 1,029  
Cash Proceeds from Post Closing Adjustments, Net of Payments     6  
Sale of other assets        
Plant, Property and Equipment        
Proceeds from sales of restaurants 6,041 3,448 1,781  
System optimization gains, net $ 2,770 $ 196 $ (71)  
v3.20.4
System Optimization Gains, Net Assets Held for Sale (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Long lived assets held for sale    
Number of restaurants classified as held for sale | number_of_restaurants 43 0
Net restaurant assets held for sale    
Long lived assets held for sale    
Assets held for sale $ 20,587 $ 0
Other assets held for sale    
Long lived assets held for sale    
Assets held for sale $ 1,732 $ 1,437
v3.20.4
Acquisitions (Details)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2019
USD ($)
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
numberOfMarkets
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Jan. 07, 2021
numberOfMarkets
Nov. 18, 2020
numberOfMarkets
Business Acquisition            
Goodwill   $ 751,049 $ 755,911 $ 747,884    
Number of Restaurants | number_of_restaurants   6,828        
Number of markets in which NPC operates | numberOfMarkets   8        
NPC consortium bid: number of markets to be purchased by franchisees | numberOfMarkets           7
NPC consortium bid: number of markets to be purchased by company | numberOfMarkets           1
NPC consortium bid deposit   $ 43,240        
NPC Consortium bid payable   $ 38,361 $ 0      
Subsequent Event            
Business Acquisition            
NPC asset purchase agreement: number of markets to be purchased by FRG | numberOfMarkets         4  
NPC asset purchase agreement: number of markets to be purchased by franchisees | numberOfMarkets         4  
NPC franchised restaurants            
Business Acquisition            
Number of Restaurants | number_of_restaurants   393        
Acquisitions            
Business Acquisition            
Restaurants acquired from franchisees | number_of_restaurants   0 5 16    
Total consideration paid, net of cash received     $ 5,052 $ 21,401    
Properties     666 4,363    
Acquired franchise rights     1,354 10,127    
Finance lease assets     5,350 5,360    
Other assets     0 621    
Finance lease liabilities     (4,084)      
Finance lease liabilities       (3,135)    
Unfavorable leases     0 (733)    
Other     (2,316) (2,240)    
Total identifiable net assets     970 14,363    
Goodwill     $ 4,082 $ 7,038    
Business combination, provisional information, initial accounting incomplete, adjustment, intangibles $ (2,989)          
Business combination, provisional information, initial accounting incomplete, adjustment, financial assets $ 140          
v3.20.4
Reorganization and Realignment Costs Summary (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Sep. 27, 2020
Jun. 28, 2020
Mar. 29, 2020
Dec. 29, 2019
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Reorganization and realignment costs $ 5,834 $ 3,375 $ 2,911 $ 3,910 $ 12,194 $ 16,030 $ 16,965 $ 9,068
Operations and Field Realignment                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Reorganization and realignment costs           3,801 0 0
IT Realignment                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Reorganization and realignment costs           7,288 9,127 0
G&A Realignment                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Reorganization and realignment costs           614 7,749 8,785
System Optimization                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Reorganization and realignment costs           $ 4,327 $ 89 $ 283
v3.20.4
Reorganization and Realignment Costs Operations and Field Realignment (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Sep. 27, 2020
Jun. 28, 2020
Mar. 29, 2020
Dec. 29, 2019
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Reorganization and realignment costs $ 5,834 $ 3,375 $ 2,911 $ 3,910 $ 12,194 $ 16,030 $ 16,965 $ 9,068
Operations and Field Realignment                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           3,180    
Reorganization and realignment costs           3,801 $ 0 $ 0
Operations and Field Realignment | Minimum                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost 7,000         7,000    
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining 3,000         3,000    
Operations and Field Realignment | Maximum                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost 9,000         9,000    
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining $ 5,000         5,000    
Operations and Field Realignment | Severance and related employee costs                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           3,113    
Operations and Field Realignment | Third-party and other costs                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           67    
Operations and Field Realignment | Share-based compensation                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           $ 621    
v3.20.4
Reorganization and Realignment Costs Operations and Field Realignment Accrual Rollforward (Details) - Operations and Field Realignment
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Beginning balance $ 0
Charges 3,180
Payments (580)
Ending balance 2,600
Severance and related employee costs  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Beginning balance 0
Charges 3,113
Payments (513)
Ending balance 2,600
Third-party and other costs  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Beginning balance 0
Charges 67
Payments (67)
Ending balance 0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Ending balance 2,487
Other liabilities  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Ending balance $ 113
v3.20.4
Reorganization and Realignment Costs IT Realignment Costs (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Sep. 27, 2020
Jun. 28, 2020
Mar. 29, 2020
Dec. 29, 2019
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Reorganization and realignment costs $ 5,834 $ 3,375 $ 2,911 $ 3,910 $ 12,194 $ 16,030 $ 16,965 $ 9,068
IT Realignment                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           7,288 8,934  
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 16,222         16,222    
Reorganization and realignment costs           7,288 9,127 $ 0
Restructuring Charges, Incurred to Date 16,415         16,415    
IT Realignment | Severance and related employee costs                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           843 7,548  
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 8,391         8,391    
IT Realignment | Recruitment and relocation costs                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           1,296 0  
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 1,296         1,296    
IT Realignment | Third-party and other costs                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           5,149 1,386  
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 6,535         6,535    
IT Realignment | Share-based compensation                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           0 $ 193  
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date $ 193         $ 193    
v3.20.4
Reorganization and Realignment Costs IT Realignment Accrual Rollforward (Details) - IT Realignment - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Restructuring Cost and Reserve    
Beginning balance $ 8,624 $ 0
Charges 7,288 8,934
Payments (14,404) (310)
Ending balance 1,508 8,624
Severance and related employee costs    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve    
Beginning balance 7,548 0
Charges 843 7,548
Payments (6,883) 0
Ending balance 1,508 7,548
Recruitment and relocation costs    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve    
Beginning balance 0 0
Charges 1,296 0
Payments (1,296) 0
Ending balance 0 0
Third-party and other costs    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve    
Beginning balance 1,076 0
Charges 5,149 1,386
Payments (6,225) (310)
Ending balance 0 $ 1,076
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve    
Ending balance 8,025  
Other liabilities    
Restructuring Cost and Reserve    
Ending balance $ 599  
v3.20.4
Reorganization and Realignment Costs G&A Realignment Costs (Details)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Sep. 27, 2020
USD ($)
Jun. 28, 2020
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Pension_Plans
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Reorganization and realignment costs $ 5,834 $ 3,375 $ 2,911 $ 3,910 $ 12,194 $ 16,030 $ 16,965 $ 9,068
G&A Realignment                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           401 6,535 5,893
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 29,365         29,365    
Reorganization and realignment costs           614 7,749 8,785
Restructuring Charges, Incurred to Date 38,811         38,811    
G&A Realignment | Severance and related employee costs                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           28 5,485 3,797
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 24,266         24,266    
G&A Realignment | Recruitment and relocation costs                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           360 950 1,077
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 2,876         2,876    
G&A Realignment | Third-party and other costs                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           13 100 1,019
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 2,223         2,223    
G&A Realignment | Share-based compensation                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           213 1,214 1,557
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 8,111         8,111    
G&A Realignment | Termination of defined benefit plans                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           0 $ 0 $ 1,335
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date $ 1,335         $ 1,335    
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Defined Benefit Plans, Number of Plans | Pension_Plans               2
v3.20.4
Reorganization and Realignment Costs G&A Realignment Accrual Rollforward (Details) - G&A Realignment - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Beginning balance $ 5,359 $ 7,324  
Charges 401 6,535 $ 5,893
Payments (4,828) (8,500)  
Ending balance 932 5,359 7,324
Severance and related employee costs      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Beginning balance 5,276 7,241  
Charges 28 5,485 3,797
Payments (4,372) (7,450)  
Ending balance 932 5,276 7,241
Recruitment and relocation costs      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Beginning balance 83 83  
Charges 360 950 1,077
Payments (443) (950)  
Ending balance 0 83 83
Third-party and other costs      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Beginning balance 0 0  
Charges 13 100 1,019
Payments (13) (100)  
Ending balance 0 0 $ 0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Beginning balance 4,504    
Ending balance   4,504  
Other liabilities      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Beginning balance $ 855    
Ending balance   $ 855  
v3.20.4
Reorganization and Realignment Costs System Optimization Costs (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Sep. 27, 2020
Jun. 28, 2020
Mar. 29, 2020
Dec. 29, 2019
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost $ 5,834 $ 3,375 $ 2,911 $ 3,910 $ 12,194 $ 16,030 $ 16,965 $ 9,068
System Optimization                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining 3,000         3,000    
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           4,327 89 283
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           4,327 89 283
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 46,197         46,197    
Restructuring Charges, Incurred to Date 76,608         76,608    
Severance and related employee costs | System Optimization                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           0 0 0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 18,237         18,237    
Professional fees | System Optimization                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           4,323 72 264
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 22,107         22,107    
Other | System Optimization                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           4 17 19
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 5,853         5,853    
Accelerated depreciation and amortization | System Optimization                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           0 0 0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 25,398         25,398    
Share-based compensation | System Optimization                
Restructuring Cost and Reserve                
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost           0 $ 0 $ 0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date $ 5,013         $ 5,013    
v3.20.4
Reorganization and Realignment Costs System Optimization Accrual Rollforward (Details) - System Optimization - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Beginning balance $ 0    
Charges 4,327 $ 89 $ 283
Payments (3,097)    
Ending balance 1,230 0  
Professional fees      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Beginning balance 0    
Charges 4,323 72 264
Payments (3,093)    
Ending balance 1,230 0  
Other      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Beginning balance 0    
Charges 4 17 $ 19
Payments (4)    
Ending balance $ 0 $ 0  
v3.20.4
Income Per Share (Details) - shares
shares in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Common Stock:      
Weighted average basic shares outstanding 223,684 229,944 237,797
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares 4,330 5,131 7,166
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 228,014 235,075 244,963
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount 2,064 2,518 1,520
v3.20.4
Cash and Receivables Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Cash and Cash Equivalents        
Cash $ 231,922 $ 185,203    
Cash equivalents 75,067 114,992    
Cash and cash equivalents 306,989 300,195 $ 431,405  
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current 33,973 34,539 29,860  
Total restricted cash and cash equivalents, current 111,252 58,512    
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 418,241 358,707 486,512 $ 212,824
Restricted Cash        
Cash and Cash Equivalents        
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current 33,973 34,539    
Restricted Cash | Accounts held by trustee for the securitized financing facility        
Cash and Cash Equivalents        
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current 33,635 34,209    
Restricted Cash | Other        
Cash and Cash Equivalents        
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current 338 330    
Advertising funds restricted assets        
Cash and Cash Equivalents        
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current $ 77,279 $ 23,973 $ 25,247  
v3.20.4
Cash and Receivables Accounts and Notes Receivable (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable      
Accounts receivable, gross, current $ 97,399 $ 103,852  
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts, current 3,739 3,314  
Accounts receivable, net current 93,660 100,538  
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current 21,227 23,628  
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, noncurrent 6,759 1,617  
Notes receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts, current (4,996) (6,705)  
Notes receivable from franchisees, net, current 16,231 16,923  
Accounts and notes receivables, gross, current 118,626 127,480  
Accounts and notes receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts, current (8,735) (10,019)  
Accounts and notes receivable, net, current 109,891 117,461  
Notes receivable from franchisees, allowance for doubtful accounts, noncurrent 629 0  
Notes receivable from franchisees, net, noncurrent 6,130 1,617  
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable 16,243 (16,935) $ (13,226)
Rent Receivable      
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable      
Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable 5,226    
Accounts and Notes Receivable Net      
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable      
Income taxes receivable 5,399 13,555  
Insurance settlements receivable   25,350  
Sales-type and direct financing leases, lease receivable 5,965 3,146  
U.S. franchisee      
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable      
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current   1,000  
India franchisee      
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable      
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current 356 1,000  
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, noncurrent 629    
Notes receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts, current   (985)  
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current and Noncurrent (985)    
Indonesia franchisee      
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable      
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current 831 1,262  
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, noncurrent 1,780 1,617  
Brazil JV      
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable      
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current 12,775 $ 15,920  
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, noncurrent $ 4,350    
v3.20.4
Cash and Receivables Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable      
Balance at beginning of period; accounts receivable $ 3,314 $ 4,939 $ 4,546
Provision for doubtful accounts; accounts receivable 647 (1,618) 606
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries; accounts receivable 222 7 213
Balance at end of period; accounts receivable 3,739 3,314 4,939
Balance at beginning of period; notes receivable 6,705 2,000 0
Provision for doubtful accounts; notes receivable 206 4,912 1,956
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries; notes receivable 1,286 207 (44)
Balance at end of period; notes receivable 5,625 6,705 2,000
Balance at beginning of period; total 10,019 6,939 4,546
Provision for doubtful accounts; total 853 3,294 2,562
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries; total 1,508 214 169
Balance at end of period; total $ 9,364 $ 10,019 $ 6,939
v3.20.4
Investments Carrying Value of Investments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Schedule of Investments    
Equity method investments $ 44,574 $ 45,310
Other investments in equity securities 0 639
Investments $ 44,574 $ 45,949
v3.20.4
Investments Equity Investment Summary (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 28, 2015
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Schedule of Equity Method Investments        
Equity in earnings for the period   $ 6,096 $ 8,673 $ 8,076
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current   21,227 23,628  
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent   6,759 1,617  
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current   (4,996) (6,705)  
TimWen and Brazil JV        
Schedule of Equity Method Investments        
Equity in earnings for the period   $ 8,389 10,943 10,402
TimWen        
Schedule of Equity Method Investments        
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage   50.00%    
Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity   $ 23,433 25,160  
Brazil JV        
Schedule of Equity Method Investments        
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage   20.00%    
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture $ 1      
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture, Starbord 2      
Payments to Acquire Interest in Joint Venture, Infinity $ 2      
Equity Method Investment, Initial Ownership Percentage 20.00%      
Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage, Starbord 40.00%      
Equity Method Investment Ownership Percentage, Infinity 40.00%      
Equity in earnings for the period   $ (417) (1,022) $ (1,344)
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current and Noncurrent   17,125    
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current     15,920  
Financing Receivable, Past Due   12,775    
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Noncurrent   4,350    
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current   $ (4,640) $ (5,720)  
Brazil JV | Minimum        
Schedule of Equity Method Investments        
Interest Rate   3.25%    
Brazil JV | Maximum        
Schedule of Equity Method Investments        
Interest Rate   6.50%    
v3.20.4
Investments Investment Rollforward (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Schedule of Equity Method Investments      
Balance at beginning of period $ 45,310    
Investment 0 $ 0 $ 13
Equity in earnings for the period 6,096 8,673 8,076
Distributions received (8,376) (13,400) (13,390)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in “Other comprehensive income (loss), net” 4,187 7,845 $ (16,524)
Balance at end of period $ 44,574 $ 45,310  
TimWen      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments      
Equity Method Investment, Purchase Price Adjustment, Amortization Period 21 years 21 years 21 years
TimWen and Brazil JV      
Schedule of Equity Method Investments      
Balance at beginning of period $ 45,310 $ 47,021 $ 55,363
Investment 0 0 13
Equity in earnings for the period 8,389 10,943 10,402
Amortization of purchase price adjustments (2,293) (2,270) (2,326)
Equity in Earnings, Net of Amortization of Purchase Price Adjustment 6,096 8,673 8,076
Distributions received (8,376) (13,400) (13,390)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in “Other comprehensive income (loss), net” 1,544 3,016 (3,041)
Balance at end of period $ 44,574 $ 45,310 $ 47,021
v3.20.4
Investments Indirect Investment in Inspire Brands (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2018
Dec. 30, 2018
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Feb. 28, 2018
Dec. 29, 2013
Jan. 01, 2012
Investment carrying value     $ 0 $ 639        
Gain on sale of investment     0 24,496 $ 450,000      
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)     $ 34,963 $ 34,541 $ 114,801      
Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc                
Proceeds from Divestiture of Business, Percentage of Buyer Stock Received               18.50%
Investment carrying value             $ 0  
Inspire Brands, Inc                
Percentage of Arby's Stock after Dilutive Effect of Acquisition           12.30%    
Gain on sale of investment $ 450,000              
Sale of Other Investments in Equity Securities, Transaction Costs 55              
Income Tax Expense (Benefit) $ 97,501              
Income Taxes Paid   $ 95,038            
v3.20.4
Investments Other Investments in Equity Securities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2019
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Proceeds from sale of investments   $ (169) $ (24,496) $ (450,000)
Gain on sale of investment   $ 0 $ 24,496 $ 450,000
Other investments in equity securities        
Gain on sale of investment $ 25,000      
Other investments in equity securities | Investment Income        
Gain on sale of investment 24,366      
Other investments in equity securities | General and administrative        
Gain on sale of investment $ 634      
v3.20.4
Properties (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Plant, Property and Equipment      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross $ 1,541,752 $ 1,568,668  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (625,863) (591,668)  
Properties 915,889 977,000 $ 1,023,267
Depreciation and amortization 132,775 131,693 128,879
Land      
Plant, Property and Equipment      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 372,473 375,109  
Buildings and improvements      
Plant, Property and Equipment      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 504,504 508,602  
Leasehold improvements      
Plant, Property and Equipment      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 409,306 405,158  
Office, restaurant and transportation equipment      
Plant, Property and Equipment      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 255,469 279,799  
Property, Plant and Equipment      
Plant, Property and Equipment      
Depreciation and amortization $ 77,656 $ 81,219 $ 79,009
v3.20.4
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Schedule of Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Goodwill      
Goodwill, gross $ 760,446 $ 765,308 $ 757,281
Accumulated impairment losses (9,397) (9,397) (9,397)
Goodwill, net 751,049 755,911 747,884
Restaurant acquisitions   6,931  
Restaurant dispositions (5,394)    
Currency translation adjustment and other $ 532 $ 1,096  
Number of restaurants classified as held for sale | number_of_restaurants 43 0  
Goodwill reclassified to assets held for sale $ 5,394    
Wendy's U.S.      
Goodwill      
Goodwill, gross 596,874 $ 602,491 595,560
Accumulated impairment losses 0 0 0
Goodwill, net 596,874 602,491 595,560
Restaurant acquisitions   6,931  
Restaurant dispositions (5,394)    
Currency translation adjustment and other (223) 0  
Wendy's International      
Goodwill      
Goodwill, gross 41,024 40,269 39,173
Accumulated impairment losses (9,397) (9,397) (9,397)
Goodwill, net 31,627 30,872 29,776
Restaurant acquisitions   0  
Restaurant dispositions 0    
Currency translation adjustment and other 755 1,096  
Global Real Estate & Development      
Goodwill      
Goodwill, gross 122,548 122,548 122,548
Accumulated impairment losses 0 0 0
Goodwill, net 122,548 122,548 $ 122,548
Restaurant acquisitions   0  
Restaurant dispositions 0    
Currency translation adjustment and other $ 0 $ 0  
v3.20.4
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Schedule of Finite-Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets    
Indefinite Lived And Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Gross $ 1,631,883 $ 1,609,761
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization (406,923) (362,549)
Other intangible assets 1,224,960 1,247,212
Trademarks    
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets    
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) 903,000 903,000
Franchise agreements    
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 349,255 348,825
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization (203,938) (187,063)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net 145,317 161,762
Favorable leases    
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 163,015 166,098
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization (55,581) (47,695)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net 107,434 118,403
Reacquired rights under franchise agreements    
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 9,872 10,172
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization (3,414) (2,766)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net 6,458 7,406
Software    
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 206,741 181,666
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization (143,990) (125,025)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net $ 62,751 $ 56,641
v3.20.4
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Aggregate Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets      
Amortization of intangible assets $ 52,588 $ 53,182 $ 52,064
Future amortization, 2021 47,669    
Future amortization, 2022 42,612    
Future amortization, 2023 39,419    
Future amortization, 2024 34,889    
Future amortization, 2025 28,095    
Future amortization, Thereafter $ 129,276    
v3.20.4
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 31, 2020
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Legal reserves   $ 2,006 $ 52,272
Accrued compensation and related benefits   44,264 56,010
Accrued taxes   27,162 23,926
NPC Consortium bid payable   38,361 0
Other   43,528 33,064
Accrued Liabilities, Current   $ 155,321 165,272
Financial Institutions Case      
Legal reserves     50,000
Insurance Settlements Receivable     $ 25,350
Payments for Legal Settlements $ 24,650    
v3.20.4
Long-Term Debt Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Debt Instrument    
Unamortized debt issuance costs $ (30,085) $ (33,526)
Total debt 2,247,125 2,280,311
Less amounts payable within one year (28,962) (22,750)
Total long-term debt 2,218,163 2,257,561
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes    
Debt Instrument    
Senior Notes $ 386,000 $ 398,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 3.783% 3.783%
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Debt Instrument    
Senior Notes $ 434,250 $ 447,750
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.08% 4.08%
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes    
Debt Instrument    
Senior Notes $ 436,500 $ 441,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 3.573% 3.573%
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Debt Instrument    
Senior Notes $ 460,750 $ 465,500
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 3.884% 3.884%
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes    
Debt Instrument    
Senior Notes $ 473,750 $ 478,750
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.497% 4.497%
Canadian revolving credit facility    
Debt Instrument    
Line of Credit, Outstanding, Amount $ 1,962 $ 0
7% debentures    
Debt Instrument    
7% debentures $ 83,998 $ 82,837
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 7.00% 7.00%
v3.20.4
Long-Term Debt Maturities of long-term debt (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Debt Instrument  
2021 $ 28,962
2022 22,750
2023 22,750
2024 22,750
2025 975,500
Thereafter 1,210,500
Total long-term debt, gross $ 2,283,212
v3.20.4
Long-Term Debt Other Long-term Debt Disclosure (Details)
$ in Thousands, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2021
CAD ($)
Jan. 03, 2021
CAD ($)
Nov. 01, 2020
CAD ($)
Sep. 27, 2020
USD ($)
Jul. 30, 2020
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2020
USD ($)
Mar. 29, 2020
CAD ($)
Feb. 29, 2020
USD ($)
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2019
USD ($)
Apr. 01, 2018
USD ($)
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Jan. 03, 2021
CAD ($)
Debt Instrument                              
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount                       $ 26,587      
Restricted cash                 $ 34,539     33,973 $ 34,539 $ 29,860  
Loss on early extinguishment of debt                 $ 1,346 $ 7,150   0 8,496 11,475  
Interest Expense                       117,737 $ 115,971 119,618  
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes                              
Debt Instrument                              
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                       $ 400,000      
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage                       4.00%     4.00%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage                 3.783%     3.783% 3.783%   3.783%
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes                              
Debt Instrument                              
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                       $ 450,000      
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage                       4.20%     4.20%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage                 4.08%     4.08% 4.08%   4.08%
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes                              
Debt Instrument                              
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                       $ 450,000      
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage                       3.90%     3.90%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage                 3.573%     3.573% 3.573%   3.573%
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes                              
Debt Instrument                              
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                       $ 475,000      
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage                       4.10%     4.10%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage                 3.884%     3.884% 3.884%   3.884%
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes                              
Debt Instrument                              
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                       $ 500,000      
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage                       4.70%     4.70%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage                 4.497%     4.497% 4.497%   4.497%
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes | Line of Credit                              
Debt Instrument                              
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity                       $ 150,000      
Proceeds from Lines of Credit           $ 120,000                  
Repayments of Lines of Credit         $ 120,000                    
Line of Credit, Outstanding, Amount                       $ 0      
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes | Line of Credit | Minimum                              
Debt Instrument                              
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage                       0.40%      
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes | Line of Credit | Maximum                              
Debt Instrument                              
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage                       0.75%      
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes | Letter of Credit                              
Debt Instrument                              
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount                       $ 26,228      
Series 2020-1 Class A-1 Notes                              
Debt Instrument                              
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross                       2,122      
Series 2020-1 Class A-1 Notes | Line of Credit                              
Debt Instrument                              
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity                       100,000      
Line of Credit, Outstanding, Amount                       $ 0      
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage                       1.50%      
Series 2019-1 Senior Notes                              
Debt Instrument                              
Loss on early extinguishment of debt                   $ 7,150          
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross                 $ 14,008       $ 14,008    
Series 2018-1 Senior Notes                              
Debt Instrument                              
Loss on early extinguishment of debt                     $ 11,475        
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross                           17,580  
7% debentures                              
Debt Instrument                              
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                       $ 100,000      
Loss on early extinguishment of debt                 1,346            
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage                       8.60%     8.60%
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount                 $ 10,000       $ 10,000    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage                 7.00%     7.00% 7.00%   7.00%
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount                 $ 10,550       $ 10,550    
7% debentures | Premium                              
Debt Instrument                              
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount                 500       500    
7% debentures | Transaction Fees                              
Debt Instrument                              
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount                 50       50    
Restricted Cash                              
Debt Instrument                              
Restricted cash                 34,539     $ 33,973 34,539    
Restricted Cash | Restricted Cash Held for Principal Interest and Fees                              
Debt Instrument                              
Restricted cash                 $ 34,209     33,635 34,209    
Canadian Subsidiary | Line of Credit                              
Debt Instrument                              
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity                             $ 6,000
Proceeds from Lines of Credit             $ 5,500                
Repayments of Lines of Credit   $ 2,000 $ 1,000                        
Line of Credit, Outstanding, Amount                             $ 2,500
Canadian Subsidiary | Line of Credit | Subsequent Event                              
Debt Instrument                              
Repayments of Lines of Credit $ 2,500                            
Wendy's U.S. Advertising Fund | Line of Credit                              
Debt Instrument                              
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity                       25,000      
Proceeds from Lines of Credit           $ 25,000   $ 4,397              
Repayments of Lines of Credit       $ 25,000       $ 4,397              
Line of Credit, Outstanding, Amount                       $ 0      
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate                       2.15%      
Corporate Debt Securities                              
Debt Instrument                              
Interest Expense                       $ 106,116 $ 105,829 $ 107,929  
v3.20.4
Long-Term Debt Assets Pledged as Collateral (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Assets Pledged as Collateral  
Assets pledged as collateral $ 1,210,323
Cash and cash equivalents  
Assets Pledged as Collateral  
Assets pledged as collateral 27,962
Restricted cash and other assets (including long-term)  
Assets Pledged as Collateral  
Assets pledged as collateral 33,641
Accounts and notes receivable, net  
Assets Pledged as Collateral  
Assets pledged as collateral 40,389
Inventories  
Assets Pledged as Collateral  
Assets pledged as collateral 3,897
Properties  
Assets Pledged as Collateral  
Assets pledged as collateral 60,794
Other intangible assets  
Assets Pledged as Collateral  
Assets pledged as collateral $ 1,043,640
v3.20.4
Fair Value Measurements Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Other investments in equity securities $ 0 $ 639
Reported Value Measurement    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Cash equivalents 75,067 114,992
Other investments in equity securities 0 639
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 386,000 398,000
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 434,250 447,750
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 436,500 441,000
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 460,750 465,500
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 473,750 478,750
Reported Value Measurement | Canadian revolving credit facility    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 1,962 0
Reported Value Measurement | 7% debentures    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 83,998 82,837
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Cash equivalents 75,067 114,992
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Other investments in equity securities 0 1,649
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 409,778 405,152
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 469,555 459,136
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 450,381 444,859
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 491,021 475,718
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 481,851 490,531
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Canadian revolving credit facility | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 1,962 0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 7% debentures | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument $ 98,775 $ 94,838
v3.20.4
Fair Value Measurements Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis      
Held and used, Total losses $ 7,586 $ 5,602  
Held for sale, Total losses 451 1,397  
Impairment of long-lived assets 8,037 6,999 $ 4,697
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis      
Assets Held and used, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure 2,653 3,582  
Assets Held for sale, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure 855 988  
Total 3,508 4,570  
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis      
Assets Held and used, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0  
Assets Held for sale, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0  
Total 0 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis      
Assets Held and used, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0  
Assets Held for sale, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure 0 0  
Total 0 0  
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis      
Assets Held and used, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure 2,653 3,582  
Assets Held for sale, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure 855 988  
Total $ 3,508 $ 4,570  
v3.20.4
Income Taxes Income from Operations before Income Tax (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Income before income taxes      
Domestic $ 149,046 $ 160,474 $ 560,776
Foreign 3,749 11,007 14,140
Income before income taxes $ 152,795 $ 171,481 $ 574,916
v3.20.4
Income Taxes (Provision For) Benefit from Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Current:      
U.S. federal $ (16,176) $ (18,421) $ (109,078)
State (3,723) (6,093) (2,661)
Foreign (4,798) (9,190) (9,630)
Current tax provision (24,697) (33,704) (121,369)
Deferred:      
U.S. federal (6,707) 1,585 5,071
State (3,185) (2,449) 441
Foreign (374) 27 1,056
Deferred tax (provision) benefit (10,266) (837) 6,568
Income tax provision $ (34,963) $ (34,541) $ (114,801)
v3.20.4
Income Taxes Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Deferred Tax Assets    
Operating and finance lease liabilities $ 365,005 $ 345,173
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards 62,210 59,597
Unfavorable leases 23,511 26,020
Deferred revenue 24,303 23,907
Accrued compensation and related benefits 16,443 18,477
Accrued expenses and reserves 7,673 13,786
Deferred rent 0 492
Other 5,869 3,757
Valuation allowances (49,968) (45,183)
Total deferred tax assets 455,046 446,026
Deferred Tax Liabilities    
Operating and finance lease assets (332,515) (313,803)
Intangible assets (301,969) (311,596)
Fixed assets (63,826) (60,788)
Other (37,491) (30,598)
Total deferred tax liabilities (735,801) (716,785)
Total deferred tax liabilities, net $ (280,755) $ (270,759)
v3.20.4
Income Taxes Income Taxes Net Operating Losses and Tax Credits (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Summary of Net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards      
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount $ 18,514    
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards 1,183,818    
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance 49,968 $ 45,183  
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount 4,785 $ 3,008 $ (5,120)
Domestic Tax Authority      
Summary of Net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards      
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount 13,681    
State and Local Jurisdiction      
Summary of Net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards      
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount 708    
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards 1,182,774    
Foreign Tax Authority      
Summary of Net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards      
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount 4,125    
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards $ 1,044    
v3.20.4
Income Taxes Major Tax Legislation (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Major Tax Legislation        
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent 21.00% 21.00% 21.00% 35.00%
Income tax provision $ (34,963) $ (34,541) $ (114,801)  
Tax Act        
Major Tax Legislation        
Income tax provision     (2,159)  
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Other Adjustments, Amount     (2,454)  
Nondeductible expense related to certain executive compensation     991  
Tax Credit, Foreign, Amount     $ 1,286  
v3.20.4
Income Taxes Refundable Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Refundable Income Taxes    
Income Taxes Receivable, Current $ 5,399 $ 13,555
Income Taxes Receivable, Noncurrent $ 0 $ 0
v3.20.4
Income Taxes Income Taxes Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation        
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent 21.00% 21.00% 21.00% 35.00%
Income tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate $ (32,087) $ (36,011) $ (120,732)  
State income tax provision, net of U.S. federal income tax effect (4,664) (6,470) (221)  
Prior years' tax matters 1,761 6,135 (9,970)  
Excess federal tax benefits from share-based compensation 5,338 5,841 10,250  
Foreign and U.S. tax effects of foreign operations (397) 250 (856)  
Valuation allowances (4,593) (2,833) 5,120  
Non-deductible goodwill 0 0 (41)  
Tax credits 1,901 879 1,089  
Non-deductible executive compensation (1,973) (1,925) (1,098)  
Unrepatriated earnings (283) (402) (326)  
Non-deductible expenses and other 34 (5) 1,984  
Income tax provision (34,963) (34,541) (114,801)  
Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit) 3,723 6,093 2,661  
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount $ 4,785 $ 3,008 (5,120)  
Tax Act        
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation        
Prior years' tax matters     (9,542)  
Income tax provision     (2,159)  
Federal rate change     (2,426)  
Nondeductible expense related to certain executive compensation     (991)  
Current State and Local Tax Expense (Benefit)     28  
Tax Credit, Foreign, Amount     1,286  
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, Increase (Decrease), Amount     $ (7,535)  
v3.20.4
Income Taxes Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Income Tax Contingency      
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns $ 16,601    
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns      
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance 22,323 $ 27,632 $ 28,848
Tax positions of current year, additions 322 1,356 3,874
Tax positions of prior years, additions 0 0 2,598
Tax positions of prior years, reductions (1,183) (227) (7,553)
Settlements, reductions (119) 0 (21)
Lapse of statute of limitations, reductions (370) (6,438) (114)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance 20,973 22,323 27,632
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Upper Bound 220    
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Expense 159 (489) (12)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Income 81 81 $ 309
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued 873 946  
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Accrued $ 37 $ 118  
v3.20.4
Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
2 Months Ended 4 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Feb. 29, 2020
Nov. 30, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Nov. 30, 2018
Feb. 23, 2021
Feb. 29, 2020
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Feb. 28, 2019
Feb. 28, 2018
Feb. 28, 2017
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid             $ 0.29 $ 0.42 $ 0.34      
Common Stock, Number of Shares Issued, beginning of year         470,424   470,424 470,424 470,424      
Common Stock, Number of Shares Issued, end of year     470,424       470,424 470,424 470,424      
Stockholders' Equity Activity                        
Treasury Stock, Number of Shares at beginning of year         246,156   245,535          
Treasury Stock, Number of Shares at end of year             246,156 245,535        
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized     100,000       100,000 100,000 100,000      
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued     0       0 0 0      
Common Stock Held in Treasury                        
Stockholders' Equity Activity                        
Treasury Stock, Number of Shares at beginning of year         246,156   245,535 239,191 229,912      
Repurchases of common stock             3,512 10,158 15,808      
Common shares issued, stock options, net             (2,358) (2,912) (5,824)      
Common shares issued, restricted stock, net             (465) (834) (627)      
Common shares issued, Director fees             (15) (14) (15)      
Common shares issued, Other             (53) (54) (63)      
Treasury Stock, Number of Shares at end of year     239,191       246,156 245,535 239,191      
February 2020 Share Repurchase Program                        
Stockholders' Equity Activity                        
Repurchases of common stock             1,572          
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount $ 100,000         $ 100,000            
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, excluding Commissions             $ 32,285          
Stock Repurchase Program, Repurchase Accrual             723          
Stock Repurchase Program, Cost Incurred             22          
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount             $ 67,715          
2019 Accelerated Share Repurchase Program                        
Stockholders' Equity Activity                        
Repurchases of common stock 628 4,051       4,679            
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount   $ 100,000                    
Initial Shares Delivered Under ASR Agreement Percentage   85.00%                    
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share $ 23.89         $ 21.37            
February 2019 Share Repurchase Program                        
Stockholders' Equity Activity                        
Repurchases of common stock             1,312          
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount                   $ 225,000    
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, excluding Commissions             $ 28,770          
Stock Repurchase Program, Cost Incurred             $ 18          
November 2018 and February 2019 Share Repurchase Programs                        
Stockholders' Equity Activity                        
Repurchases of common stock               6,107        
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, excluding Commissions               $ 117,685        
Stock Repurchase Program, Repurchase Accrual               1,801        
Stock Repurchase Program, Cost Incurred               $ 86        
February 2018 Share Repurchase Program                        
Stockholders' Equity Activity                        
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount                     $ 175,000  
November 2018 Share Repurchase Program                        
Stockholders' Equity Activity                        
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount       $ 220,000                
2018 Accelerated Share Repurchase Program                        
Stockholders' Equity Activity                        
Repurchases of common stock     720 3,645                
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount       $ 75,000                
Initial Shares Delivered Under ASR Agreement Percentage       85.00%                
February and November 2018 Share Repurchase Programs                        
Stockholders' Equity Activity                        
Repurchases of common stock                 10,058      
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, excluding Commissions                 $ 172,584      
Stock Repurchase Program, Repurchase Accrual     $ 1,827           1,827      
Stock Repurchase Program, Cost Incurred                 $ 141      
February 2017 Share Repurchase Program                        
Stockholders' Equity Activity                        
Repurchases of common stock                 1,385      
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount                       $ 150,000
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, excluding Commissions                 $ 22,633      
Stock Repurchase Program, Cost Incurred                 $ 19      
Subsequent Event | February 2020 Share Repurchase Program                        
Stockholders' Equity Activity                        
Repurchases of common stock         457              
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, excluding Commissions         $ 9,570              
Stock Repurchase Program, Cost Incurred         $ 6              
v3.20.4
Stockholders' Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Pension_Plans
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)        
Accumulated other comprehensive loss $ (49,641) $ (53,828) $ (61,673) $ (46,198)
Current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 4,187 7,845 (15,475)  
Accumulated Translation Adjustment        
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)        
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (49,641) (53,828) (61,673) (45,149)
Current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 4,187 7,845 (16,524)  
Accumulated Defined Benefit Plans Adjustment        
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)        
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 0 0 0 $ (1,049)
Current-period other comprehensive income (loss) $ 0 $ 0 $ 1,049  
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit        
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)        
Defined Benefit Plans, Number of Plans | Pension_Plans     2  
v3.20.4
Share-Based Compensation Summary (Details)
shares in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
shares
2020 Plan  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant 26,691
v3.20.4
Share-Based Compensation Stock Options (Details) - Stock Options - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Expiration Period 10 years    
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 3 years    
Share-based Compensation, Options, Outstanding      
Outstanding, beginning of period 11,937    
Granted 1,807    
Exercised (2,395)    
Forfeited and/or expired (107)    
Outstanding, end of period 11,242 11,937  
Vested or expected to vest, end of period 11,115    
Exercisable, end of period 7,240    
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding at beginning of period $ 13.92    
Weighted average exercise price, granted 22.48    
Weighted average exercise price, exercised 10.09    
Weighted average exercise price, forfeited and/or expired 19.48    
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding at end of period 16.06 $ 13.92  
Weighted average exercise price, vested or expected to vest 16.01    
Weighted average exercise price, exercisable $ 13.46    
Weighted average remaining contractual life in years, outstanding 6 years 8 months 26 days    
Weighted average remaining contractual life in years, vested or expected to vest 6 years 8 months 19 days    
Weighted average remaining contractual life in years, exercisable 5 years 7 months 2 days    
Aggregate intrinsic value, outstanding $ 66,853    
Aggregate intrinsic value, vested or expected to vest 66,676    
Aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable 61,278    
Total intrinsic value, exercises in period $ 28,111 $ 26,947 $ 62,744
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted $ 6.02 $ 3.40 $ 4.12
Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology      
Risk-free interest rate 0.22% 1.57% 2.77%
Expected option life in years 4 years 6 months 4 years 6 months 5 years 7 months 13 days
Expected volatility 38.02% 23.55% 24.27%
Expected dividend yield 1.72% 2.03% 1.84%
v3.20.4
Share-Based Compensation Restricted Shares (Details) - Restricted Stock - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock, Nonvested, Number of Shares      
Non-vested, beginning of period 1,071    
Granted 458    
Vested (401)    
Forfeited (39)    
Non-vested, end of period 1,089 1,071  
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, beginning of period $ 16.46    
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted 22.39    
Weighted average grant date fair value, vested 16.11    
Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited 18.37    
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, end of period $ 19.01 $ 16.46  
Total fair value, vested in period $ 8,634 $ 9,996 $ 10,060
Minimum      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 1 year    
Maximum      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period 3 years    
v3.20.4
Share-Based Compensation Performance Shares (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation, Performance Shares, Nonvested, Number of Shares      
Weighted average grant date fair value, dividend equivalent units issued $ 0    
Performance Condition Award      
Share-based Compensation, Performance Shares, Nonvested, Number of Shares      
Non-vested, beginning of period 439    
Granted 149    
Dividend equivalent units issued 7    
Vested (148)    
Forfeited (18)    
Non-vested, end of period 429 439  
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, beginning of period $ 15.75    
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted 23.37    
Weighted average grant date fair value, dividend equivalent units issued 0    
Weighted average grant date fair value, vested 13.87    
Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited 17.29    
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, end of period $ 19.06 $ 15.75  
Total fair value, vested in period $ 3,447 $ 7,720 $ 3,681
Market Condition Performance Award      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award      
Risk-free interest rate 1.38% 2.51% 2.38%
Expected life in years 3 years 3 years 3 years
Expected volatility 23.26% 23.19% 24.97%
Expected dividend yield 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Share-based Compensation, Performance Shares, Nonvested, Number of Shares      
Non-vested, beginning of period 362    
Granted 115    
Dividend equivalent units issued 6    
Vested (130)    
Forfeited (7)    
Non-vested, end of period 346 362  
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, beginning of period $ 19.09    
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted 30.31    
Weighted average grant date fair value, dividend equivalent units issued 0    
Weighted average grant date fair value, vested 16.81    
Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited 26.32    
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, end of period $ 23.65 $ 19.09  
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period Incremental Above Target 80    
Total fair value, vested in period $ 4,910 $ 7,135 $ 3,143
Minimum      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award      
Performance Shares Vesting Range, Percentage of Target 0.00%    
Maximum      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award      
Performance Shares Vesting Range, Percentage of Target 200.00%    
v3.20.4
Share-Based Compensation Modifications of Share-Based Awards (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
employees
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
employees
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
employees
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award      
Number of employees subject to modification | employees 7 10 8
Reorganization and realignment      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award      
Increase in employee share-based compensation due to award modification | $ $ 621 $ 1,011 $ 1,238
v3.20.4
Share-Based Compensation Share-based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs      
Share-based compensation $ 18,930 $ 18,676 $ 17,918
Income tax benefit 2,958 2,990 3,418
Share-based compensation, net of income tax benefit 15,972 15,686 14,500
Total share-based compensation not yet recognized, non-vested awards $ 25,156    
Total share-based compensation not yet recognized, period for recognition, non-vested awards 2 years 1 month 28 days    
Stock Options      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs      
Share-based compensation $ 8,499 7,685 7,172
Restricted Stock      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs      
Share-based compensation 6,507 5,762 6,030
Performance Condition Award      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs      
Share-based compensation 782 2,195 1,491
Market Condition Performance Award      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs      
Share-based compensation 2,521 2,023 1,987
Modified Awards      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs      
Share-based compensation 621 1,011 1,238
Reorganization and realignment      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs      
Share-based compensation $ 213 $ 396 $ 319
v3.20.4
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets      
Impairment of long-lived assets $ 8,037 $ 6,999 $ 4,697
Company-operated restaurants      
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets      
Impairment of long-lived assets 7,586 294 4,060
Restaurants leased or subleased to franchisees      
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets      
Impairment of long-lived assets 0 5,308 283
Surplus properties      
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets      
Impairment of long-lived assets $ 451 $ 1,397 $ 354
v3.20.4
Investment Income, Net (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Oct. 31, 2019
Aug. 31, 2018
Dec. 29, 2019
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Net Investment Income            
Gain on sale of investment       $ 0 $ 24,496 $ 450,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments       (471) 0 0
Other, net       246 1,102 736
Investment income, net     $ 24,599 $ (225) $ 25,598 $ 450,736
Other investments in equity securities            
Net Investment Income            
Gain on sale of investment $ 25,000          
Other investments in equity securities | Investment Income            
Net Investment Income            
Gain on sale of investment 24,366          
Other investments in equity securities | General and administrative            
Net Investment Income            
Gain on sale of investment $ 634          
Inspire Brands, Inc            
Net Investment Income            
Gain on sale of investment   $ 450,000        
v3.20.4
Retirement Benefit Plans Defined Contribution Plan (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Defined Contribution Plan      
Defined Contribution Plan, Maximum Annual Contribution Per Employee, Percent 75.00%    
Defined Contribution Plan, Employer Matching Contribution, Percent 4.00%    
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost $ 5,175 $ 4,631 $ 4,619
v3.20.4
Retirement Benefit Plans Defined Benefit Plans (Details)
$ in Thousands
1 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011
USD ($)
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Pension_Plans
G&A Realignment | Termination of defined benefit plans      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost     $ 1,335
Pension Plans, Defined Benefit      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure      
Defined Benefit Plans, Number of Plans | Pension_Plans     2
Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Prior Service Cost   $ 0  
Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc | Pension Plans, Defined Benefit      
Defined Benefit Plan Disclosure      
Defined Benefit Plan, Proceeds Received from Buyer for Unfunded Liability $ 400    
v3.20.4
Retirement Benefit Plans Executive Plan (Details) - Supplemental Employee Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans    
Liability, Defined Benefit Plan $ 432 $ 662
Deferred Compensation Arrangements, Recorded Liability $ 1,108 $ 774
v3.20.4
Leases Lessee Lease Narrative (Details)
Jan. 03, 2021
number_of_restaurants
Lessee, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 6,828
Entity Operated Units  
Lessee, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 361
Land And Building - Company Owned | Entity Operated Units  
Lessee, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 142
Building - Company Owned; Land - Leased | Entity Operated Units  
Lessee, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 149
Land And Building - Leased | Entity Operated Units  
Lessee, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 70
v3.20.4
Leases Lessor Lease Narrative (Details)
Jan. 03, 2021
number_of_restaurants
Lessor, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 6,828
Franchised Units  
Lessor, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 6,467
Land And Building - Company Owned | Franchised Units  
Lessor, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 509
Land And Building - Leased | Franchised Units  
Lessor, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 1,245
v3.20.4
Leases Components of Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Lease, Cost    
Amortization of finance lease assets $ 13,395 $ 11,241
Interest on finance lease liabilities 40,682 37,012
Total finance lease cost 54,077 48,253
Operating lease cost 91,475 90,537
Variable lease cost 59,076 58,978
Short-term lease cost 4,641 4,717
Total operating lease cost 155,192 154,232
Total lease cost 209,269 202,485
Franchise rental expense    
Lease, Cost    
Total operating lease cost 125,553 123,899
Cost of sales    
Lease, Cost    
Total operating lease cost 26,866 27,419
Executory costs paid by lessee    
Lease, Cost    
Variable lease cost $ 38,652 $ 37,758
v3.20.4
Leases Components of Operating Lease Cost (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Operating Leased Assets  
Rental expense, Minimum rentals $ 95,749
Rental expense, Contingent rentals 18,971
Total rental expense $ 114,720
v3.20.4
Leases Capital Leases, Other Information (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Capital Leases, Income Statement of Lessee  
Capital Leases, Income Statement, Amortization Expense $ 11,603
v3.20.4
Leases Supplemental Cash Flow and Non-cash Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Cash Flow, Operating Activities, Lessee    
Operating cash flows from finance leases $ 39,349 $ 39,887
Operating cash flows from operating leases 85,689 91,824
Cash Flow, Financing Activities, Lessee    
Financing cash flows from finance leases 8,383 6,835
Lessee, Lease, Description    
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for finance lease liabilities 34,918 50,061
Right-of-use asset obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities $ 18,327 $ 15,411
v3.20.4
Leases Supplemental Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Lessee, Lease, Description    
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years): Finance leases 16 years 2 months 12 days 17 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years): Operating leases 14 years 7 months 6 days 15 years 4 months 24 days
Weighted-average discount rate: Finance leases 9.54% 9.87%
Weighted-average discount rate: Operating leases 5.06% 5.09%
Finance lease assets, gross $ 261,308 $ 242,889
Accumulated amortization (55,155) (42,745)
Finance lease assets 206,153 200,144
Operating lease assets $ 821,480 $ 857,199
v3.20.4
Leases Future Minimum Rental Payments for Non-cancelable Leases (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Entity Operated Units  
Finance Lease Liabilities, Payments, Due  
Future minimum finance lease payments, next twelve months $ 4,779
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year two 4,963
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year three 4,927
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year four 5,045
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year five 5,140
Future minimum finance lease payments, due after year five 59,126
Total minimum finance lease payments 83,980
Interest incurred on total minimum finance lease payments (30,716)
Present value of minimum finance lease payments 53,264
Operating Lease Liabilities, Payments Due  
Future minimum operating lease payments, next twelve months 19,195
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year two 19,010
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year three 19,037
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year four 19,111
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year five 19,065
Future minimum operating lease payments, due after year five 167,441
Total minimum operating lease payments 262,859
Interest incurred on total minimum operating lease payments (77,388)
Present value of minimum operating lease payments 185,471
Franchised Units  
Finance Lease Liabilities, Payments, Due  
Future minimum finance lease payments, next twelve months 47,503
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year two 49,000
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year three 50,632
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year four 51,007
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year five 51,423
Future minimum finance lease payments, due after year five 628,162
Total minimum finance lease payments 877,727
Interest incurred on total minimum finance lease payments (412,810)
Present value of minimum finance lease payments 464,917
Operating Lease Liabilities, Payments Due  
Future minimum operating lease payments, next twelve months 70,730
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year two 70,633
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year three 70,460
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year four 70,328
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year five 69,977
Future minimum operating lease payments, due after year five 699,756
Total minimum operating lease payments 1,051,884
Interest incurred on total minimum operating lease payments (326,684)
Present value of minimum operating lease payments 725,200
Current portion of finance lease liabilities  
Finance Lease Liabilities, Payments, Due  
Present value of minimum finance lease payments 12,105
Long-term finance lease liabilities  
Finance Lease Liabilities, Payments, Due  
Present value of minimum finance lease payments 506,076
Current portion of operating lease liabilities  
Operating Lease Liabilities, Payments Due  
Present value of minimum operating lease payments 45,346
Long-term operating lease liabilities  
Operating Lease Liabilities, Payments Due  
Present value of minimum operating lease payments 865,325
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  
Lessee, Lease, Description  
Future rental payments, deferred rent $ 5,439
v3.20.4
Leases Components of Lease Income (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Lessor Lease Income    
Sales-type leases, selling profit $ 1,995 $ 2,285
Sales-type and direct-financing leases, interest income 29,067 26,333
Operating lease rental income 174,452 176,629
Variable lease income 58,196 56,436
Franchise rental income 232,648 233,065
Sublease income 169,921 171,126
Executory costs paid to lessor    
Lessor Lease Income    
Variable lease income $ 38,636 $ 37,739
v3.20.4
Leases Components of Prior Year Lease Income (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]  
Interest income from direct financing leases $ 27,638
Operating Leased Assets  
Rental income, Minimum rentals 184,154
Rental income, Contingent rentals 19,143
Total rental income 203,297
Sublease income $ 138,363
v3.20.4
Leases Future Minimum Rental Receipts for Non-cancelable Leases (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Direct Financing Lease, Net Investment in Leases    
Net investment in unguaranteed residual assets $ 215  
Subleases, sales-type and direct financing    
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Fiscal Year Maturity    
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, next twelve months 31,128  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year two 31,953  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year three 32,994  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year four 34,965  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year five 33,844  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due after year five 440,802  
Total future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts 605,686  
Unearned interest on total minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts (348,692)  
Present value of minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts 256,994  
Owned properties, sales-type and direct financing    
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Fiscal Year Maturity    
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, next twelve months 3,573  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year two 2,037  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year three 2,081  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year four 2,089  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year five 2,196  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due after year five 21,231  
Total future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts 33,207  
Unearned interest on total minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts (16,015)  
Present value of minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts 17,192  
Subleases, operating    
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity    
Future minimum operating lease receipts, next twelve months 110,920  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year two 111,605  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year three 112,498  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year four 112,541  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year five 111,953  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due after year five 1,115,693  
Total future minimum operating lease receipts 1,675,210  
Owned properties, operating    
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity    
Future minimum operating lease receipts, next twelve months 54,543  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year two 56,017  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year three 56,220  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year four 57,311  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year five 57,904  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due after year five 743,814  
Total future minimum operating lease receipts 1,025,809  
Accounts and notes receivable, net    
Lessor, Lease, Description    
Future rental receipts, deferred base rent payments 5,226  
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Fiscal Year Maturity    
Present value of minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts 5,965 $ 3,146
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases    
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Fiscal Year Maturity    
Present value of minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts $ 268,221  
v3.20.4
Leases Properties Leased to Third Parties (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Property, Plant and Equipment      
Property, plant and equipment leased to others, gross $ 1,541,752 $ 1,568,668  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (625,863) (591,668)  
Properties 915,889 977,000 $ 1,023,267
Assets Leased to Others      
Property, Plant and Equipment      
Land 279,956 281,792  
Buildings and improvements 309,605 311,047  
Restaurant equipment 1,701 1,727  
Property, plant and equipment leased to others, gross 591,262 594,566  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (170,722) (157,130)  
Properties $ 420,540 $ 437,436  
v3.20.4
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Franchisee Image Activation Programs (Details)
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Maximum | New Build Incentive Program  
Other commitments  
Years of reduction in royalty payment attributable to new builds 2 years
Maximum | 2021 New Build Incentive Program  
Other commitments  
Years of reduction in royalty payment attributable to new builds 2 years
Maximum | Remodel Incentive Program  
Other commitments  
Years of early franchise agreement renewal attributable to incentive program 25
Years of reduction in royalty payment attributable to incentive program 1 year
Minimum | Remodel Incentive Program  
Other commitments  
Years of early franchise agreement renewal attributable to incentive program 20
v3.20.4
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Lease Guarantees (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Property Lease Guarantee  
Guarantor Obligations  
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted $ 90,348
v3.20.4
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Insurance (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Other commitments  
Accrued Risk Insurance $ 18,687
Accrued Health Insurance 3,396
Insurance Claims  
Other commitments  
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss per Occurrence, Maximum $ 500
v3.20.4
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Letters of Credit (Details)
$ in Thousands
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Guarantor Obligations  
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount $ 26,587
v3.20.4
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Beverage Agreement (Details) - Beverage Agreement - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Long-term Purchase Commitment      
Purchase Obligation, Purchases During Period $ 10,986 $ 11,440 $ 10,108
Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months 10,000    
Purchase Obligation, Due in Second Year 10,500    
Purchase Obligation, Due in Third Year 11,000    
Purchase Obligation, Due in Fourth Year 11,400    
Purchase Obligation, Due in Fifth Year 11,900    
Accounts Payable      
Long-term Purchase Commitment      
Amount Due from (to) Vendors for Purchase and Capital Commitments $ (2,509)    
v3.20.4
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies IT Services Agreement (Details) - IT Services Agreement - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Long-term Purchase Commitment    
Purchase Obligation, Purchases During Period $ 16,961 $ 1,386
Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months 17,200  
Purchase Obligation, Due in Second Year 15,400  
Purchase Obligation, Due in Third Year 13,000  
Purchase Obligation, Due in Fourth Year 12,200  
Purchase Obligation, Due in Fifth Year 6,600  
Accrued Liabilities    
Long-term Purchase Commitment    
Amount Due from (to) Vendors for Purchase and Capital Commitments $ (448)  
v3.20.4
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Marketing Agreement (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Broadcasters
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Long-term Purchase Commitment      
Number of National Broadcasters | Broadcasters 2    
Marketing Agreement      
Long-term Purchase Commitment      
Purchase Obligation, Purchases During Period $ 0 $ 11,000 $ 11,000
Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months 15,400    
Purchase Obligation, Due in Second Year 12,900    
Purchase Obligation, Due in Third Year 13,400    
Purchase Obligation, Due in Fourth Year $ 12,700    
v3.20.4
Transactions with Related Parties Related Party Transaction Summary (Details)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 07, 2021
number_of_restaurants
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
Dec. 30, 2018
USD ($)
Nov. 30, 2018
USD ($)
ft²
Jan. 01, 2017
USD ($)
ft²
Related Party Transaction              
Number of Restaurants | number_of_restaurants   6,828 6,828        
Franchised Units              
Related Party Transaction              
Number of Restaurants | number_of_restaurants   6,467 6,467        
QSCC              
Related Party Transaction              
Area of Real Estate Property | ft²           14,493 14,333
Annual Base Rental           $ 217 $ 215
QSCC | Cost of sales | Patronage Dividends              
Related Party Transaction              
Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party     $ 0 $ 504 $ 470    
QSCC | Franchise rental income | Lease Income              
Related Party Transaction              
Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party     217 217 215    
TimWen              
Related Party Transaction              
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party     16,130 16,660 13,044    
TimWen | Cost of sales | Franchise Rental Expense              
Related Party Transaction              
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party     16,339 16,867 13,256    
TimWen | General and administrative | Management Fee Income              
Related Party Transaction              
Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party     $ 209 207 212    
Yellow Cab | Royalty, Advertising Fund, Lease, and Other Income              
Related Party Transaction              
Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party   $ 1,090   $ 0 $ 0    
Yellow Cab | Franchised Units              
Related Party Transaction              
Number of Restaurants | number_of_restaurants   24 24        
Yellow Cab | Accounts Receivable | Royalty, Advertising Fund, Lease, and Other Income              
Related Party Transaction              
Accounts Receivable, Related Parties, Current   $ 298 $ 298        
Yellow Cab | Subsequent Event | Franchised Units              
Related Party Transaction              
Significant Changes, Franchises Purchased During Period | number_of_restaurants 54            
v3.20.4
Legal and Environmental Matters (Details)
Jan. 03, 2021
Defendants
Civil_complaints
Loss Contingencies  
Number of Putative Shareholder Derivative Complaints | Civil_complaints 2
Loss contingency, number of defendants | Defendants 1
v3.20.4
Advertising Costs and Funds (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Restricted Assets and Liabilities      
Accounts receivable, net $ 93,660 $ 100,538  
Advertising funds restricted assets 142,306 82,376  
Accounts payable 31,063 22,701  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 155,321 165,272  
Advertising funds restricted liabilities 140,511 84,195  
Cost of sales      
Restricted Assets and Liabilities      
Advertising Expense 29,671 29,954 $ 27,939
Restricted Assets and Liabilities      
Restricted Assets and Liabilities      
Cash and cash equivalents 77,279 23,973  
Accounts receivable, net 63,252 54,394  
Other assets 1,775 4,009  
Advertising funds restricted assets 142,306 82,376  
Accounts payable 123,064 66,749  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 17,447 17,446  
Advertising funds restricted liabilities $ 140,511 $ 84,195  
v3.20.4
Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Sep. 27, 2020
Jun. 28, 2020
Mar. 29, 2020
Dec. 29, 2019
Sep. 29, 2019
Jun. 30, 2019
Mar. 31, 2019
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets                      
Revenues $ 474,317 $ 452,242 $ 402,306 $ 404,960 $ 427,191 $ 437,880 $ 435,348 $ 408,583 $ 1,733,825 $ 1,709,002 $ 1,589,936
Properties 915,889       977,000       915,889 977,000 1,023,267
U.S.                      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets                      
Revenues                 1,635,696 1,606,619 1,495,639
Properties 879,806       941,607       879,806 941,607 990,992
International                      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets                      
Revenues                 98,129 102,383 94,297
Properties $ 36,083       $ 35,393       $ 36,083 $ 35,393 $ 32,275
v3.20.4
Segment Information Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Sep. 27, 2020
Jun. 28, 2020
Mar. 29, 2020
Dec. 29, 2019
Sep. 29, 2019
Jun. 30, 2019
Mar. 31, 2019
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item                      
Total revenues $ 474,317 $ 452,242 $ 402,306 $ 404,960 $ 427,191 $ 437,880 $ 435,348 $ 408,583 $ 1,733,825 $ 1,709,002 $ 1,589,936
Wendy's U.S.                      
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item                      
Total revenues                 1,431,382 1,404,307 1,312,491
Wendy's International                      
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item                      
Total revenues                 65,642 68,198 67,630
Global Real Estate & Development                      
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item                      
Total revenues                 $ 236,801 $ 236,497 $ 209,815
v3.20.4
Segment Information Reconciliation of Profit from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Sep. 27, 2020
Jun. 28, 2020
Mar. 29, 2020
Dec. 29, 2019
Sep. 29, 2019
Jun. 30, 2019
Mar. 31, 2019
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated                      
Segment profit $ 78,567 $ 81,348 $ 60,661 $ 48,732 $ 36,717 $ 79,023 $ 80,573 $ 66,266 $ 269,308 $ 262,579 $ 249,892
Advertising funds surplus   (7,293) (3,205) (1,387)         2,904 1,337 4,153
Unallocated general and administrative                 (206,876) (200,206) (217,489)
Depreciation and amortization                 (132,775) (131,693) (128,879)
System optimization gains, net                 3,148 1,283 463
Reorganization and realignment costs $ (5,834) $ (3,375) $ (2,911) $ (3,910) (12,194)       (16,030) (16,965) (9,068)
Impairment of long-lived assets                 (8,037) (6,999) (4,697)
Unallocated other operating income, net                 8,397 11,418 6,387
Interest expense, net                 (117,737) (115,971) (119,618)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt         (1,346)   $ (7,150)   0 (8,496) (11,475)
Investment (loss) income, net         $ 24,599       (225) 25,598 450,736
Other income, net                 1,449 7,771 5,381
Income before income taxes                 152,795 171,481 574,916
Corporate and Other                      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated                      
Unallocated general and administrative                 (94,256) (81,230) (104,208)
Unallocated other operating income, net                 190 291 444
Impact of legal reserves - Financial Institutions case settlement                     27,500
Operating Segments                      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated                      
Segment profit                 514,164 496,555 491,684
Operating Segments | Wendy's U.S.                      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated                      
Segment profit                 393,314 369,193 355,455
Advertising funds surplus                 (14,600)    
Operating Segments | Wendy's International                      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated                      
Segment profit                 20,119 20,246 25,597
Operating Segments | Global Real Estate & Development                      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated                      
Segment profit                 $ 100,731 $ 107,116 $ 110,632
v3.20.4
Segment Information Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item      
Total net income of equity method investments $ 6,096 $ 8,673 $ 8,076
Wendy's International      
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item      
Total net income of equity method investments (417) (1,022) (1,344)
Global Real Estate & Development      
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item      
Total net income of equity method investments $ 6,513 $ 9,695 $ 9,420
v3.20.4
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited) (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 03, 2021
Sep. 27, 2020
Jun. 28, 2020
Mar. 29, 2020
Dec. 29, 2019
Sep. 29, 2019
Jun. 30, 2019
Mar. 31, 2019
Jan. 03, 2021
Dec. 29, 2019
Dec. 30, 2018
Quarterly Financial Data Table                      
Revenues $ 474,317 $ 452,242 $ 402,306 $ 404,960 $ 427,191 $ 437,880 $ 435,348 $ 408,583 $ 1,733,825 $ 1,709,002 $ 1,589,936
Cost of sales 164,737 159,545 140,626 149,999 151,434 152,425 151,092 142,579 614,907 597,530 548,588
Operating profit 78,567 81,348 60,661 48,732 36,717 79,023 80,573 66,266 269,308 262,579 249,892
Net Income $ 38,734 $ 39,753 $ 24,904 $ 14,441 $ 26,533 $ 46,127 $ 32,386 $ 31,894 $ 117,832 $ 136,940 $ 460,115
Basic income per share                      
Basic income per share $ 0.17 $ 0.18 $ 0.11 $ 0.06 $ 0.12 $ 0.20 $ 0.14 $ 0.14 $ 0.53 $ 0.60 $ 1.93
Diluted income per share                      
Diluted income per share $ 0.17 $ 0.17 $ 0.11 $ 0.06 $ 0.11 $ 0.20 $ 0.14 $ 0.14 $ 0.52 $ 0.58 $ 1.88
Advertising funds deficit   $ 7,293 $ 3,205 $ 1,387         $ (2,904) $ (1,337) $ (4,153)
Reorganization and realignment costs $ 5,834 $ 3,375 $ 2,911 $ 3,910 $ 12,194       16,030 16,965 9,068
Investment income, net         24,599       (225) 25,598 450,736
Franchise support and other costs         16,400       26,464 43,686 25,203
Loss on early extinguishment of debt         $ 1,346   $ 7,150   $ 0 $ 8,496 $ 11,475