WENDY'S CO, 10-K filed on 2/26/2024
Annual Report
v3.24.0.1
Document and Entity Information - USD ($)
$ in Millions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Feb. 16, 2024
Jun. 30, 2023
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]      
Document Type 10-K    
Document Annual Report true    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2023    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
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    
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 2023    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Amendment Flag false    
ICFR Auditor Attestation Flag true    
Document Financial Statement Error Correction [Flag] false    
Entity Shell Company false    
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   205,466,016  
Entity Public Float     $ 3,731.2
Auditor Name Deloitte & Touche LLP    
Auditor Location Columbus, Ohio    
Auditor Firm ID 34    
v3.24.0.1
Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($)
shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 516,037 $ 745,889
Restricted cash 35,848 35,203
Accounts and notes receivable, net 121,683 116,426
Inventories 6,690 7,129
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 39,640 26,963
Advertising funds restricted assets 117,755 126,673
Total current assets 837,653 1,058,283
Properties 891,080 895,778
Finance lease assets 228,936 234,570
Operating lease assets 705,615 754,498
Goodwill 773,727 773,088
Other intangible assets 1,219,129 1,248,800
Investments 34,445 46,028
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases 313,664 317,337
Other assets 178,577 170,962
Total assets 5,182,826 5,499,344
Current liabilities:    
Current portion of long-term debt 29,250 29,250
Current portion of finance lease liabilities 20,250 18,316
Current portion of operating lease liabilities 49,353 48,120
Accounts payable 27,370 43,996
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 135,149 116,010
Advertising funds restricted liabilities 120,558 132,307
Total current liabilities 381,930 387,999
Long-term debt 2,732,814 2,822,196
Long-term finance lease liabilities 568,767 571,877
Long-term operating lease liabilities 739,340 792,051
Deferred income taxes 270,353 270,421
Deferred franchise fees 90,132 90,231
Other liabilities 89,711 98,849
Total liabilities 4,873,047 5,033,624
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:    
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 1,500,000 shares authorized; 470,424 shares issued; 205,397 and 213,101 shares outstanding, respectively 47,042 47,042
Additional paid-in capital 2,960,035 2,937,885
Retained earnings 409,863 414,749
Common stock held in treasury, at cost; 265,027 and 257,323 shares, respectively (3,048,786) (2,869,780)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (58,375) (64,176)
Total stockholders’ equity 309,779 465,720
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $ 5,182,826 $ 5,499,344
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 205,397 213,101
Treasury Stock, Shares 265,027 257,323
v3.24.0.1
Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Revenues:      
Revenues $ 2,181,578 $ 2,095,505 $ 1,896,998
Costs and expenses:      
Cost of sales 794,493 773,169 611,680
Franchise support and other costs 57,243 46,736 42,900
Franchise rental expense 125,371 124,083 132,411
Advertising funds expense 428,003 430,760 411,751
General and administrative 249,964 254,979 242,970
Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of amortization of cloud computing arrangements shown separately below) 135,789 133,414 125,540
Amortization of cloud computing arrangements 12,778 2,394 0
System optimization gains, net (880) (6,779) (33,545)
Reorganization and realignment costs 9,200 698 8,548
Impairment of long-lived assets 1,401 6,420 2,251
Other operating income, net (13,768) (23,683) (14,468)
Costs and expenses 1,799,594 1,742,191 1,530,038
Operating profit 381,984 353,314 366,960
Interest expense, net (124,061) (122,319) (109,185)
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, net 2,283 0 (17,917)
Investment (loss) income, net (10,358) 2,107 39
Other income, net 29,570 10,403 681
Income before income taxes 279,418 243,505 240,578
Provision for income taxes (74,978) (66,135) (40,186)
Net income $ 204,440 $ 177,370 $ 200,392
Net income per share:      
Basic $ 0.98 $ 0.83 $ 0.91
Diluted $ 0.97 $ 0.82 $ 0.89
Sales      
Revenues:      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax $ 930,083 $ 896,585 $ 734,074
Franchise royalty revenue and fees      
Revenues:      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 592,331 558,235 536,748
Franchise Rental Income      
Revenues:      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 230,168 234,465 236,655
Advertising funds revenue      
Revenues:      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax $ 428,996 $ 406,220 $ 389,521
v3.24.0.1
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Net income $ 204,440 $ 177,370 $ 200,392
Other comprehensive income (loss):      
Foreign currency translation adjustment 5,801 (15,976) 1,441
Other comprehensive income (loss) 5,801 (15,976) 1,441
Comprehensive income $ 210,241 $ 161,394 $ 201,833
v3.24.0.1
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Total
Common Stock
Additional Paid-In Capital
Retained Earnings
Common Stock Held in Treasury
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Stockholders' Equity, beginning of period at Jan. 03, 2021 $ 549,596 $ 47,042 $ 2,899,276 $ 238,674 $ (2,585,755) $ (49,641)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity            
Net income 200,392 0 0 200,392 0 0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net 1,441 0 0 0 0 1,441
Cash dividends (94,846) 0 0 (94,846) 0 0
Repurchases of common stock, including accelerated share repurchase (267,808) 0 (18,750) 0 (249,058) 0
Share-based compensation 22,019 0 22,019 0 0 0
Common stock issued upon exercises of stock options 29,050 0 1,911 0 27,139 0
Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted shares (3,738) 0 (6,023) 0 2,285 0
Other 299 0 200 (22) 121 0
Stockholders' Equity, end of period at Jan. 02, 2022 436,405 47,042 2,898,633 344,198 (2,805,268) (48,200)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity            
Net income 177,370 0 0 177,370 0 0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net (15,976) 0 0 0 0 (15,976)
Cash dividends (106,779) 0 0 (106,779) 0 0
Repurchases of common stock, including accelerated share repurchase (51,950) 0 18,750 0 (70,700) 0
Share-based compensation 24,538 0 24,538 0 0 0
Common stock issued upon exercises of stock options 4,578 0 1,117 0 3,461 0
Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted shares (2,881) 0 (5,363) 0 2,482 0
Other 415 0 210 (40) 245 0
Stockholders' Equity, end of period at Jan. 01, 2023 465,720 47,042 2,937,885 414,749 (2,869,780) (64,176)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity            
Net income 204,440 0 0 204,440 0 0
Other comprehensive income (loss), net 5,801 0 0 0 0 5,801
Cash dividends (209,253) 0 0 (209,253) 0 0
Repurchases of common stock, including accelerated share repurchase (191,871) 0 0 0 (191,871) 0
Share-based compensation 23,747 0 23,747 0 0 0
Common stock issued upon exercises of stock options 14,239 0 4,366 0 9,873 0
Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted shares (3,445) 0 (6,193) 0 2,748 0
Other 401 0 230 (73) 244 0
Stockholders' Equity, end of period at Dec. 31, 2023 $ 309,779 $ 47,042 $ 2,960,035 $ 409,863 $ (3,048,786) $ (58,375)
v3.24.0.1
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income $ 204,440 $ 177,370 $ 200,392
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of amortization of cloud computing arrangements shown separately below) 135,789 133,414 125,540
Amortization of cloud computing arrangements 12,778 2,394 0
Share-based compensation 23,747 24,538 22,019
Impairment of long-lived assets 1,401 6,420 2,251
Deferred income tax (807) 4,305 (13,781)
Non-cash rental expense, net 40,655 33,915 40,596
Change in operating lease liabilities (47,212) (45,682) (45,606)
Net receipt (recognition) of deferred vendor incentives 1,034 (1,060) 715
System optimization gains, net (880) (6,779) (33,545)
Gain on sale of investments, net (31) 0 (63)
Distributions received from TimWen joint venture 12,901 12,612 16,337
Equity in earnings in joint ventures, net (10,819) (9,422) (11,203)
Long-term debt related activities, net (see Note 20) 5,320 7,762 24,758
Cloud computing arrangements expenditures (32,902) (30,220) (14,086)
Other, net 22,883 (4,554) 844
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
Accounts and notes receivable, net 430 (5,857) (5,613)
Inventories 439 (1,203) (872)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (672) 6,769 (3,396)
Advertising funds restricted assets and liabilities (18,210) (30,503) 11,519
Accounts payable (8,826) (1,533) 7,586
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 3,958 (12,782) 21,380
Net cash provided by operating activities 345,416 259,904 345,772
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Capital expenditures (85,021) (85,544) (77,984)
Franchise development fund (7,951) (3,605) 0
Acquisitions 0 0 (123,069)
Dispositions 2,115 8,237 55,118
Proceeds from sale of investments 31 0 63
Notes receivable, net 4,280 3,136 1,203
Payments for investments 0 0 (10,000)
Net cash used in investing activities (86,546) (77,776) (154,669)
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Proceeds from long-term debt 0 500,000 1,100,000
Repayments of long-term debt (94,702) (26,750) (970,344)
Repayments of finance lease liabilities (21,588) (17,312) (13,640)
Deferred financing costs 0 (10,232) (20,873)
Repurchases of common stock, including accelerated share repurchase (189,554) (51,950) (268,531)
Dividends (209,253) (106,779) (94,846)
Proceeds from stock option exercises 14,667 4,865 30,003
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation (3,873) (3,168) (4,511)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (504,303) 288,674 (242,742)
Net cash (used in) provided by operations before effect of exchange rate changes on cash (245,433) 470,802 (51,639)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash 2,448 (5,967) 364
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (242,985) 464,835 (51,275)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 831,801 366,966 418,241
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 588,816 $ 831,801 $ 366,966
v3.24.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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 in 32 foreign countries and U.S. territories. At December 31, 2023, Wendy’s operated and franchised 415 and 6,825 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.

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 December 31, 2023” or “2023,” (2) “the year ended January 1, 2023” or “2022,” and (3) “the year ended January 2, 2022” or “2021,” all of 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, delivery-related receivables, 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. See Note 7 for further information.

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.

Cloud Computing Arrangements (“CCA”)

The Company capitalizes implementation costs associated with its CCA consistent with costs capitalized for internal-use software. Capitalized CCA implementation costs are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” and “Other assets.” The CCA implementation costs are amortized over the term of the related hosting agreement, including renewal periods that are reasonably certain to be exercised. Amortization expense of CCA implementation costs is recorded to “Amortization of cloud computing arrangements.” The CCA implementation costs are included within operating activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.

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: three to 20 years for office and restaurant equipment (including technology), three to 15 years for transportation equipment and seven 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, terminal value growth rates and the weighted average cost of capital (discount rate). We also utilize other key inputs such as income tax rates and capital expenditures to derive fair value.

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; one to five years for computer software; two 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 critical 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.” 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.

Other investments in equity securities 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.

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, development fees and information technology and other 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. Information technology and other fees are recognized as revenue as earned.

“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 and historical performance of the restaurant. 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.

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 (exclusive of amortization of cloud computing arrangements shown separately below),” 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 2023, 2022 or 2021. As of December 31, 2023, 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 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 32 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, eggs, pork, 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

Reference Rate Reform

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to current reference rate reform guidance to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. During 2023, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries executed amendments to the 2021-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes, Class A-1 and the U.S. advertising fund revolving line of credit to transition from LIBOR to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), plus any applicable margin. In connection with these contract amendments, the Company adopted the reference rate reform guidance during the second quarter of 2023. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Business Combinations

In October 2021, the FASB issued an amendment to improve the accounting for revenue contracts with customers acquired in a business combination. The amendment requires contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination to be recognized and measured by the acquirer on the acquisition date in accordance with current revenue recognition guidance as if the acquirer had originated the contracts. The Company adopted this amendment during the first quarter of 2023. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Standards

Income Tax Disclosures

In December 2023, the FASB issued an amendment to enhance its income tax disclosure requirements. The amendment requires annual disclosure of specific categories in the rate reconciliation and additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. The amendment also requires annual disclosure of income taxes paid disaggregated by federal, state and foreign taxes and by individual jurisdictions in which income taxes paid is equal to or greater than 5% of total income taxes paid. The amendment is effective commencing with our 2025 fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Reportable Segment Disclosures

In November 2023, the FASB issued an amendment to enhance reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. In addition, the amendment enhances interim disclosure requirements, clarifies circumstances in which an entity can disclose multiple segment measures of profit or loss and provides new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment. The amendment is effective commencing with our 2024 fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Common-Control Lease Arrangements

In March 2023, the FASB issued an update to amend certain lease accounting guidance that applies to arrangements between related parties under common control. The amendment requires a lessee in a common-control lease arrangement to amortize leasehold improvements that it owns over the useful life of the improvements to the common-control group, regardless of the lease term, if the lessee continues to control the use of the underlying asset through a lease. The standard is effective
beginning with our 2024 fiscal year. The Company does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
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Revenue (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Revenue [Abstract]  
Revenue Revenue
Nature of Goods and Services

The Company generates revenues from sales at Company-operated restaurants and earns royalties, 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 start-up and transitional services related to new and existing franchisees acquiring restaurants and in the development and opening of new restaurants. The franchise agreement also requires that the franchisee pay an annual fee for technology services. The technology fee is a flat fee dependent on each restaurant’s sales.

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. Annual technology fees are due in quarterly installments. 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 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Wendy’s U.S.Wendy’s InternationalGlobal Real Estate & DevelopmentTotal
2023
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$905,700 $24,383 $— $930,083 
Franchise royalty revenue444,653 67,506 — 512,159 
Franchise fees68,749 6,406 5,017 80,172 
Franchise rental income— — 230,168 230,168 
Advertising funds revenue396,743 32,253 — 428,996 
Total revenues$1,815,845 $130,548 $235,185 $2,181,578 
2022
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$882,684 $13,901 $— $896,585 
Franchise royalty revenue423,955 61,533 — 485,488 
Franchise fees63,112 5,542 4,093 72,747 
Franchise rental income— — 234,465 234,465 
Advertising funds revenue380,491 25,729 — 406,220 
Total revenues$1,750,242 $106,705 $238,558 $2,095,505 
2021
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$730,415 $3,659 $— $734,074 
Franchise royalty revenue407,317 53,392 — 460,709 
Franchise fees64,170 5,391 6,478 76,039 
Franchise rental income— — 236,655 236,655 
Advertising funds revenue365,594 23,927 — 389,521 
Total revenues$1,567,496 $86,369 $243,133 $1,896,998 

Contract Balances

The following table provides information about receivables and contract liabilities (deferred franchise fees) from contracts with customers:
Year End
December 31,
2023 (a)
January 1,
2023 (a)
Receivables, which are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” (b)
$55,293 $54,497 
Receivables, which are included in “Advertising funds restricted assets”
76,838 70,422 
Deferred franchise fees (c)100,805 99,208 
_______________

(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 $10,673 and $90,132, respectively, as of December 31, 2023, and $8,977 and $90,231, respectively, as of January 1, 2023.

Significant changes in deferred franchise fees are as follows:
Year Ended
202320222021
Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period$99,208 $97,186 $97,785 
Revenue recognized during the period
(12,242)(11,567)(19,838)
New deferrals due to cash received and other13,839 13,589 19,239 
Deferred franchise fees at end of period$100,805 $99,208 $97,186 

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:
2024 (a)$10,673 
20256,483 
20266,354 
20276,255 
20286,136 
Thereafter64,904 
$100,805 
_______________

(a)Includes development-related franchise fees expected to be recognized over a duration of one year or less.
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Acquisitions
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Business Combinations [Abstract]  
Acquisitions
(3) Acquisitions

During 2021, the Company acquired 93 restaurants from a franchisee. The Company completed no significant acquisitions of restaurants from franchisees during 2023 or 2022. The Company did not incur any material acquisition-related costs associated with the acquisition in 2021 and such transaction was 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 a franchisee:
Year Ended
2021 (a)
Restaurants acquired from franchisee (b)93 
Total consideration paid, net of cash received$127,948 
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Properties21,984 
Acquired franchise rights81,239 
Finance lease assets25,547 
Operating lease assets44,282 
Finance lease liabilities(25,059)
Operating lease liabilities(43,478)
Other(9)
Total identifiable net assets104,506 
Goodwill$23,442 
_______________

(a)The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to restaurants acquired in 2021 were provisional amounts as of January 2, 2022, pending final purchase accounting adjustments. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation during 2022, which resulted in an increase in cash received of $260.

(b)Included two restaurants under construction and not operating as of January 2, 2022.

NPC Quality Burgers, Inc. (“NPC”)

As previously announced, NPC, formerly 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. The deposit included $38,361 received from the group of prequalified franchisees, which was payable to the franchisees pending resolution of the bankruptcy sale process.

During the three months ended April 4, 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 were sold to Wendy’s approved franchisees. Under the transaction, FRG acquired 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 acquired the other half of NPC’s Wendy’s restaurants in the other four markets. The Company did not acquire any restaurants as part of this transaction. In addition, the deposits outstanding as of January 3, 2021 were settled during the three months ended April 4, 2021 upon resolution of the bankruptcy sale process. The net settlement of deposits of $4,879 is included in “Acquisitions” in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
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System Optimization Gains, Net
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
System optimization gains, net  
System Optimization Gains, Net Properties
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Land$373,634 $371,347 
Buildings and improvements519,244 510,685 
Leasehold improvements432,051 422,330 
Office, restaurant and transportation equipment344,623 314,223 
1,669,552 1,618,585 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(778,472)(722,807)
$891,080 $895,778 

Depreciation and amortization expense related to properties was $70,108, $69,239 and $68,298 during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
System Optimization  
System optimization gains, net  
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 December 31, 2023, Company-operated restaurant ownership was approximately 5% of the total system. While the Company has no plans to move its ownership away from approximately 5% of the total system, 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 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company facilitated 99, 79 and 34 Franchise Flips, respectively. Additionally, during 2021, the Company completed the sale of 47 Company-operated restaurants in New York (including Manhattan) to franchisees and, during 2022, the Company completed the sale of one Company-operated restaurant to a franchisee. No Company-operated restaurants were sold to franchisees during 2023.

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
202320222021
Number of restaurants sold to franchisees— 47 
Proceeds from sales of restaurants (a)$— $79 $50,518 
Net assets sold (b)— (141)(16,939)
Goodwill related to sales of restaurants— — (4,847)
Net unfavorable leases (c)— (360)(2,939)
Gain on sales-type leases— — 7,156 
Other (d)— (2,148)
— (416)30,801 
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants (e) (f)858 2,877 1,218 
Gain on sales of restaurants, net858 2,461 32,019 
Gain on sales of other assets, net (g)22 4,318 1,526 
System optimization gains, net$880 $6,779 $33,545 
_______________

(a)In addition to the proceeds noted herein, the Company received cash proceeds of $378 and $39 during 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to a note receivable issued in connection with the sale of the Manhattan Company-operated restaurants.

(b)Net assets sold consisted primarily of equipment.

(c)During 2021, the Company recorded favorable lease assets of $3,799 and unfavorable lease liabilities of $6,738 as a result of leasing and/or subleasing land, buildings and/or leasehold improvements to franchisees, in connection with the sale of the New York Company-operated restaurants (including Manhattan).

(d)2021 includes a deferred gain of $3,500 as a result of certain contingencies related to the extension of lease terms.

(e)2021 includes a gain on sales-type leases of $1,625 and the write-off of certain lease assets of $927 as a result of an amendment to lease terms in connection with a Manhattan Company-operated restaurant previously sold to a franchisee.
(f)2023, 2022 and 2021 include the recognition of deferred gains of $858, $3,522 and $515, respectively, as a result of the resolution of certain contingencies related to the extension of lease terms for restaurants previously sold to franchisees.

(g)During 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company received cash proceeds of $2,115, $7,780 and $4,561, respectively, primarily from the sale of surplus and other properties.

Assets Held for Sale

As of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, the Company had assets held for sale of $2,689 and $1,661, respectively, primarily consisting of surplus properties. Assets held for sale are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets.”
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Reorganization and Realignment Costs
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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
202320222021
Organizational Redesign Plan$9,064 $— $— 
System optimization initiative136 611 6,852 
Other reorganization and realignment plans— 87 1,696 
Reorganization and realignment costs$9,200 $698 $8,548 

Organizational Redesign

In February 2023, the Board of Directors approved a plan to redesign the Company’s organizational structure to better support the execution of the Company’s long-term growth strategy by maximizing organizational efficiency and streamlining decision making (the “Organizational Redesign Plan”). As a result of the Organizational Redesign Plan, the Company held its general and administrative expense in 2023 relatively flat compared with 2022. Additionally, in January 2024, the Board of Directors announced the appointment of Kirk Tanner as the Company’s new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective February 5, 2024. Mr. Tanner succeeded Todd A. Penegor, the Company’s previous President and Chief Executive Officer, who departed from the Company in February. As a result of the succession of the President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company now expects to incur total costs of approximately $17,000 to $19,000 related to the Organizational Redesign Plan. During 2023, the Company recognized costs totaling $9,064, which primarily included severance and related employee costs and share-based compensation. The Company expects to incur additional costs aggregating approximately $8,000 to $10,000, comprised of (1) severance and related employee costs of approximately $7,000, (2) share-based compensation of approximately $2,000 and (3) recruitment and relocation costs of approximately $500. The Company expects costs related to the Organizational Redesign Plan to continue into 2026.

The following is a summary of the costs recorded as a result of the Organizational Redesign Plan:
Year Ended
2023
Severance and related employee costs$6,243 
Recruitment and relocation costs554 
Third-party and other costs996 
7,793 
Share-based compensation (a)1,271 
Total organizational redesign$9,064 
_______________

(a)Primarily represents the accelerated recognition of share-based compensation resulting from the termination of employees under the Organizational Redesign Plan.
The table below presents a rollforward of our accruals for the Organizational Redesign Plan, which are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” as of December 31, 2023.

Balance January 1, 2023
ChargesPayments
Balance December 31, 2023
Severance and related employee costs$— $6,243 $(4,551)$1,692 
Recruitment and relocation costs— 554 (554)— 
Third-party and other costs— 996 (996)— 
$— $7,793 $(6,101)$1,692 

System Optimization Initiative

The Company recognizes costs related to acquisitions and dispositions under its system optimization initiative. During 2023, the Company recognized costs totaling $136. During 2022, the Company recognized costs totaling $611, which were primarily comprised of professional fees and other costs associated with the Company’s acquisition of 93 franchise-operated restaurants in Florida during the fourth quarter of 2021. During 2021, the Company recognized costs totaling $6,852, which were primarily comprised of the write-off of certain lease assets, lease termination fees and transaction fees associated with the NPC bankruptcy sale process, as well as professional fees and transaction fees associated with the Company’s acquisition of 93 franchise-operated restaurants in Florida during the fourth quarter of 2021. See Note 3 for further information on the NPC bankruptcy sale process. The Company expects to recognize a gain of approximately $150, primarily related to the write-off of certain NPC-related lease liabilities upon final termination of the leases. As of December 31, 2023, January 1, 2023 and January 2, 2022 there were no accruals for our system optimization initiative.

The following is a summary of the costs recorded as a result of our system optimization initiative:
Year EndedTotal Incurred Since Inception
202320222021
Severance and related employee costs$— $$661 $18,902 
Professional fees395 1,570 24,075 
Other (a)73 145 1,765 7,836 
76 544 3,996 50,813 
Accelerated depreciation and amortization (b)— — — 25,398 
NPC lease termination costs (c)60 67 2,856 2,983 
Share-based compensation (d)— — — 5,013 
Total system optimization initiative$136 $611 $6,852 $84,207 
_______________

(a)2021 includes transaction fees of $1,350 associated with the NPC bankruptcy sale process.

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

(c)2021 includes the write-off of lease assets of $1,376 and lease termination fees paid of $1,480.

(d)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.
Other Reorganization and Realignment
For 2022 and 2021, costs incurred under the Company’s other reorganization and realignment plans were $87 and $1,696, respectively. No costs were incurred under the Company’s other reorganization and realignment plans in 2023. The Company does not expect to incur any material additional costs under these plans.
v3.24.0.1
Net Income Per Share
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Net Income Per Share Net Income Per Share
The calculation of basic and diluted net income per share was as follows:
Year Ended
202320222021
Net income$204,440 $177,370 $200,392 
Common stock:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding209,486 213,766 221,375 
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares2,048 2,073 3,030 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding211,534 215,839 224,405 
Net income per share:
Basic$.98 $.83 $.91 
Diluted$.97 $.82 $.89 

Basic net income per share for 2023, 2022 and 2021 was computed by dividing net income amounts by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. 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 5,377, 4,443 and 2,404 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, from our diluted net income per share calculation as they would have had anti-dilutive effects.
v3.24.0.1
Cash and Receivables
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Cash and Receivables [Abstract]  
Cash and Receivables Cash and Receivables
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash$150,136 $185,207 
Cash equivalents365,901 560,682 
516,037 745,889 
Restricted cash
Accounts held by trustee for the securitized financing facility 35,483 34,850 
Other365 353 
35,848 35,203 
Advertising Funds (a)36,931 50,709 
72,779 85,912 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$588,816 $831,801 
_______________

(a)Included in “Advertising funds restricted assets.”
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
GrossAllowance for Doubtful AccountsNetGrossAllowance for Doubtful AccountsNet
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net
Current
Accounts receivable (a)$106,335 $(1,538)$104,797 $100,270 $(1,707)$98,563 
Notes receivable from franchisees (b) (c)18,035 (1,149)16,886 22,503 (4,640)17,863 
$124,370 $(2,687)$121,683 $122,773 $(6,347)$116,426 
Non-current (d)
Notes receivable from franchisees (c)$— $— $— $3,888 $— $3,888 
_______________

(a)Includes income tax refund receivables of $5,284 and $3,236 as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, respectively. Additionally, includes receivables of $17,460 as of December 31, 2023 related to expected contributions from applicable insurance for legal settlements. See Note 11 for further information on our legal reserves.

(b)Includes the current portion of sales-type and direct financing lease receivables of $10,779 and $8,263 as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, respectively. See Note 19 for further information.

Includes a note receivable from a franchisee in Indonesia of $394 and $1,153 as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, respectively.

(c)Includes notes receivable related to the Brazil JV, of which $6,837 and $13,087 are included in current notes receivable as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, respectively, and $3,888 is included in non-current notes receivable as of January 1, 2023. As of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, the Company had reserves of $1,149 and $4,640, respectively, on the loans outstanding related to the Brazil JV. See Note 8 for further information.

(d)Included in “Other assets.”
The following is a rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts:
Accounts ReceivableNotes ReceivableTotal
2023
Balance at January 1, 2023
$1,707 $4,640 $6,347 
Provision for doubtful accounts534 (414)120 
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries(703)(3,077)(3,780)
Balance at December 31, 2023
$1,538 $1,149 $2,687 
2022
Balance at January 2, 2022
$3,229 $5,290 $8,519 
Provision for doubtful accounts(565)(350)(915)
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries(957)(300)(1,257)
Balance at January 1, 2023
$1,707 $4,640 $6,347 
2021
Balance at January 3, 2021
$3,739 $5,625 $9,364 
Provision for doubtful accounts(148)(335)(483)
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries(362)— (362)
Balance at January 2, 2022
$3,229 $5,290 $8,519 
v3.24.0.1
Investments
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Investments [Abstract]  
Investments Investments
The following is a summary of the carrying value of our investments:
Year End
December 31,
2023
January 1,
2023
Equity method investments$32,727 $33,921 
Other investments in equity securities1,718 12,107 
$34,445 $46,028 

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 Brazil JV ceased operations in 2021 and no income or loss was recorded during 2023, 2022 and 2021. A wholly-owned subsidiary of Wendy’s had receivables outstanding related to the Brazil JV totaling $6,837 and $16,975 as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, respectively. The total receivables outstanding as of December 31, 2023 are due in 2024. As of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, the Company had reserves of $1,149 and $4,640, respectively, on the receivables related to the Brazil JV. 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 $14,086 and $16,423 as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, 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 investment in TimWen included in our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023, January 1, 2023 and January 2, 2022.
Year Ended
202320222021
Balance at beginning of period$33,921 $39,870 $44,574 
Equity in earnings for the period13,493 12,267 14,329 
Amortization of purchase price adjustments (a)(2,674)(2,845)(3,126)
10,819 9,422 11,203 
Distributions received(12,901)(12,612)(16,337)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in
“Other comprehensive income (loss)” and other
888 (2,759)430 
Balance at end of period$32,727 $33,921 $39,870 
_______________

(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.

Other Investments in Equity Securities
During 2021, the Company made an investment in equity securities of $10,000. During the year ended January 1, 2023, the Company recognized a gain of $2,107 as a result of an observable price change for a similar investment of the same issuer. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recorded impairment charges of $10,389 for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the investment.
v3.24.0.1
Properties (Notes)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Properties Properties
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Land$373,634 $371,347 
Buildings and improvements519,244 510,685 
Leasehold improvements432,051 422,330 
Office, restaurant and transportation equipment344,623 314,223 
1,669,552 1,618,585 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(778,472)(722,807)
$891,080 $895,778 

Depreciation and amortization expense related to properties was $70,108, $69,239 and $68,298 during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
v3.24.0.1
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill activity for 2023 and 2022 was as follows:
Wendy’s U.S.Wendy’s
International
Global Real Estate & DevelopmentTotal
Balance at January 2, 2022:
Goodwill, gross$620,863 $41,264 $122,548 $784,675 
Accumulated impairment losses (a)— (9,397)— (9,397)
Goodwill, net620,863 31,867 122,548 775,278 
Changes in goodwill:
Restaurant acquisitions (b)(260)— — (260)
Restaurant dispositions— — — — 
Currency translation adjustment and other— (1,930)— (1,930)
Balance at January 1, 2023:
Goodwill, gross620,603 39,334 122,548 782,485 
Accumulated impairment losses (a)— (9,397)— (9,397)
Goodwill, net620,603 29,937 122,548 773,088 
Changes in goodwill:
Restaurant acquisitions— — — — 
Restaurant dispositions— — — — 
Currency translation adjustment and other— 639 — 639 
Balance at December 31, 2023:
Goodwill, gross620,603 39,973 122,548 783,124 
Accumulated impairment losses (a)— (9,397)— (9,397)
Goodwill, net$620,603 $30,576 $122,548 $773,727 
_______________

(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 2021. 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
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
CostAccumulated AmortizationNetCostAccumulated AmortizationNet
Indefinite-lived:
Trademarks$903,000 $— $903,000 $903,000 $— $903,000 
Definite-lived:
Franchise agreements348,657 (253,398)95,259 348,293 (236,536)111,757 
Favorable leases152,558 (75,502)77,056 154,048 (67,928)86,120 
Reacquired rights under franchise agreements
90,509 (17,157)73,352 90,509 (10,536)79,973 
Software286,269 (215,807)70,462 263,282 (195,332)67,950 
$1,780,993 $(561,864)$1,219,129 $1,759,132 $(510,332)$1,248,800 
Aggregate amortization expense:
Actual for fiscal year:
2021$55,236 
202258,690 
202359,356 
Estimate for fiscal year:
2024$55,722 
202548,132 
202642,306 
202737,711 
202832,687 
Thereafter99,571 
$316,129 
v3.24.0.1
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]  
Accrued Expenses Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Accrued compensation and related benefits$44,625 $39,247 
Accrued taxes28,134 30,159 
Legal reserves (a)19,699 907 
Other42,691 45,697 
$135,149 $116,010 
_______________

(a)The Company maintains insurance coverage to help mitigate against a variety of risks, including claims and litigation. The Company’s legal reserve may include amounts that are covered by applicable insurance, in which case any expected insurance receivables are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net.” See Note 7 for further information.
v3.24.0.1
Long-Term Debt
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Long-Term Debt Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
Year End
December 31,
2023
January 1,
2023
Class A-2 Notes:
4.236% Series 2022-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2029
$98,500 $99,500 
4.535% Series 2022-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2032
390,134 398,000 
2.370% Series 2021-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2029
423,269 443,250 
2.775% Series 2021-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2031
633,530 640,250 
3.783% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2026
357,673 364,000 
4.080% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2029
403,123 409,500 
3.884% Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2028
441,099 451,250 
7% debentures, due in 2025
48,237 86,369 
Unamortized debt issuance costs(33,501)(40,673)
2,762,064 2,851,446 
Less amounts payable within one year(29,250)(29,250)
Total long-term debt$2,732,814 $2,822,196 

Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, excluding the effect of purchase accounting adjustments, as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:
Fiscal Year
2024$29,250 
202578,820 
2026374,923 
202725,250 
2028442,599 
Thereafter1,846,056 
$2,796,898 

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 December 31, 2023, the Master Issuer has issued the following outstanding series of fixed rate senior secured notes: (i) 2022-1 Class A-2-I with an initial principal amount of $100,000; (ii) 2022-1 Class A-2-II with an initial principal amount of $400,000 (collectively, the 2022-1 Class A-2-I Notes and the 2022-1 Class A-2-II Notes are referred to herein as the “2022-1 Class A-2 Notes”); (iii) 2021-1 Class A-2-I with an initial principal amount of $450,000; (iv) 2021-1 Class A-2-II with an initial principal amount of $650,000; (v) 2019-1 Class A-2-I with an initial principal amount of $400,000; (vi) 2019-1 Class A-2-II with an initial principal amount of $450,000; and (vii) 2018-1 Class A-2-II with an initial principal amount of $475,000 (collectively, the notes described in (i) to (vii) are referred to herein as the “Class A-2 Notes”). During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased $29,171 in principal of its Class A-2 Notes for $24,935. As a result, the Company recognized a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $3,914 for the year ended December 31, 2023.

In connection with the issuance of the 2021-1 Class A-2-I and 2021-1 Class A-2-II Notes, the Master Issuer also entered into a revolving financing facility of 2021-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes, Class A-1 (the “2021-1 Class A-1 Notes”), which allows for the drawing of up to $300,000 on a revolving basis using various credit instruments, including a letter of credit facility. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes.
The Master Issuer’s issuance of the 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes in June 2021 replaced the Company’s previous $150,000 Series 2019-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes, Class A-1 (the “2019-1 Class A-1 Notes”) and $100,000 Series 2020-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes, Class A-1 (the “2020-1 Class A-1 Notes”). The Class A-2 Notes and the 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes are collectively referred to as 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 2048 through 2052. If the Master Issuer has not repaid or refinanced the Class A-2 Notes prior to their respective anticipated repayment dates, which range from 2026 through 2032, additional interest will accrue pursuant to the Indenture.

The 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes accrue interest at a variable interest rate based on (i) the prime rate, (ii) overnight federal funds rates, (iii) SOFR 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 purchase agreement for the 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes. There is a commitment fee on the unused portions of the 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes, which ranges from 0.40% to 0.75% based on utilization. As of December 31, 2023, $28,627 of letters of credit were outstanding against the 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes, which relate primarily to interest reserves required under the Indenture.

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 December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, Wendy’s Funding had restricted cash of $35,483 and $34,850, 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.
Debt Financing

In April 2022, the Master Issuer completed a debt financing transaction under which the Company issued the 2022-1 Class A-2 Notes with an initial principal amount of $500,000. The legal final maturity date of the 2022-1 Class A-2 Notes is March 2052 and the anticipated repayment dates are in 2029 and 2032.

Refinancing Transactions

In June 2021, the Master Issuer completed a refinancing transaction under which the Master Issuer issued the Series 2021-1 Class A-2-I Notes and the Series 2021-1 Class A-2-II Notes. A portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the Series 2021-1 Class A-2 Notes were used to repay in full the Master Issuer’s outstanding Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes and Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes, including the payment of prepayment and transaction costs. As a result of the refinancing, the Company recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $17,917 during 2021, which was comprised of a specified make-whole payment of $9,632 and the write-off of certain unamortized deferred financing costs of $8,285. As part of the June 2021 refinancing transaction, the Master Issuer also issued the 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes. The Series 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes replaced the 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes and 2020-1 Class A-1 Notes, which were canceled on the closing date, and the letters of credit outstanding against the Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes were transferred to the Series 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes.

Debt Issuance Costs

During 2022 and 2021, the Company incurred debt issuance costs of $10,232 and $20,873 in connection with the issuance of the 2022-1 Class A-2 Notes and the June 2021 refinancing transaction. 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 December 31, 2023, the effective interest rates, including the amortization of debt issuance costs, were 4.0%, 4.0%, 4.2%, 2.5%, 2.9%, 4.7% and 4.7% for the Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes, Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes, Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes, Series 2021-1 Class A-2-I Notes, Series 2021-1 Class A-2-II Notes, Series 2022-1 Class A-2-I Notes and Series 2022-1 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. During 2023, Wendy’s repurchased $40,430 in principal of its 7% debentures for $40,517. As a result, the Company recognized a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $1,631 during 2023.

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, which the Company fully repaid through repayments of C$3,000 in the fourth quarter of 2020 and C$2,500 in the first quarter of 2021. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Canadian revolving credit facility.

Wendy’s U.S. advertising fund has a revolving line of credit of $15,000, which was established to support the Company’s advertising fund operations and bears interest at SOFR plus 2.25%. Borrowings under the line of credit are guaranteed by Wendy’s. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the advertising fund revolving line of credit.

Interest Expense

Interest expense on the Company’s long-term debt was $112,659, $110,751 and $98,356 during 2023, 2022 and 2021, 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
December 31,
2023
Cash and cash equivalents$35,532 
Restricted cash and other assets35,488 
Accounts and notes receivable, net46,114 
Inventories5,760 
Properties78,932 
Other intangible assets994,350 
$1,196,176 
v3.24.0.1
Fair Value Measurements
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements 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:
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Fair Value
Measurements
Financial assets
Cash equivalents$365,901 $365,901 $560,682 $560,682 Level 1
Other investments in equity securities (a)1,718 1,718 12,107 12,107 Level 2
Financial liabilities (b)
Series 2022-1 Class A-2-I Notes98,500 92,289 99,500 89,401 Level 2
Series 2022-1 Class A-2-II Notes390,134 370,577 398,000 349,444 Level 2
Series 2021-1 Class A-2-I Notes423,269 362,572 443,250 357,304 Level 2
Series 2021-1 Class A-2-II Notes633,530 530,581 640,250 499,011 Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes357,673 341,606 364,000 334,334 Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes403,123 374,058 409,500 361,875 Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes441,099 412,754 451,250 405,809 Level 2
7% debentures, due in 2025
48,237 49,431 86,369 92,367 Level 2
_______________

(a)The fair value of our other investments in equity securities is based on our review of information provided by the investment manager, which is based on observable price changes in orderly transactions for a similar investment of the same issuer.

(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) the deterioration in operating performance of certain 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. 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 Measurements
2023 Total Losses
December 31,
2023
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Held and used$1,212 $— $— $1,212 $1,316 
Held for sale1,044 — — 1,044 85 
Total$2,256 $— $— $2,256 $1,401 
Fair Value Measurements
2022 Total Losses
January 1,
2023
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Held and used$4,590 $— $— $4,590 $5,727 
Held for sale1,314 — — 1,314 693 
Total$5,904 $— $— $5,904 $6,420 
v3.24.0.1
Income Taxes
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Income Taxes Income Taxes
Income before income taxes is set forth below:
Year Ended
202320222021
Domestic$264,423 $231,862 $228,756 
Foreign (a)14,995 11,643 11,822 
$279,418 $243,505 $240,578 
_______________

(a)Excludes foreign income of domestic subsidiaries.
The (provision for) benefit from income taxes is set forth below:
Year Ended
202320222021
Current:
U.S. federal$(50,435)$(43,141)$(38,416)
State(13,730)(9,152)(7,039)
Foreign(11,620)(9,537)(8,512)
Current tax provision(75,785)(61,830)(53,967)
Deferred:
U.S. federal2,163 (3,868)(52)
State564 (2,629)15,993 
Foreign(1,920)2,192 (2,160)
Deferred tax benefit (provision)807 (4,305)13,781 
Income tax provision$(74,978)$(66,135)$(40,186)

Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are set forth below:
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Deferred tax assets:
Operating and finance lease liabilities$339,655 $355,653 
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards58,170 58,030 
Deferred revenue23,848 23,617 
Unfavorable leases17,104 19,085 
Accrued compensation and related benefits15,786 14,577 
Accrued expenses and reserves6,802 7,012 
Other11,243 8,275 
Valuation allowances(39,346)(35,680)
Total deferred tax assets433,262 450,569 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Operating and finance lease assets(310,011)(326,646)
Intangible assets(290,782)(285,688)
Fixed assets(62,673)(66,830)
Other(40,149)(41,826)
Total deferred tax liabilities(703,615)(720,990)
$(270,353)$(270,421)
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$17,111 2027-2033
Foreign tax credits of non-U.S. subsidiaries3,973 Indefinite
Total$21,084 
Net operating loss carryforwards (pre-tax):
State and local net operating loss carryforwards$744,363 2024-2035
State and local net operating loss carryforwards219,652 Indefinite
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards11,609 Indefinite
Total$975,624 

The Company’s valuation allowances of $39,346 and $35,680 as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, respectively, relate primarily to foreign and state tax credit and net operating loss carryforwards. Valuation allowances increased $3,666 during 2023 and decreased $2,597 and $11,691 during 2022 and 2021, respectively. The relative presence of Company-operated restaurants in various states impacts expected future state taxable income available to utilize state net operating loss carryforwards.

The current portion of refundable income taxes was $5,284 and $3,236 as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, respectively, and is included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net.” There were no long-term refundable income taxes as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023.

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
202320222021
Income tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate$(58,678)$(51,136)$(50,521)
State income tax provision, net of U.S. federal income tax effect(11,400)(11,616)(6,256)
Prior years’ tax matters(2,250)2,290 1,820 
Excess federal tax benefits from share-based compensation845 402 7,160 
Foreign and U.S. tax effects of foreign operations1,799 (3,744)(5)
Valuation allowances (a)(3,533)2,127 11,807 
Non-deductible goodwill (b)— — (947)
Tax credits1,050 1,385 1,028 
Non-deductible executive compensation(2,863)(3,154)(3,810)
Unrepatriated earnings(387)(294)(282)
Non-deductible expenses and other439 (2,395)(180)
$(74,978)$(66,135)$(40,186)
_______________

(a)2021 primarily relates to a $12,606 benefit resulting from a change in state tax law.

(b)Related to the sale of the New York Company-operated restaurants (including Manhattan). See Note 4 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 through 2021 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 2018 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 December 31, 2023, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $16,719, which, if resolved favorably, would reduce income tax expense by $13,208. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits follows:
Year Ended
202320222021
Beginning balance$17,404 $18,849 $20,973 
Additions:
Tax positions of current year836 178 157 
Reductions:
Tax positions of prior years(690)(662)(2,015)
Settlements(249)(8)(46)
Lapse of statute of limitations(582)(953)(220)
Ending balance$16,719 $17,404 $18,849 

During 2024, 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 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $134, $(30) and $138 of expense (income) for interest, respectively, and $37 of income in 2021 for penalties, related to uncertain tax positions. The Company has $979 and $943 accrued for interest related to uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, respectively.
v3.24.0.1
Stockholders' Equity
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]  
Stockholders' Equity Stockholders’ Equity
Dividends

During 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company paid dividends per share of $1.00, $.50 and $.43, respectively.

Treasury Stock

There were 470,424 shares of common stock issued at the beginning and end of 2023, 2022 and 2021. Treasury stock activity for 2023, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
Year Ended
202320222021
Number of shares at beginning of year257,323 254,575 246,156 
Repurchases of common stock9,107 3,474 11,487 
Common shares issued:
Stock options, net(989)(353)(2,657)
Restricted stock, net(322)(264)(337)
Director fees(22)(22)(17)
Other(70)(87)(57)
Number of shares at end of year265,027 257,323 254,575 
Repurchases of Common Stock

In January 2023, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $500,000 of our common stock through February 28, 2027, when and if market conditions warrant and to the extent legally permissible (the “January 2023 Authorization”). During 2023, the Company repurchased 9,107 shares under the January 2023 Authorization with an aggregate purchase price of $190,000, of which $573 was accrued as of December 31, 2023, and excluding excise tax of $1,744 and commissions of $127. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had $310,000 of availability remaining under the January 2023 Authorization.

In February 2022, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $100,000 of our common stock through February 28, 2023, when and if market conditions warranted and to the extent legally permissible (the “February 2022 Authorization”). In April 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an increase of $150,000 to the February 2022 Authorization, resulting in an aggregate authorization of $250,000 that was set to expire on February 28, 2023. During 2022, the Company repurchased 2,759 shares under the February 2022 Authorization with an aggregate purchase price of $51,911, excluding commissions of $39. In connection with the January 2023 Authorization, the remaining portion of the February 2022 Authorization was canceled.

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 (the “February 2020 Authorization”). In July 2020, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an extension of the February 2020 Authorization by one year, through February 28, 2022. In addition, during 2021, the Board of Directors approved increases totaling $200,000 to the February 2020 Authorization, resulting in an aggregate authorization of $300,000 that continued to expire on February 28, 2022. In November 2021, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (the “2021 ASR Agreement”) with a third-party financial institution to repurchase common stock as part of the February 2020 Authorization. Under the 2021 ASR Agreement, the Company paid the financial institution an initial purchase price of $125,000 in cash and received an initial delivery of 4,910 shares of common stock, representing an estimated 85% of the total shares expected to be delivered under the 2021 ASR Agreement. In February 2022, the Company completed the 2021 ASR Agreement and received an additional 715 shares of common stock. The total number of shares of common stock ultimately purchased by the Company under the 2021 ASR Agreement was based on the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices of the common stock during the term of the 2021 ASR Agreement, less an agreed upon discount. In total, 5,625 shares were delivered under the 2021 ASR Agreement at an average purchase price of $22.22 per share.

In addition to the shares repurchased in connection with the 2021 ASR Agreement, during 2021, the Company repurchased 6,577 shares with an aggregate purchase price of $142,715, excluding commissions of $93, under the February 2020 Authorization. After taking into consideration these repurchases, with the completion of the 2021 ASR Agreement in February 2022 described above, the Company completed the February 2020 Authorization.

Preferred Stock

There were 100,000 shares authorized and no shares issued of preferred stock throughout 2023, 2022 and 2021.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table provides a rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is entirely comprised of foreign currency translation:
Year Ended
202320222021
Balance at beginning of period$(64,176)$(48,200)$(49,641)
Foreign currency translation5,801 (15,976)1,441 
Balance at end of period$(58,375)$(64,176)$(48,200)
v3.24.0.1
Share-Based Compensation
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Share-Based Compensation Share-Based Compensation
The 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. All equity grants in 2023, 2022, and 2021 were issued from the 2020 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 December 31, 2023, there were approximately 14,850 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 grants stock options that have maximum contractual terms of 10 years and vest ratably over 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 2023:
Number of OptionsWeighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life in Years
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2023
10,890 $19.00 
Granted1,089 21.53 
Exercised(1,104)15.27 
Forfeited and/or expired(385)22.01 
Outstanding at December 31, 2023
10,490 $19.55 5.78$14,801 
Vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2023
10,414 $19.53 5.76$14,801 
Exercisable at December 31, 2023
8,153 $18.89 4.89$14,801 

The total intrinsic value of options exercised during 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $7,230, $2,979 and $39,522, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options granted during 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $5.35, $6.33 and $6.33, respectively.

The weighted average grant date fair value of stock options was determined using the following assumptions:
202320222021
Risk-free interest rate4.31 %3.00 %0.70 %
Expected option life in years5.014.754.50
Expected volatility36.79 %37.82 %38.00 %
Expected dividend yield4.64 %2.34 %2.03 %

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 RSUs, which primarily vest ratably over three years or cliff vest after three years. The Company also grants RSAs to non-employee directors, which primarily cliff vest after one year. For the purposes of our disclosures, the term “Restricted Shares” applies to RSUs and RSAs 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 2023:
Number of Restricted SharesWeighted
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2023
1,186 $20.03 
Granted652 21.70 
Vested(370)20.93 
Forfeited(96)22.11 
Non-vested at December 31, 2023
1,372 $20.42 

The total fair value of Restricted Shares that vested in 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $8,224, $5,564 and $7,048, 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 2023, 2022 and 2021 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 2023, 2022 and 2021 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:
202320222021
Risk-free interest rate4.31 %1.71 %0.20 %
Expected life in years3.003.003.00
Expected volatility34.95 %52.33 %49.47 %
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 2023:
Performance Condition AwardsMarket Condition Awards
SharesWeighted
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
SharesWeighted
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2023
584 $21.67 462 $27.38 
Granted191 22.89 159 27.46 
Dividend equivalent units issued (a)28 — 23 — 
Vested(96)23.37 (97)30.31 
Forfeited(99)22.44 (53)28.47 
Non-vested at December 31, 2023
608 $21.66 494 $26.68 
_______________

(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.

The total fair value of performance condition awards that vested in 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $2,105, $1,712 and $1,784, respectively. The total fair value of market condition awards that vested in 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $2,138, $2,253 and $3,498, respectively.

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
202320222021
Stock options$7,687 $9,072 $9,256 
Restricted shares9,503 7,106 6,677 
Performance shares:
Performance condition awards2,524 4,431 2,861 
Market condition awards4,033 3,929 3,225 
Share-based compensation23,747 24,538 22,019 
Less: Income tax benefit(3,207)(3,043)(2,790)
Share-based compensation, net of income tax benefit$20,540 $21,495 $19,229 

As of December 31, 2023, there was $27,245 of total unrecognized share-based compensation, which will be recognized over a weighted average amortization period of 1.56 years.
v3.24.0.1
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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.
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
202320222021
Company-operated restaurants$1,316 $5,485 $1,862 
Restaurants leased or subleased to franchisees— 242 189 
Surplus properties85 693 200 
$1,401 $6,420 $2,251 
v3.24.0.1
Retirement Benefit Plans
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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 contributions, the Company recognized compensation expense of $5,947, $5,929 and $4,583 in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

Deferred Compensation Plan

The Company has 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 $1,959 and $1,435 at December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, respectively, which are included in “Other liabilities.”
v3.24.0.1
Leases
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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 December 31, 2023, Wendy’s and its franchisees operated 7,240 Wendy’s restaurants. Of the 415 Company-operated Wendy’s restaurants, Wendy’s owned the land and building for 158 restaurants, owned the building and held long-term land leases for 145 restaurants and held leases covering the land and building for 112 restaurants. Wendy’s also owned 488 and leased 1,179 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 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
Year Ended
202320222021
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of finance lease assets$16,061 $15,440 $13,992 
Interest on finance lease liabilities42,624 42,918 41,419 
58,685 58,358 55,411 
Operating lease cost85,138 86,050 89,283 
Variable lease cost (a)66,859 64,473 63,853 
Short-term lease cost5,864 5,439 5,102 
Total operating lease cost (b)157,861 155,962 158,238 
Total lease cost$216,546 $214,320 $213,649 
_______________

(a)Includes expenses for executory costs of $39,456, $38,749, and $39,646 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, for which the Company is reimbursed by sublessees.

(b)Includes $125,180, $123,924 and $132,158 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, recorded to “Franchise rental expense” for leased properties that are subsequently leased to franchisees. Also includes $30,538, $29,648 and $23,558 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, recorded to “Cost of sales” for leases for Company-operated restaurants.

The following table includes supplemental cash flow and non-cash information related to leases:
Year Ended
202320222021
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from finance leases$42,624 $42,979 $42,277 
Operating cash flows from operating leases86,972 88,372 91,930 
Financing cash flows from finance leases21,588 17,312 13,640 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Finance lease liabilities20,243 34,478 82,032 
Operating lease liabilities12,659 24,742 58,770 
The following table includes supplemental information related to leases:
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1,
2023
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Finance leases14.315.1
Operating leases12.613.7
Weighted average discount rate:
Finance leases8.52 %8.66 %
Operating leases4.93 %4.90 %
Supplemental balance sheet information:
Finance lease assets, gross$318,951 $310,686 
Accumulated amortization(90,015)(76,116)
Finance lease assets228,936 234,570 
Operating lease assets705,615 754,498 

The following table illustrates the Company’s future minimum rental payments for non-cancelable leases as of December 31, 2023:
Finance
Leases
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearCompany-OperatedFranchise
and Other
Company-OperatedFranchise
and Other
2024$6,904 $55,492 $22,052 $64,636 
20257,104 56,121 22,048 64,432 
20267,249 57,817 22,500 63,967 
20277,293 58,702 22,439 63,678 
20287,350 59,919 22,223 63,869 
Thereafter78,045 563,716 169,965 469,484 
Total minimum payments$113,945 $851,767 $281,227 $790,066 
Less interest
(36,660)(340,035)(71,529)(211,071)
Present value of minimum lease payments (a) (b)$77,285 $511,732 $209,698 $578,995 
_______________

(a)The present value of minimum finance lease payments of $20,250 and $568,767 are included in “Current portion of finance lease liabilities” and “Long-term finance lease liabilities,” respectively.

(b)The present value of minimum operating lease payments of $49,353 and $739,340 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 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
Year Ended
202320222021
Sales-type and direct-financing leases:
Selling profit$2,466 $2,981 $4,244 
Interest income (a)31,412 31,298 30,648 
Operating lease income163,927 170,633 173,442 
Variable lease income66,241 63,832 63,213 
Franchise rental income (b)$230,168 $234,465 $236,655 
_______________

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

(b)Includes sublease income of $170,112, $175,053 and $174,327 recognized during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Sublease income includes lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs of $39,350, $38,733 and $39,650 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.

The following table illustrates the Company’s future minimum rental receipts for non-cancelable leases and subleases as of December 31, 2023:
Sales-Type and
Direct Financing Leases
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearSubleasesOwned PropertiesSubleasesOwned Properties
2024$38,890 $2,087 $106,470 $54,946 
202537,826 2,194 106,616 55,549 
202639,136 2,364 106,840 57,308 
202739,719 2,244 107,263 56,954 
202840,684 1,999 107,652 56,741 
Thereafter399,480 25,730 783,633 542,967 
Total future minimum receipts595,735 36,618 $1,318,474 $824,465 
Unearned interest income(288,461)(19,449)
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases (a)$307,274 $17,169 
_______________

(a)The present value of minimum sales-type and direct financing rental receipts of $10,779 and $313,664 are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” and “Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases,” respectively. The present value of minimum sales-type and direct financing rental receipts includes a net investment in unguaranteed residual assets of $590.
Properties owned by the Company and leased to franchisees and other third parties under operating leases include:
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Land$260,125 $260,650 
Buildings and improvements296,242 291,659 
Restaurant equipment1,701 1,701 
558,068 554,010 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(198,429)(187,269)
$359,639 $366,741 
v3.24.0.1
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]  
Supplemental Cash Flow Information Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table includes supplemental cash flow information for 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
January 1,
2023
January 2,
2022
Long-term debt-related activities, net:
(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt$(2,283)$— $17,917 
Accretion of long-term debt755 1,194 1,177 
Amortization of deferred financing costs6,848 6,568 5,664 
$5,320 $7,762 $24,758 
Cash paid for:
Interest$146,878 $144,418 $133,284 
Income taxes, net of refunds75,190 47,769 54,779 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable$9,088 $14,468 $6,158 
Finance leases20,243 34,478 82,032 

The following table includes a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for 2023, 2022 and 2021:
December 31,
2023
January 1,
2023
January 2,
2022
Cash and cash equivalents$516,037 $745,889 $249,438 
Restricted cash35,848 35,203 27,535 
Restricted cash, included in Advertising funds restricted assets36,931 50,709 89,993 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$588,816 $831,801 $366,966 

Franchise Development Fund

In August 2021, the Company announced the creation of a strategic build to suit development fund to drive additional new restaurant growth. Capital expenditures related to the fund are included in “Franchise development fund” in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
v3.24.0.1
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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

To promote new restaurant development, Wendy’s has provided franchisees with certain incentive programs for qualifying new restaurants. In February 2023, Wendy’s announced a new restaurant development incentive program in the U.S. and Canada that provides for waivers of royalty, national advertising and technical assistance fees for up to the first three years of operation for qualifying new restaurants (“Pacesetter”). Wendy’s previously offered and will continue to offer a restaurant development incentive program that provides for reductions in royalty and national advertising fees for up to the first two years of operation for qualifying new restaurants (“Groundbreaker”). Wendy’s U.S. and Canadian franchisees may elect either the Pacesetter program or the Groundbreaker program when committing to new multi-unit development agreements or adding incremental commitments to existing development agreements. 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.

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 $98,148 as of December 31, 2023. These leases extend through 2045. We have had no judgments against us as guarantor of these leases as of December 31, 2023. In the event of default by a franchise owner where Wendy’s is called upon to perform under its guarantee, Wendy’s has the ability to pursue repayment from the franchise owner. The liability recorded for our probable exposure associated with these lease guarantees was not material as of December 31, 2023.

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 December 31, 2023, the Company had $17,157 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 December 31, 2023, the Company had $3,089 recorded for these health care insurance liabilities.

Letters of Credit

As of December 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding letters of credit with various parties totaling $28,847. Substantially all of the outstanding letters of credit include amounts outstanding against the 2021-1 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 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $11,893, $10,545 and $9,709, respectively. The Company estimates future annual purchases to be approximately $12,400 in 2024 and $12,700 in 2025 based on current pricing and the expected ratio of usage at Company-
operated restaurants to franchised restaurants. As of December 31, 2023, $3,906 was due to the beverage vendor and is included in “Accounts payable,” principally for annual estimated payments that exceeded usage under this agreement.

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 $16,000, $12,000 and $15,000 in 2023, 2022, and 2021, respectively, which are included in “Advertising funds expense.” The Company’s unconditional purchase obligations under the agreement are approximately $16,300 in 2024 and $12,700 in 2025.
v3.24.0.1
Transactions with Related Parties
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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
202320222021
Transactions with QSCC:
Wendy’s Co-op (a)$363 $427 $279 
Rental receipts (b)231 198 217 
TimWen lease and management fee payments, net (c)$20,653 $19,694 $18,687 
Transactions with Yellow Cab (d)$14,757 $13,404 $9,869 
Transactions with AMC (e)$2,366 $— $— 
_______________

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 $363, $427 and $279 in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which are included as a reduction of “Cost of sales.”

(b)Pursuant to a lease agreement, Wendy’s leased 14,493 square feet of office space to QSCC for an annual base rent of $217. The lease was amended in June 2021 to increase both the leased square footage to 18,774 and the annual base rent to $250 beginning in 2023, subject to annual increases, and to extend the lease term through January 31, 2027. The Company received lease payments from QSCC of $231, $198 and $217 during 2023, 2022 and 2021, 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 $20,894, $19,927 and $18,906 under these lease agreements during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which has been recorded to “Franchise rental expense.” In addition, TimWen paid Wendy’s a management fee under the TimWen joint venture agreement of $241, $233 and $219 during 2023, 2022 and 2021, 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 Senior Vice Chairman, as well as Mr. Matthew Peltz, our Vice Chairman, hold indirect, minority ownership interests in Yellow Cab Holdings, LLC (“Yellow Cab”) and operating companies managed by Yellow Cab, a Wendy’s franchisee, that as of December 31, 2023 owned and operated 83 Wendy’s restaurants (including 54 restaurants acquired from NPC during the first quarter of 2021). During 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $14,757, $13,404 and $9,869, respectively, in royalty, advertising fund, lease and other income from Yellow Cab and related entities. As of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, $1,153 and $1,125, respectively, was due from Yellow Cab for such income, which is included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” and “Advertising funds restricted assets.”

Transactions with AMC

(e)In February 2023, Ms. Kristin Dolan, a director of the Company, was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of AMC Networks Inc. (“AMC”). During 2023, the Company purchased approximately $2,366 of advertising time from a subsidiary of AMC. The Company’s advertising spend with AMC was made in the ordinary course of business and approved on an arm’s-length basis, consistent with the Company’s comparable advertising decisions. As of December 31, 2023, approximately $584 was due to AMC for advertising time, which is included in “Advertising funds restricted liabilities.”
v3.24.0.1
Legal and Environmental Matters
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Loss Contingency [Abstract]  
Legal and Environmental Matters
The Company is involved in litigation and claims incidental to our business. We provide accruals for such litigation and claims when we determine it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the loss is reasonably estimable. The Company believes it has adequate accruals for all of our legal and environmental matters. We cannot estimate the aggregate possible range of loss for our existing litigation and claims due to 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 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 thus 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.
v3.24.0.1
Advertising Costs and Funds
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Marketing and Advertising Expense [Abstract]  
Advertising Costs and Funds Advertising Costs and Funds
We maintain the 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 liabilities of the Advertising Funds at December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023 are as follows:
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents$36,931 $50,709 
Accounts receivable, net76,838 70,422 
Other assets3,986 5,542 
Advertising funds restricted assets$117,755 $126,673 
Accounts payable$101,796 $115,339 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities18,762 16,968 
Advertising funds restricted liabilities$120,558 $132,307 
Advertising expenses included in “Cost of sales” totaled $38,837, $37,418 and $31,617 in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
v3.24.0.1
Geographic Information
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Segments, Geographical Areas [Abstract]  
Geographic Information Geographic Information
The table below presents revenues and properties information by geographic area:
U.S.InternationalTotal
2023
Revenues$2,007,727 $173,851 $2,181,578 
Properties830,492 60,588 891,080 
2022
Revenues$1,946,005 $149,500 $2,095,505 
Properties841,143 54,635 895,778 
2021
Revenues$1,771,997 $125,001 $1,896,998 
Properties856,841 50,026 906,867 
v3.24.0.1
Segment Information
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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 operation and franchising of Wendy’s restaurants in countries and territories other than the U.S. and derives its revenues from sales at Company-operated restaurants and 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 using 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
202320222021
Wendy’s U.S.$1,815,845 $1,750,242 $1,567,496 
Wendy’s International130,548 106,705 86,369 
Global Real Estate & Development235,185 238,558 243,133 
Total revenues$2,181,578 $2,095,505 $1,896,998 
The following table reconciles profit by segment to the Company’s consolidated income before income taxes:
Year Ended
202320222021
Wendy’s U.S. (a)$528,352 $480,498 $450,117 
Wendy’s International (b)35,704 30,432 27,386 
Global Real Estate & Development103,484 108,700 106,113 
Total segment profit667,540 619,630 583,616 
Unallocated franchise support and other costs(831)(742)(753)
Advertising funds surplus (deficit)4,344 (8,325)2,770 
Unallocated general and administrative (c)(132,344)(130,103)(116,273)
Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of amortization of cloud computing arrangements shown separately below)(135,789)(133,414)(125,540)
Amortization of cloud computing arrangements(12,778)(2,394)— 
System optimization gains, net880 6,779 33,545 
Reorganization and realignment costs(9,200)(698)(8,548)
Impairment of long-lived assets(1,401)(6,420)(2,251)
Unallocated other operating income, net1,563 9,001 394 
Interest expense, net(124,061)(122,319)(109,185)
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt2,283 — (17,917)
Investment (loss) income, net(10,358)2,107 39 
Other income, net29,570 10,403 681 
Income before income taxes$279,418 $243,505 $240,578 
_______________

(a)Wendy’s U.S. includes advertising funds expense of $11,000 and $25,000 for 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to the Company funding of incremental advertising.

(b)Wendy’s International includes advertising fund expense of $2,401 and $4,116 for 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to the Company’s funding of incremental advertising. In addition, Wendy’s International includes other international-related advertising deficit of $950 and $1,099 for 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(c)Includes corporate overhead costs, such as employee compensation and related benefits.
Net income of our TimWen equity method investment is included in segment profit for the Global Real Estate & Development segment and totaled $10,819, $9,422 and $11,203 during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively
v3.24.0.1
Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Pay vs Performance Disclosure      
Net income $ 204,440 $ 177,370 $ 200,392
v3.24.0.1
Insider Trading Arrangements - Gunther Plosch [Member]
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
shares
Trading Arrangements, by Individual  
Material Terms of Trading Arrangement
During the three months ended December 31, 2023, the following officers and directors (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of the Company took the following actions regarding trading arrangements with respect to our securities:

On December 6, 2023, Gunther Plosch, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, adopted a trading arrangement that is intended to satisfy the affirmative defense of Rule 10b5-1(c) (the “10b5-1 Plan”). Between March 6, 2024 and February 28, 2025, the 10b5-1 Plan allows for (i) the potential sale of approximately 49,000 shares of the Company’s common stock and (ii) the potential exercise of stock options and the associated sale of up to 606,118 shares of the Company’s common stock. The 10b5-1 Plan will expire on February 28, 2025, or upon the earlier completion of all authorized transactions under the plan.

Departure of Executive Officer

On February 20, 2024, Kevin Vasconi, the Company’s Chief Information Officer, informed the Company of his intention to resign from the Company. Under the terms of his employment letter, because Mr. Vasconi provided notice of his intention to resign within 30 days of being required to report directly to an individual other than the Company’s former President and Chief Executive Officer, his resignation will be treated as a termination by the Company without “cause” for purposes of the Company’s Executive Severance Pay Policy. The Company and Mr. Vasconi have entered into an amendment to his employment letter pursuant to which the parties mutually agreed that Mr. Vasconi will remain with the Company as Executive Advisor to the President and CEO through May 31, 2024 to support an orderly transition of his duties. As noted above, Mr. Vasconi will be entitled to receive compensation and benefits consistent with a termination without “cause” as previously described in the “Employment Arrangements and Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control” section of the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A for its 2023 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2023.
Name Gunther Plosch
Title Chief Financial Officer
Rule 10b5-1 Arrangement Adopted true
Adoption Date December 6, 2023
Termination Date February 28, 2025
Sale of Company's Common Stock [Member]  
Trading Arrangements, by Individual  
Aggregate Available 49,000
Exercise of Stock Options and Sale of Company's Common Stock [Member]  
Trading Arrangements, by Individual  
Aggregate Available 606,118
v3.24.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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.
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 December 31, 2023” or “2023,” (2) “the year ended January 1, 2023” or “2022,” and (3) “the year ended January 2, 2022” or “2021,” all of 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, delivery-related receivables, 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. See Note 7 for further information.
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.
Cloud Computing Arrangements, Policy
Cloud Computing Arrangements (“CCA”)

The Company capitalizes implementation costs associated with its CCA consistent with costs capitalized for internal-use software. Capitalized CCA implementation costs are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets” and “Other assets.” The CCA implementation costs are amortized over the term of the related hosting agreement, including renewal periods that are reasonably certain to be exercised. Amortization expense of CCA implementation costs is recorded to “Amortization of cloud computing arrangements.” The CCA implementation costs are included within operating activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
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: three to 20 years for office and restaurant equipment (including technology), three to 15 years for transportation equipment and seven 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, terminal value growth rates and the weighted average cost of capital (discount rate). We also utilize other key inputs such as income tax rates and capital expenditures to derive fair value.

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; one to five years for computer software; two 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 critical 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.” 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.

Other investments in equity securities 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.
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.
Revenue Recognition, 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

“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, development fees and information technology and other 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. Information technology and other fees are recognized as revenue as earned.

“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 and historical performance of the restaurant. 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.

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 (exclusive of amortization of cloud computing arrangements shown separately below),” 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 and historical performance of the restaurant. 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.

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 (exclusive of amortization of cloud computing arrangements shown separately below),” 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 2023, 2022 or 2021. As of December 31, 2023, 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 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 32 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, eggs, pork, 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

Reference Rate Reform

In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to current reference rate reform guidance to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. During 2023, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries executed amendments to the 2021-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes, Class A-1 and the U.S. advertising fund revolving line of credit to transition from LIBOR to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), plus any applicable margin. In connection with these contract amendments, the Company adopted the reference rate reform guidance during the second quarter of 2023. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Business Combinations

In October 2021, the FASB issued an amendment to improve the accounting for revenue contracts with customers acquired in a business combination. The amendment requires contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination to be recognized and measured by the acquirer on the acquisition date in accordance with current revenue recognition guidance as if the acquirer had originated the contracts. The Company adopted this amendment during the first quarter of 2023. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Standards

Income Tax Disclosures

In December 2023, the FASB issued an amendment to enhance its income tax disclosure requirements. The amendment requires annual disclosure of specific categories in the rate reconciliation and additional information for reconciling items that meet a quantitative threshold. The amendment also requires annual disclosure of income taxes paid disaggregated by federal, state and foreign taxes and by individual jurisdictions in which income taxes paid is equal to or greater than 5% of total income taxes paid. The amendment is effective commencing with our 2025 fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Reportable Segment Disclosures

In November 2023, the FASB issued an amendment to enhance reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. In addition, the amendment enhances interim disclosure requirements, clarifies circumstances in which an entity can disclose multiple segment measures of profit or loss and provides new segment disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment. The amendment is effective commencing with our 2024 fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Common-Control Lease Arrangements

In March 2023, the FASB issued an update to amend certain lease accounting guidance that applies to arrangements between related parties under common control. The amendment requires a lessee in a common-control lease arrangement to amortize leasehold improvements that it owns over the useful life of the improvements to the common-control group, regardless of the lease term, if the lessee continues to control the use of the underlying asset through a lease. The standard is effective
beginning with our 2024 fiscal year. The Company does not expect the guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
v3.24.0.1
Revenue (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Revenue [Abstract]  
Disaggregation of Revenue
The following tables disaggregate revenue by segment and source for 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Wendy’s U.S.Wendy’s InternationalGlobal Real Estate & DevelopmentTotal
2023
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$905,700 $24,383 $— $930,083 
Franchise royalty revenue444,653 67,506 — 512,159 
Franchise fees68,749 6,406 5,017 80,172 
Franchise rental income— — 230,168 230,168 
Advertising funds revenue396,743 32,253 — 428,996 
Total revenues$1,815,845 $130,548 $235,185 $2,181,578 
2022
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$882,684 $13,901 $— $896,585 
Franchise royalty revenue423,955 61,533 — 485,488 
Franchise fees63,112 5,542 4,093 72,747 
Franchise rental income— — 234,465 234,465 
Advertising funds revenue380,491 25,729 — 406,220 
Total revenues$1,750,242 $106,705 $238,558 $2,095,505 
2021
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$730,415 $3,659 $— $734,074 
Franchise royalty revenue407,317 53,392 — 460,709 
Franchise fees64,170 5,391 6,478 76,039 
Franchise rental income— — 236,655 236,655 
Advertising funds revenue365,594 23,927 — 389,521 
Total revenues$1,567,496 $86,369 $243,133 $1,896,998 
Contract Balances, assets and liabilities
The following table provides information about receivables and contract liabilities (deferred franchise fees) from contracts with customers:
Year End
December 31,
2023 (a)
January 1,
2023 (a)
Receivables, which are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” (b)
$55,293 $54,497 
Receivables, which are included in “Advertising funds restricted assets”
76,838 70,422 
Deferred franchise fees (c)100,805 99,208 
_______________

(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 $10,673 and $90,132, respectively, as of December 31, 2023, and $8,977 and $90,231, respectively, as of January 1, 2023.
Contract Balances, deferred franchise fee rollforward
Significant changes in deferred franchise fees are as follows:
Year Ended
202320222021
Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period$99,208 $97,186 $97,785 
Revenue recognized during the period
(12,242)(11,567)(19,838)
New deferrals due to cash received and other13,839 13,589 19,239 
Deferred franchise fees at end of period$100,805 $99,208 $97,186 
Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fee
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:
2024 (a)$10,673 
20256,483 
20266,354 
20276,255 
20286,136 
Thereafter64,904 
$100,805 
_______________

(a)Includes development-related franchise fees expected to be recognized over a duration of one year or less.
v3.24.0.1
Acquisitions (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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 a franchisee:
Year Ended
2021 (a)
Restaurants acquired from franchisee (b)93 
Total consideration paid, net of cash received$127,948 
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Properties21,984 
Acquired franchise rights81,239 
Finance lease assets25,547 
Operating lease assets44,282 
Finance lease liabilities(25,059)
Operating lease liabilities(43,478)
Other(9)
Total identifiable net assets104,506 
Goodwill$23,442 
_______________

(a)The fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed related to restaurants acquired in 2021 were provisional amounts as of January 2, 2022, pending final purchase accounting adjustments. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation during 2022, which resulted in an increase in cash received of $260.

(b)Included two restaurants under construction and not operating as of January 2, 2022.
v3.24.0.1
System Optimization Gains, Net (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
System optimization gains, net  
Summary of Disposition Activity
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Land$373,634 $371,347 
Buildings and improvements519,244 510,685 
Leasehold improvements432,051 422,330 
Office, restaurant and transportation equipment344,623 314,223 
1,669,552 1,618,585 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(778,472)(722,807)
$891,080 $895,778 
System Optimization  
System optimization gains, net  
Summary of Disposition Activity
The following is a summary of the disposition activity recorded as a result of our system optimization initiative:
Year Ended
202320222021
Number of restaurants sold to franchisees— 47 
Proceeds from sales of restaurants (a)$— $79 $50,518 
Net assets sold (b)— (141)(16,939)
Goodwill related to sales of restaurants— — (4,847)
Net unfavorable leases (c)— (360)(2,939)
Gain on sales-type leases— — 7,156 
Other (d)— (2,148)
— (416)30,801 
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants (e) (f)858 2,877 1,218 
Gain on sales of restaurants, net858 2,461 32,019 
Gain on sales of other assets, net (g)22 4,318 1,526 
System optimization gains, net$880 $6,779 $33,545 
_______________

(a)In addition to the proceeds noted herein, the Company received cash proceeds of $378 and $39 during 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to a note receivable issued in connection with the sale of the Manhattan Company-operated restaurants.

(b)Net assets sold consisted primarily of equipment.

(c)During 2021, the Company recorded favorable lease assets of $3,799 and unfavorable lease liabilities of $6,738 as a result of leasing and/or subleasing land, buildings and/or leasehold improvements to franchisees, in connection with the sale of the New York Company-operated restaurants (including Manhattan).

(d)2021 includes a deferred gain of $3,500 as a result of certain contingencies related to the extension of lease terms.

(e)2021 includes a gain on sales-type leases of $1,625 and the write-off of certain lease assets of $927 as a result of an amendment to lease terms in connection with a Manhattan Company-operated restaurant previously sold to a franchisee.
(f)2023, 2022 and 2021 include the recognition of deferred gains of $858, $3,522 and $515, respectively, as a result of the resolution of certain contingencies related to the extension of lease terms for restaurants previously sold to franchisees.

(g)During 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company received cash proceeds of $2,115, $7,780 and $4,561, respectively, primarily from the sale of surplus and other properties.
v3.24.0.1
Reorganization and Realignment Costs (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Restructuring and Related Costs
The following is a summary of the initiatives included in “Reorganization and realignment costs:”
Year Ended
202320222021
Organizational Redesign Plan$9,064 $— $— 
System optimization initiative136 611 6,852 
Other reorganization and realignment plans— 87 1,696 
Reorganization and realignment costs$9,200 $698 $8,548 
Organizational Redesign  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Restructuring and Related Costs
The following is a summary of the costs recorded as a result of the Organizational Redesign Plan:
Year Ended
2023
Severance and related employee costs$6,243 
Recruitment and relocation costs554 
Third-party and other costs996 
7,793 
Share-based compensation (a)1,271 
Total organizational redesign$9,064 
_______________

(a)Primarily represents the accelerated recognition of share-based compensation resulting from the termination of employees under the Organizational Redesign Plan.
Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost
The table below presents a rollforward of our accruals for the Organizational Redesign Plan, which are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” as of December 31, 2023.

Balance January 1, 2023
ChargesPayments
Balance December 31, 2023
Severance and related employee costs$— $6,243 $(4,551)$1,692 
Recruitment and relocation costs— 554 (554)— 
Third-party and other costs— 996 (996)— 
$— $7,793 $(6,101)$1,692 
System Optimization Initiative  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Restructuring and Related Costs
The following is a summary of the costs recorded as a result of our system optimization initiative:
Year EndedTotal Incurred Since Inception
202320222021
Severance and related employee costs$— $$661 $18,902 
Professional fees395 1,570 24,075 
Other (a)73 145 1,765 7,836 
76 544 3,996 50,813 
Accelerated depreciation and amortization (b)— — — 25,398 
NPC lease termination costs (c)60 67 2,856 2,983 
Share-based compensation (d)— — — 5,013 
Total system optimization initiative$136 $611 $6,852 $84,207 
_______________

(a)2021 includes transaction fees of $1,350 associated with the NPC bankruptcy sale process.

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

(c)2021 includes the write-off of lease assets of $1,376 and lease termination fees paid of $1,480.

(d)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.
v3.24.0.1
Net Income Per Share (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]  
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted
The calculation of basic and diluted net income per share was as follows:
Year Ended
202320222021
Net income$204,440 $177,370 $200,392 
Common stock:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding209,486 213,766 221,375 
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares2,048 2,073 3,030 
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding211,534 215,839 224,405 
Net income per share:
Basic$.98 $.83 $.91 
Diluted$.97 $.82 $.89 
v3.24.0.1
Cash and Receivables (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Cash and Receivables [Abstract]  
Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash$150,136 $185,207 
Cash equivalents365,901 560,682 
516,037 745,889 
Restricted cash
Accounts held by trustee for the securitized financing facility 35,483 34,850 
Other365 353 
35,848 35,203 
Advertising Funds (a)36,931 50,709 
72,779 85,912 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash
$588,816 $831,801 
_______________

(a)Included in “Advertising funds restricted assets.”
Schedule of Accounts and Notes Receivable
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
GrossAllowance for Doubtful AccountsNetGrossAllowance for Doubtful AccountsNet
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net
Current
Accounts receivable (a)$106,335 $(1,538)$104,797 $100,270 $(1,707)$98,563 
Notes receivable from franchisees (b) (c)18,035 (1,149)16,886 22,503 (4,640)17,863 
$124,370 $(2,687)$121,683 $122,773 $(6,347)$116,426 
Non-current (d)
Notes receivable from franchisees (c)$— $— $— $3,888 $— $3,888 
_______________

(a)Includes income tax refund receivables of $5,284 and $3,236 as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, respectively. Additionally, includes receivables of $17,460 as of December 31, 2023 related to expected contributions from applicable insurance for legal settlements. See Note 11 for further information on our legal reserves.

(b)Includes the current portion of sales-type and direct financing lease receivables of $10,779 and $8,263 as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, respectively. See Note 19 for further information.

Includes a note receivable from a franchisee in Indonesia of $394 and $1,153 as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, respectively.

(c)Includes notes receivable related to the Brazil JV, of which $6,837 and $13,087 are included in current notes receivable as of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, respectively, and $3,888 is included in non-current notes receivable as of January 1, 2023. As of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, the Company had reserves of $1,149 and $4,640, respectively, on the loans outstanding related to the Brazil JV. See Note 8 for further information.

(d)Included in “Other assets.”
Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
The following is a rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts:
Accounts ReceivableNotes ReceivableTotal
2023
Balance at January 1, 2023
$1,707 $4,640 $6,347 
Provision for doubtful accounts534 (414)120 
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries(703)(3,077)(3,780)
Balance at December 31, 2023
$1,538 $1,149 $2,687 
2022
Balance at January 2, 2022
$3,229 $5,290 $8,519 
Provision for doubtful accounts(565)(350)(915)
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries(957)(300)(1,257)
Balance at January 1, 2023
$1,707 $4,640 $6,347 
2021
Balance at January 3, 2021
$3,739 $5,625 $9,364 
Provision for doubtful accounts(148)(335)(483)
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries(362)— (362)
Balance at January 2, 2022
$3,229 $5,290 $8,519 
v3.24.0.1
Investments (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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
December 31,
2023
January 1,
2023
Equity method investments$32,727 $33,921 
Other investments in equity securities1,718 12,107 
$34,445 $46,028 
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Presented below is activity related to our investment in TimWen included in our consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of operations as of and for the years ended December 31, 2023, January 1, 2023 and January 2, 2022.
Year Ended
202320222021
Balance at beginning of period$33,921 $39,870 $44,574 
Equity in earnings for the period13,493 12,267 14,329 
Amortization of purchase price adjustments (a)(2,674)(2,845)(3,126)
10,819 9,422 11,203 
Distributions received(12,901)(12,612)(16,337)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in
“Other comprehensive income (loss)” and other
888 (2,759)430 
Balance at end of period$32,727 $33,921 $39,870 
_______________

(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.
v3.24.0.1
Properties (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]  
Properties
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Land$373,634 $371,347 
Buildings and improvements519,244 510,685 
Leasehold improvements432,051 422,330 
Office, restaurant and transportation equipment344,623 314,223 
1,669,552 1,618,585 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(778,472)(722,807)
$891,080 $895,778 
v3.24.0.1
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Goodwill
Goodwill activity for 2023 and 2022 was as follows:
Wendy’s U.S.Wendy’s
International
Global Real Estate & DevelopmentTotal
Balance at January 2, 2022:
Goodwill, gross$620,863 $41,264 $122,548 $784,675 
Accumulated impairment losses (a)— (9,397)— (9,397)
Goodwill, net620,863 31,867 122,548 775,278 
Changes in goodwill:
Restaurant acquisitions (b)(260)— — (260)
Restaurant dispositions— — — — 
Currency translation adjustment and other— (1,930)— (1,930)
Balance at January 1, 2023:
Goodwill, gross620,603 39,334 122,548 782,485 
Accumulated impairment losses (a)— (9,397)— (9,397)
Goodwill, net620,603 29,937 122,548 773,088 
Changes in goodwill:
Restaurant acquisitions— — — — 
Restaurant dispositions— — — — 
Currency translation adjustment and other— 639 — 639 
Balance at December 31, 2023:
Goodwill, gross620,603 39,973 122,548 783,124 
Accumulated impairment losses (a)— (9,397)— (9,397)
Goodwill, net$620,603 $30,576 $122,548 $773,727 
_______________

(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 2021. 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
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
CostAccumulated AmortizationNetCostAccumulated AmortizationNet
Indefinite-lived:
Trademarks$903,000 $— $903,000 $903,000 $— $903,000 
Definite-lived:
Franchise agreements348,657 (253,398)95,259 348,293 (236,536)111,757 
Favorable leases152,558 (75,502)77,056 154,048 (67,928)86,120 
Reacquired rights under franchise agreements
90,509 (17,157)73,352 90,509 (10,536)79,973 
Software286,269 (215,807)70,462 263,282 (195,332)67,950 
$1,780,993 $(561,864)$1,219,129 $1,759,132 $(510,332)$1,248,800 
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense
Aggregate amortization expense:
Actual for fiscal year:
2021$55,236 
202258,690 
202359,356 
Estimate for fiscal year:
2024$55,722 
202548,132 
202642,306 
202737,711 
202832,687 
Thereafter99,571 
$316,129 
v3.24.0.1
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Accrued Liabilities [Abstract]  
Schedule of Accrued Liabilities
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Accrued compensation and related benefits$44,625 $39,247 
Accrued taxes28,134 30,159 
Legal reserves (a)19,699 907 
Other42,691 45,697 
$135,149 $116,010 
_______________

(a)The Company maintains insurance coverage to help mitigate against a variety of risks, including claims and litigation. The Company’s legal reserve may include amounts that are covered by applicable insurance, in which case any expected insurance receivables are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net.” See Note 7 for further information.
v3.24.0.1
Long-Term Debt (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
Long-term debt
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
Year End
December 31,
2023
January 1,
2023
Class A-2 Notes:
4.236% Series 2022-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2029
$98,500 $99,500 
4.535% Series 2022-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2032
390,134 398,000 
2.370% Series 2021-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2029
423,269 443,250 
2.775% Series 2021-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2031
633,530 640,250 
3.783% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2026
357,673 364,000 
4.080% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2029
403,123 409,500 
3.884% Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2028
441,099 451,250 
7% debentures, due in 2025
48,237 86,369 
Unamortized debt issuance costs(33,501)(40,673)
2,762,064 2,851,446 
Less amounts payable within one year(29,250)(29,250)
Total long-term debt$2,732,814 $2,822,196 
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt
Aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt, excluding the effect of purchase accounting adjustments, as of December 31, 2023 were as follows:
Fiscal Year
2024$29,250 
202578,820 
2026374,923 
202725,250 
2028442,599 
Thereafter1,846,056 
$2,796,898 
Pledged assets
The following is a summary of the Company’s assets pledged as collateral for certain debt:
Year End
December 31,
2023
Cash and cash equivalents$35,532 
Restricted cash and other assets35,488 
Accounts and notes receivable, net46,114 
Inventories5,760 
Properties78,932 
Other intangible assets994,350 
$1,196,176 
v3.24.0.1
Fair Value Measurements (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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:
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Carrying
Amount
Fair
Value
Fair Value
Measurements
Financial assets
Cash equivalents$365,901 $365,901 $560,682 $560,682 Level 1
Other investments in equity securities (a)1,718 1,718 12,107 12,107 Level 2
Financial liabilities (b)
Series 2022-1 Class A-2-I Notes98,500 92,289 99,500 89,401 Level 2
Series 2022-1 Class A-2-II Notes390,134 370,577 398,000 349,444 Level 2
Series 2021-1 Class A-2-I Notes423,269 362,572 443,250 357,304 Level 2
Series 2021-1 Class A-2-II Notes633,530 530,581 640,250 499,011 Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes357,673 341,606 364,000 334,334 Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes403,123 374,058 409,500 361,875 Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes441,099 412,754 451,250 405,809 Level 2
7% debentures, due in 2025
48,237 49,431 86,369 92,367 Level 2
_______________

(a)The fair value of our other investments in equity securities is based on our review of information provided by the investment manager, which is based on observable price changes in orderly transactions for a similar investment of the same issuer.

(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 Measurements
2023 Total Losses
December 31,
2023
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Held and used$1,212 $— $— $1,212 $1,316 
Held for sale1,044 — — 1,044 85 
Total$2,256 $— $— $2,256 $1,401 
Fair Value Measurements
2022 Total Losses
January 1,
2023
Level 1Level 2Level 3
Held and used$4,590 $— $— $4,590 $5,727 
Held for sale1,314 — — 1,314 693 
Total$5,904 $— $— $5,904 $6,420 
v3.24.0.1
Income Taxes (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]  
Schedule of Income before Income Tax, Domestic and Foreign
Income before income taxes is set forth below:
Year Ended
202320222021
Domestic$264,423 $231,862 $228,756 
Foreign (a)14,995 11,643 11,822 
$279,418 $243,505 $240,578 
_______________

(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
202320222021
Current:
U.S. federal$(50,435)$(43,141)$(38,416)
State(13,730)(9,152)(7,039)
Foreign(11,620)(9,537)(8,512)
Current tax provision(75,785)(61,830)(53,967)
Deferred:
U.S. federal2,163 (3,868)(52)
State564 (2,629)15,993 
Foreign(1,920)2,192 (2,160)
Deferred tax benefit (provision)807 (4,305)13,781 
Income tax provision$(74,978)$(66,135)$(40,186)
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
Deferred tax assets (liabilities) are set forth below:
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Deferred tax assets:
Operating and finance lease liabilities$339,655 $355,653 
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards58,170 58,030 
Deferred revenue23,848 23,617 
Unfavorable leases17,104 19,085 
Accrued compensation and related benefits15,786 14,577 
Accrued expenses and reserves6,802 7,012 
Other11,243 8,275 
Valuation allowances(39,346)(35,680)
Total deferred tax assets433,262 450,569 
Deferred tax liabilities:
Operating and finance lease assets(310,011)(326,646)
Intangible assets(290,782)(285,688)
Fixed assets(62,673)(66,830)
Other(40,149)(41,826)
Total deferred tax liabilities(703,615)(720,990)
$(270,353)$(270,421)
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$17,111 2027-2033
Foreign tax credits of non-U.S. subsidiaries3,973 Indefinite
Total$21,084 
Net operating loss carryforwards (pre-tax):
State and local net operating loss carryforwards$744,363 2024-2035
State and local net operating loss carryforwards219,652 Indefinite
Foreign net operating loss carryforwards11,609 Indefinite
Total$975,624 
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation
The reconciliation of income tax computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% to reported income tax is set forth below:
Year Ended
202320222021
Income tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate$(58,678)$(51,136)$(50,521)
State income tax provision, net of U.S. federal income tax effect(11,400)(11,616)(6,256)
Prior years’ tax matters(2,250)2,290 1,820 
Excess federal tax benefits from share-based compensation845 402 7,160 
Foreign and U.S. tax effects of foreign operations1,799 (3,744)(5)
Valuation allowances (a)(3,533)2,127 11,807 
Non-deductible goodwill (b)— — (947)
Tax credits1,050 1,385 1,028 
Non-deductible executive compensation(2,863)(3,154)(3,810)
Unrepatriated earnings(387)(294)(282)
Non-deductible expenses and other439 (2,395)(180)
$(74,978)$(66,135)$(40,186)
_______________

(a)2021 primarily relates to a $12,606 benefit resulting from a change in state tax law.

(b)Related to the sale of the New York Company-operated restaurants (including Manhattan). See Note 4 for further information.
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $16,719, which, if resolved favorably, would reduce income tax expense by $13,208. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits follows:
Year Ended
202320222021
Beginning balance$17,404 $18,849 $20,973 
Additions:
Tax positions of current year836 178 157 
Reductions:
Tax positions of prior years(690)(662)(2,015)
Settlements(249)(8)(46)
Lapse of statute of limitations(582)(953)(220)
Ending balance$16,719 $17,404 $18,849 
v3.24.0.1
Stockholders' Equity (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]  
Schedule of Treasury Stock
There were 470,424 shares of common stock issued at the beginning and end of 2023, 2022 and 2021. Treasury stock activity for 2023, 2022 and 2021 was as follows:
Year Ended
202320222021
Number of shares at beginning of year257,323 254,575 246,156 
Repurchases of common stock9,107 3,474 11,487 
Common shares issued:
Stock options, net(989)(353)(2,657)
Restricted stock, net(322)(264)(337)
Director fees(22)(22)(17)
Other(70)(87)(57)
Number of shares at end of year265,027 257,323 254,575 
Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
The following table provides a rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is entirely comprised of foreign currency translation:
Year Ended
202320222021
Balance at beginning of period$(64,176)$(48,200)$(49,641)
Foreign currency translation5,801 (15,976)1,441 
Balance at end of period$(58,375)$(64,176)$(48,200)
v3.24.0.1
Share-Based Compensation (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Share-Based Payment Arrangement [Abstract]  
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity
The following table summarizes stock option activity during 2023:
Number of OptionsWeighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life in Years
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2023
10,890 $19.00 
Granted1,089 21.53 
Exercised(1,104)15.27 
Forfeited and/or expired(385)22.01 
Outstanding at December 31, 2023
10,490 $19.55 5.78$14,801 
Vested or expected to vest at December 31, 2023
10,414 $19.53 5.76$14,801 
Exercisable at December 31, 2023
8,153 $18.89 4.89$14,801 
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:
202320222021
Risk-free interest rate4.31 %3.00 %0.70 %
Expected option life in years5.014.754.50
Expected volatility36.79 %37.82 %38.00 %
Expected dividend yield4.64 %2.34 %2.03 %
Schedule of Non-vested Restricted Stock Units Activity
The following table summarizes activity of Restricted Shares during 2023:
Number of Restricted SharesWeighted
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2023
1,186 $20.03 
Granted652 21.70 
Vested(370)20.93 
Forfeited(96)22.11 
Non-vested at December 31, 2023
1,372 $20.42 
Schedule of Share-based Payment Award, Performance Share Awards, Valuation Assumptions
The input variables are noted in the table below:
202320222021
Risk-free interest rate4.31 %1.71 %0.20 %
Expected life in years3.003.003.00
Expected volatility34.95 %52.33 %49.47 %
Expected dividend yield (a)0.00 %0.00 %0.00 %
_______________

(a)The Monte Carlo method assumes a reinvestment of dividends.
Schedule of Non-vested Performance-based Units Activity
The following table summarizes activity of performance shares at Target during 2023:
Performance Condition AwardsMarket Condition Awards
SharesWeighted
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
SharesWeighted
Average
Grant Date Fair Value
Non-vested at January 1, 2023
584 $21.67 462 $27.38 
Granted191 22.89 159 27.46 
Dividend equivalent units issued (a)28 — 23 — 
Vested(96)23.37 (97)30.31 
Forfeited(99)22.44 (53)28.47 
Non-vested at December 31, 2023
608 $21.66 494 $26.68 
_______________

(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.
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
202320222021
Stock options$7,687 $9,072 $9,256 
Restricted shares9,503 7,106 6,677 
Performance shares:
Performance condition awards2,524 4,431 2,861 
Market condition awards4,033 3,929 3,225 
Share-based compensation23,747 24,538 22,019 
Less: Income tax benefit(3,207)(3,043)(2,790)
Share-based compensation, net of income tax benefit$20,540 $21,495 $19,229 
v3.24.0.1
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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
202320222021
Company-operated restaurants$1,316 $5,485 $1,862 
Restaurants leased or subleased to franchisees— 242 189 
Surplus properties85 693 200 
$1,401 $6,420 $2,251 
v3.24.0.1
Leases (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Leases [Abstract]  
Lease, Cost
The components of lease cost for 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
Year Ended
202320222021
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of finance lease assets$16,061 $15,440 $13,992 
Interest on finance lease liabilities42,624 42,918 41,419 
58,685 58,358 55,411 
Operating lease cost85,138 86,050 89,283 
Variable lease cost (a)66,859 64,473 63,853 
Short-term lease cost5,864 5,439 5,102 
Total operating lease cost (b)157,861 155,962 158,238 
Total lease cost$216,546 $214,320 $213,649 
_______________

(a)Includes expenses for executory costs of $39,456, $38,749, and $39,646 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, for which the Company is reimbursed by sublessees.

(b)Includes $125,180, $123,924 and $132,158 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, recorded to “Franchise rental expense” for leased properties that are subsequently leased to franchisees. Also includes $30,538, $29,648 and $23,558 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, recorded to “Cost of sales” for leases for Company-operated restaurants.
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 Ended
202320222021
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from finance leases$42,624 $42,979 $42,277 
Operating cash flows from operating leases86,972 88,372 91,930 
Financing cash flows from finance leases21,588 17,312 13,640 
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Finance lease liabilities20,243 34,478 82,032 
Operating lease liabilities12,659 24,742 58,770 
Schedule of Supplemental Information Related to Leases
The following table includes supplemental information related to leases:
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1,
2023
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Finance leases14.315.1
Operating leases12.613.7
Weighted average discount rate:
Finance leases8.52 %8.66 %
Operating leases4.93 %4.90 %
Supplemental balance sheet information:
Finance lease assets, gross$318,951 $310,686 
Accumulated amortization(90,015)(76,116)
Finance lease assets228,936 234,570 
Operating lease assets705,615 754,498 
Finance Lease, Liability, Maturity
The following table illustrates the Company’s future minimum rental payments for non-cancelable leases as of December 31, 2023:
Finance
Leases
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearCompany-OperatedFranchise
and Other
Company-OperatedFranchise
and Other
2024$6,904 $55,492 $22,052 $64,636 
20257,104 56,121 22,048 64,432 
20267,249 57,817 22,500 63,967 
20277,293 58,702 22,439 63,678 
20287,350 59,919 22,223 63,869 
Thereafter78,045 563,716 169,965 469,484 
Total minimum payments$113,945 $851,767 $281,227 $790,066 
Less interest
(36,660)(340,035)(71,529)(211,071)
Present value of minimum lease payments (a) (b)$77,285 $511,732 $209,698 $578,995 
_______________

(a)The present value of minimum finance lease payments of $20,250 and $568,767 are included in “Current portion of finance lease liabilities” and “Long-term finance lease liabilities,” respectively.

(b)The present value of minimum operating lease payments of $49,353 and $739,340 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 December 31, 2023:
Finance
Leases
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearCompany-OperatedFranchise
and Other
Company-OperatedFranchise
and Other
2024$6,904 $55,492 $22,052 $64,636 
20257,104 56,121 22,048 64,432 
20267,249 57,817 22,500 63,967 
20277,293 58,702 22,439 63,678 
20287,350 59,919 22,223 63,869 
Thereafter78,045 563,716 169,965 469,484 
Total minimum payments$113,945 $851,767 $281,227 $790,066 
Less interest
(36,660)(340,035)(71,529)(211,071)
Present value of minimum lease payments (a) (b)$77,285 $511,732 $209,698 $578,995 
_______________

(a)The present value of minimum finance lease payments of $20,250 and $568,767 are included in “Current portion of finance lease liabilities” and “Long-term finance lease liabilities,” respectively.

(b)The present value of minimum operating lease payments of $49,353 and $739,340 are included in “Current portion of operating lease liabilities” and “Long-term operating lease liabilities,” respectively.
Lease, Income
The components of lease income for 2023, 2022 and 2021 are as follows:
Year Ended
202320222021
Sales-type and direct-financing leases:
Selling profit$2,466 $2,981 $4,244 
Interest income (a)31,412 31,298 30,648 
Operating lease income163,927 170,633 173,442 
Variable lease income66,241 63,832 63,213 
Franchise rental income (b)$230,168 $234,465 $236,655 
_______________

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

(b)Includes sublease income of $170,112, $175,053 and $174,327 recognized during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Sublease income includes lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs of $39,350, $38,733 and $39,650 for 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
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 December 31, 2023:
Sales-Type and
Direct Financing Leases
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearSubleasesOwned PropertiesSubleasesOwned Properties
2024$38,890 $2,087 $106,470 $54,946 
202537,826 2,194 106,616 55,549 
202639,136 2,364 106,840 57,308 
202739,719 2,244 107,263 56,954 
202840,684 1,999 107,652 56,741 
Thereafter399,480 25,730 783,633 542,967 
Total future minimum receipts595,735 36,618 $1,318,474 $824,465 
Unearned interest income(288,461)(19,449)
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases (a)$307,274 $17,169 
_______________

(a)The present value of minimum sales-type and direct financing rental receipts of $10,779 and $313,664 are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” and “Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases,” respectively. The present value of minimum sales-type and direct financing rental receipts includes a net investment in unguaranteed residual assets of $590.
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 December 31, 2023:
Sales-Type and
Direct Financing Leases
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearSubleasesOwned PropertiesSubleasesOwned Properties
2024$38,890 $2,087 $106,470 $54,946 
202537,826 2,194 106,616 55,549 
202639,136 2,364 106,840 57,308 
202739,719 2,244 107,263 56,954 
202840,684 1,999 107,652 56,741 
Thereafter399,480 25,730 783,633 542,967 
Total future minimum receipts595,735 36,618 $1,318,474 $824,465 
Unearned interest income(288,461)(19,449)
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases (a)$307,274 $17,169 
_______________

(a)The present value of minimum sales-type and direct financing rental receipts of $10,779 and $313,664 are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” and “Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases,” respectively. The present value of minimum sales-type and direct financing rental receipts includes a net investment in unguaranteed residual assets of $590.
Property, Plant, and Equipment, Lessor Asset under Operating Lease
Properties owned by the Company and leased to franchisees and other third parties under operating leases include:
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Land$260,125 $260,650 
Buildings and improvements296,242 291,659 
Restaurant equipment1,701 1,701 
558,068 554,010 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(198,429)(187,269)
$359,639 $366,741 
v3.24.0.1
Supplemental Cash Flow Information (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]  
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
The following table includes supplemental cash flow information for 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
January 1,
2023
January 2,
2022
Long-term debt-related activities, net:
(Gain) loss on early extinguishment of debt$(2,283)$— $17,917 
Accretion of long-term debt755 1,194 1,177 
Amortization of deferred financing costs6,848 6,568 5,664 
$5,320 $7,762 $24,758 
Cash paid for:
Interest$146,878 $144,418 $133,284 
Income taxes, net of refunds75,190 47,769 54,779 
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable$9,088 $14,468 $6,158 
Finance leases20,243 34,478 82,032 

The following table includes a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash for 2023, 2022 and 2021:
December 31,
2023
January 1,
2023
January 2,
2022
Cash and cash equivalents$516,037 $745,889 $249,438 
Restricted cash35,848 35,203 27,535 
Restricted cash, included in Advertising funds restricted assets36,931 50,709 89,993 
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$588,816 $831,801 $366,966 
v3.24.0.1
Transactions with Related Parties (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
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
202320222021
Transactions with QSCC:
Wendy’s Co-op (a)$363 $427 $279 
Rental receipts (b)231 198 217 
TimWen lease and management fee payments, net (c)$20,653 $19,694 $18,687 
Transactions with Yellow Cab (d)$14,757 $13,404 $9,869 
Transactions with AMC (e)$2,366 $— $— 
_______________

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 $363, $427 and $279 in 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which are included as a reduction of “Cost of sales.”

(b)Pursuant to a lease agreement, Wendy’s leased 14,493 square feet of office space to QSCC for an annual base rent of $217. The lease was amended in June 2021 to increase both the leased square footage to 18,774 and the annual base rent to $250 beginning in 2023, subject to annual increases, and to extend the lease term through January 31, 2027. The Company received lease payments from QSCC of $231, $198 and $217 during 2023, 2022 and 2021, 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 $20,894, $19,927 and $18,906 under these lease agreements during 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively, which has been recorded to “Franchise rental expense.” In addition, TimWen paid Wendy’s a management fee under the TimWen joint venture agreement of $241, $233 and $219 during 2023, 2022 and 2021, 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 Senior Vice Chairman, as well as Mr. Matthew Peltz, our Vice Chairman, hold indirect, minority ownership interests in Yellow Cab Holdings, LLC (“Yellow Cab”) and operating companies managed by Yellow Cab, a Wendy’s franchisee, that as of December 31, 2023 owned and operated 83 Wendy’s restaurants (including 54 restaurants acquired from NPC during the first quarter of 2021). During 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company recognized $14,757, $13,404 and $9,869, respectively, in royalty, advertising fund, lease and other income from Yellow Cab and related entities. As of December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023, $1,153 and $1,125, respectively, was due from Yellow Cab for such income, which is included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” and “Advertising funds restricted assets.”

Transactions with AMC

(e)In February 2023, Ms. Kristin Dolan, a director of the Company, was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of AMC Networks Inc. (“AMC”). During 2023, the Company purchased approximately $2,366 of advertising time from a subsidiary of AMC. The Company’s advertising spend with AMC was made in the ordinary course of business and approved on an arm’s-length basis, consistent with the Company’s comparable advertising decisions. As of December 31, 2023, approximately $584 was due to AMC for advertising time, which is included in “Advertising funds restricted liabilities.”
v3.24.0.1
Advertising Costs and Funds (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Restricted Assets and Liabilities  
Restricted Assets and Liabilities  
Schedule of Restricted Assets and Liabilities
Restricted assets and liabilities of the Advertising Funds at December 31, 2023 and January 1, 2023 are as follows:
Year End
December 31, 2023January 1, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents$36,931 $50,709 
Accounts receivable, net76,838 70,422 
Other assets3,986 5,542 
Advertising funds restricted assets$117,755 $126,673 
Accounts payable$101,796 $115,339 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities18,762 16,968 
Advertising funds restricted liabilities$120,558 $132,307 
v3.24.0.1
Geographic Information (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Segments, Geographical Areas [Abstract]  
Geographic Information
The table below presents revenues and properties information by geographic area:
U.S.InternationalTotal
2023
Revenues$2,007,727 $173,851 $2,181,578 
Properties830,492 60,588 891,080 
2022
Revenues$1,946,005 $149,500 $2,095,505 
Properties841,143 54,635 895,778 
2021
Revenues$1,771,997 $125,001 $1,896,998 
Properties856,841 50,026 906,867 
v3.24.0.1
Segment Information (Tables)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Segment Reporting [Abstract]  
Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated
Revenues by segment are as follows:
Year Ended
202320222021
Wendy’s U.S.$1,815,845 $1,750,242 $1,567,496 
Wendy’s International130,548 106,705 86,369 
Global Real Estate & Development235,185 238,558 243,133 
Total revenues$2,181,578 $2,095,505 $1,896,998 
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
202320222021
Wendy’s U.S. (a)$528,352 $480,498 $450,117 
Wendy’s International (b)35,704 30,432 27,386 
Global Real Estate & Development103,484 108,700 106,113 
Total segment profit667,540 619,630 583,616 
Unallocated franchise support and other costs(831)(742)(753)
Advertising funds surplus (deficit)4,344 (8,325)2,770 
Unallocated general and administrative (c)(132,344)(130,103)(116,273)
Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of amortization of cloud computing arrangements shown separately below)(135,789)(133,414)(125,540)
Amortization of cloud computing arrangements(12,778)(2,394)— 
System optimization gains, net880 6,779 33,545 
Reorganization and realignment costs(9,200)(698)(8,548)
Impairment of long-lived assets(1,401)(6,420)(2,251)
Unallocated other operating income, net1,563 9,001 394 
Interest expense, net(124,061)(122,319)(109,185)
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt2,283 — (17,917)
Investment (loss) income, net(10,358)2,107 39 
Other income, net29,570 10,403 681 
Income before income taxes$279,418 $243,505 $240,578 
_______________

(a)Wendy’s U.S. includes advertising funds expense of $11,000 and $25,000 for 2022 and 2021, respectively, related to the Company funding of incremental advertising.

(b)Wendy’s International includes advertising fund expense of $2,401 and $4,116 for 2023 and 2022, respectively, related to the Company’s funding of incremental advertising. In addition, Wendy’s International includes other international-related advertising deficit of $950 and $1,099 for 2023 and 2022, respectively.

(c)Includes corporate overhead costs, such as employee compensation and related benefits.
v3.24.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Corporate Structure (Details)
Dec. 31, 2023
number_of_restaurants
countries
Franchisor Disclosure  
Number of Restaurants 7,240
Entity Operated Units  
Franchisor Disclosure  
Number of Restaurants 415
Franchised Units  
Franchisor Disclosure  
Number of Restaurants 6,825
International  
Franchisor Disclosure  
Number of Countries Entity Operates | countries 32
v3.24.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Cash Equivalents (Details)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Cash Equivalents, Insurance from Securities Investor Protection Corporation, Maximum per Account $ 500
v3.24.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Properties and Depreciation and Amortization (Details)
Dec. 31, 2023
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
v3.24.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Other Intangible Assets and Deferred Financing Costs (Details)
Dec. 31, 2023
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 2 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
v3.24.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Investments (Details)
Dec. 31, 2023
TimWen  
Schedule of Investments  
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 50.00%
Brazil JV  
Schedule of Investments  
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage 20.00%
v3.24.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Self-insurance (Details)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Insurance Claims  
Loss Contingencies  
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss per Occurrence, Maximum $ 500
v3.24.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Leases (Details)
Dec. 31, 2023
Minimum  
Operating Leased Assets  
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract 15 years
Maximum  
Operating Leased Assets  
Lessee, Operating Lease, Term of Contract 20 years
v3.24.0.1
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Concentration of Risk (Details)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
distributors
customers
number_of_restaurants
states
countries
Jan. 01, 2023
customers
Jan. 02, 2022
customers
Concentration Risk      
Number of Customers Accounting for More Than 10% of Revenues | customers 0 0 0
Number of Restaurants 7,240    
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 32    
Entity Operated Units      
Concentration Risk      
Number of Restaurants 415    
Entity Operated Units | Canada      
Concentration Risk      
Number of Restaurants 0    
U.S Main In-Line Distributor Risk | U.S. | Restaurants in U.S. System      
Concentration Risk      
Concentration Risk, Percentage 67.00%    
U.S. Additional In-Line Distributor Risk | U.S. | Restaurants in U.S. System      
Concentration Risk      
Concentration Risk, Percentage 32.00%    
Geographic Concentration Risk, Canada | Canada | Franchised Units      
Concentration Risk      
Concentration Risk, Percentage 10.00%    
v3.24.0.1
Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
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    
Total revenues $ 2,181,578 $ 2,095,505 $ 1,896,998
Minimum      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract 15 years    
Maximum      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Lessor, Operating Lease, Term of Contract 20 years    
Sales at Company-operated restaurants      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax $ 930,083 896,585 734,074
Franchise royalty revenue      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 512,159 485,488 460,709
Franchise fees      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 80,172 72,747 76,039
Franchise Rental Income      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 230,168 234,465 236,655
Advertising funds revenue      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 428,996 406,220 389,521
Wendy's U.S.      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Total revenues 1,815,845 1,750,242 1,567,496
Wendy's U.S. | Sales at Company-operated restaurants      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 905,700 882,684 730,415
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise royalty revenue      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 444,653 423,955 407,317
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise fees      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 68,749 63,112 64,170
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise Rental Income      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 0 0 0
Wendy's U.S. | Advertising funds revenue      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 396,743 380,491 365,594
Wendy's International      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Total revenues 130,548 106,705 86,369
Wendy's International | Sales at Company-operated restaurants      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 24,383 13,901 3,659
Wendy's International | Franchise royalty revenue      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 67,506 61,533 53,392
Wendy's International | Franchise fees      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 6,406 5,542 5,391
Wendy's International | Franchise Rental Income      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 0 0 0
Wendy's International | Advertising funds revenue      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 32,253 25,729 23,927
Global Real Estate & Development      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Total revenues 235,185 238,558 243,133
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 5,017 4,093 6,478
Global Real Estate & Development | Franchise Rental Income      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax 230,168 234,465 236,655
Global Real Estate & Development | Advertising funds revenue      
Disaggregation of Revenue      
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax $ 0 $ 0 $ 0
v3.24.0.1
Revenue Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Contract balances      
Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period $ 99,208 $ 97,186 $ 97,785
Revenue recognized during the period (12,242) (11,567) (19,838)
New deferrals due to cash received and other 13,839 13,589 19,239
Deferred franchise fees at end of period 100,805 99,208 $ 97,186
Deferred franchise fees, noncurrent 90,132 90,231  
Accounts and notes receivable, net | Short-term Contract with Customer      
Contract balances      
Receivables, Net, Current 55,293 54,497  
Advertising funds restricted assets | Short-term Contract with Customer      
Contract balances      
Receivables, Net, Current 76,838 70,422  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities      
Contract balances      
Deferred franchise fees, current 10,673 8,977  
Deferred Franchise Fees      
Contract balances      
Deferred franchise fees, noncurrent $ 90,132 $ 90,231  
v3.24.0.1
Revenue Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees (Details)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount  
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount $ 100,805
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2024-01-01  
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount  
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount $ 10,673
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period 1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2024-12-30  
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount  
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount $ 6,483
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period 1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2025-12-29  
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount  
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount $ 6,354
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period 1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2027-01-04  
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount  
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount $ 6,255
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period 1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2028-01-03  
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount  
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount $ 6,136
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period 1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date: 2029-01-01  
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount  
Revenue, Anticipated Future Recognition of Deferred Franchise Fees, Amount $ 64,904
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Period 0 years
v3.24.0.1
Acquisitions (Details)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Apr. 04, 2021
USD ($)
numberOfMarkets
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Jan. 01, 2023
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Jan. 02, 2022
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Jan. 03, 2021
USD ($)
Nov. 18, 2020
numberOfMarkets
Jul. 31, 2020
number_of_restaurants
numberOfMarkets
Business Acquisition              
Number of Restaurants | number_of_restaurants   7,240          
Goodwill   $ 773,727 $ 773,088 $ 775,278      
Number of markets to be sold by NPC | 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    
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            
Acquisitions   $ 0 $ 0 $ 123,069      
Acquisitions              
Business Acquisition              
Restaurants acquired from franchisees | number_of_restaurants   0 0 93      
Total consideration paid, net of cash received       $ 127,948      
Properties       21,984      
Acquired franchise rights       81,239      
Total identifiable net assets       104,506      
Goodwill       23,442      
Business combination, provisional information, initial accounting incomplete, adjustment, financial assets     $ 260        
Finance lease assets | Acquisitions              
Business Acquisition              
Lease assets       25,547      
Operating lease assets | Acquisitions              
Business Acquisition              
Lease assets       44,282      
Finance lease liabilities | Acquisitions              
Business Acquisition              
Lease liabilities       (25,059)      
Operating lease liabilities | Acquisitions              
Business Acquisition              
Lease liabilities       (43,478)      
Settlement of NPC-related deposits              
Business Acquisition              
Acquisitions $ (4,879)            
Other liabilities | Acquisitions              
Business Acquisition              
Other       $ (9)      
Restaurants under construction | Acquisitions              
Business Acquisition              
Restaurants acquired from franchisees | number_of_restaurants       2      
NPC franchised restaurants              
Business Acquisition              
Number of Restaurants | number_of_restaurants             393
v3.24.0.1
System Optimization Gains, Net Summary of Disposition Activity (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Jan. 01, 2023
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Jan. 02, 2022
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Jan. 01, 2017
System optimization gains, net        
Company-operated restaurant ownership percentage       5.00%
Proceeds from sales of restaurants $ 2,115 $ 8,237 $ 55,118  
Gain on sales-type leases 2,466 2,981 4,244  
System optimization gains, net $ 880 $ 6,779 $ 33,545  
Sale of franchise-operated restaurants to franchisees        
System optimization gains, net        
Number of restaurants sold to franchisees | number_of_restaurants 99 79 34  
Sale of company-operated restaurants to franchisees        
System optimization gains, net        
Number of restaurants sold to franchisees | number_of_restaurants 0 1 47  
Proceeds from sales of restaurants $ 0 $ 79 $ 50,518  
Net assets sold 0 (141) (16,939)  
Goodwill related to sales of restaurants 0 0 (4,847)  
Net unfavorable leases 0 (360) (2,939)  
Gain on sales-type leases 0 0 7,156  
Other 0 6 (2,148)  
Gain on sales of restaurants, net, before post-closing adjustments 0 (416) 30,801  
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants 858 2,877 1,218  
System optimization gains, net 858 2,461 32,019  
Favorable lease     3,799  
Unfavorable lease     6,738  
Deferred gain on sale of property     3,500  
Recognition of deferred gain on sale of property 858 3,522 515  
Sale of other assets        
System optimization gains, net        
Proceeds from sales of restaurants 2,115 7,780 4,561  
System optimization gains, net $ 22 4,318 1,526  
Sale of manhattan company-operated restaurants to franchisees note receivable        
System optimization gains, net        
Proceeds from sales of restaurants   $ 378 39  
Sale of manhattan company-operated restaurants to franchisees        
System optimization gains, net        
Gain on sales-type leases     1,625  
Write-off of lease assets     $ 927  
v3.24.0.1
System Optimization Gains, Net Assets Held for Sale (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Other assets held for sale    
Long lived assets held for sale    
Assets held for sale $ 2,689 $ 1,661
v3.24.0.1
Reorganization and Realignment Costs Summary (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Reorganization and realignment costs $ 9,200 $ 698 $ 8,548
Consolidated Statements of Operations location: Reorganization and realignment costs    
Organizational Redesign      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Reorganization and realignment costs $ 9,064 0 0
System Optimization Initiative      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Reorganization and realignment costs 136 611 6,852
Other Reorganization and Realignment Plans      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Reorganization and realignment costs $ 0 $ 87 $ 1,696
v3.24.0.1
Reorganization and Realignment Costs Organizational Redesign (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Reorganization and realignment costs $ 9,200 $ 698 $ 8,548
Organizational Redesign      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 7,793    
Reorganization and realignment costs 9,064 $ 0 $ 0
Organizational Redesign | Minimum      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost 17,000    
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining 8,000    
Organizational Redesign | Maximum      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost 19,000    
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining 10,000    
Organizational Redesign | Severance and related employee costs      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 6,243    
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining 7,000    
Organizational Redesign | Recruitment and relocation costs      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 554    
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining 500    
Organizational Redesign | Third-party and other costs      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 996    
Organizational Redesign | Share-based compensation      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 1,271    
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining $ 2,000    
v3.24.0.1
Reorganization and Realignment Costs Organizational Redesign Accrual Rollforward (Details) - Organizational Redesign
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Beginning balance $ 0
Charges 7,793
Payments (6,101)
Ending balance 1,692
Severance and related employee costs  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Beginning balance 0
Charges 6,243
Payments (4,551)
Ending balance 1,692
Recruitment and relocation costs  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Beginning balance 0
Charges 554
Payments (554)
Ending balance 0
Third-party and other costs  
Restructuring Cost and Reserve  
Beginning balance 0
Charges 996
Payments (996)
Ending balance $ 0
v3.24.0.1
Reorganization and Realignment Costs System Optimization Costs (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Jan. 01, 2023
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Jan. 02, 2022
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Reorganization and realignment costs $ 9,200 $ 698 $ 8,548
Consolidated Statements of Operations location: Reorganization and realignment costs    
Acquisitions      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restaurants acquired from franchisees | number_of_restaurants 0 0 93
System Optimization Initiative      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Reorganization and realignment costs $ 136 $ 611 $ 6,852
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Benefit Remaining 150    
Restructuring reserve 0 0 0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 76 544 3,996
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 50,813    
Restructuring Charges, Incurred to Date 84,207    
System Optimization Initiative | Severance and related employee costs      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 0 4 661
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 18,902    
System Optimization Initiative | Professional fees      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 3 395 1,570
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 24,075    
System Optimization Initiative | Other      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 73 145 1,765
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 7,836    
System Optimization Initiative | Other | NPC Transaction Fees      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost     1,350
System Optimization Initiative | Accelerated depreciation and amortization      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 0 0 0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 25,398    
System Optimization Initiative | NPC lease termination costs      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 60 67 2,856
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date 2,983    
System Optimization Initiative | NPC lease termination costs | Write-Off of Lease Assets      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost     1,376
System Optimization Initiative | NPC lease termination costs | Lease Termination Fees      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost     1,480
System Optimization Initiative | Share-based compensation      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost 0 $ 0 $ 0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date $ 5,013    
v3.24.0.1
Reorganization and Realignment Costs Other Reorganization and Realignment (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Reorganization and realignment costs $ 9,200 $ 698 $ 8,548
Other Reorganization and Realignment Plans      
Restructuring Cost and Reserve      
Reorganization and realignment costs $ 0 $ 87 $ 1,696
v3.24.0.1
Net Income Per Share (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]      
Net income $ 204,440 $ 177,370 $ 200,392
Weighted average basic shares outstanding 209,486 213,766 221,375
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares 2,048 2,073 3,030
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 211,534 215,839 224,405
Earnings Per Share, Basic $ 0.98 $ 0.83 $ 0.91
Earnings Per Share, Diluted $ 0.97 $ 0.82 $ 0.89
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount 5,377 4,443 2,404
v3.24.0.1
Cash and Receivables Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Jan. 03, 2021
Cash and Cash Equivalents        
Cash $ 150,136 $ 185,207    
Cash equivalents 365,901 560,682    
Cash and cash equivalents 516,037 745,889 $ 249,438  
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current 35,848 35,203 27,535  
Total restricted cash and cash equivalents, current 72,779 85,912    
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 588,816 831,801 $ 366,966 $ 418,241
Accounts held by trustee for the securitized financing facility        
Cash and Cash Equivalents        
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current 35,483 34,850    
Other        
Cash and Cash Equivalents        
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current 365 353    
Restricted Cash        
Cash and Cash Equivalents        
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current 35,848 35,203    
Advertising funds restricted assets        
Cash and Cash Equivalents        
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current $ 36,931 $ 50,709    
v3.24.0.1
Cash and Receivables Accounts and Notes Receivable (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable    
Accounts receivable, gross, current $ 106,335 $ 100,270
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts, current (1,538) (1,707)
Accounts receivable, net, current 104,797 98,563
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current 18,035 22,503
Notes receivable from franchisees, allowance for doubtful accounts, current (1,149) (4,640)
Notes receivable from franchisees, net, current 16,886 17,863
Accounts and notes receivable, gross, current 124,370 122,773
Accounts and notes receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts, current (2,687) (6,347)
Accounts and notes receivable, net, current 121,683 116,426
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, noncurrent 0 3,888
Notes receivable from franchisees, allowance for doubtful accounts, noncurrent 0 0
Notes receivable from franchisees, net, noncurrent 0 3,888
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net    
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable    
Income taxes receivable 5,284 3,236
Insurance for legal settlements receivable 17,460  
Sales-type and direct financing leases, lease receivable 10,779 8,263
Indonesia franchisee    
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable    
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current 394 1,153
Brazil JV    
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable    
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current 6,837 13,087
Notes receivable from franchisees, allowance for doubtful accounts, current $ (1,149) (4,640)
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, noncurrent   $ 3,888
v3.24.0.1
Cash and Receivables Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable      
Balance at beginning of period; accounts receivable $ 1,707 $ 3,229 $ 3,739
Provision for doubtful accounts; accounts receivable 534 (565) (148)
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries; accounts receivable (703) (957) (362)
Balance at end of period; accounts receivable 1,538 1,707 3,229
Balance at beginning of period; notes receivable 4,640 5,290 5,625
Provision for doubtful accounts; notes receivable (414) (350) (335)
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries; notes receivable (3,077) (300) 0
Balance at end of period; notes receivable 1,149 4,640 5,290
Balance at beginning of period; total 6,347 8,519 9,364
Provision for doubtful accounts; total 120 (915) (483)
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries; total (3,780) (1,257) (362)
Balance at end of period; total $ 2,687 $ 6,347 $ 8,519
v3.24.0.1
Investments Carrying Value of Investments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Schedule of Investments    
Equity method investments $ 32,727 $ 33,921
Other investments in equity securities 1,718 12,107
Investments $ 34,445 $ 46,028
v3.24.0.1
Investments Equity Method Investments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jun. 28, 2015
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Schedule of Equity Method Investments        
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current   $ (1,149) $ (4,640)  
TimWen        
Schedule of Equity Method Investments        
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage   50.00%    
Equity Method Investment, Difference Between Carrying Amount and Underlying Equity   $ 14,086 16,423  
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   $ 0 0 $ 0
Financing Receivable, before Allowance for Credit Loss, Current and Noncurrent   6,837 $ 16,975  
Financing Receivable, Allowance for Credit Loss, Current   $ (1,149)    
v3.24.0.1
Investments Investment Rollforward (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Schedule of Equity Method Investments      
Balance at beginning of period $ 33,921    
Distributions received (12,901) $ (12,612) $ (16,337)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in “Other comprehensive income” and other 5,801 (15,976) $ 1,441
Balance at end of period $ 32,727 $ 33,921  
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 $ 33,921 $ 39,870 $ 44,574
Equity in earnings for the period 13,493 12,267 14,329
Amortization of purchase price adjustments (2,674) (2,845) (3,126)
Equity in earnings for the period, net of amortization of purchase price adjustment 10,819 9,422 11,203
Distributions received (12,901) (12,612) (16,337)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in “Other comprehensive income” and other 888 (2,759) 430
Balance at end of period $ 32,727 $ 33,921 $ 39,870
v3.24.0.1
Investments Other Investments in Equity Securities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Payments for investments $ 0 $ 0 $ 10,000
Other investments in equity securities      
Payments for investments     $ 10,000
Recognized gain on investment, observable price change for a similar investment of same issuer   $ 2,107  
Impairment charge recorded, difference between estimated fair value and carrying value $ 10,389    
v3.24.0.1
Properties (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Plant, Property and Equipment      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross $ 1,669,552 $ 1,618,585  
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (778,472) (722,807)  
Properties 891,080 895,778 $ 906,867
Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of amortization of cloud computing arrangements shown separately below) 135,789 133,414 125,540
Land      
Plant, Property and Equipment      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 373,634 371,347  
Buildings and improvements      
Plant, Property and Equipment      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 519,244 510,685  
Leasehold improvements      
Plant, Property and Equipment      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 432,051 422,330  
Office, restaurant and transportation equipment      
Plant, Property and Equipment      
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross 344,623 314,223  
Property, Plant and Equipment      
Plant, Property and Equipment      
Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of amortization of cloud computing arrangements shown separately below) $ 70,108 $ 69,239 $ 68,298
v3.24.0.1
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Schedule of Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Goodwill      
Goodwill, gross $ 783,124 $ 782,485 $ 784,675
Accumulated impairment losses (9,397) (9,397) (9,397)
Goodwill, net 773,727 773,088 775,278
Restaurant acquisitions   (260)  
Restaurant dispositions 0 0  
Currency translation adjustment and other 639 (1,930)  
Restaurant acquisitions 0    
Wendy's U.S.      
Goodwill      
Goodwill, gross 620,603 620,603 620,863
Accumulated impairment losses 0 0 0
Goodwill, net 620,603 620,603 620,863
Restaurant acquisitions   (260)  
Restaurant dispositions 0 0  
Currency translation adjustment and other 0 0  
Restaurant acquisitions 0    
Wendy's International      
Goodwill      
Goodwill, gross 39,973 39,334 41,264
Accumulated impairment losses (9,397) (9,397) (9,397)
Goodwill, net 30,576 29,937 31,867
Restaurant acquisitions   0  
Restaurant dispositions 0 0  
Currency translation adjustment and other 639 (1,930)  
Restaurant acquisitions 0    
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 0  
Currency translation adjustment and other 0 $ 0  
Restaurant acquisitions $ 0    
v3.24.0.1
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Schedule of Finite-Lived And Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets    
Indefinite Lived And Finite Lived Intangible Assets, Gross $ 1,780,993 $ 1,759,132
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization (561,864) (510,332)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net 316,129  
Other intangible assets 1,219,129 1,248,800
Trademarks    
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets    
Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Excluding Goodwill) 903,000 903,000
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization 0 0
Franchise agreements    
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 348,657 348,293
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization (253,398) (236,536)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net 95,259 111,757
Favorable leases    
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 152,558 154,048
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization (75,502) (67,928)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net 77,056 86,120
Reacquired rights under franchise agreements    
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 90,509 90,509
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization (17,157) (10,536)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net 73,352 79,973
Software    
Schedule of Finite Lived and Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Gross 286,269 263,282
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Accumulated Amortization (215,807) (195,332)
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net $ 70,462 $ 67,950
v3.24.0.1
Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Aggregate Amortization Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets      
Amortization of intangible assets $ 59,356 $ 58,690 $ 55,236
Future amortization, 2024 55,722    
Future amortization, 2025 48,132    
Future amortization, 2026 42,306    
Future amortization, 2027 37,711    
Future amortization Expense, 2028 32,687    
Future amortization, Thereafter 99,571    
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Net $ 316,129    
v3.24.0.1
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Accrued compensation and related benefits $ 44,625 $ 39,247
Accrued taxes 28,134 30,159
Legal reserves 19,699 907
Other 42,691 45,697
Accrued Liabilities, Current $ 135,149 $ 116,010
v3.24.0.1
Long-Term Debt Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Debt Instrument    
Unamortized debt issuance costs $ (33,501) $ (40,673)
Total debt 2,762,064 2,851,446
Less amounts payable within one year (29,250) (29,250)
Total long-term debt 2,732,814 2,822,196
Series 2022-1 Class A-2-I Notes    
Debt Instrument    
Senior Notes $ 98,500 $ 99,500
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.236% 4.236%
Series 2022-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Debt Instrument    
Senior Notes $ 390,134 $ 398,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.535% 4.535%
Series 2021-1 Class A-2-I Notes    
Debt Instrument    
Senior Notes $ 423,269 $ 443,250
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 2.37% 2.37%
Series 2021-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Debt Instrument    
Senior Notes $ 633,530 $ 640,250
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 2.775% 2.775%
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes    
Debt Instrument    
Senior Notes $ 357,673 $ 364,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 3.783% 3.783%
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Debt Instrument    
Senior Notes $ 403,123 $ 409,500
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.08% 4.08%
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Debt Instrument    
Senior Notes $ 441,099 $ 451,250
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 3.884% 3.884%
7% debentures    
Debt Instrument    
7% debentures $ 48,237 $ 86,369
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 7.00% 7.00%
v3.24.0.1
Long-Term Debt Maturities of long-term debt (Details)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Debt Instrument  
2024 $ 29,250
2025 78,820
2026 374,923
2027 25,250
2028 442,599
Thereafter 1,846,056
Total long-term debt, gross $ 2,796,898
v3.24.0.1
Long-Term Debt Other Long-term Debt Disclosure (Details)
$ in Thousands, $ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
CAD ($)
Jul. 04, 2021
USD ($)
Apr. 04, 2021
CAD ($)
Jan. 03, 2021
CAD ($)
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Jan. 01, 2023
USD ($)
Jan. 02, 2022
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2023
CAD ($)
Jul. 03, 2022
USD ($)
Dec. 29, 2019
USD ($)
Debt Instrument                    
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, net         $ 2,283 $ 0 $ (17,917)      
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount         28,847          
Restricted cash         35,848 35,203 27,535      
Interest Expense         124,061 $ 122,319 109,185      
Series 2022-1 Class A-2-I Notes                    
Debt Instrument                    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount         $ 100,000          
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage         4.70%     4.70%    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage         4.236% 4.236%   4.236%    
Series 2022-1 Class A-2-II Notes                    
Debt Instrument                    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount         $ 400,000          
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage         4.70%     4.70%    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage         4.535% 4.535%   4.535%    
Series 2021-1 Class A-2-I Notes                    
Debt Instrument                    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount         $ 450,000          
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage         2.50%     2.50%    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage         2.37% 2.37%   2.37%    
Series 2021-1 Class A-2-II Notes                    
Debt Instrument                    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount         $ 650,000          
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage         2.90%     2.90%    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage         2.775% 2.775%   2.775%    
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%    
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%    
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes                    
Debt Instrument                    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount         $ 475,000          
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage         4.00%     4.00%    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage         3.884% 3.884%   3.884%    
Series 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes | Line of Credit                    
Debt Instrument                    
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity         $ 300,000          
Line of Credit, Outstanding, Amount         $ 0          
Series 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes | Line of Credit | Minimum                    
Debt Instrument                    
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage         0.40%          
Series 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes | Line of Credit | Maximum                    
Debt Instrument                    
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage         0.75%          
Series 2021-1 Class A-1 Notes | Letter of Credit                    
Debt Instrument                    
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount         $ 28,627          
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes | Line of Credit                    
Debt Instrument                    
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity             150,000      
Series 2020-1 Class A-1 Notes | Line of Credit                    
Debt Instrument                    
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity             100,000      
Series 2021-1 Senior Notes                    
Debt Instrument                    
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, net   $ (17,917)                
Specified make-whole payment   9,632                
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost   $ 8,285                
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross             20,873      
Series 2022-1 Senior Notes                    
Debt Instrument                    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount                 $ 500,000  
Debt Issuance Costs, Gross           $ 10,232        
Class A-2 Senior Secured Notes                    
Debt Instrument                    
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount         29,171          
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount         24,935          
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, net         3,914          
7% debentures                    
Debt Instrument                    
Debt Instrument, Face Amount         100,000          
Debt Instrument, Repurchased Face Amount         40,430         $ 10,000
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount         40,517         10,550
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, net         $ (1,631)          
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage         8.60%     8.60%    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage         7.00% 7.00%   7.00%    
7% debentures | Premium                    
Debt Instrument                    
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount                   500
7% debentures | Transaction Fees                    
Debt Instrument                    
Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount                   $ 50
Restricted Cash Held for Principal Interest and Fees                    
Debt Instrument                    
Restricted cash         $ 35,483 $ 34,850        
Canadian Subsidiary | Line of Credit                    
Debt Instrument                    
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity               $ 6,000    
Line of Credit, Outstanding, Amount               $ 0    
Proceeds from Lines of Credit $ 5,500                  
Repayments of Lines of Credit     $ 2,500 $ 3,000            
Wendy's U.S. Advertising Fund | Line of Credit                    
Debt Instrument                    
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity         15,000          
Line of Credit, Outstanding, Amount         $ 0          
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate         2.25%          
Corporate Debt Securities                    
Debt Instrument                    
Interest Expense         $ 112,659 $ 110,751 $ 98,356      
v3.24.0.1
Long-Term Debt Assets Pledged as Collateral (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Assets Pledged as Collateral      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 516,037 $ 745,889 $ 249,438
Inventories 6,690 7,129  
Properties 891,080 895,778 $ 906,867
Other intangible assets 1,219,129 1,248,800  
Total assets 5,182,826 $ 5,499,344  
Asset Pledged as Collateral      
Assets Pledged as Collateral      
Cash and cash equivalents 35,532    
Restricted cash and other assets 35,488    
Accounts and notes receivable, net 46,114    
Inventories 5,760    
Properties 78,932    
Other intangible assets 994,350    
Total assets $ 1,196,176    
v3.24.0.1
Fair Value Measurements Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Other investments in equity securities $ 1,718 $ 12,107
Series 2022-1 Class A-2-I Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.236% 4.236%
Series 2022-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.535% 4.535%
Series 2021-1 Class A-2-I Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 2.37% 2.37%
Series 2021-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 2.775% 2.775%
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 3.783% 3.783%
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 4.08% 4.08%
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 3.884% 3.884%
7% debentures    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage 7.00% 7.00%
Reported Value Measurement    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Cash equivalents $ 365,901 $ 560,682
Other investments in equity securities 1,718 12,107
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2022-1 Class A-2-I Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 98,500 99,500
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2022-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 390,134 398,000
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2021-1 Class A-2-I Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 423,269 443,250
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2021-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 633,530 640,250
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 357,673 364,000
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 403,123 409,500
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 441,099 451,250
Reported Value Measurement | 7% debentures    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 48,237 86,369
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Cash equivalents 365,901 560,682
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Other investments in equity securities 1,718 12,107
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2022-1 Class A-2-I Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 92,289 89,401
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2022-1 Class A-2-II Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 370,577 349,444
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2021-1 Class A-2-I Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 362,572 357,304
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2021-1 Class A-2-II Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument 530,581 499,011
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 341,606 334,334
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 374,058 361,875
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 412,754 405,809
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 7% debentures | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2    
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions    
Debt instrument $ 49,431 $ 92,367
v3.24.0.1
Fair Value Measurements Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis      
Held and used, Total losses $ 1,316 $ 5,727  
Held for sale, Total losses 85 693  
Impairment of long-lived assets 1,401 6,420 $ 2,251
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring      
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis      
Assets Held and used, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure 1,212 4,590  
Assets Held for sale, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure 1,044 1,314  
Total 2,256 5,904  
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 1,212 4,590  
Assets Held for sale, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure 1,044 1,314  
Total $ 2,256 $ 5,904  
v3.24.0.1
Income Taxes Income from Operations before Income Tax (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Income before income taxes      
Domestic $ 264,423 $ 231,862 $ 228,756
Foreign 14,995 11,643 11,822
Income before income taxes $ 279,418 $ 243,505 $ 240,578
v3.24.0.1
Income Taxes (Provision For) Benefit from Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Current:      
U.S. federal $ (50,435) $ (43,141) $ (38,416)
State (13,730) (9,152) (7,039)
Foreign (11,620) (9,537) (8,512)
Current tax provision (75,785) (61,830) (53,967)
Deferred:      
U.S. federal 2,163 (3,868) (52)
State 564 (2,629) 15,993
Foreign (1,920) 2,192 (2,160)
Deferred tax benefit (provision) 807 (4,305) 13,781
Income tax provision $ (74,978) $ (66,135) $ (40,186)
v3.24.0.1
Income Taxes Deferred Tax Assets (Liabilities) (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Deferred Tax Assets    
Operating and finance lease liabilities $ 339,655 $ 355,653
Net operating loss and credit carryforwards 58,170 58,030
Deferred revenue 23,848 23,617
Unfavorable leases 17,104 19,085
Accrued compensation and related benefits 15,786 14,577
Accrued expenses and reserves 6,802 7,012
Other 11,243 8,275
Valuation allowances (39,346) (35,680)
Total deferred tax assets 433,262 450,569
Deferred Tax Liabilities    
Operating and finance lease assets (310,011) (326,646)
Intangible assets (290,782) (285,688)
Fixed assets (62,673) (66,830)
Other (40,149) (41,826)
Total deferred tax liabilities (703,615) (720,990)
Total deferred tax liabilities, net $ (270,353) $ (270,421)
v3.24.0.1
Income Taxes Income Taxes Net Operating Losses and Tax Credits (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Summary of Net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards      
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount $ 21,084    
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards 975,624    
Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance 39,346 $ 35,680  
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, (Decrease) Increase, Amount 3,666 $ (2,597) $ (11,691)
Domestic Tax Authority      
Summary of Net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards      
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount 17,111    
State and Local Jurisdiction | 2024 - 2035      
Summary of Net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards      
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards 744,363    
State and Local Jurisdiction | Indefinite      
Summary of Net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards      
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards 219,652    
Foreign Tax Authority      
Summary of Net Operating Loss and Tax Credit Carryforwards      
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount 3,973    
Net Operating Loss Carryforwards $ 11,609    
v3.24.0.1
Income Taxes Refundable Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Refundable Income Taxes    
Income Taxes Receivable, Current $ 5,284 $ 3,236
Income Taxes Receivable, Noncurrent $ 0 $ 0
v3.24.0.1
Income Taxes Income Taxes Effective Tax Rate Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation      
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent 21.00% 21.00% 21.00%
Income tax provision at the U.S. federal statutory rate $ (58,678) $ (51,136) $ (50,521)
State income tax provision, net of U.S. federal income tax effect (11,400) (11,616) (6,256)
Prior years' tax matters (2,250) 2,290 1,820
Excess federal tax benefits from share-based compensation 845 402 7,160
Foreign and U.S. tax effects of foreign operations 1,799 (3,744) (5)
Valuation allowances (3,533) 2,127 11,807
Non-deductible goodwill 0 0 (947)
Tax credits 1,050 1,385 1,028
Non-deductible executive compensation (2,863) (3,154) (3,810)
Unrepatriated earnings (387) (294) (282)
Non-deductible expenses and other 439 (2,395) (180)
Income tax provision (74,978) (66,135) (40,186)
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, (Decrease) Increase, Amount $ 3,666 $ (2,597) (11,691)
Change in State Tax Law      
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation      
Valuation Allowance, Deferred Tax Asset, (Decrease) Increase, Amount     $ (12,606)
v3.24.0.1
Income Taxes Unrecognized Tax Benefits (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Income Tax Contingency      
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns $ 13,208    
Reconciliation of Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Excluding Amounts Pertaining to Examined Tax Returns      
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Beginning Balance 17,404 $ 18,849 $ 20,973
Tax positions of current year, additions 836 178 157
Tax positions of prior years, reductions (690) (662) (2,015)
Settlements, reductions (249) (8) (46)
Lapse of statute of limitations, reductions (582) (953) (220)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Ending Balance 16,719 17,404 18,849
Significant Change in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible, Estimated Range of Change, Upper Bound 220    
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Expense 134 (30) 138
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties Income     $ 37
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Interest on Income Taxes Accrued $ 979 $ 943  
v3.24.0.1
Stockholders' Equity (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
4 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2022
Nov. 30, 2021
Feb. 28, 2022
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Jan. 31, 2023
Apr. 01, 2022
Feb. 29, 2020
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid       $ 1.00 $ 0.50 $ 0.43      
Common Stock, Number of Shares Issued, beginning of year       470,424 470,424 470,424      
Common Stock, Number of Shares Issued, end of year       470,424 470,424 470,424      
Stockholders' Equity Activity                  
Treasury Stock, Number of shares at beginning of year       257,323          
Treasury Stock, Number of shares at end of year       265,027 257,323        
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized       100,000 100,000 100,000      
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued       0 0 0      
Common Stock Held in Treasury                  
Stockholders' Equity Activity                  
Treasury Stock, Number of shares at beginning of year       257,323 254,575 246,156      
Repurchases of common stock       9,107 3,474 11,487      
Common shares issued, stock options, net       (989) (353) (2,657)      
Common shares issued, restricted stock, net       (322) (264) (337)      
Common shares issued, Director fees       (22) (22) (17)      
Common shares issued, Other       (70) (87) (57)      
Treasury Stock, Number of shares at end of year       265,027 257,323 254,575      
January 2023 Share Repurchase Program                  
Stockholders' Equity Activity                  
Repurchases of common stock       9,107          
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount             $ 500,000    
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, excluding Commissions       $ 190,000          
Stock Repurchase Program, Repurchase Accrual       573          
Stock Repurchase Program, Excise Tax Accrual       1,744          
Stock Repurchase Program, Cost Incurred       127          
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount       $ 310,000          
February 2022 Share Repurchase Program                  
Stockholders' Equity Activity                  
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount $ 100,000   $ 100,000            
April 2022 Share Repurchase Program                  
Stockholders' Equity Activity                  
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount               $ 150,000  
February 2022 and April 2022 Share Repurchase Program                  
Stockholders' Equity Activity                  
Repurchases of common stock         2,759        
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount               $ 250,000  
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, excluding Commissions         $ 51,911        
Stock Repurchase Program, Cost Incurred         $ 39        
February 2020 Share Repurchase Program                  
Stockholders' Equity Activity                  
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount                 $ 100,000
May 2021, August 2021, and November 2021 Share Repurchase Program                  
Stockholders' Equity Activity                  
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount   $ 200,000              
February 2020, May 2021, August 2021 and November 2021 Share Repurchase Program                  
Stockholders' Equity Activity                  
Repurchases of common stock           6,577      
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount   $ 300,000              
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, excluding Commissions           $ 142,715      
Stock Repurchase Program, Cost Incurred           $ 93      
2021 Accelerated Share Repurchase Program                  
Stockholders' Equity Activity                  
Repurchases of common stock 715 4,910 5,625            
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount   $ 125,000              
Initial Shares Delivered Under ASR Agreement Percentage   85.00%              
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share     $ 22.22            
v3.24.0.1
Stockholders' Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss      
Balance at beginning of period $ (64,176) $ (48,200) $ (49,641)
Foreign currency translation 5,801 (15,976) 1,441
Balance at end of period (58,375) (64,176) (48,200)
Foreign Currency Translation      
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss      
Foreign currency translation $ 5,801 $ (15,976) $ 1,441
v3.24.0.1
Share-Based Compensation Summary (Details)
shares in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
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 14,850
v3.24.0.1
Share-Based Compensation Stock Options (Details) - Stock Options - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
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 10,890    
Granted 1,089    
Exercised (1,104)    
Forfeited and/or expired (385)    
Outstanding, end of period 10,490 10,890  
Vested or expected to vest, end of period 10,414    
Exercisable, end of period 8,153    
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding at beginning of period $ 19.00    
Weighted average exercise price, granted 21.53    
Weighted average exercise price, exercised 15.27    
Weighted average exercise price, forfeited and/or expired 22.01    
Weighted average exercise price, outstanding at end of period 19.55 $ 19.00  
Weighted average exercise price, vested or expected to vest 19.53    
Weighted average exercise price, exercisable $ 18.89    
Weighted average remaining contractual life in years, outstanding 5 years 9 months 10 days    
Weighted average remaining contractual life in years, vested or expected to vest 5 years 9 months 3 days    
Weighted average remaining contractual life in years, exercisable 4 years 10 months 20 days    
Aggregate intrinsic value, outstanding $ 14,801    
Aggregate intrinsic value, vested or expected to vest 14,801    
Aggregate intrinsic value, exercisable 14,801    
Total intrinsic value, exercises in period $ 7,230 $ 2,979 $ 39,522
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted $ 5.35 $ 6.33 $ 6.33
Fair Value Assumptions and Methodology      
Risk-free interest rate 4.31% 3.00% 0.70%
Expected option life in years 5 years 3 days 4 years 9 months 4 years 6 months
Expected volatility 36.79% 37.82% 38.00%
Expected dividend yield 4.64% 2.34% 2.03%
v3.24.0.1
Share-Based Compensation Restricted Shares (Details) - Restricted Stock - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock, Non-vested, Number of Shares      
Non-vested, beginning of period 1,186    
Granted 652    
Vested (370)    
Forfeited (96)    
Non-vested, end of period 1,372 1,186  
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, beginning of period $ 20.03    
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted 21.70    
Weighted average grant date fair value, vested 20.93    
Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited 22.11    
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, end of period $ 20.42 $ 20.03  
Total fair value, vested in period $ 8,224 $ 5,564 $ 7,048
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    
v3.24.0.1
Share-Based Compensation Performance Shares (Details) - USD ($)
$ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Share-based Compensation, Performance Shares, Non-vested, Number of Shares      
Weighted average grant date fair value, dividend equivalent units issued $ 0    
Performance Condition Award      
Share-based Compensation, Performance Shares, Non-vested, Number of Shares      
Non-vested, beginning of period 584    
Granted 191    
Dividend equivalent units issued 28    
Vested (96)    
Forfeited (99)    
Non-vested, end of period 608 584  
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, beginning of period $ 21.67    
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted 22.89    
Weighted average grant date fair value, dividend equivalent units issued 0    
Weighted average grant date fair value, vested 23.37    
Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited 22.44    
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, end of period $ 21.66 $ 21.67  
Total fair value, vested in period $ 2,105 $ 1,712 $ 1,784
Market Condition Performance Award      
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award      
Risk-free interest rate 4.31% 1.71% 0.20%
Expected life in years 3 years 3 years 3 years
Expected volatility 34.95% 52.33% 49.47%
Expected dividend yield 0.00% 0.00% 0.00%
Share-based Compensation, Performance Shares, Non-vested, Number of Shares      
Non-vested, beginning of period 462    
Granted 159    
Dividend equivalent units issued 23    
Vested (97)    
Forfeited (53)    
Non-vested, end of period 494 462  
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, beginning of period $ 27.38    
Weighted average grant date fair value, granted 27.46    
Weighted average grant date fair value, dividend equivalent units issued 0    
Weighted average grant date fair value, vested 30.31    
Weighted average grant date fair value, forfeited 28.47    
Weighted average grant date fair value, non-vested, end of period $ 26.68 $ 27.38  
Total fair value, vested in period $ 2,138 $ 2,253 $ 3,498
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%    
v3.24.0.1
Share-Based Compensation Share-based Compensation Expense (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs      
Share-based compensation $ 23,747 $ 24,538 $ 22,019
Income tax benefit (3,207) (3,043) (2,790)
Share-based compensation, net of income tax benefit 20,540 21,495 19,229
Total share-based compensation not yet recognized, non-vested awards $ 27,245    
Total share-based compensation not yet recognized, period for recognition, non-vested awards 1 year 6 months 21 days    
Stock Options      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs      
Share-based compensation $ 7,687 9,072 9,256
Restricted Stock      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs      
Share-based compensation 9,503 7,106 6,677
Performance Condition Award      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs      
Share-based compensation 2,524 4,431 2,861
Market Condition Performance Award      
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Allocation of Recognized Period Costs      
Share-based compensation $ 4,033 $ 3,929 $ 3,225
v3.24.0.1
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets      
Impairment of long-lived assets $ 1,401 $ 6,420 $ 2,251
Company-operated restaurants      
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets      
Impairment of long-lived assets 1,316 5,485 1,862
Restaurants leased or subleased to franchisees      
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets      
Impairment of long-lived assets 0 242 189
Surplus properties      
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets      
Impairment of long-lived assets $ 85 $ 693 $ 200
v3.24.0.1
Retirement Benefit Plans Defined Contribution Plan (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
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, Employer Discretionary Contribution Amount $ 5,947 $ 5,929 $ 4,583
v3.24.0.1
Retirement Benefit Plans Deferred Compensation Plan (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Supplemental Employee Retirement Plans, Defined Benefit    
Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans    
Deferred Compensation Arrangements, Recorded Liability $ 1,959 $ 1,435
v3.24.0.1
Leases Lessee Lease Narrative (Details)
Dec. 31, 2023
number_of_restaurants
Lessee, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 7,240
Entity Operated Units  
Lessee, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 415
Land And Building - Company Owned | Entity Operated Units  
Lessee, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 158
Building - Company Owned; Land - Leased | Entity Operated Units  
Lessee, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 145
Land And Building - Leased | Entity Operated Units  
Lessee, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 112
v3.24.0.1
Leases Lessor Lease Narrative (Details)
Dec. 31, 2023
number_of_restaurants
Lessor, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 7,240
Franchised Units  
Lessor, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 6,825
Land And Building - Company Owned | Franchised Units  
Lessor, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 488
Land And Building - Leased | Franchised Units  
Lessor, Lease, Description  
Number of restaurants 1,179
v3.24.0.1
Leases Components of Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Lease, Cost      
Amortization of finance lease assets $ 16,061 $ 15,440 $ 13,992
Interest on finance lease liabilities 42,624 42,918 41,419
Total finance lease cost 58,685 58,358 55,411
Operating lease cost 85,138 86,050 89,283
Variable lease cost 66,859 64,473 63,853
Short-term lease cost 5,864 5,439 5,102
Total operating lease cost 157,861 155,962 158,238
Total lease cost 216,546 214,320 213,649
Franchise rental expense      
Lease, Cost      
Total operating lease cost 125,180 123,924 132,158
Cost of sales      
Lease, Cost      
Total operating lease cost 30,538 29,648 23,558
Executory costs paid by lessee      
Lease, Cost      
Variable lease cost $ 39,456 $ 38,749 $ 39,646
v3.24.0.1
Leases Supplemental Cash Flow and Non-cash Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Cash Flow, Operating Activities, Lessee      
Operating cash flows from finance leases $ 42,624 $ 42,979 $ 42,277
Operating cash flows from operating leases 86,972 88,372 91,930
Cash Flow, Financing Activities, Lessee      
Financing cash flows from finance leases 21,588 17,312 13,640
Lessee, Lease, Description      
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for finance lease liabilities 20,243 34,478 82,032
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities $ 12,659 $ 24,742 $ 58,770
v3.24.0.1
Leases Supplemental Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Lessee, Lease, Description    
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years): Finance leases 14 years 3 months 18 days 15 years 1 month 6 days
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years): Operating leases 12 years 7 months 6 days 13 years 8 months 12 days
Weighted average discount rate: Finance leases 8.52% 8.66%
Weighted average discount rate: Operating leases 4.93% 4.90%
Finance lease assets, gross $ 318,951 $ 310,686
Accumulated amortization (90,015) (76,116)
Finance lease assets 228,936 234,570
Operating lease assets $ 705,615 $ 754,498
v3.24.0.1
Leases Future Minimum Rental Payments for Non-cancelable Leases (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Operating Lease Liabilities, Payments Due    
Current portion of finance lease liabilities $ 20,250 $ 18,316
Long-term finance lease liabilities 568,767 571,877
Current portion of operating lease liabilities 49,353 48,120
Long-term operating lease liabilities 739,340 $ 792,051
Entity Operated Units    
Finance Lease Liabilities, Payments, Due    
Future minimum finance lease payments, next twelve months 6,904  
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year two 7,104  
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year three 7,249  
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year four 7,293  
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year five 7,350  
Future minimum finance lease payments, due after year five 78,045  
Total minimum finance lease payments 113,945  
Interest incurred on total minimum finance lease payments (36,660)  
Present value of minimum finance lease payments 77,285  
Operating Lease Liabilities, Payments Due    
Future minimum operating lease payments, next twelve months 22,052  
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year two 22,048  
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year three 22,500  
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year four 22,439  
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year five 22,223  
Future minimum operating lease payments, due after year five 169,965  
Total minimum operating lease payments 281,227  
Interest incurred on total minimum operating lease payments (71,529)  
Present value of minimum operating lease payments 209,698  
Franchised Units    
Finance Lease Liabilities, Payments, Due    
Future minimum finance lease payments, next twelve months 55,492  
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year two 56,121  
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year three 57,817  
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year four 58,702  
Future minimum finance lease payments, due year five 59,919  
Future minimum finance lease payments, due after year five 563,716  
Total minimum finance lease payments 851,767  
Interest incurred on total minimum finance lease payments (340,035)  
Present value of minimum finance lease payments 511,732  
Operating Lease Liabilities, Payments Due    
Future minimum operating lease payments, next twelve months 64,636  
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year two 64,432  
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year three 63,967  
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year four 63,678  
Future minimum operating lease payments, due year five 63,869  
Future minimum operating lease payments, due after year five 469,484  
Total minimum operating lease payments 790,066  
Interest incurred on total minimum operating lease payments (211,071)  
Present value of minimum operating lease payments $ 578,995  
v3.24.0.1
Leases Components of Lease Income (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Lessor Lease Income      
Sales-type leases, selling profit $ 2,466 $ 2,981 $ 4,244
Sales-type and direct-financing leases, interest income 31,412 31,298 30,648
Operating lease income 163,927 170,633 173,442
Variable lease income 66,241 63,832 63,213
Sublease income 170,112 175,053 174,327
Real Estate      
Lessor Lease Income      
Franchise rental income $ 230,168 $ 234,465 $ 236,655
Franchise rental income Revenues Revenues Revenues
Executory costs paid to lessor      
Lessor Lease Income      
Sublease income $ 39,350 $ 38,733 $ 39,650
v3.24.0.1
Leases Future Minimum Rental Receipts for Non-cancelable Leases (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Direct Financing Lease, Net Investment in Leases    
Net investment in unguaranteed residual assets $ 590  
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 38,890  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year two 37,826  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year three 39,136  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year four 39,719  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year five 40,684  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due after year five 399,480  
Total future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts 595,735  
Unearned interest on total minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts (288,461)  
Present value of minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts 307,274  
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 2,087  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year two 2,194  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year three 2,364  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year four 2,244  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due year five 1,999  
Future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts, due after year five 25,730  
Total future minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts 36,618  
Unearned interest on total minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts (19,449)  
Present value of minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts 17,169  
Subleases, operating    
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity    
Future minimum operating lease receipts, next twelve months 106,470  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year two 106,616  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year three 106,840  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year four 107,263  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year five 107,652  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due after year five 783,633  
Total future minimum operating lease receipts 1,318,474  
Owned properties, operating    
Lessor, Operating Lease, Payments, Fiscal Year Maturity    
Future minimum operating lease receipts, next twelve months 54,946  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year two 55,549  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year three 57,308  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year four 56,954  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due year five 56,741  
Future minimum operating lease receipts, due after year five 542,967  
Total future minimum operating lease receipts 824,465  
Accounts and notes receivable, net    
Sales-type and Direct Financing Leases, Lease Receivable, Fiscal Year Maturity    
Present value of minimum sales-type and direct financing lease receipts 10,779 $ 8,263
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 $ 313,664  
v3.24.0.1
Leases Properties Leased to Third Parties (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Property, Plant and Equipment    
Properties owned by Company and leased to franchisees under operating lease, before accumulated depreciation $ 558,068 $ 554,010
Accumulated depreciation and amortization (198,429) (187,269)
Properties owned by Company and leased to franchisees under operating lease, after accumulated depreciation 359,639 366,741
Land    
Property, Plant and Equipment    
Properties owned by Company and leased to franchisees under operating lease, before accumulated depreciation 260,125 260,650
Buildings and improvements    
Property, Plant and Equipment    
Properties owned by Company and leased to franchisees under operating lease, before accumulated depreciation 296,242 291,659
Restaurant equipment    
Property, Plant and Equipment    
Properties owned by Company and leased to franchisees under operating lease, before accumulated depreciation $ 1,701 $ 1,701
v3.24.0.1
Supplemental Cash Flow Information Long-term Debt Related Activities, Net (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Long-term debt-related activities, net:      
Loss on early extinguishment of debt $ (2,283) $ 0 $ 17,917
Accretion of long-term debt 755 1,194 1,177
Amortization of deferred financing costs 6,848 6,568 5,664
Long-term debt-related activities, net: $ 5,320 $ 7,762 $ 24,758
v3.24.0.1
Supplemental Cash Flow Information Cash Paid For (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Cash paid for:      
Interest $ 146,878 $ 144,418 $ 133,284
Income taxes, net of refunds $ 75,190 $ 47,769 $ 54,779
v3.24.0.1
Supplemental Cash Flow Information Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract]      
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable $ 9,088 $ 14,468 $ 6,158
Finance leases $ 20,243 $ 34,478 $ 82,032
v3.24.0.1
Supplemental Cash Flow Information Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Jan. 03, 2021
Additional Cash Flow Elements and Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract]        
Cash and cash equivalents $ 516,037 $ 745,889 $ 249,438  
Restricted cash 35,848 35,203 27,535  
Restricted cash, included in Advertising funds restricted assets 36,931 50,709 89,993  
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 588,816 $ 831,801 $ 366,966 $ 418,241
v3.24.0.1
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Franchisee Image Activation Programs (Details)
12 Months Ended
Feb. 28, 2023
Dec. 31, 2023
Maximum | 2023 New Build Incentive Program    
Other commitments    
Years of reduction in royalty payment attributable to new builds 3 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
Minimum | Remodel Incentive Program    
Other commitments    
Years of early franchise agreement renewal attributable to incentive program   20
v3.24.0.1
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Lease Guarantees (Details)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Property Lease Guarantee  
Guarantor Obligations  
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted $ 98,148
v3.24.0.1
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Insurance (Details)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Other commitments  
Accrued Risk Insurance $ 17,157
Accrued Health Insurance 3,089
Insurance Claims  
Other commitments  
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss per Occurrence, Maximum $ 500
v3.24.0.1
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Letters of Credit (Details)
$ in Thousands
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Guarantor Obligations  
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount $ 28,847
v3.24.0.1
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Beverage Agreement (Details) - Beverage Agreement - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Long-term Purchase Commitment      
Purchase Obligation, Purchases During Period $ 11,893 $ 10,545 $ 9,709
Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months 12,400    
Purchase Obligation, Due in Second Year 12,700    
Accounts payable      
Long-term Purchase Commitment      
Amount Due from (to) Vendors for Purchase and Capital Commitments $ 3,906    
v3.24.0.1
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Marketing Agreement (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
Broadcasters
Jan. 01, 2023
USD ($)
Jan. 02, 2022
USD ($)
Long-term Purchase Commitment      
Number of National Broadcasters | Broadcasters 2    
Marketing Agreement      
Long-term Purchase Commitment      
Purchase Obligation, Purchases During Period $ 16,000 $ 12,000 $ 15,000
Purchase Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months 16,300    
Purchase Obligation, Due in Second Year $ 12,700    
v3.24.0.1
Transactions with Related Parties Related Party Transaction Summary (Details)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Jan. 07, 2021
number_of_restaurants
Dec. 31, 2023
USD ($)
number_of_restaurants
Jan. 01, 2023
USD ($)
Jan. 02, 2022
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2021
USD ($)
ft²
Nov. 30, 2018
USD ($)
ft²
Related Party Transaction            
Number of Restaurants | number_of_restaurants   7,240        
Accounts receivable, net   $ 104,797 $ 98,563      
Advertising funds restricted liabilities   $ 120,558 132,307      
Franchised Units            
Related Party Transaction            
Number of Restaurants | number_of_restaurants   6,825        
QSCC            
Related Party Transaction            
Proceeds from Rents Received   $ 231 198 $ 217    
Area of Real Estate Property | ft²         18,774 14,493
Annual Base Rent         $ 250 $ 217
QSCC | Cost of sales | Patronage Dividends            
Related Party Transaction            
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party   363 427 279    
TimWen            
Related Party Transaction            
Operating Costs and Expenses   20,653 19,694 18,687    
TimWen | Franchise Rental Expense            
Related Party Transaction            
Operating Costs and Expenses   20,894 19,927 18,906    
TimWen | General and administrative | Management Fee Income            
Related Party Transaction            
Other Operating Income   $ 241 233 219    
Yellow Cab | Franchised Units            
Related Party Transaction            
Number of Restaurants | number_of_restaurants   83        
Significant Changes, Franchises Purchased During Period | number_of_restaurants 54          
Yellow Cab | Royalty, Advertising Fund, Lease, and Other Income            
Related Party Transaction            
Other Operating Income   $ 14,757 13,404 9,869    
Yellow Cab | Accounts Receivable and Advertising Funds Restricted Assets | Royalty, Advertising Fund, Lease, and Other Income            
Related Party Transaction            
Accounts receivable, net   1,153 1,125      
AMC | Advertising Funds Expense            
Related Party Transaction            
Related Party Transaction, Purchases from Related Party   2,366 $ 0 $ 0    
AMC | Advertising funds restricted liabilities | Advertising Funds Expense            
Related Party Transaction            
Advertising funds restricted liabilities   $ 584        
v3.24.0.1
Advertising Costs and Funds (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Restricted Assets and Liabilities      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 35,848 $ 35,203 $ 27,535
Accounts receivable, net 104,797 98,563  
Advertising funds restricted assets 117,755 126,673  
Accounts payable 27,370 43,996  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 135,149 116,010  
Advertising funds restricted liabilities 120,558 132,307  
Cost of sales      
Restricted Assets and Liabilities      
Advertising Expense 38,837 37,418 $ 31,617
Advertising funds restricted assets      
Restricted Assets and Liabilities      
Cash and cash equivalents 36,931 50,709  
Accounts receivable, net 76,838 70,422  
Other assets 3,986 5,542  
Advertising funds restricted liabilities      
Restricted Assets and Liabilities      
Accounts payable 101,796 115,339  
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities $ 18,762 $ 16,968  
v3.24.0.1
Geographic Information (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets      
Revenues $ 2,181,578 $ 2,095,505 $ 1,896,998
Properties 891,080 895,778 906,867
U.S.      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets      
Revenues 2,007,727 1,946,005 1,771,997
Properties 830,492 841,143 856,841
International      
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets      
Revenues 173,851 149,500 125,001
Properties $ 60,588 $ 54,635 $ 50,026
v3.24.0.1
Segment Information Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item      
Total revenues $ 2,181,578 $ 2,095,505 $ 1,896,998
Wendy's U.S.      
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item      
Total revenues 1,815,845 1,750,242 1,567,496
Wendy's International      
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item      
Total revenues 130,548 106,705 86,369
Global Real Estate & Development      
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item      
Total revenues $ 235,185 $ 238,558 $ 243,133
v3.24.0.1
Segment Information Reconciliation of Profit from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated      
Segment profit $ 381,984 $ 353,314 $ 366,960
Unallocated franchise support and other costs (57,243) (46,736) (42,900)
Advertising funds surplus (deficit) 4,344 (8,325) 2,770
Unallocated general and administrative (249,964) (254,979) (242,970)
Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of amortization of cloud computing arrangements shown separately below) (135,789) (133,414) (125,540)
Amortization of cloud computing arrangements 12,778 2,394 0
System optimization gains, net 880 6,779 33,545
Reorganization and realignment costs (9,200) (698) (8,548)
Impairment of long-lived assets (1,401) (6,420) (2,251)
Unallocated other operating income, net 13,768 23,683 14,468
Interest expense, net (124,061) (122,319) (109,185)
Gain (loss) on early extinguishment of debt, net 2,283 0 (17,917)
Investment (loss) income, net (10,358) 2,107 39
Other income, net 29,570 10,403 681
Income before income taxes 279,418 243,505 240,578
Corporate and Other      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated      
Unallocated franchise support and other costs (831) (742) (753)
Unallocated general and administrative (132,344) (130,103) (116,273)
Unallocated other operating income, net 1,563 9,001 394
Operating Segments      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated      
Segment profit 667,540 619,630 583,616
Operating Segments | Wendy's U.S.      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated      
Segment profit 528,352 480,498 450,117
Advertising funds surplus (deficit)   (11,000) (25,000)
Operating Segments | Wendy's International      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated      
Segment profit 35,704 30,432 27,386
Advertising funds surplus (deficit) (2,401) (4,116)  
Other international-related advertising deficit (950) (1,099)  
Operating Segments | Global Real Estate & Development      
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Profit from Segment to Consolidated      
Segment profit $ 103,484 $ 108,700 $ 106,113
v3.24.0.1
Segment Information Reconciliation of Other Significant Reconciling Items from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2023
Jan. 01, 2023
Jan. 02, 2022
Global Real Estate & Development      
Segment Reporting, Other Significant Reconciling Item      
Total net income of equity method investments $ 10,819 $ 9,422 $ 11,203