UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended October 1, 2017March 31, 2019

ORor
( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    
For the transition period from ______________ to _______________

Commission file number: 1-2207
THE WENDY’S COMPANY
(Exact name of registrants as specified in its charter)

Delaware 38-0471180
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
One Dave Thomas Blvd., Dublin, Ohio 43017
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(614) 764-3100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [x] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes [x] No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer [x]                              Accelerated filer [ ]       
Non-accelerated filer [ ] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company [ ]
Large accelerated filer [x]Accelerated filer [ ]
Non-accelerated filer [ ]Smaller reporting company [ ]
Emerging growth company [ ]

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ ] No [x]


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.10 par valueWENThe Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

There were 242,196,738230,724,058 shares of The Wendy’s Company common stock outstanding as of November 2, 2017.

May 1, 2019.
 

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO FORM 10-Q
 Page
 
  



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)Par Value)
October 1,
2017
 January 1,
2017
March 31,
2019
 December 30,
2018
ASSETS(Unaudited)(Unaudited)
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents$186,629
 $198,240
$414,168
 $431,405
Restricted cash34,042
 57,612
29,671
 29,860
Accounts and notes receivable, net115,390
 98,825
110,567
 109,805
Inventories2,895
 2,851
3,550
 3,687
Prepaid expenses and other current assets23,762
 19,244
19,762
 14,452
Advertising funds restricted assets58,163
 75,760
86,046
 76,509
Total current assets420,881
 452,532
663,764
 665,718
Properties1,252,246
 1,192,339
1,003,231
 1,023,267
Finance lease assets195,368
 189,969
Operating lease assets919,283
 
Goodwill743,508
 741,410
755,355
 747,884
Other intangible assets1,332,130
 1,322,531
1,264,238
 1,294,153
Investments58,171
 56,981
48,411
 47,660
Net investment in direct financing leases213,649
 123,604
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases236,426
 226,477
Other assets69,688
 49,917
99,585
 96,907
Total assets$4,090,273
 $3,939,314
$5,185,661
 $4,292,035
   

  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
  
 
  
Current liabilities: 
  
 
  
Current portion of long-term debt$29,359
 $24,652
$23,250
 $23,250
Current portion of finance lease liabilities9,380
 8,405
Current portion of operating lease liabilities43,657
 
Accounts payable25,776
 27,635
16,356
 21,741
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities121,124
 102,034
141,093
 150,636
Advertising funds restricted liabilities58,163
 75,760
89,901
 80,153
Total current liabilities234,422
 230,081
323,637
 284,185
Long-term debt2,696,520
 2,487,630
2,301,563
 2,305,552
Long-term finance lease liabilities458,595
 447,231
Long-term operating lease liabilities957,739
 
Deferred income taxes419,293
 446,513
268,225
 269,160
Deferred franchise fees92,327
 92,232
Other liabilities277,443
 247,354
142,881
 245,226
Total liabilities3,627,678
 3,411,578
4,544,967
 3,643,586
Commitments and contingencies

 



 

Stockholders’ equity:      
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 1,500,000 shares authorized;
470,424 shares issued; 242,565 and 246,574 shares outstanding, respectively
47,042
 47,042
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 1,500,000 shares authorized;
470,424 shares issued; 230,944 and 231,233 shares outstanding, respectively
47,042
 47,042
Additional paid-in capital2,883,504
 2,878,589
2,880,663
 2,884,696
Accumulated deficit(305,703) (290,857)
Common stock held in treasury, at cost; 227,859 and 223,850 shares, respectively(2,117,232) (2,043,797)
Retained earnings153,991
 146,277
Common stock held in treasury, at cost; 239,480 and 239,191 shares, respectively(2,385,354) (2,367,893)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(45,016) (63,241)(55,648) (61,673)
Total stockholders’ equity462,595
 527,736
640,694
 648,449
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$4,090,273
 $3,939,314
$5,185,661
 $4,292,035
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


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Table of Contents
THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)


 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
 (Unaudited)
Revenues:       
Sales$158,843
 $228,644
 $467,914
 $747,211
Franchise royalty revenue and fees98,882
 98,039
 306,120
 275,886
Franchise rental income50,275
 37,329
 140,127
 102,420
 308,000
 364,012
 914,161
 1,125,517
Costs and expenses:       
Cost of sales132,387
 186,546
 385,154
 603,836
Franchise rental expense24,076
 17,534
 64,841
 49,684
General and administrative52,960
 58,938
 156,690
 184,708
Depreciation and amortization31,216
 29,362
 91,690
 92,456
System optimization losses (gains), net106
 (37,756) 39,749
 (48,106)
Reorganization and realignment costs2,888
 2,129
 20,768
 7,866
Impairment of long-lived assets1,041
 361
 1,804
 12,991
Other operating expense (income), net1,669
 810
 5,294
 (13,483)
 246,343
 257,924
 765,990
 889,952
Operating profit61,657
 106,088
 148,171
 235,565
Interest expense(29,977) (28,731) (87,887) (85,483)
Other (expense) income, net(125) 498
 3,108
 1,036
Income before income taxes31,555
 77,855
 63,392
 151,118
Provision for income taxes(17,298) (28,965) (28,639) (50,385)
Net income$14,257
 $48,890
 $34,753
 $100,733
        
Net income per share:       
Basic$.06
 $.19
 $.14
 $.38
Diluted.06
 .18
 .14
 .37
        
Dividends per share$.07
 $.06
 $.21
 $.18

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In Thousands)


 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
 (Unaudited)
        
Net income$14,257
 $48,890
 $34,753
 $100,733
Other comprehensive income (loss), net:       
Foreign currency translation adjustment8,787
 (3,369) 16,797
 10,887
Change in unrecognized pension loss, net of income tax (provision) benefit of $(60) and $34 for the nine months ended October 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016, respectively
 
 96
 (56)
Effect of cash flow hedges, net of income tax provision of $279 and $838 for both the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016, respectively444
 444
 1,332
 1,332
 Other comprehensive income (loss), net9,231
 (2,925) 18,225
 12,163
 Comprehensive income$23,488
 $45,965
 $52,978
 $112,896
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2019
 April 1,
2018
 (Unaudited)
Revenues:   
Sales$167,697
 $153,649
Franchise royalty revenue and fees101,953
 97,908
Franchise rental income58,452
 50,107
Advertising funds revenue80,481
 78,900
 408,583
 380,564
Costs and expenses:   
Cost of sales142,579
 132,219
Franchise support and other costs6,018
 6,173
Franchise rental expense32,451
 23,263
Advertising funds expense80,481
 78,900
General and administrative49,313
 50,356
Depreciation and amortization33,185
 32,152
System optimization (gains) losses, net(12) 570
Reorganization and realignment costs798
 2,626
Impairment of long-lived assets1,486
 206
Other operating income, net(3,982) (1,163)
 342,317
 325,302
Operating profit66,266
 55,262
Interest expense, net(29,082) (30,178)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 (11,475)
Other income, net2,700
 744
Income before income taxes39,884
 14,353
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes(7,990) 5,806
Net income$31,894
 $20,159
    
Basic and diluted net income per share$.14
 $.08

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents
THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In Thousands)


 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2019
 April 1,
2018
 (Unaudited)
Net income$31,894
 $20,159
Other comprehensive income (loss), net:   
Foreign currency translation adjustment6,025
 (6,044)
Change in unrecognized pension loss:   
Unrealized gains arising during the period
 156
Income tax provision
 (39)
 
 117
     Other comprehensive income (loss), net6,025
 (5,927)
Comprehensive income$37,919
 $14,232

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents
THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In Thousands)


 Common
Stock
 Additional Paid-In
Capital
 Retained Earnings (Accumulated
Deficit)
 Common Stock Held in Treasury Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Total
      
 (Unaudited)
Balance at December 31, 2017$47,042
 $2,885,955
 $(163,289) $(2,150,307) $(46,198) $573,203
Net income
 
 20,159
 
 
 20,159
Other comprehensive loss, net
 
 
 
 (5,927) (5,927)
Cash dividends
 
 (20,355) 
 
 (20,355)
Repurchases of common stock
 
 
 (39,407) 
 (39,407)
Share-based compensation
 4,458
 
 
 
 4,458
Common stock issued upon exercises of stock options
 (7,460) 
 11,038
 
 3,578
Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted shares
 (4,170) 
 1,620
 
 (2,550)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
 
 (70,210) 
 
 (70,210)
Other
 21
 (5) 32
 
 48
Balance at April 1, 2018$47,042
 $2,878,804
 $(233,700) $(2,177,024) $(52,125) $462,997
            
Balance at December 30, 2018$47,042
 $2,884,696
 $146,277
 $(2,367,893) $(61,673) $648,449
Net income
 
 31,894
 
 
 31,894
Other comprehensive income, net
 
 
 
 6,025
 6,025
Cash dividends
 
 (23,069) 
 
 (23,069)
Repurchases of common stock
 
 
 (29,370) 
 (29,370)
Share-based compensation
 5,022
 
 
 
 5,022
Common stock issued upon exercises of stock options
 (205) 
 9,053
 
 8,848
Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted shares
 (8,874) 
 2,819
 
 (6,055)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle
 
 (1,105) 
 
 (1,105)
Other
 24
 (6) 37
 
 55
Balance at March 31, 2019$47,042
 $2,880,663
 $153,991
 $(2,385,354) $(55,648) $640,694

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

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Table of Contents
THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In Thousands)

Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
March 31,
2019
 April 1,
2018
(Unaudited)(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income$34,753
 $100,733
$31,894
 $20,159
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Depreciation and amortization91,690
 94,056
33,185
 32,152
Share-based compensation16,356
 14,260
5,022
 4,458
Impairment of long-lived assets1,804
 12,991
1,486
 206
Deferred income tax945
 (17,024)842
 (9,799)
Non-cash rental income, net(8,348) (5,138)
Non-cash rental expense (income), net7,818
 (3,239)
Change in operating lease liabilities(10,496) 
Net receipt of deferred vendor incentives4,547
 4,110
8,033
 7,340
System optimization losses (gains), net39,749
 (48,106)
Gain on sale of investments, net(1,807) 
Distributions received from TimWen joint venture5,524
 8,451
Equity in earnings in joint ventures, net(6,113) (6,495)
Accretion of long-term debt927
 914
Amortization of deferred financing costs5,954
 5,668
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges2,170
 2,170
Other, net2,395
 4,229
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:   
Restricted cash233
 181
Accounts and notes receivable, net(14,193) (29,118)
Inventories(44) 126
Prepaid expenses and other current assets(1,281) (3,958)
Accounts payable(1,557) (6,412)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities3,039
 5,677
System optimization (gains) losses, net(12) 570
Distributions received from joint ventures, net of equity in earnings415
 1,083
Long-term debt-related activities, net1,823
 13,215
Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other, net(17,989) 2,566
Net cash provided by operating activities176,743
 137,315
62,021
 68,711
Cash flows from investing activities: 
  
 
  
Capital expenditures(53,711) (108,744)(11,215) (10,569)
Acquisitions(86,788) (2,209)(5,052) 
Dispositions80,058
 173,849

 351
Proceeds from sale of investments3,282
 
130
 
Notes receivable, net248
 (872)
Payments for investments(375) (172)
 (12)
Notes receivable, net(4,174) (2,282)
Changes in restricted cash23,624
 1,912
Other, net
 103
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities(38,084) 62,457
Net cash used in investing activities(15,889) (11,102)
Cash flows from financing activities: 
  
 
  
Proceeds from long-term debt
 928,167
Repayments of long-term debt(20,291) (18,678)(5,813) (870,394)
Repayments of finance lease liabilities(1,881) (1,353)
Deferred financing costs(1,069) (1,017)
 (17,340)
Repurchases of common stock(90,065) (161,194)(30,929) (39,372)
Dividends(51,464) (47,793)(23,069) (20,355)
Proceeds from stock option exercises10,419
 10,623
5,196
 9,385
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation(4,484) (4,142)(6,055) (8,321)
Contingent consideration payment
 (6,100)
Net cash used in financing activities(156,954) (222,201)(62,551) (25,683)
Net cash used in operations before effect of exchange rate changes on cash(18,295) (22,429)
Net cash (used in) provided by operations before effect of exchange rate changes on cash(16,419) 31,926
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash6,684
 3,997
1,884
 (2,482)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(11,611) (18,432)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period198,240
 327,216
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$186,629
 $308,784
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(14,535) 29,444
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period486,512
 212,824
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$471,977
 $242,268

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THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS—CONTINUED
(In Thousands)

 Nine Months Ended
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
 (Unaudited)
Supplemental cash flow information:   
Cash paid for: 
  
Interest$93,701
 $85,753
Income taxes, net of refunds22,092
 63,775
    
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:   
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable$9,621
 $20,108
Capitalized lease obligations239,721
 102,748
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2019
 April 1,
2018
 (Unaudited)
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:   
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable$5,125
 $6,466
Finance leases13,810
 1,101
    
 March 31,
2019
 December 30,
2018
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period:   
Cash and cash equivalents$414,168
 $431,405
Restricted cash29,671
 29,860
Restricted cash, included in Advertising funds restricted assets28,138
 25,247
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$471,977
 $486,512

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



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THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)




(1) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements (the “Financial Statements”) of The Wendy’s Company (“The Wendy’s Company” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In our opinion, the Financial Statements contain all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary to present fairly our financial position as of October 1, 2017March 31, 2019 and the results of our operations for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016 and cash flows for the ninethree months ended OctoberMarch 31, 2019 and April 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016.2018. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017March 31, 2019 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full 20172019 fiscal year. TheseThe Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for The Wendy’s Company and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2017December 30, 2018 (the “Form 10-K”).

The principal 100% owned subsidiary of the Company is Wendy’s International, LLC and its subsidiaries (“Wendy’s”). The Company manages and internally reports its business geographically. The operation and franchising of Wendy’s® restaurants in North America (defined as the United States of America (“U.S.”) and Canada) comprises virtually all of our current operations and represents a single reportable segment. The revenues and operating results of Wendy’s restaurants outside of North America are not material.

We report on a fiscal year consisting of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Sunday closest to or on December 31. All three- and nine-monththree-month periods presented herein contain 13 weeks and 39 weeks, respectively.weeks. All references to years and quarters relate to fiscal periods rather than calendar periods.

Our significant interim accounting policies include the recognition of advertising funds expense in proportion to advertising funds revenue.

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year presentation to conform to the current year presentation. See Note 2 for further information.

(2) New Accounting Standards

New Accounting Standards Adopted

In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance on accounting for implementation costs of a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. The new guidance aligns the accounting for such implementation costs of a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the guidance on capitalizing costs associated with developing or obtaining internal-use software. The Company adopted this amendment during the first quarter of 2019. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In June 2018, the FASB issued new guidance on nonemployee share-based payment arrangements. The new guidance aligns the requirements for nonemployee share-based payments with the requirements for employee share-based payments. The Company adopted this amendment during the first quarter of 2019. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Leases

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


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THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)



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

The standard had a material impact on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and related disclosures. Upon adoption at the beginning of 2019, we recognized operating lease liabilities of $1,011,000 based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments, with corresponding ROU assets of $934,000. The measurement of the operating lease ROU assets included, among other items, favorable lease amounts of $23,000 and unfavorable lease amounts of $30,000, which were previously included in “Other intangible assets” and “Other liabilities,” respectively, as well as the excess of rent expense recognized on a straight-line basis over the minimum rents paid of $67,000, which was previously included in “Other liabilities.” In addition, the standard requires lessors to recognize lessees’ payments to the Company for executory costs on a gross basis as revenue with a corresponding expense, which we expect will result in an increase of approximately $40,000 to our 2019 franchise rental income and expense. The Company also recognized a decrease to retained earnings of $1,105 as a result of impairing newly recognized ROU assets upon transition to the new guidance. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

In connection with the adoption of the standard, the Company has reclassified finance lease ROU assets to “Finance lease assets,” which were previously recorded to “Properties.” The Company also reclassified the current and long-term finance lease liabilities to “Current portion of finance lease liabilities” and “Long-term finance lease liabilities,” which were previously recorded to “Current portion of long-term debt” and “Long-term debt,” respectively. The prior period reflects the reclassifications of these assets and liabilities to conform to the current year presentation.

The following table illustrates the reclassifications made to the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 30, 2018:
 As Previously Reported Reclassifications As Currently Reported
Properties$1,213,236
 $(189,969) $1,023,267
Finance lease assets
 189,969
 189,969
Current portion of long-term debt31,655
 (8,405) 23,250
Current portion of finance lease liabilities
 8,405
 8,405
Long-term debt2,752,783
 (447,231) 2,305,552
Long-term finance lease liabilities
 447,231
 447,231
 $1,429,490
 $
 $1,429,490


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(3) Revenue

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables disaggregate revenue by primary geographical market and source:
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019U.S. Canada Other International Total
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$167,697
 $
 $
 $167,697
Franchise royalty revenue84,378
 5,508
 4,957
 94,843
Franchise fees6,009
 412
 689
 7,110
Franchise rental income50,665
 7,787
 
 58,452
Advertising funds revenue75,981
 4,500
 
 80,481
Total revenues$384,730
 $18,207
 $5,646
 $408,583
        
Three Months Ended April 1, 2018       
Sales at Company-operated restaurants$153,649
 $
 $
 $153,649
Franchise royalty revenue80,222
 5,363
 4,358
 89,943
Franchise fees7,085
 646
 234
 7,965
Franchise rental income44,265
 5,842
 
 50,107
Advertising funds revenue74,414
 4,486
 
 78,900
Total revenues$359,635
 $16,337
 $4,592
 $380,564

Contract Balances

The following table provides information about receivables and contract liabilities (deferred franchise fees) from contracts with customers:
 
March 31,
2019 (a)
 
December 30,
2018 (a)
Receivables, which are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” (b)$44,765
 $40,300
Receivables, which are included in “Advertising funds restricted assets”47,056
 47,332
Deferred franchise fees (c)101,469
 102,205
_______________

(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 statement 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 $9,142 and $92,327 as of March 31, 2019, respectively, and $9,973 and $92,232 as of December 30, 2018, respectively.

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Significant changes in deferred franchise fees are as follows:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2019
 April 1,
2018
Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period$102,205
 $102,492
Revenue recognized during the period(2,772) (2,688)
New deferrals due to cash received and other2,036
 2,957
Deferred franchise fees at end of period$101,469
 $102,761

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: 
2019 (a)$6,307
20206,482
20215,939
20225,725
20235,500
Thereafter71,516
 $101,469
_______________

(a)Represents franchise fees expected to be recognized for the remainder of 2019, which includes development-related franchise fees expected to be recognized over a duration of one year or less.


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(4) Acquisitions

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company acquired five restaurants from franchisees for total net cash consideration of $5,052. The Company did not incur any material acquisition-related costs associated with the acquisitions and such transactions were not significant to our condensed 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 the franchisees:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2019
Restaurants acquired from franchisees5
  
Total consideration paid, net of cash received$5,052
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed: 
Properties666
Acquired franchise rights1,354
Finance lease assets5,350
Finance lease liabilities(4,084)
Other(2,316)
Total identifiable net assets970
Goodwill$4,082

During 2018, the Company acquired 16 restaurants from a franchisee for total net cash consideration of $21,401. The fair values of the identifiable intangible assets related to the acquisition were provisional amounts as of December 30, 2018, pending final purchase accounting adjustments. The Company finalized the purchase price allocation during the three months ended March 31, 2019, which resulted in a decrease in the fair value of acquired franchise rights of $2,989 and an increase in deferred tax assets of $140.

(5) System Optimization (Gains) Losses, (Gains), Net

In July 2013, the Company announced aThe Company’s system optimization initiative as part of its brand transformation, which includes a shift from Company-operated restaurants to franchised restaurants over time, through acquisitions and dispositions, as well as facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers. In February 2015,transfers (“Franchise Flips”). As of January 1, 2017, the Company announced planscompleted its plan to reduce its ongoing Company-operated restaurant ownership to approximately 5% of the total system, whichsystem. While the Company completed as of January 1, 2017.has no plans to reduce its ownership below the approximately 5% level, Wendy’s willexpects to continue to optimize its system by facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers,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, and drive new restaurant development and accelerate reimages in the Image Activation format.reimages.

During the nine months ended October 1, 2017, the CompanyGains and losses recognized on dispositions are recorded post-closing adjustments on salesto “System optimization (gains) losses, net” in our condensed consolidated statements of restaurantsoperations. Costs related to acquisitions and completed the sale ofdispositions under our system optimization initiative are recorded to “Reorganization and realignment costs,” which are further described in Note 6. All other assets, resulting in net gains totaling $3,385. In addition, the Company facilitated the transfer of 270 restaurants between franchisees during the nine months ended October 1, 2017 (excluding the DavCocosts incurred related to facilitating Franchise Flips are recorded to “Franchise support and NPC transactions discussed below).other costs.”

DavCo and NPC Transactions

As partThe following is a summary of the disposition activity recorded as a result of our system optimization initiative,initiative:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2019
 April 1,
2018
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants (a)$(8) $(212)
Gain (loss) on sales of other assets, net (b)20
 (358)
System optimization gains (losses), net$12
 $(570)
_______________


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(a)The three months ended April 1, 2018 includes cash proceeds, net of payments of $6.

(b)During the three months ended April 1, 2018, the Company received cash proceeds of $345 primarily from the sale of surplus properties.

Assets Held for Sale

As of March 31, 2019 and December 30, 2018, the Company acquired 140 Wendy’s restaurants on May 31, 2017 from DavCo Restaurants, LLC (“DavCo”)had assets held for total net cash considerationsale of $86,788, which were immediately sold to NPC International, Inc. (“NPC”), an existing franchisee$4,470 and $2,435, respectively, primarily consisting of surplus properties. Assets held for sale are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets.”

(6) Reorganization and Realignment Costs

The following is a summary of the initiatives included in “Reorganization and realignment costs:”
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2019
 April 1,
2018
G&A realignment$782
 $2,626
System optimization initiative16
 
Reorganization and realignment costs$798
 $2,626

General and Administrative (G&A”) Realignment

In May 2017, the Company for cash proceedsinitiated a plan to further reduce its G&A expenses. The Company expects to incur total costs aggregating approximately $32,000 to $35,000 related to the plan. The Company recognized costs totaling $782 and $2,626 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and April 1, 2018, respectively, which primarily included severance and related employee costs. The Company expects to incur additional costs associated with our G&A realignment plan aggregating approximately $3,500, comprised of $70,688 (the “DavCo(1) severance and NPC transactions”). As partrelated employee costs of approximately $500, (2) recruitment and relocation costs of approximately $1,500, (3) third-party and other costs of approximately $500 and (4) share-based compensation of approximately $1,000. The Company expects to recognize the majority of the transaction, NPC has agreedremaining costs associated with the plan during the remainder of 2019.

In May 2019, the Company announced changes to remodel 90 acquired restaurantsits leadership structure that includes the creation of two new positions, a President, U.S and Chief Commercial Officer and a President, International and Chief Development Officer. The Company expects to incur incremental reorganization and realignment costs associated with these leadership changes of approximately $2,500, of which approximately $1,500 will be severance and related employee costs and approximately $1,000 will be share-based compensation. This will increase total reorganization and realignment costs to approximately $34,500 to $37,500. Also as a result of these changes, the Company’s chief operating decision maker is currently evaluating the Company’s management and operating structure and anticipates this evaluation will result in the Image Activation formata change to its existing operating segment structure by the end of 2021 and build 15 new Wendy’s restaurants by the end of 2022. Prior to closing the DavCo transaction, seven DavCo restaurants were closed. The acquisition of Wendy’s restaurants from DavCo was not contingent on executing the sale agreement with NPC; as such, the Company accounted for the transactions as an acquisition and subsequent disposition of a business. The total consideration paid to DavCo was allocated to net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. As part of the transactions, the Company retained leases for purposes of subleasing such properties to NPC.2019.


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The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the DavCo and NPC transactions:
 Nine Months Ended
 October 1,
2017
Acquisition (a) 
Total consideration paid$86,788
Identifiable assets and liabilities assumed: 
Net assets held for sale70,688
Capital lease assets49,360
Deferred taxes27,639
Capital lease obligations(97,046)
Net unfavorable leases (b)(22,330)
Other liabilities (c)(6,999)
Total identifiable net assets21,312
Goodwill (d)$65,476
  
Disposition 
Proceeds$70,688
Net assets sold(70,688)
Goodwill (d)(65,476)
Net favorable leases (e)24,034
Other (f)(1,692)
Loss on DavCo and NPC transactions$(43,134)
_______________

(a)The fair values of the identifiable intangible assets and taxes related to the acquisition are provisional amounts as of October 1, 2017, pending final valuations and purchase accounting adjustments. The Company utilized management estimates and consultation with an independent third-party valuation firm to assist in the valuation process. For the three months ended October 1, 2017, the Company recorded adjustments to the fair value of deferred taxes and net unfavorable leases, resulting in a decrease in goodwill of $27.

(b)Includes favorable lease assets of $1,229 and unfavorable lease liabilities of $23,559.

(c)Includes a supplemental purchase price estimated at $6,344 to be paid to DavCo for the resolution of certain lease-related matters, which is included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.”

(d)Includes tax deductible goodwill of $21,870.

(e)The Company recorded favorable lease assets of $30,068 and unfavorable lease liabilities of $6,034 as a result of subleasing land, buildings and leasehold improvements to NPC.

(f)Includes cash payments for selling and other costs associated with the transaction. For the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017, the Company recorded additional selling and other costs of $12.

Gains and losses recognized on dispositions are recorded to “System optimization losses (gains), net” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Costs related to our system optimization initiative were historically recorded to “Reorganization and realignment costs.” Costs incurred during 2017 in connection with the DavCo and NPC transactions continue to be recorded to “Reorganization and realignment costs.” All other costs incurred during 2017 related to facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers are recorded to “Other operating expense (income), net.” See Note 4 for further information.

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The following is a summary of the disposition activity recorded as a result of our system optimization initiative:
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 October 1, 2017 October 2,
2016
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
Number of restaurants sold to franchisees
 156
 
 211
        
Proceeds from sales of restaurants$
 $124,765
 $
 $164,380
Net assets sold (a)
 (58,227) 
 (75,282)
Goodwill related to sales of restaurants
 (24,254) 
 (30,630)
Net unfavorable leases (b)
 (6,225) 
 (11,131)
Other
 (726) 
 (1,521)
 
 35,333
 
 45,816
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants (c)418
 (120) 1,345
 (1,710)
Gain on sales of restaurants, net418
 35,213
 1,345
 44,106
        
(Loss) gain on sales of other assets, net (d)(539) 2,543
 2,040
 4,000
Gain (loss) on DavCo and NPC transactions15
 
 (43,134) 
System optimization (losses) gains, net$(106) $37,756
 $(39,749) $48,106
_______________

(a)Net assets sold consisted primarily of equipment.

(b)During the three and nine months ended October 2, 2016, the Company recorded favorable lease assets of $2,114 and $2,297, respectively, and unfavorable lease liabilities of $8,339 and $13,428, respectively, as a result of leasing and/or subleasing land, buildings and/or leasehold improvements to franchisees in connection with sales of restaurants.

(c)The three and nine months ended October 1, 2017 includes cash payments, net of proceeds received, of $333 and $33, respectively, related to post-closing reconciliations with franchisees. The nine months ended October 1, 2017 also includes the recognition of a deferred gain of $312 as a result of the resolution of certain contingencies related to the extension of lease terms for a Canadian restaurant.

(d)During the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017, the Company received cash proceeds of $2,411 and $9,403, respectively, primarily from the sale of surplus properties. The nine months ended October 1, 2017 also includes the recognition of a deferred gain of $375 related to the sale of a share in an aircraft. During the three and nine months ended October 2, 2016, the Company received cash proceeds of $4,006 and $9,469, respectively, primarily from the sale of surplus properties.

As of October 1, 2017 and January 1, 2017, the Company had assets held for sale of $2,509 and $4,800, respectively, primarily consisting of surplus properties. Assets held for sale are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets.”


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(3) Acquisitions

The table below presents the allocation of the total purchase price to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for acquisitions of franchised restaurants:
 Nine Months Ended
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
Restaurants acquired from franchisees
 2
    
Total consideration paid, net of cash received$
 $2,209
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:   
Properties
 2,218
Deferred taxes and other assets
 9
Other liabilities
 (18)
Total identifiable net assets
 2,209
Goodwill$
 $
On May 31, 2017, the Company also entered into the DavCo and NPC transactions. See Note 2 for further information.

(4) Reorganization and Realignment Costs

The following is a summary of the initiatives included in “Reorganization and realignment costs:”
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
System optimization initiative$232
 $2,091
 $867
 $6,895
G&A realignment - November 2014 plan
 38
 
 971
G&A realignment - May 2017 plan2,656
 
 19,901
 
Reorganization and realignment costs$2,888
 $2,129
 $20,768
 $7,866

System Optimization Initiative

The Company has recognized costs related to its system optimization initiative, which includes a shift from Company-operated restaurants to franchised restaurants over time, through acquisitions and dispositions, as well as facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers. The Company does not expect to incur additional costs during the remainder of 2017 in connection with the DavCo and NPC transactions. All other costs incurred during 2017 related to facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers are recorded to “Other operating expense (income), net.”


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The following is a summary of the costs recorded as a result of our system optimization initiative:
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended 
Total
Incurred Since Inception
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
 
Severance and related employee costs$
 $28
 $3
 $46
 $18,237
Professional fees232
 1,991
 794
 5,137
 17,404
Other (a)
 72
 70
 112
 5,813
 232
 2,091
 867
 5,295
 41,454
Accelerated depreciation and amortization (b)
 
 
 1,600
 25,398
Share-based compensation (c)
 
 
 
 5,013
Total system optimization initiative$232
 $2,091
 $867
 $6,895
 $71,865
_______________

(a)The nine months ended October 2, 2016 includes a reversal of an accrual of $50 as a result of a change in estimate.

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

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

The tables below present a rollforward of our accrual for our system optimization initiative, which is included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities.”
 
Balance
January 1,
2017
 Charges Payments 
Balance
October 1, 2017
Severance and related employee costs$
 $3
 $(3) $
Professional fees101
 794
 (885) 10
Other
 70
 (70) 
 $101
 $867
 $(958) $10

 
Balance
January 3, 2016
 Charges Payments 
Balance October 2,
2016
Severance and related employee costs$77
 $46
 $(123) $
Professional fees708
 5,137
 (5,740) 105
Other90
 112
 (202) 
 $875
 $5,295
 $(6,065) $105

General and Administrative (G&A”) Realignment

November 2014 Plan

In November 2014, the Company initiated a plan to reduce its G&A expenses.  The plan included a realignment and reinvestment of resources to focus primarily on accelerated restaurant development and consumer-facing restaurant technology to drive long-term growth.  The Company achieved the majority of the expense reductions through the realignment of its U.S. field operations and savings at its Restaurant Support Center in Dublin, Ohio, which was substantially completed by the end of the second quarter of 2015.  The Company recognized costs totaling $38 and $971 during the three and nine months ended October 2, 2016, respectively, and $23,960 in aggregate since inception.  The Company did not incur any expenses during the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017 and does not expect to incur additional costs related to the plan.

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May 2017 Plan

In May 2017, the Company initiated a new plan to further reduce its G&A expenses. The Company expects to incur total costs aggregating approximately $28,000 to $33,000 related to the plan. The Company recognized costs totaling $2,656 and $19,901 during the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017, respectively, which primarily included severance and related employee costs and share-based compensation. The Company expects to incur additional costs aggregating approximately $8,000 to $13,000, comprised of (1) severance and related employee costs of approximately $3,000, (2) recruitment and relocation costs of approximately $4,000, (3) third-party and other costs of approximately $1,000 and (4) share-based compensation of approximately $3,000. The Company expects costs to be recognized during the remainder of 2017 and continue into 2019, with approximately two-thirds to be recognized during 2017.

The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the May 2017 plan:
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Total
Incurred Since Inception
October 1,
2017
 October 1,
2017
March 31,
2019
 April 1,
2018
 
Severance and related employee costs$1,210
 $14,436
$472
 $2,059
 $19,225
Recruitment and relocation costs145
 145
114
 148
 1,680
Third-party and other costs496
 821
16
 328
 2,126
1,851
 15,402
602
 2,535
 23,031
Share-based compensation (a)805
 4,499
180
 91
 6,864
Total G&A realignment - May 2017 plan$2,656
 $19,901
Termination of defined benefit plans
 
 1,335
Total G&A realignment$782
 $2,626
 $31,230
_______________

(a)Primarily represents incremental share-based compensation resulting from the modification of stock options in connection with the termination of employees under our May 2017G&A realignment plan. The three and nine months ended October 1, 2017 includes incremental share-based compensation of $652 related to the modification of stock options granted during August 2017.

As of October 1, 2017, theThe accruals for our May 2017G&A realignment plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and totaled $7,766$4,730 and $5,429,$765 as of March 31, 2019, respectively, and $8,781 and $2,731 as of April 1, 2018, respectively. The tabletables below presentspresent a rollforward of our accruals for the May 2017 plan.
Balance
January 1,
2017
 Charges Payments 
Balance
October 1, 2017
Balance
December 30,
2018
 Charges Payments 
Balance
March 31, 2019
Severance and related employee costs$
 $14,436
 $(1,350) $13,086
$7,241
 $472
 $(2,218) $5,495
Recruitment and relocation costs
 145
 (36) 109
83
 114
 (197) 
Third-party and other costs
 821
 (821) 

 16
 (16) 
$
 $15,402
 $(2,207) $13,195
$7,324
 $602
 $(2,431) $5,495

 
Balance
December 31,
2017
 Charges Payments 
Balance
April 1, 2018
Severance and related employee costs$12,093
 $2,059
 $(2,844) $11,308
Recruitment and relocation costs177
 148
 (121) 204
Third-party and other costs
 328
 (328) 
 $12,270
 $2,535
 $(3,293) $11,512

System Optimization Initiative

The Company recognizes costs related to acquisitions and dispositions under its system optimization initiative. The Company has incurred costs of $72,208 under the initiative since inception and expects to incur additional costs of approximately $500 during the remainder of 2019, which are primarily comprised of professional fees.

(5)(7) Investments

Equity Investments

Wendy’s 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, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wendy’s has a 20% share in a joint venture for the operation of Wendy’s restaurants in Brazil (the “Brazil JV”). The Company has significant influence over these investees. Such investments 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 expense (income),income, net.”


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During the three months ended October 1, 2017, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wendy’s agreed to lend the Brazil JV an aggregate amount up to, but not to exceed, $4,800, which is in addition to $8,000 previously loaned. During the three months ended October 1, 2017, $1,500 was loaned to the Brazil JV under this agreement. The loans are denominated in U.S. Dollars, which is also the functional currency of the subsidiary; therefore, there is no exposure to changes in foreign currency rates. The loans are due October 20, 2020 and bear interest at 6.5% per year.

Presented below is activity related to our investment in TimWen and the Brazil JV included in our condensed consolidated financial statements:
Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
March 31,
2019
 April 1,
2018
Balance at beginning of period$54,545
 $55,541
$47,021
 $55,363
      
Investment375
 172

 12
      
Equity in earnings for the period7,844
 8,207
2,397
 2,420
Amortization of purchase price adjustments (a)(1,731) (1,712)(566) (596)
6,113
 6,495
1,831
 1,824
Distributions received (b)(8,128) (8,451)(2,246) (2,907)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in “Other comprehensive income, net”4,304
 3,204
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in “Other comprehensive income (loss), net” and other1,166
 (1,262)
Balance at end of period$57,209
 $56,961
$47,772
 $53,030
_______________

(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.

(b)The nine months ended October 1, 2017 includes a distribution receivable from TimWen of $2,604, which is included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net.”

(6)(8) 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.


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Financial Instruments

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:
October 1,
2017
 January 1,
2017
 March 31,
2019
 December 30,
2018
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Fair Value
Measurements
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Fair Value
Measurements
Financial assets                
Cash equivalents$337
 $337
 $5,335
 $5,335
 Level 1$205,393
 $205,393
 $222,228
 $222,228
 Level 1
Non-current cost method investments (a)962
 325,869
 2,436
 326,283
 Level 3
Other investments in equity securities (a)639
 2,179
 639
 2,181
 Level 3
                
Financial liabilities                
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)857,500
 863,417
 864,063
 857,349
 Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)444,375
 439,656
 445,500
 424,026
 Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)469,063
 461,952
 470,250
 439,353
 Level 2
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)882,000
 900,169
 888,750
 880,005
 Level 2868,500
 876,065
 870,750
 865,342
 Level 2
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes (b)490,000
 504,112
 493,750
 474,543
 Level 2482,500
 495,711
 483,750
 482,522
 Level 2
7% debentures, due in 2025 (b)89,204
 106,000
 88,277
 99,750
 Level 291,086
 99,000
 90,769
 102,750
 Level 2
Guarantees of franchisee loan obligations (c)224
 224
 280
 280
 Level 312
 12
 17
 17
 Level 3
_______________

(a)The fair value of our indirect investment in Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (“Arby’s”) is based on applying a multiple to Arby’s adjusted earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization per its current unaudited financial information. The carrying value of our indirect investment in Arby’s was reduced to zero during 2013 in connection with the receipt of a dividend. The fair values of our remaining investments are not significant and are based on our review of information provided by the investment managers or investees which was based on (1) valuations performed by the investment managers or investees, (2) quoted market or broker/dealer prices for similar investments and (3) quoted market or broker/dealer prices adjusted by the investment managers for legal or contractual restrictions, risk of nonperformance or lack of marketability, depending upon the underlying investments.

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

(c)Wendy’s has provided loan guarantees to various lenders on behalf of franchisees entering into debt arrangements for new restaurant development and equipment financing. In addition, during 2012, Wendy’s provided a guarantee to a lender for a franchisee in connection with the refinancing of the franchisee’s debt. We have accrued a liability for the fair value of these guarantees, the calculation of which was based upon a weighted average risk percentage established at inception and adjusted for a history of defaults.percentage.

The carrying amounts of cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximated 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) approximated fair value due to the effect of the related allowance for doubtful accounts. Our cash and cash equivalents and guarantees are the only financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Derivative Instruments

The Company’s primary objective for entering into interest rate swap agreements was to manage its exposure to changes in interest rates, as well as to maintain an appropriate mix of fixed and variable rate debt.

Our derivative instruments for 2015 included seven forward-starting interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges to change the floating rate interest payments for $350,000 and $100,000 in borrowings associated with the Term A and Term B Loans, respectively, under the Company’s prior credit agreement, to fixed rate interest payments beginning June 30, 2015 and maturing on December 31, 2017. In May 2015, the Company terminated these interest rate swaps and paid $7,275, which was recorded against the derivative liability. The unrealized loss on the cash flow hedges at termination of $7,275 is being reclassified on a straight-line basis from “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” to “Interest expense” beginning June 30, 2015 (the original effective date of the interest rate swaps) through December 31, 2017 (the original maturity date of the interest rate swaps).

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Reclassifications of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges from “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” to “Interest expense” were $723 and $2,170 for both the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016, respectively.

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 condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Total impairment losses may reflect the impact of remeasuring long-lived assets held and used (including land, buildings, leasehold improvements and favorable lease assets) to fair value as a result of (1) declines in operating performance at Company-operated restaurants and (2) the Company’s decision to lease and/or sublease the land and/or buildings to franchisees in connection with the sale or anticipated sale of restaurants, and (2) declines in operating performance at Company-operated restaurants.including any subsequent lease modifications. The fair valuevalues of long-lived assets held and used presented in the tables below represents the remaining carrying value and waswere estimated based on either discounted cash flows of future anticipated lease and sublease income or current market values.discounted cash flows of future anticipated Company-operated restaurant performance.

Total impairment losses may also include the impact of remeasuring long-lived assets held for sale, which primarily include surplus properties. The fair value of long-lived assets held for sale presented in the tables below represents the remaining carrying value and was estimated based on current market values. See Note 7 for further information on impairment of our long-lived assets.

   Fair Value Measurements
 October 1,
2017
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Held and used$915
 $
 $
 $915
Held for sale1,290
 
 
 1,290
Total$2,205
 $
 $
 $2,205

   Fair Value Measurements
 January 1,
2017
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Held and used$5,462
 $
 $
 $5,462
Held for sale1,552
 
 
 1,552
Total$7,014
 $
 $
 $7,014

Total impairment losses for the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017 included remeasuring long-lived assets held and used of $928 and $1,146, respectively, and remeasuring long-lived assets held for sale of $113 and $658, respectively. Total impairment losses for the three and nine months ended October 2, 2016 included remeasuring long-lived assets held and used of $242 and $12,768, respectively, and remeasuring long-lived assets held for sale of $119 and $223, respectively.

In addition, the Company measured assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value as part of the DavCo and NPC transactions during the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017. See Note 2 for further information.

(7) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

During the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016, the Company recorded impairment charges on long-lived assets as a result of (1) the Company’s decision to lease and/or sublease properties to franchisees in connection with the sale or anticipated sale of Company-operated restaurants, (2) closing Company-operated restaurants and classifying such surplus properties as held for sale and (3) the deterioration in operating performance of certain Company-operated restaurants and charges for capital improvements in previously impaired restaurants that did not subsequently recover. The Company may recognize additional impairment charges resulting from leasing or subleasing additional properties to franchisees in connection with sales of Company-operated restaurants to franchisees.

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Total impairment losses may also include the impact of remeasuring long-lived assets held for sale, which primarily include surplus properties. The fair values of long-lived assets held for sale presented in the tables below represents the remaining carrying value and were estimated based on current market values. See Note 9 for further information on impairment of our long-lived assets.
   Fair Value Measurements
 March 31,
2019
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Held and used$
 $
 $
 $
Held for sale2,516
 
 
 2,516
Total$2,516
 $
 $
 $2,516

   Fair Value Measurements
 December 30,
2018
 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Held and used$462
 $
 $
 $462
Held for sale1,031
 
 
 1,031
Total$1,493
 $
 $
 $1,493

(9) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

During the three months ended March 31, 2019 and April 1, 2018, the Company recorded impairment charges on long-lived assets as a result of closing Company-operated restaurants and classifying such surplus properties as held for sale.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company recorded impairment charges as a result of the deterioration in operating performance of certain Company-operated restaurants. Additionally, during the three months ended April 1, 2018, the Company recorded impairment charges as a result of 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.

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.”
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended
October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
March 31,
2019
 April 1,
2018
Restaurants leased or subleased to franchisees$95
 $163
 $95
 $12,654
Surplus properties113
 119
 658
 223
$1,285
 $41
Company-operated restaurants833
 79
 1,051
 114
201
 
Restaurants leased or subleased to franchisees
 165
$1,041
 $361
 $1,804
 $12,991
$1,486
 $206

(8)(10) Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended OctoberMarch 31, 2019 and April 1, 20172018 was 20.0% and October 2, 2016 was 54.8% and 37.2%,(40.5)% respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate varies from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35%21% primarily due to the effect(1) net excess tax benefits related to share-based payments, which resulted in a benefit of (1) the system optimization initiative provision of $5,019 and $2,332$2,036 in the thirdfirst quarter of 20172019 and 2016, respectively, reflecting goodwill adjustments, changesa benefit of $6,093 for the first quarter of 2018, (2) the impact of the comprehensive tax legislation commonly referred to valuation allowances on state net operating loss carryforwardsas the Tax Cuts and state deferred taxes, (2)Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) and (3) state income taxes net of federal benefits,tax provision in 2019, including non-recurring changes to state deferred taxes (3) the adoptionnet of an amendment issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), which requires that excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to share-based payments be recognized in net income and (4) the rate differential between foreign and domestic taxes.federal benefits.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the nine months ended October 1,On December 22, 2017, and October 2, 2016 was 45.2% and 33.3%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate varies from the U.S. federal statutory rategovernment enacted the Tax Act. In our continued analysis of 35% due to the effectimpact of (1) the system optimization initiative, reflecting goodwill adjustments, changes to valuation allowances on state net operating loss carryforwards and state deferred taxes (including corrections to prior years identified and recordedTax Act in the first nine monthsquarter of 2017 and 2016, which resulted in2018 under Staff Accounting Bulletin 118, we adjusted our provisional amounts for a discrete net tax benefit of $2,248 and $7,113, respectively), (2)$3,623. This net benefit included $5,578 for the adoptiontax benefit of an amendment issuedforeign tax credits, partially offset by the FASB, which requires that excess tax benefits and tax deficienciesa net expense of $1,955 related to share-based payments be recognized inthe impact of the corporate rate reduction on our net income, which resulted in a benefit of $5,205 during the nine months ended October 1, 2017, (3) state income taxes net of federal benefits, including non-recurring changes to state deferred taxes, and (4) the rate differential between foreign and domestic taxes.

During the next twelve months, we believe that it is reasonably possible the Company will reduce its unrecognized tax benefits by up to $7,030, primarily due to expected settlements with taxing authorities.

The current portion of refundable income taxes was $16,165 and $18,111 as of October 1, 2017 and January 1, 2017, respectively, and is included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.  Long-term refundable income taxes are included in “Other assets” and amounted to $960 and $239 as of October 1, 2017 and January 1, 2017, respectively.

(9) Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share was computed by dividing net income amounts by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.

The weighted average number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted net income per share were as follows:
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
Common stock:       
Weighted average basic shares outstanding243,354
 260,976
 245,073
 265,702
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares8,383
 3,832
 8,103
 4,239
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding251,737
 264,808
 253,176
 269,941

liabilities.

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There were no significant changes to the unrecognized tax benefits or related interest and penalties for the three months ended March 31, 2019. During the next twelve months, we believe it is reasonably possible the Company will reduce unrecognized tax benefits by up to $7,764 due to the lapse of statutes of limitations and expected settlements with taxing authorities.

The current portion of refundable income taxes was $9,560 and $14,475 as of March 31, 2019 and December 30, 2018, respectively, and is included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. There were no long-term refundable income taxes as of March 31, 2019 and December 30, 2018.

(11) Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share was computed by dividing net income amounts by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding.

The weighted average number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted net income per share were as follows:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2019
 April 1,
2018
Common stock:   
Weighted average basic shares outstanding230,584
 239,928
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares5,310
 8,491
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding235,894
 248,419

Diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended OctoberMarch 31, 2019 and April 1, 2017 and October 2, 20162018 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 1,6172,158 and 6182,711 for the three and nine months ended OctoberMarch 31, 2019 and April 1, 2017, respectively, and 2,233 and 2,072 for the three and nine months ended October 2, 2016,2018, respectively, from our diluted net income per share calculation as they would have had anti-dilutive effects.

(10)(12) Stockholders’ Equity

Stockholders’ EquityDividends

The following is a summaryDuring the first quarter of 2019 and 2018, the changes in stockholders’ equity:Company paid dividends per share of $.10 and $.085, respectively.
 Nine Months Ended
 October 1,
2017
 October 2,
2016
Balance at beginning of period$527,736
 $752,914
Comprehensive income52,978
 112,896
Cash dividends(51,464) (47,793)
Repurchases of common stock(90,964) (162,492)
Share-based compensation16,356
 14,260
Exercises of stock options10,194
 10,600
Vesting of restricted shares(4,260) (3,853)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle (a)1,880
 
Tax benefit from share-based compensation
 1,898
Other139
 145
Balance at end of period$462,595
 $678,575
_______________

(a)During the nine months ended October 1, 2017, the Company recognized a tax benefit as a reduction to the Company’s deferred tax liability with an equal offsetting increase to “Accumulated deficit.” The adjustment was recognized as a result of adoption of an amendment to the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions. See Note 15 for further information.

Repurchases of Common Stock

In February 2017,2019, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $150,000$225,000 of our common stock through March 4, 2018,1, 2020, when and if market conditions warrant and to the extent legally permissible. In connection with the February 2019 authorization, the Company’s previous November 2018 repurchase authorization for up to $220,000 of our common stock was canceled. During the ninethree months ended October 1, 2017,March 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 6,1311,744 shares with an aggregate purchase price of $90,876,$29,345, of which $899$268 was accrued at October 1, 2017March 31, 2019, and excluding commissions of $88.$25, under the November 2018 and February 2019 authorizations. As of October 1, 2017,March 31, 2019, the Company had $59,124$217,112 of availability remaining under its February 20172019 authorization. Subsequent to OctoberMarch 31, 2019 through May 1, 2017 through November 2, 2017,2019, the Company repurchased 428308 shares under the February 2019 authorization with an aggregate purchase price of $6,628,$5,654, excluding commissions of $6.$4.

On June 1, 2015,In February 2018, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $1,400,000$175,000 of our common stock through January 1, 2017,March 3, 2019, when and if market conditions warranted and to the extent legally permissible. During the ninethree months ended October 2, 2016,April 1, 2018, the Company repurchased 16,034989 shares with an aggregate purchase price of $162,252,$16,741, of which $2,998$1,294 was accrued at October 2, 2016April 1, 2018, and excluding commissions of $240.$14. Additionally, during the three months ended April 1, 2018, the Company completed its previous February 2017 repurchase authorization for up to $150,000 of our common stock with the repurchase of 1,385 shares with an aggregate purchase price of $22,633, and excluding commissions of $19.


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Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table provides a rollforward of the components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax as applicable:
 Foreign Currency Translation Cash Flow Hedges (a) Pension Total
Balance at January 1, 2017$(60,299) $(1,797) $(1,145) $(63,241)
Current-period other comprehensive income16,797
 1,332
 96
 18,225
Balance at October 1, 2017$(43,502) $(465) $(1,049) $(45,016)
        
Balance at January 3, 2016$(66,163) $(3,571) $(1,089) $(70,823)
Current-period other comprehensive income (loss)10,887
 1,332
 (56) 12,163
Balance at October 2, 2016$(55,276) $(2,239) $(1,145) $(58,660)
 Foreign Currency Translation Pension Total
Balance at December 30, 2018$(61,673) $
 $(61,673)
Current-period other comprehensive income6,025
 
 6,025
Balance at March 31, 2019$(55,648) $
 $(55,648)
      
Balance at December 31, 2017$(45,149) $(1,049) $(46,198)
Current-period other comprehensive (loss) income(6,044) 117
 (5,927)
Balance at April 1, 2018$(51,193) $(932) $(52,125)
_______________

(a)Current-period other comprehensive income (loss) includes the reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges from “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” to our condensed consolidated statements of operations of $444 and $1,332 for both the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016, respectively. The reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges consists of $723 and $2,170 for both the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016, respectively, recorded to “Interest expense,” net of the related income tax benefit of $279 and $838 for both the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016, respectively, recorded to “Provision for income taxes.” See Note 6 for further information.

(11)(13) 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 October 1, 2017,March 31, 2019, Wendy’s and its franchisees operated 6,5866,710 Wendy’s restaurants. Of the 333358 Company-operated Wendy’s restaurants, Wendy’s owned the land and building for 146144 restaurants, owned the building and held long-term land leases for 137144 restaurants and held leases covering the land and building for 5070 restaurants. Wendy’s also owned 521513 and leased 1,2701,275 properties that were either leased or subleased principally to franchisees. The Company also leases restaurant, office and transportation equipment.

Rental expenseDetermination 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 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 following components:initial measurement of the lease liability, adjusted for any favorable or unfavorable terms for leases acquired from franchisees, as well as payments made before the commencement date, initial direct costs and lease incentives earned. When determining the lease term, the Company includes option periods that it is reasonably certain to exercise as failure to renew the lease would impose a significant economic detriment. For properties used for Company-operated restaurants, the primary economic detriment relates to the existence of unamortized leasehold improvements which might be impaired if we choose not to exercise the available renewal options. The lease term for properties leased or subleased to franchisees is determined based upon the economic detriment to the franchisee and includes consideration of the length of the franchise agreement, historical performance of the restaurant and the existence of bargain renewal options. Lease terms for real estate are generally initially between 15 and 20 years and, in most cases, provide for rent escalations and renewal options.
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 October 1, 2017 October 2, 2016 October 1, 2017 October 2, 2016
Rental expense:       
Minimum rentals$23,997
 $19,137
 $66,701
 $59,139
Contingent rentals5,395
 5,254
 14,405
 13,786
Total rental expense (a)$29,392
 $24,391
 $81,106
 $72,925
_______________

(a)Amounts exclude sublease income of $35,022 and $92,434 recognized during the three and nine months ended October 1, 2017, respectively, and $25,127 and $68,400 recognized during the three and nine months ended October 2, 2016, respectively.


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RentalOperating 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 is recognized on a straight-line basis and subleases consistsincludes the amortization of the following components:
 Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
 October 1, 2017 October 2, 2016 October 1, 2017 October 2, 2016
Rental income:       
Minimum rentals$44,682
 $31,902
 $124,847
 $87,409
Contingent rentals5,593
 5,427
 15,280
 15,011
Total rental income$50,275
 $37,329
 $140,127
 $102,420
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 condensed 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.”

The following table illustratesFavorable and unfavorable lease amounts for operating leases where the Company’s future minimumCompany is the lessor are recorded as components of “Other intangible assets” and “Other liabilities,” respectively. Favorable and unfavorable lease amounts are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the leases. When the expected term of a lease is determined to be shorter than the original amortization period, the favorable or unfavorable lease balance associated with the lease is adjusted to reflect the revised lease term.

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

Finance Leases

Lease cost for finance leases includes the amortization of the ROU asset, which is amortized on a straight-line basis and rental receipts for non-cancelable leasesrecorded to “Depreciation and subleases, including rental receipts foramortization,” and interest expense on the finance lease liability, which is calculated using the interest method and recorded to “Interest expense, net.”

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 October 1, 2017. Rental receipts below are presented separately for owned propertiesgain 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 for leased properties based onunguaranteed residual assets at the classificationend of the lease term. The Company’s main component of this estimate is the expected fair value of the underlying lease.
 Rental Payments Rental Receipts
Fiscal Year
Capital
Leases
 
Operating
Leases
 
Capital
Leases
 
Operating
Leases
 
Owned
Properties
2017 (a)$11,989
 $24,894
 $15,868
 $18,782
 $13,436
201843,406
 93,431
 60,844
 75,167
 53,896
201942,717
 93,272
 61,368
 75,267
 54,866
202043,660
 92,434
 62,469
 74,983
 55,489
202145,249
 91,892
 64,260
 74,672
 57,102
Thereafter748,736
 1,188,165
 1,045,693
 973,428
 1,008,243
Total minimum payments$935,757
 $1,584,088
 $1,310,502
 $1,292,299
 $1,243,032
Less interest(499,703)        
Present value of minimum capital lease payments (b)$436,054
        
_______________

(a)Represents future minimum rental payments and rental receipts for non-cancelable leases and subleases for the remainder of our 2017 fiscal year.

(b)The present value of minimum capital lease payments of $6,608 and $429,446 are included in “Current portion of long-term debt” and “Long-term debt,” respectively.

Properties owned byassets, primarily the fair value of land. Lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs under sales-type and leaseddirect financing leases are recognized on a gross basis as “Franchise rental income” with a corresponding expense recorded to franchisees and other third parties under operating leases include:
 October 1, 2017 January 1, 2017
Land$271,840
 $271,160
Buildings and improvements312,796
 312,067
Restaurant equipment1,491
 1,507
 586,127
 584,734
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(122,970) (110,166)
 $463,157
 $474,568
“Franchise rental expense.”

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Our net investment inSignificant 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.

Company as Lessee

The components of lease cost are as follows:
 October 1, 2017 January 1, 2017
Future minimum rental receipts$630,352
 $401,452
Unearned interest income(416,221) (277,747)
Net investment in direct financing leases214,131
 123,705
Net current investment in direct financing leases (a)(482) (101)
Net non-current investment in direct financing leases (b)$213,649
 $123,604
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2019
Finance lease cost: 
Amortization of finance lease assets$3,117
Interest on finance lease liabilities6,753
 9,870
Operating lease cost24,643
Variable lease cost (a)14,104
Short-term lease cost1,126
Total operating lease cost (b)39,873
Total lease cost$49,743
_______________

(a)Included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net.”Includes expenses for executory costs of $9,524, for which the Company is reimbursed by sublessees.

(b)IncludedIncludes $32,451 recorded to “Franchise rental expense” for leased properties that are subsequently leased to franchisees and $6,593 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:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: 
Operating cash flows from finance leases$9,708
Operating cash flows from operating leases23,312
Financing cash flows from finance leases1,881
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: 
Finance lease liabilities13,810
Operating lease liabilities3,255


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The following table includes supplemental information related to leases:
March 31, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years):
Finance leases17.8
Operating leases15.9
Weighted average discount rate:
Finance leases10.19%
Operating leases5.10%

The following table illustrates the Company’s future minimum rental payments for non-cancelable leases as of March 31, 2019:
 
Finance
Leases
 
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearCompany- Operated 
Franchise
and Other
 Company- Operated 
Franchise
and Other
2019 (a)$1,917
 $34,251
 $15,168
 $54,760
20202,577
 44,313
 20,022
 73,121
20212,687
 45,706
 19,764
 73,067
20222,738
 46,724
 19,398
 73,330
20232,690
 48,389
 19,376
 73,407
Thereafter34,441
 688,400
 200,962
 853,051
Total minimum payments$47,050
 $907,783
 $294,690
 $1,200,736
Less interest(22,400) (464,458) (93,278) (400,752)
Present value of minimum lease payments (b) (c)$24,650
 $443,325
 $201,412
 $799,984
_______________

(a)Represents future minimum rental payments for non-cancelable leases for the remainder of 2019.

(b)The present value of minimum finance lease payments of $9,380 and $458,595 are included in “Current portion of finance lease liabilities” and “Long-term finance lease liabilities,” respectively.

(c)The present value of minimum operating lease payments of $43,657 and $957,739 are included in “Current portion of operating lease liabilities” and “Long-term operating lease liabilities,” respectively.

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The following table illustrates the Company’s future minimum rental payments for non-cancelable leases as of December 30, 2018:
 
Finance
Leases
 
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearCompany- Operated 
Franchise
and Other
 Company- Operated 
Franchise
and Other
2019$1,962
 $45,125
 $20,174
 $75,703
20201,978
 43,969
 20,052
 73,320
20212,082
 45,522
 19,820
 73,167
20222,114
 46,573
 19,530
 73,300
20232,084
 48,109
 19,430
 73,377
Thereafter23,558
 676,139
 203,073
 854,964
Total minimum payments$33,778
 $905,437
 $302,079
 $1,223,831
Less interest(16,874) (466,705)    
Present value of minimum lease payments (a)$16,904
 $438,732
    
_______________

(a)The present value of minimum finance lease payments of $8,405 and $447,231 are included in “Current portion of finance lease liabilities” and “Long-term finance lease liabilities,” respectively.

Company as Lessor

The components of lease income are as follows:
 Three Months Ended
 March 31,
2019
Sales-type and direct-financing leases: 
Selling profit$1,934
Interest income4,733
  
Operating lease income$45,205
Variable lease income13,247
Franchise rental income (a)$58,452
_______________

(a)Includes sublease income of $43,021 recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2019, of which $9,432 represents lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs.


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The following table illustrates the Company’s future minimum rental receipts for non-cancelable leases and subleases as of March 31, 2019:
 
Sales-Type and
Direct Financing Leases
 
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearSubleases Owned Properties Subleases Owned Properties
2019 (a)$20,182
 $1,543
 $84,371
 $39,451
202027,484
 2,130
 113,275
 52,990
202128,522
 2,162
 114,167
 54,561
202229,159
 2,243
 115,363
 56,034
202330,193
 2,287
 116,342
 56,239
Thereafter466,197
 28,031
 1,367,503
 859,548
Total future minimum receipts601,737
 38,396
 $1,911,021
 $1,118,823
Unearned interest income(380,607) (20,831)    
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases (b)$221,130
 $17,565
    
_______________

(a)Represents future minimum rental receipts for non-cancelable leases for the remainder of 2019.

(b)The present value of minimum direct financing rental receipts of $2,269 and $236,426 are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” and “Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases.leases, respectively. The present value of minimum direct financing rental receipts includes a net investment in unguaranteed residual assets of $233.

The following table illustrates the Company’s future minimum rental receipts for non-cancelable leases and subleases as of December 30, 2018:
 
Sales-Type and
Direct Financing Leases
 
Operating
Leases
Fiscal YearSubleases Owned Properties Subleases Owned Properties
2019$26,239
 $1,937
 $113,180
 $52,527
202026,859
 2,006
 113,578
 53,066
202127,904
 2,043
 114,447
 54,615
202228,563
 2,119
 115,552
 56,092
202329,512
 2,159
 116,463
 56,284
Thereafter448,851
 26,404
 1,372,646
 858,755
Total future minimum receipts587,928
 36,668
 $1,945,866
 $1,131,339
Unearned interest income(377,046) (20,338)    
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases (a)$210,882
 $16,330
    
_______________

(a)The present value of minimum direct financing rental receipts of $735 and $226,477 are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” and “Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases,” respectively.


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Properties owned by the Company and leased to franchisees and other third parties under operating leases include:
 March 31, 2019
Land$281,571
Buildings and improvements310,912
Restaurant equipment2,120
 594,603
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(145,812)
 $448,791

(12)(14) Transactions with Related Parties

Except as described below, the Company did not have any significant changes in or transactions with its related parties during the current fiscal period since those reported in the Form 10-K.

TimWen Lease and Management Fee Payments

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Wendy’s leases restaurant facilities from TimWen for the operation of Wendy’s/Tim Hortons combo units in Canada. During the ninethree months ended OctoberMarch 31, 2019 and April 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016,2018, Wendy’s paid TimWen $9,362$3,855 and $8,926,$2,872, respectively, under these lease agreements. In addition, TimWen paid Wendy’s a management fee under the TimWen joint venture agreement of $158$52 and $156$54 during the ninethree months ended OctoberMarch 31, 2019 and April 1, 2017 and October 2, 2016,2018, respectively, which has been included as a reduction to “General and administrative.”

(13)(15) Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies

TheExcept as described below, the Company did not have any significant changes in guarantees and other commitments and contingencies during the current fiscal period since those reported in the Form 10-K. Refer to the Form 10-K for further information regarding the Company’s additional commitments and obligations.

Franchisee Image Activation Incentive Programs

In order to promote Image Activation new restaurant development, Wendy’s has an incentive program for franchisees that provides for reductions in royalty and national advertising payments for up to the first two years of operation for qualifying new restaurants opened by December 31, 2020, with the value of the incentives declining in the later years of the program. Wendy’s also has incentive programs for 2017 available to franchisees that commence Image Activation restaurant remodels by December 15, 2017. The remodel incentive programs provide for reductions in royalty payments for one year after the completion of construction.

Lease Guarantees

Wendy’s has guaranteed the performance of certain leases and other obligations, primarily from former Company-operated restaurant locations now operated by franchisees, amounting to $56,299$69,753 as of October 1, 2017.March 31, 2019. These leases extend through 2056. We have not received any notice of default related to these leases as of October 1, 2017.March 31, 2019. In the event of default by a franchise owner, Wendy’s generally retains the right to acquire possession of the related restaurant locations.

Wendy’s is contingently liable for certain other leases which have been assignedLetters of Credit

As of March 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding letters of credit with various parties totaling $27,089. The outstanding letters of credit include amounts outstanding against the Series 2018-1 Class A-1 Notes. We do not expect any material loss to unrelated third parties who have indemnified Wendy’s against future liabilities amounting to $637 asresult from these letters of October 1, 2017. These leases expire on various dates through 2021.credit.


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Letters of CreditPurchase 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 certain 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 threshold usage requirement or December 31, 2025. Beverage purchases made by the Company under this agreement during the three months ended March 31, 2019 were $2,414. As of October 1, 2017,March 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding lettersestimates future purchases to be approximately $7,500 for the remainder of credit with various parties totaling $32,575,2019, $10,600 in 2020, $11,100 in 2021, $11,900 in 2022 and $12,500 in 2023 based on current pricing and the expected ratio of which $3,205 were cash collateralized. The outstanding letters of credit include amounts outstanding against the securitized financing facility. The related cash collateral is classified as “Restricted cash” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. We do not expect any material lossusage at Company-operated restaurants to result from these letters of credit.usage at franchised restaurants.

(14)(16) Legal and Environmental Matters

We areThe Company is involved in litigation and claims incidental to our current and prior businesses. We provide accruals for such litigation and claims when payment is probable and reasonably estimable. As of October 1, 2017, the Company hadWe believe we have adequate accruals for continuing operations for all of itsour legal and environmental matters aggregating $1,639.matters. We cannot estimate the aggregate possible range of loss duefor various reasons, including, but not limited to, mostmany proceedings including those described below, being in preliminary stages, with various motions either yet to be submitted or pending, discovery yet to occur andand/or significant factual matters unresolved. In addition, most cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages and many involve multiple parties. Predicting the outcomes of settlement discussions or judicial or arbitral decisions is thus inherently difficult. Based on currently available information, including legal defenses availabledifficult and future developments could cause these actions or claims, individually or in aggregate, to us, and given the aforementioned accruals and our insurance coverage, we do not believe that the outcome of these legal and environmental matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidatedthe Company’s financial position orcondition, results of operations.operations, or cash flows of a particular reporting period.

We previously described certain legal proceedings under Note 14 to our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in our Quarterly Report onthe Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2017, as filed with the SEC on August 9, 2017. Except as set forth below, there10-K. There were no material developments in those legal proceedings during the third quarter of 2017.

As previously reported, the Company has been named as a defendant in putative class action lawsuits alleging, among other things, that the Company failed to safeguard customer credit card information and failed to provide notice that credit card information had been compromised.  Jonathan Torres and other consumers filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (the “Torres case”). The operative complaint seeks to certify a nationwide class of consumers, or in the alternative, statewide classes of consumers for Florida, New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Tennessee, as well as statewide classes of consumers under those states’ consumer protection and unfair trade practices laws. On October 27, 2017, the Company moved to dismiss the operative complaint. The Company’s motion is pending before the court.

(15) New Accounting Standards

New Accounting Standards

In May 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on the scope of modification accounting for share-based payment arrangements. The new guidance will provide relief to entities that make non-substantive changes to their share-based payment arrangements. The Company does not expect the amendment, which requires prospective adoption and is effective commencing with our 2018 fiscal year, to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued new guidance on the presentation of net periodic benefit costs that requires entities to disaggregate the current service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost in the income statement. The Company does not expect the amendment, which requires retrospective adoption and is effective commencing with our 2018 fiscal year, to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on leases, which outlines principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases applicable to both lessors and lessees. The new guidance requires lessees to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by finance and operating leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. The amendment requires the recognition and measurement of leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach.  We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements and plan to reflect adoption when effective in the first quarter of our 2019 fiscal year. As shown in Note 11, there are $1,584,088 in future minimum rental payments for operating leases that are not currently on our balance sheet; therefore, we expect this will have a material impact on our balance sheet and related disclosures.

In May 2014, the FASB issued amended guidance for revenue recognition. The new guidance outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers. The core principle of the guidance is

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that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. Additionally, the guidance requires improved disclosure to help users of financial statements better understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue that is recognized. The new guidance supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance, and is effective commencing with our 2018 fiscal year. The guidance allows for either a full retrospective or modified retrospective transition method. We currently expect to apply the modified retrospective method upon adoption. This guidance will not impact our recognition of revenue from Company-operated restaurant sales or our recognition of continuing royalty revenues from franchisees, which are based on a percentage of franchise sales. Under current guidance, we recognize initial fees from franchisees when we have performed all material obligations and services, which generally occurs when the franchised restaurant opens. Additionally, under current guidance, our advertising fund contributions from franchisees and the related advertising expenditures are reported on a net basis in our consolidated balance sheet as “Advertising funds restricted assets” and “Advertising funds restricted liabilities.” Under the new guidance, we anticipate recognizing the initial fees from franchisees over the life of the related franchise agreements and we expect to consolidate the operations and cash flow results of our national advertising funds, both of which will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

New Accounting Standards Adopted

In March 2016, the FASB issued an amendment related to equity method accounting, which eliminates the requirement to retrospectively apply the equity method to an investment that subsequently qualifies for such accounting as a result of an increase in level of ownership interest or degree of influence. The Company adopted this amendment, prospectively, during the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued an amendment that clarifies the steps for assessing triggering events of embedded contingent put and call options within debt instruments. The Company adopted this amendment during the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued an amendment that modifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory withholding requirements, as well as statement of cash flows presentation. The transition requirement is generally modified retrospective, with the exception of recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies that requires prospective adoption. The Company adopted this amendment during the first quarter of 2017. The cash flows used in financing activities related to the excess tax benefits from share-based compensation arrangements, which amounted to $2,376 during the ninethree months ended October 2, 2016, was reclassified retrospectively to cash flows provided by operating activities. Additionally, during the nine months ended October 2, 2016, $4,142 was paid to taxing authorities for withheld shares on share-based compensation arrangement activities, which was reclassified retrospectively from cash flows provided by operating activities to cash flows used in financing activities. Upon adopting the amendment in the first quarter of 2017, the Company recognized $1,880 in unrecognized tax benefits for deductions in excess of cumulative compensation costs relating to the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. This tax benefit was recognized as a reduction to the Company’s deferred tax liability with an equal offsetting increase to “Accumulated deficit.” The Company will continue to estimate forfeitures each period.

In July 2015, the FASB issued an amendment that requires entities to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, rather than the lower of cost or market, with market value represented by replacement cost, net realizable value or net realizable value less a normal profit margin. The Company adopted this amendment during the first quarter of 2017. The adoption of this guidance did not impact our consolidated financial statements.

March 31, 2019.


Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Introduction

This “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of The Wendy’s Company (“The Wendy’s Company” and, together with its subsidiaries, the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) should be read in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere within this report and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2017December 30, 2018 (the “Form 10-K”). There have been no material changes as of October 1, 2017March 31, 2019 to the application of our critical accounting policies as described in Item 7 of the Form 10-K. Certain statements we make under this Item 2 constitute “forward-looking statements” under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Projections” in “Part II - Other Information” preceding Item 1 of Part II of this report. You should consider our forward-looking statements in light of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this report, the Form 10-K and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

The Wendy’s Company is the parent company of its 100% owned subsidiary holding company, Wendy’s Restaurants, LLC (“Wendy’s Restaurants”). The principal 100% owned subsidiary of Wendy’s Restaurants is Wendy’s International, LLC and its subsidiaries (“Wendy’s”). Wendy’s franchises and operates Wendy’s® quick-service restaurants specializing in hamburger sandwiches throughout North America (defined as the United States of America (“U.S.”) and Canada). Wendy’s also has franchised restaurants in 29 foreign countries and U.S. territories.

Each Wendy’s restaurants offerrestaurant offers an extensive menu specializing in hamburger sandwiches and featuring filletfilet of chicken breast sandwiches, which are prepared to order with the customer’s choice of condiments. Wendy’s menu also includes chicken nuggets, chili, french fries, baked potatoes, freshly prepared salads, soft drinks, Frosty® desserts and kids’ meals. In addition, the restaurants sell a variety of promotional products on a limited time basis. Wendy’s also offers breakfast in some restaurants in the United States.

The Company manages and internally reports its business geographically. The operation and franchising of Wendy’s restaurants in North America comprises virtually all of our current operations and represents a single reportable segment. The revenues and operating results of Wendy’s restaurants outside of North America are not material. The results of operations discussed below may not necessarily be indicative of future results.

The Company reports on aCompany’s fiscal year consistingreporting periods consist of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Sunday closest to or on December 31. All three- and nine-monththree-month periods presented herein contain 13 weeks and 39 weeks, respectively.weeks. All references to years and quarters relate to fiscal periods rather than calendar periods.

We adopted the new accounting guidance for leases effective December 31, 2018, which had a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Beginning with the first quarter of 2019, our financial condition and results of operations reflect adoption of the guidance; however, prior period results were not restated. See Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 herein for further information.

Executive Overview

Our Business

As of October 1, 2017,March 31, 2019, the Wendy’s restaurant system was comprised of 6,5866,710 restaurants, of which 333358 were owned and operated by the Company. All of our Company-operated restaurants are located in the U.S.United States.

Wendy’s operating results are impacted by a number of external factors, including unemployment, general economic trends,commodity costs, labor costs, intense price competition, commodity costs, labor costsunemployment and decreased consumer spending levels, general economic and market trends and weather.

Wendy’s long-term growth opportunities will be driven by a combination of brand relevance and economic relevance. Key components of growth include (1) systemwide same-restaurant sales growth through continuing core menu improvement, product innovation, and customer count growth and strategic price increases on our menu items, (2) investingsystem investment in our Image Activation program, which includes innovative exterior and interior restaurant designs for our new and reimaged restaurants and focused execution of operational excellence, (3) growth in new restaurants, including global growth, (4) increased focus on consumer-facing digital platforms and technologies, (5) increased restaurant utilization in various dayparts, (6)

strengthening our operations through our system optimization initiative and brand access utilizing mobile technology, (5)(7) building shareholderstockholder value through financial management strategies and (6) our system optimization initiative.

Wendy’s revenues for the first nine months of 2017 include (1) $467.9 million of sales at Company-operated restaurants, (2) $306.1 million of franchise royalty revenue and fees and (3) $140.2 million of franchise rental income. Substantially all of our Wendy’s royalty agreements provide for royalties of 4.0% of franchisees’ revenues.

strategies.

Key Business Measures

We track our results of operations and manage our business using the following key business measures, which includeincludes a non-GAAP financial measures:measure:

Same-Restaurant Sales - We report same-restaurant sales commencing after new restaurants have been open for 15 continuous months and as soon as reimaged restaurants reopen. This methodology is consistent with the metric used by our management for internal reporting and analysis. The table summarizing same-restaurant sales below in “Results of Operations” provides the same-restaurant sales percent changes. Same-restaurant sales exclude the impact of currency translation.

Restaurant Margin - We define restaurant margin as sales from Company-operated restaurants less cost of sales divided by sales from Company-operated restaurants. Cost of sales includes food and paper, restaurant labor and occupancy, advertising and other operating costs. Restaurant margin is influenced by factors such as restaurant openings, remodels and closures, price increases, the effectiveness of our advertising and marketing initiatives, featured products, product mix, fluctuations in food and labor costs, restaurant openings, remodels and closures and the level of our fixed and semi-variable costs and fluctuations in food and labor costs.

Systemwide Sales - Systemwide sales is a non-GAAP financial measure, which includes sales by both Company-operated restaurants and franchised restaurants. Franchised restaurants’ sales are reported by our franchisees and represent their revenues from sales at franchised Wendy’s restaurants. The Company’s consolidated financial statements do not include sales by franchised restaurants to their customers. The Company believes systemwide sales data is useful in assessing consumer demand for the Company’s products, the overall success of the Wendy’s brand and, ultimately, the performance of the Company. The Company’s royalty revenues are computed as percentages of sales made by Wendy’s franchisees. As a result, sales by Wendy’s franchisees have a direct effect on the Company’s royalty revenues and therefore on the Company’s profitability.

The Company reviewscalculates same-restaurant sales and systemwide sales growth on a constant currency basis. Constant currency results exclude the impact of foreign currency translation and are derived by translating current year results at prior year average exchange rates. The Company believes excluding the impact of foreign currency translation provides better year over year comparability.

System Optimization InitiativeSame-restaurant sales and systemwide sales exclude sales from Venezuela and, beginning in the third quarter of 2018, exclude sales from Argentina due to the highly inflationary economies of those countries. The Company considers economies that have had cumulative inflation in excess of 100% over a three-year period as highly inflationary.

In July 2013,The non-GAAP financial measure discussed above does not replace the presentation of the Company’s financial results in accordance with GAAP. Because all companies do not calculate non-GAAP financial measures in the same way, this measure as used by other companies may not be consistent with the way the Company announced a system optimization initiative, as part of its brand transformation, which includes a shift from Company-operated restaurants to franchised restaurants over time, through acquisitions and dispositions, as well as facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers. In February 2015, the Company announced plans to reduce its ongoing Company-operated restaurant ownership to approximately 5% of the total system, which the Company completed as of January 1, 2017. Wendy’s will continue to optimize its system by facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers, 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 and drive new restaurant development and accelerate reimages in the Image Activation format.

During the first nine months of 2017, the Company recorded post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants and completed the sale of other assets, resulting in net gains totaling $3.4 million. Gains and losses recognized on dispositions are recorded to “System optimization losses (gains), net” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. In addition, the Company facilitated the transfer of 270 restaurants between franchisees during the first nine months of 2017 (excluding the DavCo and NPC transactions discussed below).

DavCo and NPC Transactions

As part of our system optimization initiative, the Company acquired 140 Wendy’s restaurants on May 31, 2017 from DavCo Restaurants, LLC (“DavCo”) for total net cash consideration of $86.8 million, which were immediately sold to NPC International, Inc. (“NPC”), an existing franchisee of the Company, for cash proceeds of $70.7 million (the “DavCo and NPC transactions”). As part of the transaction, NPC has agreed to remodel 90 acquired restaurants in the Image Activation format by the end of 2021 and build 15 new Wendy’s restaurants by the end of 2022. Prior to closing the DavCo transaction, seven DavCo restaurants were closed. The acquisition of Wendy’s restaurants from DavCo was not contingent on executing the sale agreement with NPC; ascalculates such the Company accounted for the transactions as an acquisition and subsequent disposition of a business. The total consideration paid to DavCo was allocated to net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired based on their estimated fair values. As part of the transactions, the Company retained leases for purposes of subleasing such properties to NPC. As a result of the transactions, the Company recognized a loss of $43.1 million during the first nine months of 2017.

Costs related to our system optimization initiative were historically recorded to “Reorganization and realignment costs.” Costs incurred during 2017 in connection with the DavCo and NPC transactions continue to be recorded to “Reorganization and realignment costs.” All other costs incurred during 2017 related to facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers are recorded to “Other operating expense (income), net.” During the first nine months of 2017, the Company recognized reorganization and realignment costs totaling $0.9 million, which primarily included professional fees. The Company does not expect to incur additional costs during the remainder of 2017 in connection with the DavCo and NPC transactions.measure.

General and Administrative (“G&A”) Realignment

November 2014 Plan

In November 2014,May 2017, the Company initiated a plan to further reduce its G&A expenses. The Company expects to realize a total G&A expense reduction through the plan included a realignment and reinvestment of resources to focus primarily on accelerated restaurant development and consumer-facing restaurant technology to drive long-term growth.approximately $35.0 million. The Company achieved the majorityexpects to incur total costs aggregating approximately $32.0 million to $35.0 million, of the expense reductions through the realignment of its U.S. field operations and savings at its Restaurant Support Center in Dublin, Ohio, which was substantially completed by the end of the second quarter of 2015.$23.0 million to $27.0 million will be cash expenditures, related to such savings. Costs related to the plan are recorded to “Reorganization and realignment costs.” The Company recognized costs totaling $1.0$0.8 million and $2.6 million during the first nine monthsquarter of 20162019 and $24.0 million in aggregate since inception. The Company did not incur any expenses during the first nine months of 2017 and does not expect to incur additional costs related to the plan.

May 2017 Plan

In May 2017, the Company initiated a new plan to further reduce its G&A expenses. The Company expects that approximately three-quarters of the total G&A expense reduction of approximately $35.0 million will be realized by the end of 2018, with the remainder of the savings being realized in 2019. The Company expects to incur total costs aggregating approximately $28.0 million to $33.0 million, of which $23.0 million to $27.0 million will be cash expenditures, related to such savings. The cash expenditures are expected to continue into 2019, with approximately half of the total cash expenditures occurring in 2018. Costs related to the plan are recorded to “Reorganization and realignment costs.” The Company recognized costs totaling $19.9 million during the first nine months of 2017,respectively, which primarily included severance and related employee costs and share-based compensation.costs. The Company expects to incur additional costs associated with our G&A realignment plan aggregating approximately $8.0 million to $13.0$3.5 million, comprised of (1) severance and related employee costs of approximately $3.0$0.5 million, (2) recruitment and relocation costs of approximately $4.0$1.5 million, (3) third-party and other costs of approximately $1.0$0.5 million and (4) share-based compensation of approximately $3.0$1.0 million. The Company expects to recognize the majority of the remaining costs to be recognizedassociated with the plan during the remainder of 2017 and continue into 2019, with approximately two-thirds to be recognized during 2017.2019.

Related Party TransactionsIn May 2019, the Company announced changes to its leadership structure that includes the creation of two new positions, a President, U.S and Chief Commercial Officer and a President, International and Chief Development Officer. The Company expects to incur incremental reorganization and realignment costs associated with these leadership changes of approximately $2.5 million, of which approximately $1.5 million will be severance and related employee costs and approximately $1.0 million will be share-based compensation. This will increase total reorganization and realignment costs to approximately $34.5 million to $37.5 million. Also as a result of these changes, the Company’s chief operating decision maker is currently evaluating the Company’s management

TimWen Lease and Management Fee Paymentsoperating structure and anticipates this evaluation will result in a change to its existing operating segment structure by the end of 2019.

A wholly-owned subsidiary of Wendy’s leases restaurant facilities from TimWen for the operation of Wendy’s/Tim Hortons combo units in Canada. During the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, Wendy’s paid TimWen $9.4 million and $8.9 million, respectively, under these lease agreements. In addition, TimWen paid Wendy’s a management fee under the TimWen joint venture agreement of $0.2 million during both the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, which has been included as a reduction to “General and administrative.”

Cybersecurity Incident

The Company first reported unusual payment card activity affecting some franchise-owned restaurants in February 2016 and that malware had been discovered on certain systems. Subsequently, on June 9, 2016, the Company reported that an additional malware variant had been identified and disabled. On July 7, 2016, the Company, on behalf of affected franchise locations, provided information about specific restaurant locations that may have been impacted by these attacks, all of which are located in the United States, along with support for customers who may have been affected by the malware variants. See “Item 1 - Financial Statements,” Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.


Results of Operations

The tables included throughout this Results of Operations set forth in millions the Company’s condensed consolidated results of operations for the thirdfirst quarter of 2019 and the first nine months of 2017 and 2016.2018.
Third Quarter Nine MonthsFirst Quarter
2017 2016 Change 2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Revenues:                
Sales$158.8
 $228.6
 $(69.8) $467.9
 $747.2
 $(279.3)$167.7
 $153.7
 $14.0
Franchise royalty revenue and fees98.9
 98.0
 0.9
 306.1
 275.9
 30.2
102.0
 97.9
 4.1
Franchise rental income50.3
 37.4
 12.9
 140.2
 102.4
 37.8
58.4
 50.1
 8.3
Advertising funds revenue80.5
 78.9
 1.6
308.0
 364.0
 (56.0) 914.2
 1,125.5
 (211.3)408.6
 380.6
 28.0
Costs and expenses:     
      
     
Cost of sales132.4
 186.5
 (54.1) 385.2
 603.8
 (218.6)142.6
 132.2
 10.4
Franchise support and other costs6.0
 6.2
 (0.2)
Franchise rental expense24.1
 17.5
 6.6
 64.8
 49.7
 15.1
32.4
 23.3
 9.1
Advertising funds expense80.5
 78.9
 1.6
General and administrative52.9
 58.9
 (6.0) 156.7
 184.7
 (28.0)49.3
 50.4
 (1.1)
Depreciation and amortization31.2
 29.4
 1.8
 91.7
 92.4
 (0.7)33.2
 32.1
 1.1
System optimization losses (gains), net0.1
 (37.8) 37.9
 39.7
 (48.1) 87.8
System optimization (gains) losses, net
 0.6
 (0.6)
Reorganization and realignment costs2.9
 2.1
 0.8
 20.8
 7.9
 12.9
0.8
 2.6
 (1.8)
Impairment of long-lived assets1.0
 0.4
 0.6
 1.8
 13.0
 (11.2)1.5
 0.2
 1.3
Other operating expense (income), net1.7
 0.9
 0.8
 5.3
 (13.5) 18.8
Other operating income, net(4.0) (1.2) (2.8)
246.3
 257.9
 (11.6) 766.0
 889.9
 (123.9)342.3
 325.3
 17.0
Operating profit61.7
 106.1
 (44.4) 148.2
 235.6
 (87.4)66.3
 55.3
 11.0
Interest expense(30.0) (28.7) (1.3) (87.9) (85.5) (2.4)
Other (loss) income, net(0.1) 0.5
 (0.6) 3.1
 1.0
 2.1
Interest expense, net(29.1) (30.2) 1.1
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
 (11.5) 11.5
Other income, net2.7
 0.8
 1.9
Income before income taxes31.6
 77.9
 (46.3) 63.4
 151.1
 (87.7)39.9
 14.4
 25.5
Provision for income taxes(17.3) (29.0) 11.7
 (28.6) (50.4) 21.8
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes(8.0) 5.8
 (13.8)
Net income$14.3
 $48.9
 $(34.6) $34.8
 $100.7
 $(65.9)$31.9
 $20.2
 $11.7

Third Quarter Nine MonthsFirst Quarter
2017 
% of
Total Revenues
 2016 
% of
Total Revenues
 2017 
% of
Total Revenues
 2016 
% of
Total Revenues
2019 
% of
Total Revenues
 2018 
% of
Total Revenues
Revenues:                      
Sales$158.8
 51.6% $228.6
 62.8% $467.9
 51.2% $747.2
 66.4%$167.7
 41.0% $153.7
 40.4%
Franchise royalty revenue and fees:                      
Royalty revenue93.7
 30.4% 87.9
 24.1% 275.0
 30.1% 255.0
 22.6%94.9
 23.2% 89.9
 23.6%
Franchise fees5.2
 1.7% 10.1
 2.8% 31.1
 3.4% 20.9
 1.9%7.1
 1.8% 8.0
 2.1%
Total franchise royalty revenue and fees98.9
 32.1% 98.0
 26.9% 306.1
 33.5% 275.9
 24.5%102.0
 25.0% 97.9
 25.7%
Franchise rental income50.3
 16.3% 37.4
 10.3% 140.2
 15.3% 102.4
 9.1%58.4
 14.3% 50.1
 13.2%
Advertising funds revenue80.5
 19.7% 78.9
 20.7%
Total revenues$308.0
 100.0% $364.0
 100.0% $914.2
 100.0% $1,125.5
 100.0%$408.6
 100.0% $380.6
 100.0%
                      
Third Quarter Nine MonthsFirst Quarter
2017 % of 
Sales
 2016 % of 
Sales
 2017 % of 
Sales
 2016 % of 
Sales
2019 % of 
Sales
 2018 % of 
Sales
Cost of sales:                      
Food and paper$51.8
 32.6% $69.3
 30.3% $147.1
 31.4% $226.9
 30.4%$52.2
 31.1% $48.9
 31.8%
Restaurant labor45.6
 28.7% 64.8
 28.4% 135.8
 29.0% 211.7
 28.3%51.7
 30.8% 46.8
 30.5%
Occupancy, advertising and other operating costs35.0
 22.0% 52.4
 22.9% 102.3
 21.9% 165.2
 22.1%38.7
 23.1% 36.5
 23.8%
Total cost of sales$132.4
 83.3% $186.5
 81.6% $385.2
 82.3% $603.8
 80.8%$142.6
 85.0% $132.2
 86.1%

 Third Quarter Nine Months
 2017 
% of
Sales
 2016 
% of
Sales
 2017 
% of
Sales
 2016 
% of
Sales
Restaurant margin$26.4
 16.7% $42.1
 18.4% $82.7
 17.7% $143.4
 19.2%
 First Quarter
 2019 
% of
Sales
 2018 
% of
Sales
Restaurant margin$25.1
 15.0% $21.5
 13.9%

The tables below present key business measures which are defined and further discussed in the “Executive Overview” section included herein.
Third Quarter Nine MonthsFirst Quarter
2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Key business measures:          
North America same-restaurant sales:       
North America same-restaurant sales growth:   
Company-operated(0.5)% 2.7% 0.7% 2.9%2.1% 0.8%
Franchised2.1 % 1.2% 2.4% 1.7%1.3% 1.7%
Systemwide2.0 % 1.4% 2.3% 1.8%1.3% 1.6%
          
Total same-restaurant sales:       
Global same-restaurant sales growth:   
Company-operated(0.5)% 2.7% 0.7% 2.9%2.1% 0.8%
Franchised (a)2.1 % 1.3% 2.4% 1.6%1.3% 1.8%
Systemwide (a)1.9 % 1.4% 2.3% 1.7%1.4% 1.8%
________________

(a) Includes international franchised same-restaurant sales (excluding Venezuela, and excluding Argentina in 2019, due to the impact of Venezuela’sthe highly inflationary economy)economies of those countries).

Third Quarter Nine MonthsFirst Quarter
2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018
Key business measures (continued):          
Systemwide sales: (a)          
Company-operated$158.8
 $228.6
 $467.9
 $747.2
$167.7
 $153.7
North America franchised2,347.2
 2,198.2
 6,897.4
 6,381.8
2,290.7
 2,250.7
North America systemwide2,458.4
 2,404.4
International franchised (b)119.4
 106.9
 351.6
 309.6
132.9
 127.2
Global systemwide sales$2,625.4
 $2,533.7
 $7,716.9
 $7,438.6
Global systemwide$2,591.3
 $2,531.6
________________

(a)During the thirdfirst quarter of 20172019 and 2016,2018, North America systemwide sales increased 3.0% and 1.8%2.8%, respectively, international franchised sales increased 13.4%10.1% and 9.0%13.7%, respectively, and global systemwide sales increased 3.4%3.3% and 2.1%, respectively, on a constant currency basis. During the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, North America systemwide sales increased 3.2% and 2.9%, respectively, international franchised sales increased 15.0% and 4.1%, respectively, and global systemwide sales increased 3.7% and 3.0%3.3%, respectively, on a constant currency basis.
(b)Excludes Venezuela, and excludes Argentina in 2019, due to the impact of Venezuela’sthe highly inflationary economy.economies of those countries.

Third QuarterFirst Quarter
Company-operated North America Franchised International Franchised SystemwideCompany-operated North America Franchised International Franchised Systemwide
Restaurant count:              
Restaurant count at July 2, 2017331
 5,762
 471
 6,564
Restaurant count at December 30, 2018353
 5,825
 533
 6,711
Opened4
 25
 13
 42

 29
 14
 43
Closed(2) (15) (3) (20)
 (24) (20) (44)
Restaurant count at October 1, 2017333
 5,772
 481
 6,586
       
Nine Months
Company-operated North America Franchised International Franchised Systemwide
       
Restaurant count at January 1, 2017330
 5,768
 439
 6,537
Opened7
 50
 53
 110
Closed(4) (46) (11) (61)
Restaurant count at October 1, 2017333
 5,772
 481
 6,586
Net purchased from (sold by) franchisees5
 (5) 
 
Restaurant count at March 31, 2019358
 5,825
 527
 6,710

SalesChangeFirst Quarter
Third
Quarter
 Nine
Months
2019 2018 Change
Sales$(69.8) $(279.3)$167.7
 $153.7
 $14.0

The decreaseincrease in sales for both the third quarter and the first nine monthsquarter of 20172019 was primarily due to a net increase in the impactnumber of Wendy’s Company-operated restaurants sold under our system optimization initiative, which resulted in operation during 2019 compared to 2018, as well as a reduction2.1% increase in sales of $74.1 million and $295.9 million during the third quarter and the first nine months of 2017, respectively. For the third quarter of 2017,Company-operated same-restaurant sales. Company-operated same-restaurant sales declinedimproved due to a decrease in customer count, which was partially offset by an increase in our average per customer check amount. A portion of the customer count decline in the third quarter of 2017 resulted from the hurricanes in the U.S. For the first nine months of 2017, Company-operated same-restaurant sales benefited from an increase in our average per customer check amount, which was partially offset by a decrease in customer count. Our per customer check amount increased during the third quarter and the first nine months of 2017 primarily due toreflecting benefits from strategic price increases on our menu items and changes in product mix. Sales also benefited from higher sales growth at our new and remodeled Image Activation restaurants.These benefits were partially offset by a decrease in customer count.

Franchise Royalty Revenue and FeesChangeFirst Quarter
Third
Quarter
 Nine
Months
2019 2018 Change
Royalty revenue$5.8
 $20.0
$94.9
 $89.9
 $5.0
Franchise fees(4.9) 10.2
7.1
 8.0
 (0.9)
$0.9
 $30.2
$102.0
 $97.9
 $4.1

The increase in franchise royalty revenue and fees during the thirdfirst quarter of 20172019 was primarily due to higher royalty revenue resulting from sales of Company-operated restaurants to franchisees under our system optimization initiative. Royalty revenue also benefited from a 2.1%1.3% increase in franchise same-restaurant sales. These increases were largely offsetRoyalty revenue was also positively impacted by a net increase in the number of franchise restaurants in operation. The decrease in franchise fees driven by lower initial franchise fees because no sales of Company-operated restaurants or franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers occurred during the third quarter of 2017.

The increase in franchise royalty revenue and fees during the first nine monthsquarter of 20172019 was primarily due to sales of Company-operated restaurantslower other miscellaneous franchise fees, partially offset by higher fees for providing information technology services to franchisees and facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers under our system optimization initiative. Royalty revenue also benefited from a 2.4% increase in franchise same-restaurant sales.franchisees.


Franchise Rental IncomeChangeFirst Quarter
Third
Quarter
 Nine
Months
2019 2018 Change
Franchise rental income$12.9
 $37.8
$58.4
 $50.1
 $8.3

The increase in franchise rental income during the thirdfirst quarter and the first nine months of 20172019 was primarily due to leasing and/or subleasing propertiesthe adoption of new accounting guidance for leases. Under the new guidance, lessees’ payments to franchisees in connectionthe Company for executory costs are recorded on a gross basis as revenue with the sale of Company-operated restaurants and facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers.a corresponding expense. See “Franchise Rental Expense” below.

Cost of Sales, as a Percent of SalesChange
 Third
Quarter
 Nine
Months
Food and paper2.3 % 1.0 %
Restaurant labor0.3 % 0.7 %
Occupancy, advertising and other operating costs(0.9)% (0.2)%
 1.7 % 1.5 %
Advertising Funds RevenueFirst Quarter
 2019 2018 Change
Advertising funds revenue$80.5
 $78.9
 $1.6

The Company maintains two national advertising funds established to collect and administer funds contributed for use in advertising and promotional programs for Company-operated and franchised restaurants in the U.S. and Canada. Franchisees make contributions to the national advertising funds based on a percentage of sales of the franchised restaurants. The increase in cost of sales, as a percent of sales,advertising funds revenue during the thirdfirst quarter of 20172019 was primarily due to ana 1.3% increase in commodity costs, reflecting higher beef and bacon costs.North America franchise same-restaurant sales, as well as a net increase in the number of North America franchise restaurants in operation. These increases were partially offset by reductions in advertising receipts under the Company’s new restaurant development incentive program.

Cost of Sales, as a Percent of SalesFirst Quarter
 2019 2018 Change
Food and paper31.1% 31.8% (0.7)%
Restaurant labor30.8% 30.5% 0.3 %
Occupancy, advertising and other operating costs23.1% 23.8% (0.7)%
 85.0% 86.1% (1.1)%

The increasedecrease in cost of sales, as a percent of sales, during the first nine monthsquarter of 20172019 was primarily due to the benefit of strategic price increases on our menu items and changes in product mix. These benefits were partially offset by an increase in commodity costs, reflecting higher chicken and bacon costs. The first nine months of 2017 were also negatively impacted by increased restaurant labor rates.rates and a decrease in customer count.

Franchise Rental ExpenseChange
 Third
Quarter
 Nine
Months
Franchise rental expense$6.6
 $15.1
Franchise Support and Other CostsFirst Quarter
 2019 2018 Change
Franchise support and other costs$6.0
 $6.2
 $(0.2)

Franchise support and other costs are primarily comprised of costs incurred to provide information technology and other services to our franchisees.

Franchise Rental ExpenseFirst Quarter
 2019 2018 Change
Franchise rental expense$32.4
 $23.3
 $9.1

The increase in franchise rental expense during the thirdfirst quarter and the first nine months of 20172019 was primarily due to subleasing properties to franchisees that were previously Company-operated restaurants and as such, had been previously recorded in costthe adoption of sales. Rental expense also increased as a result of entering into new leases in connection with facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfersaccounting guidance for purposes of subleasing such propertiesleases. Under the new guidance, lessees’ payments to the franchisee.

Company for executory costs are recorded on a gross basis as revenue with a corresponding expense. See “Franchise Rental Income” above.

General and AdministrativeChange
 Third
Quarter
 Nine
Months
Professional services$(5.5) $(11.7)
Employee compensation and related expenses(2.2) (7.7)
Severance(0.7) (3.5)
Share-based compensation(0.2) (2.4)
Incentive compensation1.1
 (2.0)
Other, net1.5
 (0.7)
 $(6.0) $(28.0)
Advertising Funds ExpenseFirst Quarter
 2019 2018 Change
Advertising funds expense$80.5
 $78.9
 $1.6

The decreaseincrease in general and administrative expensesadvertising funds expense during the thirdfirst quarter of 20172019 was primarily due to decreasesthe same factors as described above for advertising funds revenue. On an interim basis, advertising funds expense is recognized in (1) professional services dueproportion to legal and other costs associated with the cybersecurity incident recognized during the third quarter of 2016 (see “Item 1 - Financial Statements,” Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information) and (2) employee compensation and related expenses primarily as a result of changes in staffing driven by our system optimization initiative.advertising funds revenue.

General and AdministrativeFirst Quarter
 2019 2018 Change
Employee compensation and related expenses$41.0
 $41.5
 $(0.5)
Other, net8.3
 8.9
 (0.6)
 $49.3
 $50.4
 $(1.1)

The decrease in general and administrative expenses during the first nine monthsquarter of 20172019 was primarily due to decreases in (1) professional services due to legal and other costs associated with the cybersecurity incident recognized during the first nine months of 2016 (see “Item 1 - Financial Statements,” Note 14 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information), (2)lower employee compensation and related expenses, primarily as a result ofreflecting changes in staffing driven by our system optimization initiative, (3) severance expense, (4) share-based compensation primarily as a result of awards grantedG&A realignment plan, partially offset by additional expenditures to support our digital experience and timing of expense recognition and (5) incentive compensation accruals due to a decrease in operating performance as compared to plan in 2017 versus 2016.international organizations.

Depreciation and AmortizationChangeFirst Quarter
Third
Quarter
 Nine
Months
2019 2018 Change
Restaurants$(0.1) $(4.7)$21.9
 $20.7
 $1.2
Corporate and other1.9
 4.0
11.3
 11.4
 (0.1)
$1.8
 $(0.7)$33.2
 $32.1
 $1.1

The decreaseincrease in restaurant depreciation and amortization during the thirdfirst quarter and the first nine months of 20172019 was primarily due to a decrease in depreciation on assets sold under our system optimization initiative of $0.2 million and $3.9 million, respectively. Corporate and other depreciation expense increased due to an increase in accelerated depreciation and amortization for technology investments.on existing assets that are being replaced as part of our Image Activation program.

System Optimization Losses (Gains), NetThird Quarter Nine Months
 2017 2016 2017 2016
System optimization losses (gains), net$0.1
 $(37.8) $39.7
 $(48.1)
System Optimization (Gains) Losses, NetFirst Quarter
 2019 2018 Change
System optimization (gains) losses, net$
 $0.6
 $(0.6)

The change in systemSystem optimization (gains) losses, (gains), net was because no salesfor the first quarter 2018 were comprised of Company-operated restaurants occurred during the third quarter of 2017, compared withlosses on the sale of 156 restaurants during the third quartersurplus properties and post-closing adjustments on previous sales of 2016.

The change in system optimization losses (gains), net during the first nine months of 2017 was due to the DavCo and NPC transactions, which resulted in a loss of $43.1 million during the first nine months of 2017. During the first nine months of 2016, the Company sold 211 Company-operated restaurants to franchisees.

restaurants.

Reorganization and Realignment CostsThird Quarter Nine Months
 2017 2016 2017 2016
System optimization initiative$0.2
 $2.1
 $0.9
 $6.9
G&A realignment - November 2014 plan
 
 
 1.0
G&A realignment - May 2017 plan2.7
 
 19.9
 
 $2.9
 $2.1
 $20.8
 $7.9

During the third quarter of 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized costs associated with its system optimization initiative totaling $0.2 million and $2.1 million, respectively. In both the third quarter of 2017 and 2016, costs primarily included professional fees.

During the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized costs associated with its system optimization initiative totaling $0.9 million and $6.9 million, respectively. In the first nine months of 2017, costs primarily included professional fees. In the first nine months of 2016, costs primarily included professional fees of $5.1 million and accelerated amortization of previously acquired franchise rights of $1.6 million.

In November 2014, the Company initiated the realignment of its U.S. field operations and Restaurant Support Center in Dublin, Ohio to reduce its G&A expenses. During the first nine months of 2016, the Company recognized costs associated with this plan totaling $1.0 million, which primarily included recruitment and relocation costs. The Company did not incur any expenses during the first nine months of 2017 and does not expect to incur additional costs related to the plan.
Reorganization and Realignment CostsFirst Quarter
 2019 2018 Change
G&A realignment$0.8
 $2.6
 $(1.8)

In May 2017, the Company initiated a newG&A realignment plan to further reduce its G&A expenses. During the thirdfirst quarter of 2017,2019, the Company recognized costs associated with thisthe plan totaling $2.7$0.8 million, which primarily included (1) severance and related employee costs of $1.2$0.5 million, (2) share-based compensation of $0.8$0.2 million and (3) third-partyrecruitment and otherrelocation costs of $0.5$0.1 million.

During the first nine monthsquarter of 2017,2018, the Company recognized costs associated with its May 2017the plan totaling $19.9$2.6 million, which primarily included (1) severance and related employee costs of $14.4$2.1 million, (2) share-based compensation of $4.5 million and (3) third-party and other costs of $0.8$0.3 million and (3) share-based compensation of $0.1 million.

Impairment of Long-Lived AssetsChangeFirst Quarter
Third
Quarter
 Nine
Months
2019 2018 Change
Impairment of long-lived assets$0.6
 $(11.2)$1.5
 $0.2
 $1.3

Impairment of long-lived assets increasedThe change in impairment charges during the thirdfirst quarter of 20172019 was primarily due to the deteriorationdriven by variations in operating performance of certainlosses resulting from closing Company-operated restaurants and chargesclassifying such surplus properties as held for capital improvements in previously impaired restaurants that did not subsequently recover.sale.

Impairment of long-lived assets decreased during the first nine months of 2017 primarily due to lower impairment charges resulting from the remeasurement of properties to fair value upon determination that the assets will be leased and/or subleased to franchisees in connection with the sale of Company-operated restaurants. This decrease was partially offset by higher impairment charges due to the deterioration in operating performance of certain Company-operated restaurants and charges for capital improvements in previously impaired restaurants that did not subsequently recover.

Other Operating Expense (Income), NetThird Quarter Nine Months
Other Operating Income, NetFirst Quarter
2017 2016 2017 20162019 2018 Change
Gains on sales-type leases$(1.9) $
 $(1.9)
Lease buyout$0.2
 $
 $0.1
 $(11.6)(0.2) 0.6
 (0.8)
Equity in earnings in joint ventures, net(2.3) (2.2) (6.1) (6.5)
Other, net3.8
 3.1
 11.3
 4.6
(1.9) (1.8) (0.1)
$1.7
 $0.9
 $5.3
 $(13.5)$(4.0) $(1.2) $(2.8)

The change in other operating expense (income),income, net during the third quarter of 2017 was primarily due to costs incurred to provide information technology services to our franchisees, as well as costs related to facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers.

Other operating expense (income), net during the first nine months of 2017 includes costs incurred to provide information technology services to our franchisees, as well as costs related to facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers. The first nine months of 2016 includes a gain recognized on a lease buyout during the first quarter of 2016.2019 was primarily due to (1) gains on new and modified sales-type leases as a result of the new accounting guidance for leases and (2) lease buyout activity.

Interest ExpenseChange
 Third
Quarter
 Nine
Months
Interest expense$1.3
 $2.4
Interest Expense, NetFirst Quarter
 2019 2018 Change
Interest expense, net$29.1
 $30.2
 $(1.1)

Interest expense, increasednet decreased during the thirdfirst quarter and the first nine months of 20172019 primarily due to an increase in capitalthe timing of interest expense on the Company’s finance lease obligations resulting from facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers and subleasing such properties to the franchisee.obligations.

Provision for Income TaxesThird Quarter Nine Months
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Income before income taxes$31.6
 $77.9
 $63.4
 $151.1
Provision for income taxes17.3
 29.0
 28.6
 50.4
Effective tax rate on income54.8% 37.2% 45.2% 33.3%
Loss on Early Extinguishment of DebtFirst Quarter
 2019 2018 Change
Loss on early extinguishment of debt$
 $11.5
 $(11.5)

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company incurred a loss on the early extinguishment of debt as a result of redeeming the outstanding Series 2015-1 Class A-2-I Notes with the proceeds from the sale of the Series 2018-1 Class A-2 Notes in connection with the refinancing of a portion of our securitized financing facility. The loss on the early extinguishment of debt of $11.5 million was comprised of the write-off of certain deferred financing costs and a specified make-whole payment.

Other Income, NetFirst Quarter
 2019 2018 Change
Other income, net$2.7
 $0.8
 $1.9

Other income, net increased during the first quarter of 2019 primarily due to higher interest income earned on our cash equivalents.

(Provision for) Benefit from Income TaxesFirst Quarter
 2019 2018 Change
Income before income taxes$39.9
 $14.4
 $25.5
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes(8.0) 5.8
 (13.8)
Effective tax rate on income20.0% (40.5)% 60.5%

Our effective tax rates in the thirdfirst quarter of 20172019 and 20162018 were impacted by variations in income before income taxes, adjusted for recurring items such as non-deductible expenses and state income taxes, as well as non-recurring discrete items. Discrete items, which may occur in any given year but are not consistent from year to year, include the following: (1) our system optimization initiative, (2) state income taxes net of federal benefits, including non-recurring changes to state deferred taxes, (3) the adoption of an amendment issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), which requires that excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to share-based payments, be recognized in net income (see “Item 1 - Financial Statements,” Note 15 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information) and (4) the rate differential between foreign and domestic taxes.

Our effective tax rates in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016 were impacted by variations in income before income taxes, adjusted for recurring items such as non-deductible expenses and state income taxes, as well as non-recurring discrete items. Discrete items, which may occur in any given year but are not consistent from year to year include the following: (1) our system optimization initiative (including corrections to prior years identified and recorded in the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, which resulted in a benefit of $2.2$2.0 million in the first quarter of 2019 and $7.1a benefit of $6.1 million respectively),for the first quarter of 2018, (2) a change to our provisional amount, recorded in the adoptionfirst quarter of an amendment issued by2018, for the FASB, which requires that excess tax benefitsimpact of the Tax Cuts and tax deficiencies related to share-based payments be recognized in net income,Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”), which resulted in a benefit of $5.2$3.6 million, in the first nine months of 2017 (see “Item 1 - Financial Statements,” Note 15 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information),and (3) state income taxes net of federal benefits, including non-recurring changes to state deferred taxes, and (4) the rate differential between foreign and domestic taxes.

The impact of our system optimization initiative on the provision for income taxes included the effects of changes to our state deferred taxes and valuation allowances on state net operating losses caused by the shifting relative taxable presence in the various states as our system optimization initiative is executed, and the disposition of non-deductible goodwill. These items, which are non-recurring, increased the provision for income taxes by $5.0 million and $2.3 million during the third quarter of 2017 and 2016, respectively, and increased the provision for income taxes by $7.1 million and decreased the provision by $1.3 million during the first nine months of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Deferred income taxes are not recorded for temporary differences related to our investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries that we consider permanently invested outside of the U.S. At October 1, 2017, our cash balances held outside of the U.S. totaled $107.7 million.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

The tables included throughout Liquidity and Capital Resources present dollars in millions.

Cash Flows

Our primary sources of liquidity and capital resources are cash flows from operations and borrowings under our securitized
financing facility. Principal uses of cash are operating expenses, capital expenditures, repurchases of common stock and dividends to shareholders.stockholders.

Our anticipated consolidated sources of cash and cash requirements for the remainder of 2017,2019, exclusive of operating cash flow requirements, consist principally of:

capital expenditures of approximately $26.0$64.0 million to $31.0$69.0 million, resulting in total anticipated cash capital expenditures for the year of approximately $80.0$75.0 million to $85.0 million.$80.0 million;

cash dividends aggregating up to approximately $17.0$69.2 million as discussed below in “Dividends;” and

potential stock repurchases of up to $59.1$217.1 million, of which $6.6$5.7 million was repurchased subsequent to OctoberMarch 31, 2019 through May 1, 2017 through November 2, 20172019, as discussed below in “Stock Repurchases.”

Based on current levels of operations, the Company expects that available cash and cash flows from operations will provide sufficient liquidity to meet operating cash requirements for the next 12 months.

The table below summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the first ninethree months of 20172019 and 2016:2018:
Nine MonthsFirst Quarter
2017 2016 Change2019 2018 Change
Net cash provided by (used in):          
Operating activities$176.7
 $137.3
 $39.4
$62.0
 $68.7
 $(6.7)
Investing activities(38.1) 62.5
 (100.6)(15.9) (11.1) (4.8)
Financing activities(156.9) (222.2) 65.3
(62.5) (25.7) (36.8)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash6.7
 4.0
 2.7
1.9
 (2.5) 4.4
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents$(11.6) $(18.4) $6.8
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$(14.5) $29.4
 $(43.9)

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities was $176.7$62.0 million and $137.3$68.7 million in the first nine monthsquarter of 20172019 and 2016,2018, respectively. Cash provided by operating activities consists primarily of net income, adjusted for non-cash expenses such as depreciation and amortization, deferred income tax and share-based compensation, and the net change in operating assets and liabilities.

Cash provided by operating activities increased $39.4decreased $6.7 million during the first nine monthsquarter of 20172019 as compared to the first nine monthsquarter of 2016,2018, primarily due to (1) an increasethe timing of $19.7 million incollections of royalty receivables and (2) the timing of payments for marketing expenses of the national advertising funds. These unfavorable changes were partially offset by (1) higher net income, adjusted for non-cash expenses, and (2) a favorable change in operating assets and liabilities of $19.7 million. The favorable change in operating assets and liabilities resulted primarily from a decrease in income tax payments, net of refunds and a decrease in payments for incentive compensation for the 2016 fiscal year.compensation.

Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities increased $100.6$4.8 million during the first nine monthsquarter of 20172019 as compared to the first nine monthsquarter of 2016,2018, primarily due to (1) a decreasean increase in proceedscash used for the Company’s acquisition of restaurants from dispositionsfranchisees of Company-operated restaurants and other assets of $164.5$5.1 million and (2) net cash usedan increase in the DavCo and NPC transactionscapital expenditures of $16.1$0.6 million. These unfavorable changes were partially offset by (1) a decreasean increase in proceeds received from notes receivable due from franchisees of $55.0 million in capital expenditures and (2) a decrease of $21.7 million in restricted cash for the reinvestment in capital assets under our securitized financing facility.$1.1 million.


Financing Activities

Cash used in financing activities decreased $65.3increased $36.8 million during the first nine monthsquarter of 20172019 as compared to the first nine monthsquarter of 2016,2018, primarily due to (1) a net decrease in cash provided by long-term debt activities of $46.2 million, reflecting the completion of a refinancing transaction during the first quarter of 2018, (2) an increase in dividends of $2.7 million and (3) a decrease in proceeds from stock option exercises, net of payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation, of $1.9 million. These changes were partially offset by (1) a decrease in repurchases of common stock of $71.1 million.$8.4 million and (2) the settlement of a supplemental purchase price liability associated with the acquisition of 140 Wendy’s restaurants from DavCo Restaurants, LLC of $6.1 million during the first quarter of 2018.

Dividends

On March 15, 2017, June 15, 2017 and September 15, 2017, The Wendy’s2019 the Company paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.07$0.10 per share on its common stock, aggregating $51.5$23.1 million. On November 2, 2017, The Wendy’sMay 8, 2019, the Company declared a dividend of $0.07$0.10 per share to be paid on December 15, 2017June 17, 2019 to shareholdersstockholders of record as of December 1, 2017. As a resultJune 3, 2019. If the Company pays regular quarterly cash dividends for the remainder of 2019 at the declaration, The Wendy’ssame rate as declared in the second quarter of 2019, the Company’s total cash requirementsrequirement for dividends for the fourth quarterremainder of 2017 will2019 would be approximately $17.0$69.2 million based on the number of shares of its common stock outstanding at November 2, 2017.May 1, 2019. The Wendy’s Company currently intends to continue to declare and pay quarterly cash dividends; however, there can be no assurance that any additional quarterly dividends will be declared or paid in the future or of the amount or timing of such dividends, if any.

Stock Repurchases

In February 2017,2019, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $150.0$225.0 million of our common stock through March 4, 2018,1, 2020, when and if market conditions warrant and to the extent legally permissible. In connection with the February 2019 authorization, the Company’s previous November 2018 repurchase authorization for up to $220.0 million of our common stock was canceled. During the ninethree months ended October 1, 2017,March 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 6.11.7 million shares with an aggregate purchase price of $90.9$29.3 million, of which $0.9$0.3 million was accrued at October 1, 2017March 31, 2019, and excluding commissions, of $0.1 million.under the November 2018 and February 2019 authorizations. As of October 1, 2017,March 31, 2019, the Company had $59.1$217.1 million of availability remaining under its February 20172019 authorization. Subsequent to OctoberMarch 31, 2019 through May 1, 2017 through November 2, 2017,2019, the Company repurchased 0.40.3 million shares under the February 2019 authorization with an aggregate purchase price of $6.6$5.7 million, excluding commissions.

On June 1, 2015,In February 2018, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $1,400.0$175.0 million of our common stock through January 1, 2017,March 3, 2019, when and if market conditions warranted and to the extent legally permissible. During the ninethree months ended October 2, 2016,April 1, 2018, the Company repurchased 16.01.0 million shares with an aggregate purchase price of $162.3$16.7 million, of which $3.0$1.3 million was accrued at October 2, 2016April 1, 2018, and excluding commissionscommissions. Additionally, during the three months ended April 1, 2018, the Company completed its previous February 2017 repurchase authorization for up to $150.0 million of $0.2 million.our common stock with the repurchase of 1.4 million shares with an aggregate purchase price of $22.6 million, excluding commissions.

General Inflation, Commodities and Changing Prices

We believe that general inflation did not have a significant effect on our condensed consolidated results of operations during the reporting periods.operations. We attempt to manage any inflationary costs and commodity price increases primarily through product mix and selective menu price increases. Delays in implementing such menu price increases and competitive pressures may limit our ability to recover such cost increases in the future. Inherent volatility experienced in certain commodity markets, such as those for beef, chicken, corn, pork, cheese and cheesegrains, could have an unfavorablea significant effect on our results of operations and may have an adverse effect on us in the future. The extent of any impact will depend on our ability to manage such volatility through product mix and timing to increase food prices.selective menu price increases.

Seasonality

OurWendy’s restaurant operations are moderately impacted by seasonality;seasonal. Wendy’s average restaurant revenuessales are normally higher during the summer months than during the winter months. Because ourthe business is moderately seasonal, results for any futurea particular quarter willare not necessarily be indicative of the results that may be achieved for any other quarter or for the full fiscal year.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

As of October 1, 2017March 31, 2019, there were no material changes from the information contained in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2017.

December 30, 2018.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The management of the Company, under the supervision and with the participation of its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of October 1, 2017.March 31, 2019. Based on such evaluations, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of October 1, 2017,March 31, 2019, the disclosure controls and procedures of the Company were effective at a reasonable assurance level in (1) recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act and (2) ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The Company completed implementation of a new lease accounting system for its adoption of the new lease accounting standard in the first quarter of 2019. Internal controls and processes have been designed to address changes in the business applications and financial processes as a result of this implementation. There were no other changes in the internal control over financial reporting of the Company during the thirdfirst quarter of 20172019 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any control system, including the potential for human error and the possible circumvention or overriding of controls and procedures. Additionally, judgments in decision-making can be faulty and breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. An effective control system can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control objectives of the system are adequately met. Accordingly, the management of the Company, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that the control system can prevent or detect all errors or fraud. Finally, projections of any evaluation or assessment of effectiveness of a control system to future periods are subject to the risks that, over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in an entity’s operating environment or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Projections

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may contain or incorporate by reference certain statements that are not historical facts, including, most importantly, information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company. Those statements, as well as statements preceded by, followed by, or that include the words “may,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” or the negation thereof, or similar expressions, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”). All statements that address future operating, financial or business performance; strategies, initiatives or expectations; future synergies, efficiencies or overhead savings; anticipated costs or charges; future capitalization; and anticipated financial impacts of recent or pending transactions are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. The forward-looking statements are based on our expectations at the time such statements are made, speak only as of the dates they are made and are susceptible to a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors. Our actual results, performance and achievements may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by our forward-looking statements. For all of our forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Reform Act. Many important factors could affect our future results and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained herein. Such factors, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately, and many of which are beyond our control, include, but are not limited to, the following:

competition, including pricing pressures, couponing, aggressive marketing and the potential impact of competitors’ new unit openings on sales of Wendy’s restaurants;

consumers’ perceptions of the relative quality, variety, affordability and value of the food products we offer;offer, and changes in consumer tastes and preferences;

food safety events, including instances of food-borne illness (such as salmonella or E. coli) involving Wendy’s or its supply chain;

consumer concerns over nutritional aspects of beef, poultry,chicken, french fries or other products we sell, concerns regarding the ingredients in our products and/or the cooking processes used in our restaurants, or concerns regarding the effects ofrestaurants;

conditions beyond our control, such as weather, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics impacting the Company’sour customers or food supplies;supplies, or acts of war or terrorism;

the effects of negative publicity that can occur from increased use of social media;

success of operating and marketing initiatives, including advertising and promotional efforts and new product and concept development by us and our competitors;

the impact of generalprevailing economic, market and business conditions affecting us, including competition from other food service providers, unemployment and increases in unemployment rates ondecreased consumer spending levels, particularly in geographic regions that contain a high concentration of Wendy’s restaurants;

changes in consumer tastes and preferences, and in discretionary consumer spending;

changes inthe quick-service restaurant industry, spending patterns and demographic trends, such as the extent to which consumers eatconsumer trends toward value-oriented products and promotions or toward consuming fewer meals away from home;

certain factors affecting our franchisees, including the business and financial viability of franchisees, the timely payment of such franchisees’ obligations due to us or to national or local advertising organizations, and the ability of our franchisees to open new restaurants and remodelreimage existing restaurants in accordance with their development and franchise commitments, including their ability to finance restaurant development and remodels;reimages;

increased labor costs due to competition or increased minimum wage or employee benefit costs;     

changes in commodity costs (including beef, chicken, pork, cheese and corn)grains), labor, supplies, fuel, utilities, distribution and other operating costs;

the availability locationof suitable locations and terms of sites for restaurant development by us and our franchisees;

development costs, including real estate and construction costs;


delays in opening new restaurants or completing reimages of existing restaurants, including risks associated with theour Image Activation program;

the timingability to effectively manage the acquisition and impactdisposition of acquisitions and dispositions of restaurants;restaurants or successfully implement other strategic initiatives;

anticipated or unanticipated restaurant closures by us and our franchisees;

our ability to identify, attract and retain potential franchisees with sufficient experience and financial resources to develop and operate Wendy’s restaurants successfully;

availability of qualified restaurant personnel to us and to our franchisees, and the ability to retain such personnel;

our ability, if necessary, to secure alternative distribution of supplies of food, equipment and other products to Wendy’s restaurants at competitive rates and in adequate amounts, and the potential financial impact of any interruptions in such distribution;

availability and cost of insurance;

adverse weather conditions;

availability, terms (including changes in interest rates) and deployment of capital;capital, and changes in debt, equity and securities markets;

changes in, and our ability to comply with, legal, regulatory or similar requirements, including franchising laws, payment card industry rules, overtime rules, minimum wage rates, wage and hour laws, government-mandated health care benefits, tax legislation, federal ethanol policy and accounting standards, policies and practices (including the amended guidance for revenue recognitionchanges to lease accounting standards that will become effective for the Company’s 2018 fiscal year and that may impact the Company’s adjusted EBITDA margin goal for 2020, as well as the new guidance on leases that will becomeare effective for fiscal year 2019);

the costs, uncertainties and other effects of legal, environmental and administrative proceedings;

the effects of charges for impairment of goodwill or for the impairment of other long-lived assets;

the effects of war or terrorist activities;

risks associated with failures, interruptions or security breaches of the Company’sour computer systems or technology, or the occurrence of cyber incidents or a deficiency in cybersecurity that impacts the Companyus or itsour franchisees, including the cybersecurity incident described in Item 1 below;

the difficulty in predicting the impact of the sale of Company-operated restaurants to franchisees on ongoing operations, any tax impact from the sale of restaurants and the future impact to the Company’s earnings, restaurant operating margins, cash flow and depreciation;Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2019 (the “Form 10-K”);

the difficulty in predicting the ultimate costs that will be incurred in connection with the Company’sour plan to reduce its general and administrative expense, and the future impact on the Company’sour earnings;

risks associated with the Company’sour securitized financing facility and other debt agreements, including the ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet increased debt service obligations, compliance with operational and financial covenants, and restrictions on the Company’sour ability to raise additional capital;

risks associated with the amount and timing of share repurchases under the $150.0 million share repurchase programprograms approved by theour Board of Directors;

risks associated with the proposed settlement of the Financial Institutions case described in the Form 10-K, including the timing and amount of payments;

risks associated with our digital commerce strategy, platforms and technologies, including our ability to adapt to changes in industry trends and consumer preferences;

risks associated with our evolving organizational and leadership structure; and


other risks and uncertainties affecting us and our subsidiaries referred to in our Annual Report onthe Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 2017 (the “Form 10-K”) (see especially “Item 1A. Risk Factors” and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”) and in our other current and periodic filings with the SEC.

Securities and Exchange Commission.

All future written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or any person acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements after the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as a result of new information, future events or developments, except as required by federal securities laws. In addition, it is our policy generallywe do not to endorse any projections regarding future performance that may be made by third parties.

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

We areThe Company is involved in litigation and claims incidental to our current and prior businesses. We provide accruals for such litigation and claims when payment is probable and reasonably estimable. The Company believes it has adequate accruals for continuing operations for all of its legal and environmental matters. We cannot estimate the aggregate possible range of loss duefor various reasons, including, but not limited to, mostmany proceedings including those described below, being in preliminary stages, with various motions either yet to be submitted or pending, discovery yet to occur andand/or significant factual matters unresolved. In addition, most cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages and many involve multiple parties. Predicting the outcomes of settlement discussions or judicial or arbitral decisions is thus inherently difficult. Based on our currently available information, including legal defenses availabledifficult and future developments could cause these actions or claims, individually or in aggregate, to us, and given the aforementioned accruals and our insurance coverage, we do not believe that the outcome of these legal and environmental matters will have a material adverse effect on our consolidatedthe Company’s financial position orcondition, results of operations.

We previously described certain legal proceedings under Item 1operations, or cash flows of Part II in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the second quarter of 2017, as filed with the SEC on August 9, 2017. Except as set forth below, there were no material developments in those legal proceedings during the third quarter of 2017.

As we previously reported, the Company has been named as a defendant in putative class action lawsuits alleging, among other things, that the Company failed to safeguard customer credit card information and failed to provide notice that credit card information had been compromised.  Jonathan Torres and other consumers filed an action in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida (the “Torres case”). The operative complaint seeks to certify a nationwide class of consumers, or in the alternative, statewide classes of consumers for Florida, New York, New Jersey, Texas, and Tennessee, as well as statewide classes of consumers under those states’ consumer protection and unfair trade practices laws. On October 27, 2017, the Company moved to dismiss the operative complaint. The Company’s motion is pending before the court.particular reporting period.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

In addition to the information contained in this report, you should carefully consider the risk factors disclosed in our Form 10-K, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. Except as set forth below or as may otherwise be described elsewhere in this report, there have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Form 10-K.

Our success depends in part upon the continued succession and retention of certain key personnel and the effectiveness of our leadership structure.

We believe that over time our success has been dependent to a significant extent upon the efforts and abilities of our senior management team.  Our failure to retain members of our senior management team in the future could adversely affect our ability to build on the efforts we have undertaken to increase the efficiency and profitability of our business.  In addition, changes to our leadership and organizational structure can be inherently difficult to manage and if the Company is unable to implement any such changes effectively, our business and financial results could be adversely affected.




Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

The following table provides information with respect to repurchases of shares of our common stock by us and our “affiliated purchasers” (as defined in Rule 10b-18(a)(3) under the Exchange Act) during the thirdfirst quarter of 20172019:

Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

PeriodTotal Number of Shares Purchased (1)
Average
Price Paid
per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans (2)
July 3, 2017
through
August 6, 2017
934,795

$15.64
917,452

$83,214,931
August 7, 2017
through
September 3, 2017
877,515

$15.11
795,500

$71,230,388
September 4, 2017
through
October 1, 2017
806,500

$15.03
806,500

$59,123,593
Total2,618,810

$15.27
2,519,452

$59,123,593
PeriodTotal Number of Shares Purchased (1)
Average
Price Paid
per Share
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans
Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans (2)
December 31, 2018
through
February 3, 2019
952,531

$16.52
944,894

$131,809,733
February 4, 2019
through
March 3, 2019
783,530

$17.43
441,040

$223,112,505
March 4, 2019
through
March 31, 2019
359,293

$16.77
358,137

$217,111,625
Total2,095,354

$16.91
1,744,071

$217,111,625

(1)Includes 99,358351,283 shares reacquired by the Company from holders of share-based awards to satisfy certain requirements associated with the vesting or exercise of the respective awards. The shares were valued at the average of the high and low trading prices of our common stock on the vesting or exercise date of such awards.

(2)In February 2017,2019, our Board of Directors authorized thea repurchase ofprogram for up to $150$225.0 million of our common stock through March 4, 2018,1, 2020, when and if market conditions warrant and to the extent legally permissible. In connection with the February 2019 authorization, the Company’s previous November 2018 repurchase authorization for up to $220.0 million of our common stock was canceled.

Subsequent to OctoberMarch 31, 2019 through May 1, 2017 through November 2, 2017,2019, the Company repurchased 0.40.3 million shares under the February 2019 authorization with an aggregate purchase price of $6.6$5.7 million, excluding commissions.


Item 6. Exhibits.
EXHIBIT NO.DESCRIPTION
  
10.1
31.1
31.2
32.1
101.INSXBRL Instance Document*
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document*
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document*
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document*
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document*
____________________
*Filed herewith.
**Identifies a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
THE WENDY’S COMPANY
(Registrant)
Date: NovemberMay 8, 20172019
 
 
By: /s/ Gunther Plosch                                                             
 Gunther Plosch
 Chief Financial Officer
 (On behalf of the Company)registrant)
  
Date: NovemberMay 8, 20172019
By: /s/ Leigh A. Burnside                                                        
 Leigh A. Burnside
 
Senior Vice President, Finance and
Chief Accounting Officer
 (Principal Accounting Officer)












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