Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

Fair Value of Financial Instruments [Abstract]

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block]

	March 31, 2013				December 30, 2012
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements
Financial assets
Cash equivalents	$	242,545	$	242,545	$	264,925	$	264,925	Level 1
Non-current cost method investments (a)	23,762		51,061		23,913		50,761		Level 3
Interest rate swaps (b)	6,791		6,791		8,169		8,169		Level 2
Financial liabilities
Term Loan, due in 2019 (c)	1,109,611		1,127,770		1,114,826		1,130,434		Level 2
6.20% senior notes, due in 2014 (c)	225,788		235,800		225,940		240,750		Level 2
7% debentures, due in 2025 (c)	83,788		101,000		83,496		99,900		Level 2
Capital lease obligations (d)	36,005		36,068		32,594		33,299		Level 3
Guarantees of franchisee loan obligations (e)	933		933		940		940		Level 3

_______________

(a) The fair value of our indirect investment in Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc. (“Arby’s”) is based on a review of its current unaudited financial information. The fair values of our remaining investments were based on our review of information provided by the investment managers or investees which was based on (1) valuations performed by the investment managers or investees, (2) quoted market or broker/dealer prices for similar investments and (3) quoted market or broker/dealer prices adjusted by the investment managers for legal or contractual restrictions, risk of nonperformance or lack of marketability, depending upon the underlying investments.

(b) The fair values were based on information provided by the bank counterparties that is model-driven and where inputs were observable or where significant value drivers were observable.

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

(d) The fair values were determined by discounting the future scheduled principal payments using an interest rate assuming the same original issuance spread over a current U.S. Treasury bond yield for securities with similar durations.

(e) Wendy’s has provided loan guarantees to various lenders on behalf of franchisees entering into pooled debt facility arrangements for new restaurant development and equipment financing. 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 adjusted for a history of defaults.