Advertising Costs and Funds

We currently participate in two national advertising funds (the “Advertising Funds”) established to collect and administer funds contributed for use in advertising and promotional programs. Contributions to the Advertising Funds are required from both company-owned and franchised restaurants and are based on a percentage of restaurant sales. In addition to the contributions to the various Advertising Funds, company-owned and franchised restaurants make additional contributions to other local and regional advertising programs.

Restricted assets and related liabilities of the Advertising Funds at January 3, 2016 and December 28, 2014 were as follows:



	Year End
	2015			2014
Cash and cash equivalents	$	13,704		$	15,085
Accounts and notes receivable	50,231			42,717
Other assets	3,464			7,506
Total assets	$	67,399		$	65,308

Accounts payable	$	3,872		$	3,736
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	64,603			70,206
Member’s deficit	(1,076		)	(8,634		)
Total liabilities and deficit	$	67,399		$	65,308

Our advertising expenses in 2015, 2014 and 2013 totaled $64,312, $73,454 and $94,498, respectively.