10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 29, 2020

or

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 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 registrant 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)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $.10 par value	WEN	The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC

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 ☒ 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 ☒ 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	☒	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 ☒

There were 222,692,815 shares of The Wendy’s Company common stock outstanding as of April 29, 2020.

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

	Page
PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements	4
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019	4
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019	5
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019	6
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019	7
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019	8
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	9
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	26
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	40
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	40
PART II: OTHER INFORMATION	42
Item 1. Legal Proceedings	43
Item 1A. Risk Factors	44
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	46
Item 6. Exhibits	47
Signatures	48

3

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands Except Par Value)

	March 29, 2020			December 29, 2019
ASSETS	(Unaudited)
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	294,890		$	300,195
Restricted cash	53,459			34,539
Accounts and notes receivable, net	80,999			117,461
Inventories	4,558			3,891
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37,969			15,585
Advertising funds restricted assets	120,008			82,376
Total current assets	591,883			554,047
Properties	949,006			977,000
Finance lease assets	202,718			200,144
Operating lease assets	839,068			857,199
Goodwill	748,640			755,911
Other intangible assets	1,240,425			1,247,212
Investments	42,778			45,949
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases	258,816			256,606
Other assets	108,382			100,461
Total assets	$	4,981,716		$	4,994,529
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	$	150,918		$	22,750
Current portion of finance lease liabilities	9,979			11,005
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	43,670			43,775
Accounts payable	22,537			22,701
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	80,142			165,272
Advertising funds restricted liabilities	123,513			84,195
Total current liabilities	430,759			349,698
Long-term debt	2,244,930			2,257,561
Long-term finance lease liabilities	488,039			480,847
Long-term operating lease liabilities	881,005			897,737
Deferred income taxes	270,019			270,759
Deferred franchise fees	90,628			91,790
Other liabilities	125,261			129,778
Total liabilities	4,530,641			4,478,170
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 1,500,000 shares authorized;      470,424 shares issued; 222,571 and 224,889 shares outstanding, respectively	47,042			47,042
Additional paid-in capital	2,889,836			2,874,001
Retained earnings	173,366			185,725
Common stock held in treasury, at cost; 247,853 and 245,535 shares, respectively	(2,592,834		)	(2,536,581		)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(66,335		)	(53,828		)
Total stockholders’ equity	451,075			516,359
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	4,981,716		$	4,994,529

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
	(Unaudited)
Revenues:
Sales	$	166,798		$	167,697
Franchise royalty revenue and fees	101,705			101,953
Franchise rental income	57,856			58,452
Advertising funds revenue	78,601			80,481
	404,960			408,583
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	149,999			142,579
Franchise support and other costs	8,013			6,018
Franchise rental expense	29,301			32,451
Advertising funds expense	79,988			80,481
General and administrative	51,639			49,313
Depreciation and amortization	31,046			33,185
System optimization gains, net	(323		)	(12		)
Reorganization and realignment costs	3,910			798
Impairment of long-lived assets	4,587			1,486
Other operating income, net	(1,932		)	(3,982		)
	356,228			342,317
Operating profit	48,732			66,266
Interest expense, net	(28,525		)	(29,082		)
Other income, net	1,076			2,700
Income before income taxes	21,283			39,884
Provision for income taxes	(6,842		)	(7,990		)
Net income	$	14,441		$	31,894
Basic and diluted net income per share	$	.06		$	.14

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In Thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
	(Unaudited)
Net income	$	14,441		$	31,894
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(12,507		)	6,025
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(12,507		)	6,025
Comprehensive income	$	1,934		$	37,919

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In Thousands)

	Common Stock		Additional Paid-In Capital			Retained Earnings			Common Stock Held in Treasury			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss			Total
	(Unaudited)
Balance at December 29, 2019	$	47,042	$	2,874,001		$	185,725		$	(2,536,581	)	$	(53,828	)	$	516,359
Net income	—		—			14,441			—			—			14,441
Other comprehensive loss	—		—			—			—			(12,507		)	(12,507		)
Cash dividends	—		—			(26,793		)	—			—			(26,793		)
Repurchases of common stock, including accelerated share repurchase	—		15,000			—			(58,336		)	—			(43,336		)
Share-based compensation	—		4,539			—			—			—			4,539
Common stock issued upon exercises of stock options	—		280			—			1,330			—			1,610
Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted shares	—		(4,017		)	—			726			—			(3,291		)
Other	—		33			(7		)	27			—			53
Balance at March 29, 2020	$	47,042	$	2,889,836		$	173,366		$	(2,592,834	)	$	(66,335	)	$	451,075
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	—		—			—			—			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.

7

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
	(Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	14,441		$	31,894
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	31,046			33,185
Share-based compensation	4,539			5,022
Impairment of long-lived assets	4,587			1,486
Deferred income tax	748			842
Non-cash rental expense, net	6,218			7,818
Change in operating lease liabilities	(10,611		)	(10,496		)
Net (recognition) receipt of deferred vendor incentives	(2,305		)	8,033
System optimization gains, net	(323		)	(12		)
Distributions received from joint ventures, net of equity in earnings	180			415
Long-term debt-related activities, net	1,556			1,823
Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other, net	(69,445		)	(17,989		)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(19,369		)	62,021
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(12,629		)	(11,215		)
Acquisitions	—			(5,052		)
Dispositions	195			—
Proceeds from sale of investments	—			130
Notes receivable, net	313			248
Net cash used in investing activities	(12,121		)	(15,889		)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	153,315			—
Repayments of long-term debt	(14,334		)	(5,813		)
Repayments of finance lease liabilities	(1,967		)	(1,881		)
Repurchases of common stock	(45,137		)	(30,929		)
Dividends	(26,793		)	(23,069		)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	1,722			5,196
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation	(3,402		)	(6,055		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	63,404			(62,551		)
Net cash provided by (used in) operations before effect of exchange rate changes on cash	31,914			(16,419		)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(5,086		)	1,884
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	26,828			(14,535		)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	358,707			486,512
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	$	385,535		$	471,977
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	$	9,579		$	5,125
Finance leases	9,274			13,810
	March 29, 2020			December 29, 2019
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	294,890		$	300,195
Restricted cash	53,459			34,539
Restricted cash, included in Advertising funds restricted assets	37,186			23,973
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	385,535		$	358,707

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

8

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 March 29, 2020 and the results of our operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019. The 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 December 29, 2019 (the “Form 10-K”).

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted and is expected to continue to disrupt our business, which has materially affected and could continue to materially affect our financial condition and results of operations for an extended period of time. As such, the results of operations for the three months ended March 29, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full 2020 fiscal year. We cannot predict whether, when or the manner in which the conditions surrounding the pandemic will change and cannot currently estimate the impact on our business in the short or long-term. See Note 9 for the debt-related actions taken by the Company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Note 11 for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the recoverability of the Company’s long-lived assets.

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 in the following segments: (1) Wendy’s U.S., (2) Wendy’s International and (3) Global Real Estate & Development. Certain prior period financial information has been revised to align with this segment reporting structure. See Note 19 for further information.

We report on a fiscal year consisting of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Sunday closest to or on December 31. All three-month periods presented herein contain 13 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.

(2) New Accounting Standards

New Accounting Standards Adopted

Income Taxes

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

Fair Value Measurement

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

9

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

Goodwill Impairment

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

Credit Losses

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

(3) Revenue

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables disaggregate revenue by segment and source:

	Wendy’s U.S.		Wendy’s International		Global Real Estate & Development		Total
Three Months Ended March 29, 2020
Sales at Company-operated restaurants	$	166,798	$	—	$	—	$	166,798
Franchise royalty revenue	84,833		10,523		—		95,356
Franchise fees	5,285		473		591		6,349
Franchise rental income	—		—		57,856		57,856
Advertising funds revenue	74,125		4,476		—		78,601
Total revenues	$	331,041	$	15,472	$	58,447	$	404,960
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Sales at Company-operated restaurants	$	167,697	$	—	$	—	$	167,697
Franchise royalty revenue	84,378		10,465		—		94,843
Franchise fees	5,430		1,033		647		7,110
Franchise rental income	—		—		58,452		58,452
Advertising funds revenue	75,981		4,500		—		80,481
Total revenues	$	333,486	$	15,998	$	59,099	$	408,583

Contract Balances

The following table provides information about receivables and contract liabilities (deferred franchise fees) from contracts with customers:

	March 29, 2020 (a)		December 29, 2019 (a)
Receivables, which are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” (b)	$	35,450	$	39,188
Receivables, which are included in “Advertising funds restricted assets”	44,635		54,394
Deferred franchise fees (c)	99,611		100,689

_______________

10

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

(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 condensed consolidated statements of operations.

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

(c) Deferred franchise fees are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Deferred franchise fees” and totaled $8,983 and $90,628 as of March 29, 2020, respectively, and $8,899 and $91,790 as of December 29, 2019, respectively.

Significant changes in deferred franchise fees are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period	$	100,689		$	102,205
Revenue recognized during the period	(2,144		)	(2,772		)
New deferrals due to cash received and other	1,066			2,036
Deferred franchise fees at end of period	$	99,611		$	101,469

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:
2020 (a)	$	7,434
2021	6,301
2022	5,971
2023	5,798
2024	5,594
Thereafter	68,513
	$	99,611

_______________

(a) Represents franchise fees expected to be recognized for the remainder of 2020, which includes development-related franchise fees expected to be recognized over a duration of one year or less.

11

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

(4) Acquisitions

No restaurants were acquired from franchisees during the three months ended March 29, 2020. 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 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 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 franchisees:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2019
Restaurants acquired from franchisees	5
Total consideration paid, net of cash received	$	5,052
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Properties	666
Acquired franchise rights	1,354
Finance lease assets	5,350
Finance lease liabilities	(4,084		)
Other	(2,316		)
Total identifiable net assets	970
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, Net

The Company’s system optimization initiative 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 (“Franchise Flips”). As of January 1, 2017, the Company completed its plan to reduce its ongoing Company-operated restaurant ownership to approximately 5% of the total system. While the Company has no plans to reduce its ownership below the approximately 5% level, the Company expects to continue to optimize the Wendy’s system through Franchise Flips, as well as evaluating strategic acquisitions of franchised restaurants and strategic dispositions of Company-operated restaurants to existing and new franchisees, to further strengthen the franchisee base, drive new restaurant development and accelerate reimages. During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company facilitated three Franchise Flips. No Franchise Flips were facilitated by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2019. During the next twelve months, the Company expects to sell 43 Company-operated restaurants in New York to franchisees. The Company expects to retain its Company-operated restaurants in Manhattan.

Gains and losses recognized on dispositions are recorded to “System optimization gains, net” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Costs related to acquisitions and dispositions under our system optimization initiative are recorded to “Reorganization and realignment costs,” which are further described in Note 6. All other costs incurred related to facilitating Franchise Flips are recorded to “Franchise support and other costs.”

12

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

The following is a summary of the disposition activity recorded as a result of our system optimization initiative:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants (a)	$	345		$	(8	)
(Loss) gain on sales of other assets, net (b)	(22		)	20
System optimization gains, net	$	323		$	12

_______________

(a) The three months ended March 29, 2020 represents the recognition of deferred gains as a result of the resolution of certain contingencies related to the extension of lease terms for restaurants previously sold to franchisees.

(b) During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company received cash proceeds of $195 primarily from the sale of surplus properties.

Assets Held for Sale

	March 29, 2020		December 29, 2019
Number of restaurants classified as held for sale	43		—
Net restaurant assets held for sale (a)	$	20,278	$	—
Other assets held for sale (b)	$	1,804	$	1,437

_______________

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

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

Assets held for sale are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets.”

(6) Reorganization and Realignment Costs

The following is a summary of the initiatives included in “Reorganization and realignment costs:”

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
IT realignment	$	3,559	$	—
G&A realignment	267		782
System optimization initiative	84		16
Reorganization and realignment costs	$	3,910	$	798

Information Technology (“IT”) Realignment

In December 2019, our Board of Directors approved a plan to realign and reinvest resources in the Company’s IT organization to strengthen its ability to accelerate growth. The Company is partnering with a third-party global IT consultant on this new structure to leverage their global capabilities, which the Company believes will enable a more seamless integration between its digital and corporate IT assets. The Company expects that the realignment plan will reduce certain employee compensation and other related costs that the Company intends to reinvest back into IT to drive additional capabilities and capacity across all of its technology platforms. The Company expects the majority of the impact of the realignment plan to occur at its Restaurant Support Center in Dublin, Ohio. The Company expects to incur total costs aggregating approximately $13,000 to $15,000 related to the

13

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

plan. During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company recognized costs totaling $3,559, which primarily included third-party and other costs. The Company expects to incur additional costs aggregating approximately $1,500, comprised primarily of third-party and other costs. The Company expects to recognize the majority of the remaining costs associated with the plan during the second quarter of 2020.

The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the IT realignment plan:

	Three Months Ended		Total Incurred Since Inception
	March 29, 2020
Severance and related employee costs	$	145	$	7,693
Recruitment and relocation costs	171		171
Third-party and other costs	3,243		4,629
	3,559		12,493
Share-based compensation (a)	—		193
Total IT realignment	$	3,559	$	12,686

_______________

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

The table below presents a rollforward of our accruals for the plan, which are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and totaled $6,744 and $237 as of March 29, 2020, respectively.

	Balance December 29, 2019		Charges		Payments			Balance March 29, 2020
Severance and related employee costs	$	7,548	$	145	$	(712	)	$	6,981
Recruitment and relocation costs	—		171		(171		)	—
Third-party and other costs	1,076		3,243		(4,319		)	—
	$	8,624	$	3,559	$	(5,202	)	$	6,981

General and Administrative (“G&A”) Realignment

In May 2017, the Company initiated a plan to further reduce its G&A expenses. Additionally, the Company announced in May 2019 changes to its management and operating structure that included the creation of two new positions, a President, U.S and Chief Commercial Officer and a President, International and Chief Development Officer, and the elimination of the Chief Operations Officer position. During the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, the Company recognized costs related to the plan totaling $267 and $782, respectively, which primarily included severance and related employee costs and share-based compensation. The Company does not expect to incur any additional material costs under the plan.

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THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the G&A realignment plan:

	Three Months Ended				Total Incurred Since Inception
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Severance and related employee costs	$	152	$	472	$	24,390
Recruitment and relocation costs	15		114		2,531
Third-party and other costs	1		16		2,211
	168		602		29,132
Share-based compensation (a)	99		180		7,997
Termination of defined benefit plans	—		—		1,335
Total G&A realignment	$	267	$	782	$	38,464

_______________

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

The accruals for our G&A realignment plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and totaled $3,781 and $408 as of March 29, 2020, respectively, and $4,730 and $765 as of March 31, 2019, respectively. The tables below present a rollforward of our accruals for the plan.

	Balance December 29, 2019		Charges		Payments			Balance March 29, 2020
Severance and related employee costs	$	5,276	$	152	$	(1,306	)	$	4,122
Recruitment and relocation costs	83		15		(31		)	67
Third-party and other costs	—		1		(1		)	—
	$	5,359	$	168	$	(1,338	)	$	4,189

	Balance December 30, 2018		Charges		Payments			Balance March 31, 2019
Severance and related employee costs	$	7,241	$	472	$	(2,218	)	$	5,495
Recruitment and relocation costs	83		114		(197		)	—
Third-party and other costs	—		16		(16		)	—
	$	7,324	$	602	$	(2,431	)	$	5,495

System Optimization Initiative

The Company recognizes costs related to acquisitions and dispositions under its system optimization initiative. The Company has incurred costs of $72,365 under the initiative since inception and does not expect to incur any material additional costs under the plan.

15

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

(7) Cash and Receivables

	March 29, 2020		December 29, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash	$	174,617	$	185,203
Cash equivalents	120,273		114,992
	294,890		300,195
Restricted cash
Accounts held by trustee for the securitized financing facility	53,127		34,209
Other	332		330
	53,459		34,539
Advertising Funds (a)	37,186		23,973
	90,645		58,512
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	385,535	$	358,707

_______________

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

	March 29, 2020							December 29, 2019
	Gross		Allowance for Doubtful Accounts			Net		Gross		Allowance for Doubtful Accounts			Net
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net
Current
Accounts receivable (a)	$	71,750	$	(3,881	)	$	67,869	$	103,852	$	(3,314	)	$	100,538
Notes receivable from franchisees (b) (c) (d)	18,635		(5,505		)	13,130		23,628		(6,705		)	16,923
	$	90,385	$	(9,386	)	$	80,999	$	127,480	$	(10,019	)	$	117,461
Non-current (e)
Notes receivable from franchisees (d)	$	5,623	$	—		$	5,623	$	1,617	$	—		$	1,617

_______________

(a) Includes accrued interest receivables, net of $1,008 and $1,304 and income tax refund receivables $9,764 and $13,555 as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively. Additionally, 2019 includes receivables of $25,350 related to insurance coverage for the financial institutions case.

(b) Includes the current portion of sales-type and direct financing lease receivables of $3,438 and $3,146 as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively.

(c) Includes a note receivable from a franchisee in India totaling $1,000 as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019. As of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, the Company had a reserve of $985 on the loan outstanding to the franchisee in India.

Included a note receivable from a U.S. franchisee totaling $1,000 as of December 29, 2019. The note was repaid during the three months ended March 29, 2020.

(d) Includes a note receivable from a franchisee in Indonesia, of which $1,097 and $1,262 are included in current notes receivable and $1,273 and $1,617 are included in non-current notes receivable as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively.

16

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

Includes notes receivable related to a joint venture for the operation of Wendy’s restaurants in Brazil (the “Brazil JV”), of which $11,800 and $15,920 are included in current notes receivable as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively, and $4,350 is included in non-current notes receivable as of March 29, 2020. As of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, the Company had reserves of $4,520 and $5,720, respectively, on the loans outstanding related to the Brazil JV.

(e) Included in “Other assets.”

Reserve estimates include consideration of the likelihood of default expected over the estimated life of the receivable. The Company periodically assesses the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts on its receivables based upon several key credit quality indicators such as outstanding past due balances, the financial strength of the obligor, the estimated fair value of any underlying collateral and agreement characteristics. We believe that our vulnerability to risk concentrations in our receivables is mitigated by (1) favorable historical collectability on past due balances, (2) recourse to the underlying collateral regarding sales-type and direct financing lease receivables, and (3) our expectations for fluctuations in general market conditions. Receivables are considered delinquent once they are contractually past due under the terms of the underlying agreements. As of March 29, 2020, there were no material receivables more than one year past due.

The following is an analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts:

	Accounts Receivable			Notes Receivable			Total
Three Months Ended March 29, 2020
Balance at December 29, 2019	$	3,314		$	6,705		$	10,019
Provision for doubtful accounts	588			(8		)	580
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries	(21		)	(1,192		)	(1,213		)
Balance at March 29, 2020	$	3,881		$	5,505		$	9,386
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Balance at December 30, 2018	$	4,940		$	2,000		$	6,940
Provision for doubtful accounts	(570		)	594			24
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries	(123		)	6			(117		)
Balance at March 31, 2019	$	4,247		$	2,600		$	6,847

(8) 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 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 income, net.”

17

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

Presented below is activity related to our investment in TimWen and the Brazil JV included in our condensed consolidated financial statements:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Balance at beginning of period	$	45,310		$	47,021
Equity in earnings for the period	1,985			2,397
Amortization of purchase price adjustments (a)	(562		)	(566		)
	1,423			1,831
Distributions received	(1,603		)	(2,246		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in “Other comprehensive (loss) income” and other	(2,991		)	1,166
Balance at end of period	$	42,139		$	47,772

_______________

(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.

(9) Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

	March 29, 2020			December 29, 2019
Series 2019-1 Class A-2 Notes:
3.783% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2026	$	395,000		$	398,000
4.080% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2029	444,375			447,750
Series 2018-1 Class A-2 Notes:
3.573% Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2025	439,875			441,000
3.884% Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2028	464,313			465,500
Series 2015-1 Class A-2 Notes:
4.497% Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes, anticipated repayment date 2025	477,500			478,750
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes	120,000			—
Canadian revolving credit facility	3,918			—
7% debentures, due in 2025	83,126			82,837
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(32,259		)	(33,526		)
	2,395,848			2,280,311
Less amounts payable within one year	(150,918		)	(22,750		)
Total long-term debt	$	2,244,930		$	2,257,561

Senior Notes

Wendy’s Funding, LLC, a limited-purpose, bankruptcy-remote, wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of The Wendy’s Company, is the master issuer (the “Master Issuer”) of outstanding senior secured notes under a securitized financing facility that was entered into in June 2015. Under this facility, in June 2019, the Master Issuer also issued outstanding Series 2019-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes, Class A-1 (the “Class A-1 Notes”), which allows for the borrowing of up to $150,000 from time to time on a revolving basis using various credit instruments, including a letter of credit facility. In March 2020, the Company drew down $120,000 under the Class A-1 Notes. As a result, as of March 29, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $120,000 under the Class A-1 Notes. The increased borrowing was taken as a precautionary measure to provide enhanced financial flexibility considering the uncertain market conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class A-1 Notes accrue interest at a variable interest rate based on (i) the prime rate, (ii) overnight federal funds rates, (iii) the London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”)

18

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

for U.S. Dollars or (iv) with respect to advances made by conduit investors, the weighted average cost of, or related to, the issuance of commercial paper allocated to fund or maintain such advances, in each case plus any applicable margin and as specified in the Class A-1 Note agreement. As of March 29, 2020, $24,756 of letters of credit were outstanding against the Class A-1 Notes, which relate primarily to interest reserves required under the Indenture.

Other Long-Term Debt

A Canadian subsidiary of Wendy’s has a revolving credit facility of C$6,000, which bears interest at the Bank of Montreal Prime Rate. The debt is guaranteed by Wendy’s. In March 2020, the Company drew down C$5,500 under the revolving credit facility. As a result, as of March 29, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings of C$5,500 under the revolving credit facility.

Wendy’s U.S. advertising fund has a revolving line of credit of $25,000, which was established to fund the advertising fund operations and bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.75%. In February 2020, the Company drew down $4,397 under the revolving line of credit, which the Company repaid in February 2020. In March 2020, the Company drew down $25,000 under the revolving line of credit. As a result, as of March 29, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $25,000 under the revolving line of credit, which is included in “Advertising funds restricted liabilities.”

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

(10) 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.

19

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

Financial Instruments

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:

	March 29, 2020				December 29, 2019
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements
Financial assets
Cash equivalents	$	120,273	$	120,273	$	114,992	$	114,992	Level 1
Other investments in equity securities (a)	639		1,032		639		1,649		Level 3
Financial liabilities
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)	395,000		360,315		398,000		405,152		Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)	444,375		395,058		447,750		459,136		Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)	439,875		408,274		441,000		444,859		Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)	464,313		417,083		465,500		475,718		Level 2
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes (b)	477,500		459,202		478,750		490,531		Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes (b)	120,000		115,500		—		—		Level 2
U.S. advertising fund revolving line of credit	25,000		25,000		—		—		Level 2
Canadian revolving credit facility	3,918		3,918		—		—		Level 2
7% debentures, due in 2025 (b)	83,126		89,550		82,837		94,838		Level 2

_______________

(a) The fair values of our 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.

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

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities remeasured to fair value on a non-recurring basis resulted in impairment that we have recorded to “Impairment of long-lived assets” in our 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, favorable lease assets and ROU assets) to fair value as a result of (1) declines in operating performance at Company-operated restaurants and (2) the Company’s decision to lease and/or sublease the land and/or buildings to franchisees in connection with the sale or anticipated sale of restaurants, including any subsequent lease modifications. The fair values of long-lived assets held and used presented in the tables below represent the remaining carrying value and were estimated based on either discounted cash flows of future anticipated lease and sublease income or discounted cash flows of future anticipated Company-operated restaurant performance.

20

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

Total impairment losses may also include the impact of remeasuring long-lived assets held for sale, which primarily include surplus properties. The fair values of long-lived assets held for sale presented in the tables below represent the remaining carrying value and were estimated based on current market values. See Note 11 for further information on impairment of our long-lived assets.

			Fair Value Measurements
	March 29, 2020		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Held and used	$	358	$	—	$	—	$	358
Held for sale	927		—		—		927
Total	$	1,285	$	—	$	—	$	1,285

			Fair Value Measurements
	December 29, 2019		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Held and used	$	3,582	$	—	$	—	$	3,582
Held for sale	988		—		—		988
Total	$	4,570	$	—	$	—	$	4,570

(11) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the Company testing its Company-operated restaurant long-lived assets for recoverability. As a result of this analysis, the Company recorded impairment charges due to the expected deterioration in operating performance of certain Company-operated restaurants. Additional impairment charges may be recognized by the Company as a result of further deterioration in operating performance of Company-operated restaurants. The Company also recorded impairment charges as a result of closing Company-operated restaurants and classifying such surplus properties as held for sale.

The following is a summary of impairment losses recorded, which represent the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the affected assets and are included in “Impairment of long-lived assets:”

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Company-operated restaurants	$	4,395	$	201
Surplus properties	192		1,285
	$	4,587	$	1,486

(12) Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 was 32.1% and 20.0%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate varied from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to (1) an increase in tax on our foreign operations, (2) an increase in state income taxes and (3) a reduction for the benefit of share-based compensation.

There were no significant changes to the unrecognized tax benefits or related interest and penalties for the three months ended March 29, 2020. During the next twelve months, we believe it is reasonably possible the Company will reduce unrecognized tax benefits by up to $1,399 due primarily to the lapse of statutes of limitations and expected settlements.

The current portion of refundable income taxes was $9,764 and $13,555 as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, 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 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019.

21

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

(13) 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 29, 2020	March 31, 2019
Common stock:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	223,533	230,584
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares	4,474	5,310
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	228,007	235,894

Diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 was computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of basic shares outstanding plus the potential common share effect of dilutive stock options and restricted shares. We excluded potential common shares of 2,667 and 2,158 for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively, from our diluted net income per share calculation as they would have had anti-dilutive effects.

(14) Stockholders’ Equity

Dividends

During the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, the Company paid dividends per share of $.12 and $.10 per share, respectively.

Repurchases of Common Stock

In February 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $100,000 of our common stock through February 28, 2021, when and if market conditions warrant and to the extent legally permissible. During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company repurchased 779 shares under the February 2020 repurchase authorization with an aggregate purchase price of $14,537, excluding commissions of $11. As of March 29, 2020, the Company had $85,463 of availability remaining under its February 2020 authorization. As previously announced, beginning in March 2020, the Company suspended all share repurchase activity under the February 2020 authorization in connection with the Company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

In addition to the shares repurchased in connection with the 2019 ASR Agreement, during the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company repurchased 1,312 shares with an aggregate purchase price of $28,770, excluding commissions of $18, under the February 2019 authorization. After taking into consideration these repurchases, with the completion of the 2019 ASR Agreement in February 2020, the Company completed its February 2019 authorization.

22

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 1,744 shares with an aggregate purchase price of $29,345, of which $268 was accrued at March 31, 2019, and excluding commissions of $25, under the February 2019 authorization and the Company’s previous November 2018 authorization for up to $220,000 of common stock.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table provides a rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive loss:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Balance at beginning of period	$	(53,828	)	$	(61,673	)
Foreign currency translation	(12,507		)	6,025
Balance at end of period	$	(66,335	)	$	(55,648	)

(15) 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 March 29, 2020, Wendy’s and its franchisees operated 6,805 Wendy’s restaurants. Of the 358 Company-operated Wendy’s restaurants, Wendy’s owned the land and building for 143 restaurants, owned the building and held long-term land leases for 145 restaurants and held leases covering the land and building for 70 restaurants. Wendy’s also owned 511 and leased 1,244 properties that were either leased or subleased principally to franchisees. The Company also leases restaurant, office and transportation equipment.

Company as Lessee

The components of lease cost are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of finance lease assets	$	3,186	$	3,117
Interest on finance lease liabilities	10,058		6,753
	13,244		9,870
Operating lease cost	21,165		24,643
Variable lease cost (a)	14,370		14,104
Short-term lease cost	1,330		1,126
Total operating lease cost (b)	36,865		39,873
Total lease cost	$	50,109	$	49,743

_______________

(a) Includes expenses for executory costs of $9,743 and $9,524 for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively, for which the Company is reimbursed by sublessees.

(b) The three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 include $29,291 and $32,451, respectively, recorded to “Franchise rental expense” for leased properties that are subsequently leased to franchisees and $6,833 and $6,593, respectively, recorded to “Cost of sales” for leases for Company-operated restaurants.

23

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

Company as Lessor

The components of lease income are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Sales-type and direct-financing leases:
Selling profit	$	628	$	1,934
Interest income	7,248		4,733
Operating lease income	$	43,952	$	45,205
Variable lease income	13,904		13,247
Franchise rental income (a)	$	57,856	$	58,452

_______________

(a) The three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 include sublease income of $42,042 and $43,021, respectively, of which $9,709 and $9,432, respectively, represents lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs.

(16) 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, which are then subleased to franchisees for the operation of Wendy’s/Tim Hortons combo units in Canada. During both the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, Wendy’s paid TimWen $3,855 under these lease agreements. In addition, TimWen paid Wendy’s a management fee under the TimWen joint venture agreement of $51 and $52 during the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively, which has been included as a reduction to “General and administrative.”

(17) Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies

Except 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.

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 $77,811 as of March 29, 2020. These leases extend through 2045. We have not received any notice of default related to these leases as of March 29, 2020. In the event of default by a franchise owner, Wendy’s generally retains the right to acquire possession of the related restaurant locations.

Letters of Credit

As of March 29, 2020, the Company had outstanding letters of credit with various parties totaling $25,082. Substantially all of the outstanding letters of credit include amounts outstanding against the Class A-1 Notes. We do not expect any material loss to result from these letters of credit.

24

THE WENDY’S COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In Thousands Except Per Share Amounts)

(18) Legal and Environmental Matters

The 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, and we believe we have adequate accruals for continuing operations for all such matters. We cannot estimate the aggregate possible range of loss for various reasons, including, but not limited to, many proceedings being in preliminary stages, with various motions either yet to be submitted or pending, discovery yet to occur and/or significant factual matters unresolved. In addition, most cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages and many involve multiple parties. Predicting the outcomes of settlement discussions or judicial or arbitral decisions is thus inherently difficult and future developments could cause these actions or claims, individually or in aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of a particular reporting period.

We previously described certain legal proceedings in the Form 10-K. As of March 29, 2020, there were no material developments in those legal proceedings.

(19) Segment Information

Revenues by segment were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Wendy’s U.S.	$	331,041	$	333,486
Wendy’s International	15,472		15,998
Global Real Estate & Development	58,447		59,099
Total revenues	$	404,960	$	408,583

The following table reconciles profit by segment to the Company’s consolidated income before income taxes:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Wendy’s U.S.	$	81,828		$	89,654
Wendy’s International	5,095			5,747
Global Real Estate & Development	26,490			26,953
Total segment profit	$	113,413		$	122,354
Advertising funds deficit	(1,387		)	—
Unallocated general and administrative (a)	(24,119		)	(20,742		)
Depreciation and amortization	(31,046		)	(33,185		)
System optimization gains, net	323			12
Reorganization and realignment costs	(3,910		)	(798		)
Impairment of long-lived assets	(4,587		)	(1,486		)
Unallocated other operating income, net	45			111
Interest expense, net	(28,525		)	(29,082		)
Other income, net	1,076			2,700
Income before income taxes	$	21,283		$	39,884

_______________

(a) Includes corporate overhead costs, such as employee compensation and related benefits.

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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 December 29, 2019 (the “Form 10-K”). There have been no material changes as of March 29, 2020 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” of this report. You should consider our forward-looking statements in light of the risks discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in “Part II. Other Information” of this report and 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 is primarily engaged in the business of operating, developing and franchising a system of distinctive quick-service restaurants serving high quality food. Wendy’s opened its first restaurant in Columbus, Ohio in 1969. Today, Wendy’s is the world’s third largest quick-service restaurant company in the hamburger sandwich segment, with 6,805 restaurants in the United States (the “U.S.”) and 30 foreign countries and U.S. territories as of March 29, 2020.

Each Wendy’s restaurant offers an extensive menu specializing in hamburger sandwiches and featuring filet 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 entered the breakfast daypart across the U.S. system on March 2, 2020. Wendy’s breakfast menu features a variety of breakfast sandwiches, biscuits and croissants, sides such as seasoned potatoes, oatmeal bars and seasonal fruit, and a beverage platform that includes hot coffee, cold brew iced coffee and our vanilla and chocolate Frosty-ccino iced coffee.

The Company is comprised of the following segments: (1) Wendy’s U.S., (2) Wendy’s International and (3) Global Real Estate & Development. Wendy’s U.S. includes the operation and franchising of Wendy’s restaurants in the U.S. and derives its revenues from sales at Company-operated restaurants and royalties, fees and advertising fund collections from franchised restaurants. Wendy’s International includes the franchising of Wendy’s restaurants in countries and territories other than the U.S. and derives its revenues from royalties, fees and advertising fund collections from franchised restaurants. Global Real Estate & Development includes real estate activity for owned sites and sites leased from third parties, which are leased and/or subleased to franchisees, and also includes our share of the income of our TimWen real estate joint venture. In addition, Global Real Estate & Development earns fees from facilitating franchisee-to-franchisee restaurant transfers (“Franchise Flips”) and providing other development-related services to franchisees. In this Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” the Company reports on the segment profit for each of the three segments described above. The Company measures segment profit based on segment adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). Segment adjusted EBITDA excludes certain unallocated general and administrative expenses and other items that vary from period to period without correlation to the Company’s core operating performance. See “Results of Operations” below and Note 19 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 herein for segment financial information.

The Company’s fiscal reporting periods consist of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Sunday closest to December 31. All three-month periods presented herein contain 13 weeks. All references to years and quarters relate to fiscal periods rather than calendar periods.

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Executive Overview

Our Business

As of March 29, 2020, the Wendy’s restaurant system was comprised of 6,805 restaurants, with 5,861 Wendy’s restaurants in operation in the U.S. Of the U.S. restaurants, 358 were operated by the Company and 5,503 were operated by a total of 239 franchisees. In addition, at March 29, 2020, there were 944 Wendy’s restaurants in operation in 30 foreign countries and U.S. territories, all of which were franchised.

The revenues from our restaurant business are derived from two principal sources: (1) sales at Company-operated restaurants and (2) franchise-related revenues, including royalties, national advertising funds contributions, rents and franchise fees received from Wendy’s franchised restaurants. Company-operated restaurants comprised approximately 5% of the total Wendy’s system as of March 29, 2020.

Wendy’s operating results are impacted by a number of external factors, including commodity costs, labor costs, intense price competition, unemployment and decreased consumer spending levels, general economic and market trends and weather. The COVID-19 pandemic has had and may continue to have the effect of heightening the impact of many of these factors. See “COVID-19 Update” below for additional information.

Wendy’s long-term growth opportunities include accelerating U.S. same-restaurant sales through (1) its “One More Visit, One More Dollar” strategy, which includes continuing core menu improvement, product innovation and strategic price increases on our menu items, (2) focused execution of operational excellence, (3) continued implementation of consumer-facing digital platforms and technologies and (4) increased restaurant utilization in various dayparts, including the Company’s launch of breakfast across the U.S. system on March 2, 2020. Wendy’s also expects growth in the number of new restaurants through targeted U.S. expansion and accelerated international expansion through same-restaurant sales growth and new restaurant development.

Key Business Measures

We track our results of operations and manage our business using the following key business measures, which includes a non-GAAP financial 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. Restaurants temporarily closed for more than one fiscal week are excluded from same-restaurant sales. 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.

• 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 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.

• 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 profitability.

The Company calculates 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.

Same-restaurant sales and systemwide sales exclude sales from Argentina and Venezuela 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.

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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 calculates such measure.

COVID-19 Update

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. We cannot predict whether, when or the manner in which the conditions surrounding the pandemic will change and cannot currently estimate the impact on our business in the short or long-term. We continue to monitor the dynamic nature of the COVID-19 pandemic and, in response, Wendy’s has updated its brand standard to include the closure of all dining rooms except where there are specific needs, or a drive-thru or pick-up window option is not available, subject to applicable state and local requirements. Substantially all Wendy’s restaurants continue to offer drive-thru and delivery service to our customers. Decisions to continue to offer carryout services at select restaurants are being made on a case-by-case basis and in compliance with applicable state or local requirements. As of March 29, 2020, systemwide temporary restaurant closures totaled 52 and 233 in the U.S. and internationally, respectively, which represents approximately 4.2% of all system restaurants.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, systemwide same-restaurant sales were materially adversely impacted during the month ended March 29, 2020. The following table shows same-restaurant sales in the first quarter, with a breakdown between the two months ended March 1, 2020 and the month ended March 29, 2020:

	Two Months Ended March 1, 2020		Month Ended March 29, 2020		First Quarter 2020
U.S. systemwide same-restaurant sales	3.7	%	(7.7	)%	0.0	%
International same-restaurant sales	5.4	%	(17.0	)%	(1.6	)%
Global systemwide same-restaurant sales	3.9	%	(8.6	)%	(0.2	)%

Subsequent to March 29, 2020 through the week ended April 26, 2020, systemwide same-restaurant sales continued to be materially adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The following table shows same-restaurant sales by week subsequent to March 29, 2020 through the week ended April 26, 2020:

	Week Ended April 5, 2020		Week Ended April 12, 2020		Week Ended April 19, 2020		Week Ended April 26, 2020
U.S. systemwide same-restaurant sales	(25.8	)%	(24.9	)%	(8.8	)%	(8.5	)%
International same-restaurant sales	(35.7	)%	(39.1	)%	(24.0	)%	(23.6	)%
Global systemwide same-restaurant sales	(26.7	)%	(26.2	)%	(10.1	)%	(9.9	)%

As of April 26, 2020, systemwide temporary restaurant closures totaled 66 and 261 in the U.S. and internationally, respectively, which represents approximately 4.8% of all system restaurants. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has led, and could continue to lead, to interruptions in the delivery of food or other supplies to Wendy’s restaurants arising from delays or restrictions on shipping or manufacturing, closures of supplier or distributor facilities or other factors.  These delays or interruptions could impact the availability of certain food items at Wendy’s restaurants, including beef, chicken, pork and other core menu products.

Due to the current unprecedented market and economic conditions in the U.S. and internationally, the expected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s 2020 net income and cash flows cannot be reasonably estimated. However, as of the date of this filing, we expect our net income and cash flows for the remainder of 2020 to be adversely impacted by the pandemic. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in “Part II. Other Information” for further information regarding the risks associated with the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on our business, results and financial condition. Also, see “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below for certain actions taken by the Company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets

We test goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it may be impaired. The negative impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the decline in same-restaurant sales described above and the volatility in the price of our common stock, resulted in the Company testing its goodwill for impairment in March 2020. A goodwill impairment loss is recognized if the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value.

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The Company’s goodwill impairment test in March 2020 included three reporting units, which were comprised of its (1) U.S. Company-operated and franchise restaurants, (2) Canada franchise restaurants and (3) global real estate and development operations. Based on the results of our goodwill impairment test, we determined the fair values of our U.S. Company-operated and franchise restaurants and our Canada franchise restaurants reporting units continued to significantly exceed their carrying values. The goodwill impairment test for our global real estate and development operations also indicated the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value; however, the fair value exceeded the carrying value of the reporting unit by only a nominal amount. Given the limited excess of the fair value over carrying value, this reporting unit is more sensitive to changes in assumptions regarding its fair value. A 50 basis point increase in the discount rate, or a moderate decline in estimated future cash flows, would result in the fair value of the reporting unit being less than its carrying value. As of March 29, 2020, the goodwill balance associated with our global real estate and development operations was $122.5 million.

The Company also tested our indefinite-lived intangible assets, which represent trademarks, for impairment in March 2020. Based on the results of our impairment test, we determined the fair value of our trademarks continued to significantly exceed their carrying value.

Further adverse changes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic could further reduce the underlying cash flows used to estimate fair values and could result in a decline in fair value that could result in future impairment charges of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets.

Information Technology (“IT”) Realignment

In December 2019, our Board of Directors approved a plan to realign and reinvest resources in the Company’s IT organization to strengthen its ability to accelerate growth. The Company is partnering with a third-party global IT consultant on this new structure to leverage their global capabilities, which the Company believes will enable a more seamless integration between its digital and corporate IT assets. The Company expects that the realignment plan will reduce certain employee compensation and other related costs that the Company intends to reinvest back into IT to drive additional capabilities and capacity across all of its technology platforms. The Company expects the majority of the impact of the realignment plan to occur at its Restaurant Support Center in Dublin, Ohio. The Company expects to incur total costs aggregating approximately $13.0 million to $15.0 million related to the plan. During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company recognized costs totaling $3.6 million, which primarily included third-party and other costs. The Company expects to incur additional costs aggregating approximately $1.5 million, comprised primarily of third-party and other costs. The Company expects to recognize the majority of the remaining costs associated with the plan during the second quarter of 2020.

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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 first quarter of 2020 and 2019.

	First Quarter
	2020			2019			Change
Revenues:
Sales	$	166.8		$	167.7		$	(0.9	)
Franchise royalty revenue and fees	101.7			102.0			(0.3		)
Franchise rental income	57.9			58.4			(0.5		)
Advertising funds revenue	78.6			80.5			(1.9		)
	405.0			408.6			(3.6		)
Costs and expenses:
Cost of sales	150.0			142.6			7.4
Franchise support and other costs	8.0			6.0			2.0
Franchise rental expense	29.3			32.4			(3.1		)
Advertising funds expense	80.0			80.5			(0.5		)
General and administrative	51.6			49.3			2.3
Depreciation and amortization	31.0			33.2			(2.2		)
System optimization gains, net	(0.3		)	—			(0.3		)
Reorganization and realignment costs	3.9			0.8			3.1
Impairment of long-lived assets	4.6			1.5			3.1
Other operating income, net	(1.8		)	(4.0		)	2.2
	356.3			342.3			14.0
Operating profit	48.7			66.3			(17.6		)
Interest expense, net	(28.5		)	(29.1		)	0.6
Other income, net	1.1			2.7			(1.6		)
Income before income taxes	21.3			39.9			(18.6		)
Provision for income taxes	(6.9		)	(8.0		)	1.1
Net income	$	14.4		$	31.9		$	(17.5	)

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	First Quarter
	2020		% of Total Revenues		2019		% of Total Revenues
Revenues:
Sales	$	166.8	41.2	%	$	167.7	41.0	%
Franchise royalty revenue and fees:
Royalty revenue	95.4		23.6	%	94.9		23.2	%
Franchise fees	6.3		1.5	%	7.1		1.8	%
Total franchise royalty revenue and fees	101.7		25.1	%	102.0		25.0	%
Franchise rental income	57.9		14.3	%	58.4		14.3	%
Advertising funds revenue	78.6		19.4	%	80.5		19.7	%
Total revenues	$	405.0	100.0	%	$	408.6	100.0	%
	First Quarter
	2020		% of  Sales		2019		% of  Sales
Cost of sales:
Food and paper	$	52.5	31.5	%	$	52.2	31.1	%
Restaurant labor	57.0		34.2	%	51.7		30.8	%
Occupancy, advertising and other operating costs	40.5		24.2	%	38.7		23.1	%
Total cost of sales	$	150.0	89.9	%	$	142.6	85.0	%

	First Quarter
	2020		% of Sales		2019		% of Sales
Restaurant margin	$	16.8	10.1	%	$	25.1	15.0	%

The tables below present certain of the Company’s key business measures, which are defined and further discussed in the “Executive Overview” section included herein.

	First Quarter
	2020		2019
Key business measures:
U.S. same-restaurant sales:
Company-operated restaurants	(0.7	)%	2.1	%
Franchised restaurants	0.1	%	1.2	%
Systemwide	0.0	%	1.2	%
International same-restaurant sales (a)	(1.6	)%	2.7	%
Global same-restaurant sales:
Company-operated restaurants	(0.7	)%	2.1	%
Franchised restaurants (a)	(0.1	)%	1.3	%
Systemwide (a)	(0.2	)%	1.4	%

________________

(a) Includes international franchised restaurants same-restaurant sales (excluding Argentina and Venezuela due to the impact of the highly inflationary economies of those countries).

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	First Quarter
	2020		2019
Key business measures (continued):
Systemwide sales: (a)
Company-operated	$	166.8	$	167.7
U.S. franchised	2,174.2		2,150.3
U.S. systemwide	2,341.0		2,318.0
International franchised (b)	272.6		273.3
Global systemwide	$	2,613.6	$	2,591.3

________________

(a) During the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, global systemwide sales increased 1.0% and 3.3%, respectively, U.S. systemwide sales increased 1.0% and 2.6%, respectively, and international franchised sales increased 1.0% and 10.2%, respectively, on a constant currency basis.

(b) Excludes Argentina and Venezuela due to the impact of the highly inflationary economies of those countries.

	First Quarter
	Company-operated	U.S. Franchised		International Franchised		Systemwide
Restaurant count:
Restaurant count at December 29, 2019	357	5,495		936		6,788
Opened	1	26		14		41
Closed (a)	—	(18	)	(6	)	(24	)
Restaurant count at March 29, 2020	358	5,503		944		6,805

________________

(a) Excludes restaurants temporarily closed due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sales	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Sales	$	166.8	$	167.7	$	(0.9	)

The decrease in sales for the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to a 0.7% decrease in Company-operated same-restaurant sales. Company-operated same-restaurant sales decreased due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during March 2020, partially offset by the positive impact from the launch of breakfast on March 2, 2020.

Franchise Royalty Revenue and Fees	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Royalty revenue	$	95.4	$	94.9	$	0.5
Franchise fees	6.3		7.1		(0.8		)
	$	101.7	$	102.0	$	(0.3	)

The increase in franchise royalty revenue during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to a net increase in the number of franchise restaurants in operation during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019. The decrease in franchise fees during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to lower other miscellaneous franchise fees.

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Franchise Rental Income	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Franchise rental income	$	57.9	$	58.4	$	(0.5	)

The decrease in franchise rental income during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to the impact of assigning certain leases to franchisees.

Advertising Funds Revenue	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Advertising funds revenue	$	78.6	$	80.5	$	(1.9	)

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 decrease in advertising funds revenue during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to (1) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during March 2020 and (2) the abatement of U.S. national advertising fund contributions on breakfast sales prior to our official launch of breakfast on March 2, 2020. These decreases were partially offset by a net increase in the number of franchise restaurants in operation in the first quarter of 2020 compared with the first quarter of 2019.

Cost of Sales, as a Percent of Sales	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Food and paper	31.5	%	31.1	%	0.4	%
Restaurant labor	34.2	%	30.8	%	3.4	%
Occupancy, advertising and other operating costs	24.2	%	23.1	%	1.1	%
	89.9	%	85.0	%	4.9	%

The increase in cost of sales, as a percent of sales, during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to (1) restaurant labor rate inflation, (2) an increase in commodity costs, (3) incremental training costs incurred as a result of launching the breakfast daypart and (4) an increase in maintenance costs.

Franchise Support and Other Costs	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Franchise support and other costs	$	8.0	$	6.0	$	2.0

The increase in franchise support and other costs during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to investments to support U.S. franchisees in preparation of the national launch of breakfast on March 2, 2020.

Franchise Rental Expense	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Franchise rental expense	$	29.3	$	32.4	$	(3.1	)

The decrease in franchise rental expense during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to the impact of assigning certain leases to franchisees.

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Advertising Funds Expense	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Advertising funds expense	$	80.0	$	80.5	$	(0.5	)

The decrease in advertising funds expense during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to the same factors as described above for “Advertising Funds Revenue.” On an interim basis, advertising funds expense is recognized in proportion to advertising funds revenue. During the first quarter of 2020, advertising funds expense exceeded advertising funds revenue by $1.4 million, reflecting a portion of the expected advertising spend in excess of advertising funds revenue for 2020. This excess for 2020 is expected to approximate the amount by which advertising funds revenue exceeded advertising funds expense in 2019 and 2018.

General and Administrative	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Employee compensation and related benefits	$	30.5	$	28.8	$	1.7
Incentive compensation	3.0		4.9		(1.9		)
Severance expense	1.2		0.1		1.1
Other, net	16.9		15.5		1.4
	$	51.6	$	49.3	$	2.3

The increase in general and administrative expenses during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to increases in (1) salaries and benefits, (2) severance expense and (3) other miscellaneous charges largely consisting of meeting cancellation expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These increases were partially offset by a decrease in incentive compensation accruals.

Depreciation and Amortization	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Restaurants	$	19.5	$	21.9	$	(2.4	)
Corporate and other	11.5		11.3		0.2
	$	31.0	$	33.2	$	(2.2	)

The decrease in depreciation and amortization during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to (1) assets becoming fully depreciated and (2) a decrease in depreciation on assets classified as held for sale resulting from the expected sale of 43 restaurants in New York to franchisees in the next 12 months.

System Optimization Gains, Net	First Quarter
	2020			2019		Change
System optimization gains, net	$	(0.3	)	$	—	$	(0.3	)

System optimization gains, net for the first quarter of 2020 were primarily comprised of post-closing adjustments on previous sales of restaurants.

Reorganization and Realignment Costs	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
IT realignment	$	3.5	$	—	$	3.5
G&A realignment	0.3		0.8		(0.5		)
System optimization initiative	0.1		—		0.1
	$	3.9	$	0.8	$	3.1

In December 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a plan to realign and reinvest resources in its IT organization to strengthen its ability to accelerate growth. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company recognized costs associated with this plan totaling $3.5 million, which primarily included third-party and other costs.

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In May 2017, the Company initiated a plan to further reduce its G&A expenses. In addition, the Company announced changes to its leadership structure in May 2019. G&A realignment costs for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019 were primarily comprised of severance and related employee costs and share-based compensation. The Company does not expect to incur any additional material costs under the plan.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Impairment of long-lived assets	$	4.6	$	1.5	$	3.1

The increase in impairment charges during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily driven by the Company testing its Company-operated restaurant long-lived assets for recoverability as a result of the adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of this analysis, the Company recorded impairment charges due to the expected deterioration in operating performance of certain Company-operated restaurants.

Other Operating Income, Net	First Quarter
	2020			2019			Change
Gains on sales-type leases	$	(0.6	)	$	(1.9	)	$	1.3
Equity in earnings in joint ventures, net	(1.4		)	(1.8		)	0.4
Other, net	0.2			(0.3		)	0.5
	$	(1.8	)	$	(4.0	)	$	2.2

The change in other operating income, net during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to decreases in (1) gains on new and modified sales-type leases and (2) the equity in earnings from our TimWen joint venture.

Interest Expense, Net	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Interest expense, net	$	28.5	$	29.1	$	(0.6	)

Interest expense, net decreased during the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to lower outstanding principal amounts of long-term debt, reflecting the impact of the completion of refinancing a portion of the Company’s securitized financing facility in June 2019.

Other Income, Net	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Other income, net	$	1.1	$	2.7	$	(1.6	)

Other income, net decreased during the first quarter of 2020 primarily due to lower interest income earned on our cash equivalents.

Provision for Income Taxes	First Quarter
	2020			2019			Change
Income before income taxes	$	21.3		$	39.9		$	(18.6	)
Provision for income taxes	(6.9		)	(8.0		)	1.1
Effective tax rate on income	32.1		%	20.0		%	12.1		%

Our effective tax rates for the first quarter of 2020 and 2019 were impacted by variations in income before income taxes, including uncertainty in 2020 income before income taxes arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, adjusted for recurring items such as non-deductible expenses and state income taxes, as well as non-recurring discrete items. The increase in the effective tax rate for the first quarter of 2020 compared with the first quarter of 2019 was primarily due to (1) an increase in tax on our foreign operations, (2) an increase in state income taxes, including non-recurring changes to state deferred taxes net of federal benefits, and (3) a reduction in the benefit of share-based compensation.

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Segment Information

See Note 19 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 herein for further information regarding the Company’s segments.

Wendy’s U.S.

	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Sales	$	166.8	$	167.7	$	(0.9	)
Franchise royalty revenue	84.8		84.4		0.4
Franchise fees	5.3		5.4		(0.1		)
Advertising fund revenue	74.1		76.0		(1.9		)
Total revenues	$	331.0	$	333.5	$	(2.5	)
Segment profit	$	81.8	$	89.7	$	(7.9	)

The decrease in Wendy’s U.S. revenues during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to (1) a decrease in same-restaurant sales resulting from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and (2) the abatement of U.S. national advertising fund contributions on breakfast sales prior to our official launch of breakfast on March 2, 2020. These decreases were partially offset by (1) a net increase in the number of restaurants in operation during the first quarter of 2020 compared to the first quarter of 2019 and (2) the positive impact from the launch of breakfast on March 2, 2020.

The decrease in Wendy’s U.S. segment profit during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to (1) lower revenues and (2) higher cost of sales, as a percent of sales, for Company-operated restaurants driven by the same factors as described above for “Cost of Sales, as a Percent of Sales.”

Wendy’s International

	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Franchise royalty revenue	$	10.5	$	10.5	$	—
Franchise fees	0.5		1.0		(0.5		)
Advertising fund revenue	4.5		4.5		—
Total revenues	$	15.5	$	16.0	$	(0.5	)
Segment profit	$	5.1	$	5.7	$	(0.6	)

The decrease in Wendy’s International revenues and segment profit during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to a decrease in franchise fees reflecting lower other miscellaneous franchise fees.

Global Real Estate & Development

	First Quarter
	2020		2019		Change
Franchise fees	$	0.5	$	0.6	$	(0.1	)
Franchise rental income	57.9		58.5		(0.6		)
Total revenues	$	58.4	$	59.1	$	(0.7	)
Segment profit	$	26.5	$	27.0	$	(0.5	)

The decrease in Global Real Estate & Development revenues during the first quarter of 2020 was primarily due to the assignment of certain leases to franchisees. The decrease in Global Real Estate & Development segment profit was primarily due to (1) a decrease in gains on new and modified sales-type leases and (2) higher general and administrative expenses. These unfavorable impacts were partially offset by lower franchise rental expense due to the assignment of certain leases to franchisees.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

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 stockholders.

During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company made a payment of $24.7 million related to the settlement of the financial institutions class action (the “FI Case”) (see Note 23 of the Financial Statements and Supplementary Data contained in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for further information).

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has taken the following actions impacting its liquidity and capital resources:

• increased its cash position by draw downs under the Company’s Series 2019-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes, Class A-1 (the “Class A-1 Notes”) and the Company’s other lines of credit in March 2020 as discussed below in “Long-Term Debt, Including Current Portion;”

• reduced its quarterly cash dividend from $.12 per share in the first quarter to $.05 per share in the second quarter as discussed below in “Dividends;”

• suspended all share repurchase activity under the February 2020 share repurchase authorization as discussed below in “Stock Repurchases;”

• evaluated its planned 2020 general and administrative expenses and capital plan and identified approximately $10.0 million and $20.0 million, respectively, for a total of $30.0 million in savings, and revised its planned 2020 advertising expenses to remove incremental advertising for breakfast;

• deferred payment of the Company’s share of Social Security payroll taxes as permitted under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”), which allows for the deferral of these payments through the end of 2020 and requires repayment of the deferred amounts in 2021 and 2022;

• to support the franchise system, (1) extended payment terms for royalties and national advertising funds contributions by 45 days beginning in April for a three month period, (2) abated national advertising fund contributions on breakfast sales for the remainder of 2020, (3) offered to defer base rent payments on properties owned by Wendy’s and leased to franchisees by 50% beginning in May for a three month period, which will be repaid over 12 months, and (4) extended Image Activation and new restaurant development requirements by one year; and

• to support Company-operated restaurant employees, (1) implemented a new emergency paid sick leave policy with up to 14 days paid leave in the event an employee is unable to work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and (2) announced that hourly crew members, shift managers and assistant general managers will receive a 10% increase in hourly pay for the months of April and May, and the Company will protect part of the monthly bonus through May for general managers and district managers.

In addition, the Company expects to benefit from the technical amendments under the CARES Act by treating qualified improvement property (“QIP”) as 15-year property and allowing such property to be eligible for the 100 percent bonus depreciation for QIP placed in service after December 31, 2017.

Based on current levels of operations and certain actions taken, including the draw down of the Class A-1 Notes, 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.

We currently believe we have the ability to pursue additional sources of liquidity if needed or desired to fund operating cash requirements or for other purposes. Due to the uncertainty in the credit markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there can be no assurance that additional liquidity will be readily available or available on terms acceptable to us.

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The table below summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the first three months of 2020 and 2019:

	Three Months
	2020			2019			Change
Net cash (used in) provided by:
Operating activities	$	(19.4	)	$	62.0		$	(81.4	)
Investing activities	(12.1		)	(15.9		)	3.8
Financing activities	63.4			(62.5		)	125.9
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(5.1		)	1.9			(7.0		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	26.8		$	(14.5	)	$	41.3

Operating Activities

Cash (used in) 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 (used in) provided by operating activities was $(19.4) million and $62.0 million in the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The change was primarily due to (1) a cash payment of $24.7 million related to the settlement of the FI Case in January 2020, (2) lower net income, adjusted for non-cash expenses, (3) an increase in payments for incentive compensation for the 2019 fiscal year paid in 2020, (4) the timing of payments for marketing expenses of the national advertising funds and (5) a reduction in deferred vendor incentives driven by the timing of receipt of an annual advance.

Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities was $12.1 million and $15.9 million in the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The change was primarily due to no acquisitions of restaurants from franchisees in the first quarter of 2020 compared with cash used for acquisitions of $5.1 million in the first quarter of 2019. This change was partially offset by an increase in capital expenditures of $1.4 million.

Financing Activities

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities was $63.4 million and $(62.5) million in the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, respectively. The change was primarily due to a net increase in cash provided by long-term debt activities of $144.8 million, reflecting the impact of the draw downs under the Class A-1 Notes and the Company’s other lines of credit. See “Long-Term Debt, Including Current Portion” for additional details on the long-term debt activities in the first quarter of 2020. These changes were partially offset by (1) an increase in repurchases of common stock of $14.2 million and (2) an increase in dividends of $3.7 million.

Long-Term Debt, Including Current Portion

Except as described below, there were no material changes to the terms of any debt obligations since December 29, 2019. The Company was in compliance with its debt covenants as of March 29, 2020. See Note 9 of the Financial Statements contained in Item 1 herein for further information related to our long-term debt obligations.

Wendy’s Funding, LLC, a limited-purpose, bankruptcy-remote, wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of The Wendy’s Company, is the master issuer (the “Master Issuer”) of outstanding senior secured notes under a securitized financing facility that was entered into in June 2015. Under this facility, in June 2019, the Master Issuer also issued outstanding Class A-1 Notes, which allowed for the borrowing of up to $150.0 million from time to time on a revolving basis using various credit instruments, including a letter of credit facility. In March 2020, the Company drew down $120.0 million under the Class A-1 Notes. As a result, as of March 29, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $120.0 million under the Class A-1 Notes.

A Canadian subsidiary of Wendy’s has a revolving credit facility of C$6.0 million. In March 2020, the Company drew down C$5.5 million under the revolving credit facility. As a result, as of March 29, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings of C$5.5 million under the revolving credit facility.

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Wendy’s U.S. advertising fund has a revolving line of credit of $25.0 million, which was established to fund the advertising fund operations. In February 2020, the Company drew down $4.4 million under the revolving line of credit, which the Company repaid in February 2020. In March 2020, the Company drew down $25.0 million under the revolving line of credit. As a result, as of March 29, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $25.0 million under the revolving line of credit.

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

Dividends

On March 16, 2020, the Company paid quarterly cash dividends of $.12 per share on its common stock, aggregating $26.8 million. On May 6, 2020, the Company declared a dividend of $.05 per share to be paid on June 15, 2020 to stockholders of record as of June 1, 2020. If the Company pays regular quarterly cash dividends for the remainder of 2020 at the same rate as declared in the second quarter of 2020, the Company’s total cash requirement for dividends for the remainder of 2020 will be approximately $33.4 million based on the number of shares of its common stock outstanding at April 29, 2020. The 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 or of the amount or timing of such dividends, if any.

Stock Repurchases

In February 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $100.0 million of our common stock through February 28, 2021, when and if market conditions warrant and to the extent legally permissible. During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company repurchased 0.8 million shares under the February 2020 repurchase authorization with an aggregate purchase price of $14.5 million, excluding commissions. As of March 29, 2020, the Company had $85.5 million of availability remaining under its February 2020 authorization. As previously announced, beginning in March 2020, the Company suspended all share repurchase activity under the February 2020 authorization in connection with the Company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In February 2019, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $225.0 million of our common stock through March 1, 2020, when and if market conditions warranted and to the extent legally permissible. In November 2019, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement (the “2019 ASR Agreement”) with a third-party financial institution to repurchase common stock as part of the Company’s existing share repurchase program. Under the 2019 ASR Agreement, the Company paid the financial institution an initial purchase price of $100.0 million in cash and received an initial delivery of 4.1 million shares of common stock, representing an estimated 85% of the total shares expected to be delivered under the 2019 ASR Agreement. In February 2020, the Company completed the 2019 ASR Agreement and received an additional 0.6 million shares of common stock. The total number of shares of common stock ultimately purchased by the Company under the 2019 ASR Agreement was based on the average of the daily volume-weighted average prices of the common stock during the term of the 2019 ASR Agreement, less an agreed upon discount. In total, 4.7 million shares were delivered under the 2019 ASR Agreement at an average purchase price of $21.37 per share.

In addition to the shares repurchased in connection with the 2019 ASR Agreement, during the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company repurchased 1.3 million shares with an aggregate purchase price of $28.8 million, excluding commissions, under the February 2019 authorization. After taking into consideration these repurchases, with the completion of the 2019 ASR Agreement in February 2020, the Company completed its February 2019 authorization.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 1.7 million shares with an aggregate purchase price of $29.3 million, of which $0.3 million was accrued at March 31, 2019, and excluding commissions, under the February 2019 authorization and the Company’s previous November 2018 authorization for up to $220.0 million of common stock.

General Inflation, Commodities and Changing Prices

We believe that general inflation did not have a significant effect on our consolidated results of operations. We attempt to manage any inflationary costs and commodity price increases 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, pork, cheese and grains, could have a 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 selective menu price increases.

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Seasonality

Wendy’s restaurant operations are moderately seasonal. Wendy’s average restaurant sales are normally higher during the summer months than during the winter months. Because our business is moderately seasonal, results for a particular quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for any other quarter or for the full fiscal year. Currently, we are not able to predict the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic may have on the seasonality of our business.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

This “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” should be read in conjunction with “Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” in the Form 10-K.

As of March 29, 2020, there were no material changes from the information contained in the Form 10-K, except as described below.

Interest Rate Risk

As of March 29, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $120.0 million under the Class A-1 Notes. In addition, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $25.0 million under the U.S. advertising fund revolving line of credit and C$5.5 million of outstanding borrowings under a Canadian subsidiary’s revolving credit facility. The increased borrowings were taken as precautionary measures to provide enhanced flexibility considering the uncertain market conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our long-term debt, including the current portion and the advertising fund revolving line of credit, aggregated $2,460.0 million as of March 29, 2020 (excluding unamortized debt issuance costs and the effect of purchase accounting adjustments). The Company’s predominantly fixed-rate debt structure has reduced its exposure to interest rate increases that could adversely affect its earnings and cash flows; however, the Company’s outstanding borrowings under the Class A-1 Notes accrue interest at a variable interest rate based on (i) the prime rate, (ii) overnight federal funds rates, (iii) the London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) for U.S. Dollars or (iv) with respect to advances made by conduit investors, the weighted average cost of, or related to, the issuance of commercial paper allocated to fund or maintain such advances, in each case plus any applicable margin and as specified in the Class A-1 Note agreement. In addition, the U.S. advertising fund revolving line of credit bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.75% and our Canadian subsidiary’s revolving credit facility bears interest at the Bank of Montreal Prime Rate. An increase or decrease of 1.0% in the effective interest rate applied to these outstanding borrowings would result in a pre-tax interest expense fluctuation of approximately $1.5 million on an annualized basis.

In addition, LIBOR is expected to be discontinued after 2021. If LIBOR is discontinued, we may need to renegotiate certain loan documents and we cannot predict what alternative index would be negotiated with our lenders or the resulting impact on our interest expense.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

The management of the Company, under the supervision and with the participation of the 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 March 29, 2020. Based on such evaluations, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 29, 2020, 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.

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Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the internal control over financial reporting of the Company during the first quarter of 2020 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting. As previously announced, the Company is realigning and reinvesting resources in its IT organization and partnering with a third-party global IT consultant.  The Company continues to evaluate the impact of this initiative on its internal control over financial reporting.  As the transition of certain IT services is completed during the second quarter of 2020, the Company will evaluate the impact of changes to the control environment and update and implement controls as appropriate.

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 error 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.

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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 “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the “Reform Act”). Generally, forward-looking statements include the words “may,” “believes,” “plans,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “estimate,” “goal,” “upcoming,” “outlook,” “guidance” or the negation thereof, or similar expressions. In addition, all statements that address future operating, financial or business performance, strategies or initiatives, future efficiencies or savings, anticipated costs or charges, future capitalization, anticipated impacts of recent or pending investments or transactions and statements expressing general views about future results or brand health are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Reform Act. 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. For all of our forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Reform Act. Our actual results, performance and achievements may differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed in or implied by our forward-looking statements. Many important factors could affect our future results and cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by our forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, the following:

• the disruption to our business from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the impact of the pandemic on our results of operations, financial condition and prospects;

• the impact of competition, including from outside the quick-service restaurant industry;

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

• prevailing conditions and disruptions in the national and global economies, including areas with a high concentration of Wendy’s restaurants;

• food safety events, including instances of food-borne illness, involving Wendy’s, its supply chain or other food service companies;

• the success of our operating, promotional, marketing or new product development initiatives, including risks associated with our entry into the breakfast daypart across the U.S. system;

• our ability to achieve our growth strategy through net new restaurant development, including the availability of suitable locations and terms, and the success of our Image Activation program, including the ability of reimaged restaurants to positively affect sales;

• changes in commodity and other operating costs, including supply, distribution and labor costs;

• our ability to attract and retain qualified restaurant personnel;

• shortages or interruptions in the supply or distribution of food or other products and other risks associated with our independent supply chain purchasing co-op;

• consumer concerns regarding the nutritional aspects of our products;

• the effects of disease outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics;

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

• risks associated with our international operations, including our ability to achieve our international growth strategy;

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

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• our dependence on computer systems and information technology, including risks associated with the failure, interruption or breach of our systems or technology or other cyber incidents or deficiencies;

• risks associated with our plan to realign and reinvest resources in our IT organization to accelerate growth;

• our ability to effectively manage the acquisition and disposition of restaurants or successfully implement other strategic initiatives;

• conditions beyond our control, such as adverse weather conditions, natural disasters, hostilities, social unrest or other catastrophic events;

• the availability and cost of insurance;

• our ability to protect our intellectual property;

• the continued succession and retention of key personnel and the effectiveness of our leadership structure;

• compliance with legal or regulatory requirements, the impact of legal or regulatory proceedings and risks associated with an increased focus on environmental, social and governance issues;

• risks associated with leasing and owning significant amounts of real estate, including a decline in the value of our real estate assets or liability for environmental matters;

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

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

• the availability, terms and deployment of capital, including the amount and timing of equity and debt repurchases;

• other risks and uncertainties affecting us and our subsidiaries referred to in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (see especially Part II, “Item 1A. Risk Factors”), our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 26, 2020 (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 Securities and Exchange Commission.

In addition to the factors described above, there are risks associated with our predominantly franchised business model that could impact our results, performance and achievements. Such risks include our ability to identify, attract and retain experienced and qualified franchisees, the business and financial health of franchisees, the ability of franchisees to meet their royalty, advertising, development, reimaging and other commitments, participation by franchisees in brand strategies and the fact that franchisees are independent third parties that own, operate and are responsible for overseeing the operations of their restaurants. Our predominantly franchised business model may also impact the ability of the Wendy’s system to effectively respond and adapt to market changes. Many of these risks have been or in the future may be heightened due to the business disruption and impact from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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 above. 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, although we may do so from time to time. We do not endorse any projections regarding future performance that may be made by third parties.

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

The 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, and the Company believes it has adequate accruals for continuing operations for all such matters. We cannot estimate the aggregate possible range of loss for various reasons, including,

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but not limited to, many proceedings being in preliminary stages, with various motions either yet to be submitted or pending, discovery yet to occur and/or significant factual matters unresolved. In addition, most cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages and many involve multiple parties. Predicting the outcomes of settlement discussions or judicial or arbitral decisions is thus inherently difficult and future developments could cause these actions or claims, individually or in aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of a particular reporting period.

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 be described elsewhere in this report, there have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Form 10-K.

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted and is expected to continue to disrupt our business, which has materially affected and could continue to materially affect our results of operations, financial condition and prospects for an extended period of time.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic, and governmental authorities around the world have implemented measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. These measures have adversely affected customers, workforces, economies and financial markets, and, along with decreased consumer spending, have led to an economic downturn in many of our markets. Governmental restrictions and public perceptions of the risks associated with COVID-19 have caused consumers to avoid or limit non-essential travel, gatherings in public places and other social interactions, which has adversely affected, and could continue to adversely affect, our business.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have updated our brand standard to include the closure of all dining rooms except where there are specific needs, or a drive-thru or pick-up window option is not available, subject to applicable governmental requirements. As of the date of this Form 10-Q, substantially all of our Company-operated and franchised restaurants in the United States and Canada have closed their dine-in operations and are operating drive-thru and delivery only, sometimes with limited hours, menus and capacity. In addition, several international markets have temporarily closed all restaurants, and many other international markets have limited restaurant operations. As a result, restaurant traffic and systemwide sales have been significantly negatively impacted. Even after the mobility restrictions are lifted, customers may still be reluctant to return to in-restaurant dining, and consumer spending may be adversely impacted for an extended period of time as a result of decreased consumer confidence and the impact of lost wages due to increased unemployment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has also adversely affected new restaurant development and restaurant reimaging. Due to the uncertain and challenging economic and market conditions, we have delayed construction of substantially all new Company-operated restaurants and reimaging of existing Company-operated restaurants and have also delayed the new restaurant development and Image Activation requirements of our franchisees. These delays could affect our ability to drive future growth in our business, particularly if they continue for a significant amount of time.

Our operating results and financial condition are impacted to a large extent by the operational and financial success of our franchisees. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and could continue to have, an adverse effect on our franchisees’ operations and financial condition. Because a significant portion of restaurant operating costs are fixed or semi-fixed in nature, the loss of sales during a prolonged period of time negatively impacts operating margins and can result in restaurant operating losses. We have taken certain actions to support our franchisees, including extending payment terms for royalties, extending or abating payment terms for advertising fund contributions and offering to defer base rent payments on properties owned by the Company and leased to franchisees. These actions are expected to adversely affect our cash flows and financial condition in the upcoming quarters. To the extent our franchisees experience financial distress, it could negatively affect our results of operations, cash flows and financial condition through delayed or reduced payments of royalties, advertising fund contributions or rent. In addition, in the event our franchisees institute insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings, we could be prevented from collecting or retaining certain payments or exercising certain rights under the related franchise, development or other agreements.

The COVID-19 pandemic has led, and could continue to lead, to interruptions in the delivery of food or other supplies to Wendy’s restaurants arising from delays or restrictions on shipping or manufacturing, closures of supplier or distributor facilities or financial distress or insolvency of suppliers or distributors. These delays or interruptions could impact the availability of certain food items at Wendy’s restaurants, including beef, chicken, pork and other core menu products. Our results of operations and those of our franchisees could be adversely affected if our key suppliers or distributors are unable to fulfill their responsibilities

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and we are unable to identify alternative suppliers or distributors in a timely manner or effectively transition the impacted business to new suppliers or distributors.

The COVID-19 pandemic could also lead to labor shortages or increased labor costs. Because COVID-19 can be transmitted through human contact, the risk or perceived risk of contracting the virus could adversely affect the ability or cost of adequately staffing restaurants, which could be exacerbated to the extent that the Company or franchisees have employees who test positive for the virus. If a significant percentage of our or our franchisees’ workforce is unable to work, whether because of illness, quarantine, travel limitations or other governmental restrictions, our operations and the operations of our franchisees may be negatively impacted, which could materially affect our results of operations and financial condition. We have taken several actions to help support our employees and protect the health and safety of our employees and customers, such as implementing a new emergency sick leave policy, providing temporary wage increases to restaurant employees and purchasing additional sanitation supplies and personal protective materials, which have contributed to increased operating costs.

The impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and capital resources. We currently believe we have the ability to pursue additional sources of liquidity if needed or desired to fund operating cash requirements or for other purposes. Due to the uncertainty in the credit markets caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, there can be no assurance that additional liquidity will be readily available or available on terms acceptable to us. If the disruptions caused by COVID-19 worsen or last longer than we currently expect, our ability to comply with certain debt covenants under our securitized financing facility could be adversely affected. Additionally, negative changes to our credit ratings due to the impact or expected impact of COVID-19 could have an adverse effect on our existing indebtedness, our ability to access additional capital, our cost of borrowing and our overall liquidity position and financial condition.

We cannot predict the duration, scope or severity of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 has disrupted and is expected to continue to disrupt our business, which has materially affected and could continue to materially affect our results of operations, financial condition and prospects for an extended period of time.

In addition to the risks described above, the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and could continue to have, the effect of heightening other risks disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Form 10-K, including, but not limited to, risks related to competition, consumer preferences and spending, economic conditions and disruptions, labor, supply chain and purchasing, new restaurant development and reimaging, performance of the breakfast daypart, franchisee actions, results and financial condition, leasing and ownership of real estate, complaints or litigation, legal or regulatory requirements, international operations and expansion, digital commerce and technology, cybersecurity, asset impairments, our securitized financing facility and levels of indebtedness, and payment of future dividends. Because the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and continuously evolving, the potential impacts to the risk factors that are further described in the Form 10-K remain uncertain.

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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 first quarter of 2020:

Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities

Period	Total 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 30, 2019 through February 2, 2020	1,081,173		$21.89	1,054,271		$20,713,003
February 3, 2020 through March 1, 2020	1,117,612		$23.00	982,388		$98,162,283
March 2, 2020 through March 29, 2020	683,922		$18.63	682,373		$85,462,519
Total	2,882,707		$21.55	2,719,032		$85,462,519

(1) Includes 163,675 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 2019, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $225.0 million of our common stock through March 1, 2020, when and if market conditions warranted and to the extent legally permissible. In February 2020, the Company completed the 2019 ASR Agreement and received 0.6 million shares of common stock. With the completion of the 2019 ASR Agreement, the Company completed its $225.0 million February 2019 authorization. In February 2020, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $100.0 million of our common stock through February 28, 2021, when and if market conditions warrant and to the extent legally permissible.

As previously announced, in March 2020, the Company suspended all share repurchase activity in connection with the Company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Item 6. Exhibits.

EXHIBIT NO.	DESCRIPTION
10.1	Form of Long-Term Performance Unit Award Agreement for 2020 under The Wendy’s Company 2010 Omnibus Award Plan.* **
31.1	Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of The Wendy’s Company, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2	Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of The Wendy’s Company, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1	Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
101	The following financial information from The Wendy’s Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2020 formatted in Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language: (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
104	The cover page from The Wendy’s Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2020, formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101.

____________________

*	Filed herewith.
**	Identifies a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

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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: May 6, 2020	By: /s/ Gunther Plosch
	Gunther Plosch
	Chief Financial Officer
	(On behalf of the registrant)
Date: May 6, 2020	By: /s/ Leigh A. Burnside
	Leigh A. Burnside
	Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer
	(Principal Accounting Officer)

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EX-10.1

THE WENDY’S COMPANY

LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

(this “Agreement”)

The Wendy’s Company (the “Company”), pursuant to the provisions of The Wendy’s Company 2010 Omnibus Award Plan (the “Plan”), hereby irrevocably grants to the Participant stated below an Award (the “Award”) of Performance Units (the “Units”), on _____________, 20___ (the “Award Date”), as specified below:

Participant:	______________________
Performance Period:	December 30, 2019 to January 1, 2023
Target Free Cash Flow Units:	____________ (the “Free Cash Flow Units”)
Target TSR Units:	____________ (the “TSR Units”)

Each Unit represents the right to receive one (1) share of Common Stock provided that the applicable performance goal as described in this Agreement is achieved. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the respective meanings assigned to them under the Plan.

1.Free Cash Flow.

(a)Earning of Award. The extent to which the Participant will earn the Free Cash Flow Units is based on the Company’s cumulative Free Cash Flow (as defined below) for the Performance Period compared to the cumulative Free Cash Flow Target established by the Committee for the Performance Period as shown in the chart below (with the Threshold, Above Threshold, Target, Above Target and Maximum cumulative Free Cash Flow amounts to be set forth on a separate exhibit which will be provided to the Participant).

Company Cumulative Free Cash Flow	Percentage of Free Cash Flow Units Earned
Maximum	200.0%
Above Target	150.0%
Target	100.0%
Above Threshold	75.0%
Threshold	37.5%
Below Threshold	0.0%

Linear interpolation shall be used to determine the percentage of Free Cash Flow Units earned in the event the Company’s cumulative Free Cash Flow falls between the (i) Threshold and Above Threshold, (ii) Above Threshold and Target, (iii) Target and Above Target or (iv) Above Target and Maximum performance levels shown in the chart above. The Company’s cumulative Free Cash Flow will be determined as set forth in Section 1(b) below.

(b)Calculation of Free Cash Flow. The Company’s “cumulative Free Cash Flow” means the sum of the Company’s Free Cash Flow (as defined below) for each fiscal year of the Performance Period.

“Free Cash Flow” means cash flows from operations minus (i) capital expenditures and (ii) the net change in the restricted operating assets and liabilities of the Company’s U.S. and Canadian national advertising funds and any excess/deficit of advertising funds revenue over advertising funds expenses included in net income, each as prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and reported in the Company’s fiscal 2020, 2021 and 2022 Consolidated

Statements of Cash Flows, as adjusted (A) within the “Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Free Cash Flow” (or similarly titled non-GAAP reconciliation table) as presented in the Company’s fiscal 2020, 2021 and 2022 earnings release and (B) to exclude the impact of (1) changes in applicable accounting standards or principles, (2) the settlement of the financial institutions class action lawsuit related to the 2015 and 2016 criminal cyberattacks, (3) any other specific non-recurring and unusual items as described in management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations appearing in the Company’s annual report to stockholders for the applicable fiscal year and (4) any other adjustments to the extent approved by the Committee. Each adjustment made pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be calculated by reference to the applicable line item on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows or the applicable account or journal entry on the Company’s general ledger.

2.Relative TSR Performance.

(a)Earning of Award. The extent to which the Participant will earn the TSR Units is based on the Company TSR Percentile Ranking (as defined below) for the Performance Period based on the following chart:

Company TSR Percentile Ranking	Percentage of TSR Units Earned
≥ 90th	200.0% (Maximum)
75th	150.0% (Above Target)
50th	100.0% (Target)
37.5th	75.0% (Above Threshold)
25th	37.5% (Threshold)
< 25th	0.0% (Below Threshold)

Linear interpolation shall be used to determine the percentage of TSR Units earned in the event the Company TSR Percentile Ranking falls between the (i) 25th and 37.5th percentiles, (ii) the 37.5th and 50th percentiles, (iii) the 50th and 75th percentiles or (iv) the 75th and 90th percentiles listed in the above chart. The Company TSR Percentile Ranking will be determined as set forth in Section 2(c) below.

(b)Calculation of TSR. “TSR” means total stockholder return, which shall be calculated as follows:

“TSR” = Change in Stock Price + Dividends Paid

Beginning Stock Price

(i) Beginning Stock Price shall mean the average of the Closing Prices for each of the twenty (20) trading days immediately prior to the first trading day of the Performance Period;

(ii) Ending Stock Price shall mean the average of the Closing Prices for each of the last twenty (20) trading days of the Performance Period;

(iii) Change in Stock Price shall equal the Ending Stock Price minus the Beginning Stock Price;

(iv) Dividends Paid shall mean the total of all dividends paid on one (1) share of Common Stock during the Performance Period, provided that dividends shall be treated as though they are reinvested;

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(v) Closing Price shall mean the last reported sale price on the applicable stock exchange or market of one (1) share of Common Stock for a particular trading day; and

(vi) In all events, TSR shall be adjusted to give effect to any stock dividends, stock splits, reverse stock splits and similar transactions.

(c)Calculation of Company TSR Percentile Ranking. The Company shall determine (i) the Company’s TSR for the Performance Period and (ii) the TSR for the Performance Period of each company that was included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index as of the last day of the Performance Period. The Company TSR Percentile Ranking shall mean the percentage of TSRs of the companies included the S&P MidCap 400 Index as of the last day of the Performance Period that are lower than the Company’s TSR for the Performance Period.

3.Form and Timing of Payments Under Award.

(a)Following the end of the Performance Period, the Committee shall determine whether and the extent to which the Company’s cumulative Free Cash Flow and the Company TSR Percentile Ranking (the “Performance Goals”) have been achieved for the Performance Period and shall determine the number of shares of Common Stock, if any, issuable to the Participant with respect to the level of achievement of the Performance Goals; provided that with respect to any Award, the Committee shall have certified the achievement of the Performance Goals. The Committee’s determination with respect to the achievement of the Performance Goals shall be based on the Company’s financial statements and other relevant information, subject to any adjustments made by the Committee in accordance with this Section 3.

(b)Notwithstanding satisfaction, achievement or completion of the Performance Goals (or any adjustments thereto as provided below), the number of shares of Common Stock issuable hereunder may be reduced or eliminated by the Committee on the basis of such further considerations as the Committee in its sole discretion shall determine. The Committee shall have the right to adjust or modify the calculation of the Performance Goals as permitted under the Plan.

(c)The Units earned pursuant to this Award shall be paid out to the Participant in shares of Common Stock as soon as reasonably practicable following the Committee’s determination, but in no event later than March 15, 2023. For the avoidance of doubt, fractional shares of Common Stock shall be rounded down to the nearest whole number without any payment therefor.

4.Change in Control.

(a)In the event a Change in Control occurs during the Performance Period, then immediately before such Change in Control, any unvested outstanding Units shall be converted (without proration for the percentage of the Performance Period that has elapsed) into time-based restricted stock units (vesting on the last day of the Performance Period); provided, that the number of Units that shall be converted into time-based restricted stock units shall be based on (i) actual performance through the date of the Change of Control as determined by the Committee or (ii) if the Committee determines that measurement of actual performance cannot be reasonably assessed, the assumed achievement of Target performance as determined by the Committee. If, to the extent applicable, such time-based restricted stock units are not assumed or replaced by the acquirer/continuing entity in connection with such Change in Control on terms deemed by the Committee to be substantially equivalent, then all such time-based restricted stock units shall vest (and the restrictions thereon shall lapse) on the date of the Change in Control and shall be paid out to the Participant in shares of Common Stock as soon as practicable following the Committee’s determination, but in no event later than seventy-four (74) days following the last day of the calendar year in which the Change in Control

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occurred. Any such determination(s) by the Committee shall be final and binding on all parties, absent manifest error.

(b)In the event the Participant’s employment or service to the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated prior to the end of the Performance Period by the Company or its Subsidiaries other than for Cause (and other than due to death or Disability), or by the Participant for Good Reason, in each case following a Change in Control, then the Participant shall become vested in the time-based restricted stock units received pursuant to Section 4(a) above and the restrictions thereon shall immediately lapse as of the date of such termination of employment or service; provided, in each case, that the number of restricted stock units that shall become fully vested and free from such restrictions shall be prorated based on the time elapsed from the Award Date to the date of termination of employment or service. The restricted stock units earned in accordance with the foregoing shall be paid out to the Participant in shares of Common Stock as soon as practicable following the Committee’s determination, but in no event later than seventy-four (74) days following the last day of the calendar year in which the termination of employment occurred.

5.Termination of Employment or Service.

(a)If the Participant ceases employment or service to the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason prior to the end of the Performance Period (except following a Change in Control as described in Section 4(b) above), the Units shall be immediately canceled and the Participant shall thereupon cease to have any right or entitlement to receive any shares of Common Stock under the Award.

(b)Notwithstanding Sections 3(d) and 5(a) above, in the event the Participant’s employment or service to the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated by the Company or its Subsidiaries due to death or Disability, outstanding Units granted to the Participant shall become vested and the restrictions thereon shall immediately lapse as of the date of such termination of employment or service; provided, that the portion of any such Units that shall become fully vested and free from such restrictions shall be based on (i) actual performance through the date of termination as determined by the Committee or (ii) if the Committee determines that measurement of actual performance cannot be reasonably assessed, the assumed achievement of Target performance as determined by the Committee, in each case prorated based on the time elapsed from the Award Date to the date of termination of employment or service. The Units earned in accordance with the foregoing shall be paid out to the Participant in shares of Common Stock as soon as practicable following the Committee’s determination, but in no event later than seventy-four (74) days following the last day of the calendar year in which the termination of employment occurred.

(c)In addition, notwithstanding Section 5(a) above, in the event the Participant’s employment or service to the Company and its Subsidiaries is terminated by the Company or its Subsidiaries prior to the end of the Performance Period other than for Cause (and other than (i) due to death or Disability as described in Section 5(b) above or (ii) by the Company other than for Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason following a Change in Control as described in Section 4(b) above), the Units shall become vested and the restrictions thereon shall immediately lapse as of the date of such termination of employment or service; provided, that the portion of any such Units that shall become fully vested and free from such restrictions shall be based on actual performance through the end of the Performance Period as determined by the Committee in accordance with Section 3 above, prorated based on the time elapsed from the Award Date to the date of termination of employment or service. The Units earned in accordance with the foregoing shall be paid out to the Participant in shares of Common Stock as soon as practicable following the Committee’s determination, subject to and in accordance with Section 3 above.

6.Dividend Equivalent Rights. Each Unit shall also have a dividend equivalent right (a “Dividend Equivalent Right”). Each Dividend Equivalent Right represents the right to receive all of the ordinary cash

4

dividends that are or would be payable with respect to the Units. With respect to each Dividend Equivalent Right, any such cash dividends shall be converted into additional Units based on the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date such dividend is paid. Such additional Units shall be subject to the same terms and conditions applicable to the Unit to which the Dividend Equivalent Right relates, including, without limitation, the restrictions on transfer, forfeiture, vesting and payment provisions contained in this Agreement. In the event that a Unit is forfeited as provided in Sections 3 and 5 above, then the related Dividend Equivalent Right shall also be forfeited.

7.Withholding Taxes. The Participant shall be required to pay to the Company, and the Company shall have the right and is hereby authorized to withhold, from any cash, shares of Common Stock, other securities or other property deliverable in respect of the Units or from any compensation or other amounts owing to the Participant, the amount (in cash, Common Stock, other securities or other property) of any required withholding taxes in respect of the Units, and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Committee or the Company to satisfy all obligations for the payment of such withholding and taxes. In addition, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit the Participant to satisfy, in whole or in part, the foregoing withholding liability (but no more than the minimum required statutory withholding liability) by (a) the delivery of shares of Common Stock (which are not subject to any pledge or other security interest) owned by the Participant having a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability or (b) having the Company withhold from the number of shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable or deliverable upon settlement of the Units a number of shares with a Fair Market Value equal to such withholding liability. The obligations of the Company under this Agreement will be conditional on such payment or arrangements, and the Company will, to the extent permitted by law, have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant.

8.Securities Laws. The Participant agrees that the obligation of the Company to issue shares of Common Stock upon the achievement of the Performance Goal shall also be subject, as conditions precedent, to compliance with applicable provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, state securities or corporation laws, rules and regulations under any of the foregoing and applicable requirements of any securities exchange upon which the Company’s securities shall be listed.

9.Bound by Plan. The Units have been granted subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a copy of which has been provided to the Participant and which the Participant acknowledges having received and reviewed. Any conflict between this Agreement and the Plan shall be decided in favor of the provisions of the Plan. Any conflict between this Agreement and the terms of a written employment agreement for the Participant that has been approved, ratified or confirmed by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Committee shall be decided in favor of the provisions of such employment agreement. This Agreement may not be amended, altered, suspended, discontinued, cancelled or terminated in any manner that would materially and adversely affect the rights of the Participant except by a written agreement executed by the Participant and the Company.

10.Clawback. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event of a material restatement of the Company’s issued financial statements, the Committee shall review the facts and circumstances underlying the restatement (including, without limitation, any potential wrongdoing by the Participant and whether the restatement was the result of negligence or intentional or gross misconduct) and may, in the Committee’s sole discretion, direct the Company to recover all or a portion of the Units or any gain realized on the settlement of the Units or the subsequent sale of Common Stock acquired upon settlement of the Units with respect to any fiscal year in which the Company’s financial results are negatively impacted by such restatement. If the Committee directs the Company to recover any such amount from the Participant, then the Participant agrees to and shall be required to repay any such amount to the Company within thirty (30) days after the Company demands repayment. In addition, if the Company is required by law to include

5

an additional “clawback” or “forfeiture” provision to outstanding awards, then such clawback or forfeiture provision shall also apply to this Award as if such additional provision had been included on the date of grant and the Company shall promptly notify the Participant of such additional provision. In addition, if a court determines that the Participant has engaged or is engaged in Detrimental Activities during the Participant’s employment or service with the Company or its Subsidiaries or after the Participant’s employment or service with the Company or its Subsidiaries has ceased, then the Participant, within thirty (30) days after written demand by the Company, shall return the Units or any gain realized on the settlement of the Units or the subsequent sale of Common Stock acquired upon settlement of the Units.

11.Electronic Delivery. By accepting the Award of Units evidenced by this Agreement, the Participant hereby consents to the electronic delivery of all documentation, including prospectuses, annual reports and other information required to be delivered by Securities and Exchange Commission rules. This consent may be revoked in writing by the Participant at any time upon three (3) business days’ notice to the Company, in which case all documents, including subsequent prospectuses, annual reports and other information, will be delivered in hard copy to the Participant.

12.Notices. Notices and communications under this Agreement must be in writing and either personally delivered or sent by registered or certified United States mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. Notices to the Company must be addressed to The Wendy’s Company, One Dave Thomas Boulevard, Dublin, Ohio 43017, Attention: Corporate Secretary, or any other address designated by the Company in a written notice to the Participant. Notices to the Participant will be directed to the address of the Participant then currently on file with the Company, or at any other address given by the Participant in a written notice to the Company.

13.No Right to Employment. This grant does not constitute an employment contract. Nothing in this Agreement or the Plan shall (a) confer upon the Participant the right to continue to serve as a director or officer to, or to continue as an employee or service provider of, the Company or its Affiliates during all or any portion of the Performance Period or (b) be deemed to be a modification or waiver of the terms and conditions set forth in any written employment agreement for the Participant that has been approved, ratified or confirmed by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Committee.

14.Section 409A of the Code. If any provision of this Agreement could cause the application of an accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code upon the vesting or settlement of the Units (or any portion thereof), such provision shall be restructured, to the minimum extent possible, in a manner determined by the Company (and reasonably acceptable to the Participant) that does not cause such an accelerated or additional tax. It is intended that this Agreement shall not be subject to Section 409A of the Code by reason of the short-term deferral rule under Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), and this Agreement shall be interpreted accordingly.

15.Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of Delaware applicable to contracts made and performed wholly within the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of laws provisions thereof.

16.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Furthermore, delivery of a copy of a counterpart signature by facsimile or electronic transmission shall constitute a valid and binding execution and delivery of this Agreement, and such copy shall constitute an enforceable original document.

6

17.Electronic Signature. This Agreement may be executed and exchanged by facsimile or electronic mail transmission, and the facsimile or electronically transmitted copies of each party’s respective signature will be binding as if the same were an original signature. This Agreement may also be executed through the use of electronic signature, which the Company and Participant acknowledge is a lawful means of obtaining signatures in the United States. Each party agrees that its electronic signature is the legal equivalent of such party’s manually written signature on this Agreement and therefore shall be the same, and shall have the same force and effect, as such party’s manually written signature. Each party further agrees that its use of a key pad, mouse or other device to select an item, button or icon, or to perform any other similar act/action, regarding any agreement, acknowledgement, consent terms, disclosures or conditions constitutes such party’s signature, acceptance and agreement as if actually signed by such party in writing. Furthermore, to the extent applicable, all references to signatures in this Agreement may be satisfied by procedures that the Company or a third party designated by the Company has established or may establish for an electronic signature system.

18.Data Privacy. Participant agrees and acknowledges that by entering into this Agreement and accepting this Award, Participant (a) consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of any of Participant’s personal data that is necessary or appropriate to facilitate the implementation, administration and management of this Award and the Plan, (b) understands that the Company may, for purposes of implementing, administering and managing the Plan, hold certain personal information about Participant, including Participant’s name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, social security number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, and details of all awards or entitlements to awards granted to Participant under the Plan or otherwise (“Personal Data”), (c) understands that Personal Data may be transferred to any third parties assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, including any broker with whom the shares of common stock issued upon vesting of the Award may be deposited, and that these recipients may be located in the United States or elsewhere, and that the recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the United States, (d) waives any data privacy rights Participant may have with respect to the data, and (e) authorizes the Company, its Affiliates and its agents, to store and transmit such information in electronic form. Participant understands that Participant is providing consent under this Section on a purely voluntary basis. If Participant does not consent, or if Participant later seeks to revoke consent, Participant’s employment status or service with the Company will not be affected; the only consequence of Participant’s refusing or withdrawing consent is that the Company would not be able to grant the Award or other awards to Participant or implement, administer or maintain such awards.

19.Validity of Agreement. This Agreement shall be valid, binding and effective upon the Company on the Award Date. However, the Units evidenced by this Agreement shall be forfeited by the Participant and this Agreement shall have no force and effect if this Agreement is duly rejected. The Participant may reject this Agreement and forfeit the Units by notifying the Company or its designee in the manner prescribed by the Company and communicated to the Participant; provided that such rejection must be received by the Company or its designee no later than the earlier of (a) ______________, 20___ and (b) the date the Units first vest pursuant to the terms hereof. If this Agreement is rejected on or prior to such date, the Units evidenced by this Agreement shall be forfeited, and neither the Participant nor the Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators and successors shall have any rights with respect thereto.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company, by a duly authorized officer thereof, has caused this Long-Term Performance Unit Award Agreement to be executed as of the Award Date stated above.

THE WENDY’S COMPANY

By:

Name:

Title:

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EX-31.1

EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

OF THE WENDY’S COMPANY, PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Todd A. Penegor, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of The Wendy’s Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 6, 2020

/s/ Todd A. Penegor          

Todd A. Penegor

President and Chief Executive Officer

EX-31.2

EXHIBIT 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

OF THE WENDY’S COMPANY, PURSUANT TO SECTION 302

OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Gunther Plosch, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of The Wendy’s Company;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: May 6, 2020

/s/ Gunther Plosch          

Gunther Plosch

Chief Financial Officer

EX-32.1

EXHIBIT 32.1

CERTIFICATIONS OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

Pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, each of the undersigned officers of The Wendy’s Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), does hereby certify, to the best of such officer’s knowledge, that in connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of the Company for the quarter ended March 29, 2020 (the “Form 10-Q”):

1. the Form 10-Q fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. the information contained in the Form 10-Q fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: May 6, 2020

/s/ Todd A. Penegor             

Todd A. Penegor

President and Chief Executive Officer

Date: May 6, 2020

/s/ Gunther Plosch               

Gunther Plosch

Chief Financial Officer

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Transactions with Related Parties

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Transactions with Related Parties

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, which are then subleased to franchisees for the operation of Wendy’s/Tim Hortons combo units in Canada. During both the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, Wendy’s paid TimWen $3,855 under these lease agreements. In addition, TimWen paid Wendy’s a management fee under the TimWen joint venture agreement of $51 and $52 during the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively, which has been included as a reduction to “General and administrative.”

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Revenue (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Revenue [Abstract]

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables disaggregate revenue by segment and source:

	Wendy’s U.S.		Wendy’s International		Global Real Estate & Development		Total
Three Months Ended March 29, 2020
Sales at Company-operated restaurants	$	166,798	$	—	$	—	$	166,798
Franchise royalty revenue	84,833		10,523		—		95,356
Franchise fees	5,285		473		591		6,349
Franchise rental income	—		—		57,856		57,856
Advertising funds revenue	74,125		4,476		—		78,601
Total revenues	$	331,041	$	15,472	$	58,447	$	404,960
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Sales at Company-operated restaurants	$	167,697	$	—	$	—	$	167,697
Franchise royalty revenue	84,378		10,465		—		94,843
Franchise fees	5,430		1,033		647		7,110
Franchise rental income	—		—		58,452		58,452
Advertising funds revenue	75,981		4,500		—		80,481
Total revenues	$	333,486	$	15,998	$	59,099	$	408,583

Contract balances, assets and liabilities

The following table provides information about receivables and contract liabilities (deferred franchise fees) from contracts with customers:

	March 29, 2020 (a)		December 29, 2019 (a)
Receivables, which are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” (b)	$	35,450	$	39,188
Receivables, which are included in “Advertising funds restricted assets”	44,635		54,394
Deferred franchise fees (c)	99,611		100,689

_______________

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

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

(c)

Deferred franchise fees are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Deferred franchise fees” and totaled $8,983 and $90,628 as of March 29, 2020, respectively, and $8,899 and $91,790 as of December 29, 2019, respectively.

Deferred franchise fee rollforward

Significant changes in deferred franchise fees are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period	$	100,689		$	102,205
Revenue recognized during the period	(2,144		)	(2,772		)
New deferrals due to cash received and other	1,066			2,036
Deferred franchise fees at end of period	$	99,611		$	101,469

Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction

The following table reflects the estimated franchise fees to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied at the end of the period:

Estimate for fiscal year:
2020 (a)	$	7,434
2021	6,301
2022	5,971
2023	5,798
2024	5,594
Thereafter	68,513
	$	99,611

_______________

(a)

Represents franchise fees expected to be recognized for the remainder of 2020, which includes development-related franchise fees expected to be recognized over a duration of one year or less.

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Leases Components of Lease Cost (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Finance Lease, Cost
Amortization of finance lease assets	$ 3,186	$ 3,117
Interest on finance lease liabilities	10,058	6,753
Total finance lease cost	13,244	9,870
Lease, Cost
Operating lease cost	21,165	24,643
Variable lease cost	14,370	14,104
Short-term lease cost	1,330	1,126
Total operating lease cost	36,865	39,873
Total lease cost	50,109	49,743
Franchise rental expense
Lease, Cost
Total operating lease cost	29,291	32,451
Cost of sales
Lease, Cost
Total operating lease cost	6,833	6,593
Executory costs paid by lessee
Lease, Cost
Variable lease cost	$ 9,743	$ 9,524

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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets	$ 4,587	$ 1,486
Company-operated restaurants
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets	4,395	201
Surplus properties
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
Impairment of long-lived assets	$ 192	$ 1,285

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Stockholders' Equity Repurchases of Common Stock (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands			3 Months Ended
	Feb. 29, 2020	Nov. 30, 2019	Mar. 29, 2020	Feb. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Feb. 28, 2019	Nov. 30, 2018
February 2020 Share Repurchase Program
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount	$ 100,000			$ 100,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired			779
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, excluding Commissions			$ 14,537
Stock Repurchase Program, Cost Incurred			11
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount			$ 85,463
February 2019 Share Repurchase Program
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount						$ 225,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired			1,312
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, excluding Commissions			$ 28,770
Stock Repurchase Program, Cost Incurred			$ 18
2019 Accelerated Share Repurchase Program
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount		$ 100,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired	628	4,051		4,679
Initial Shares Delivered Under ASR Agreement Percentage		85.00%
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share				$ 21.37
November 2018 and February 2019 Share Repurchase Programs
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount							$ 220,000
Treasury Stock, Shares, Acquired					1,744
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method, excluding Commissions					$ 29,345
Stock Repurchase Program, Cost Incurred					25
Stock Repurchase Program, Repurchase Accrual					$ 268

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Reorganization and Realignment Costs Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Reorganization and realignment costs	$ 3,910	$ 798
IT Realignment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Reorganization and realignment costs	3,559	0
G&A Realignment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Reorganization and realignment costs	267	782
System Optimization
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Reorganization and realignment costs	$ 84	$ 16

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Revenue Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 99,611
2020
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	7,434
2021
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	6,301
2022
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	5,971
2023
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	5,798
2024
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	5,594
Thereafter
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Amount	$ 68,513

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Segment Information Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item
Total revenues	$ 404,960	$ 408,583
Wendy's U.S.
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item
Total revenues	331,041	333,486
Wendy's International
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item
Total revenues	15,472	15,998
Global Real Estate & Development
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item
Total revenues	$ 58,447	$ 59,099

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Leases Components of Lease Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Lessor Lease Income
Sales-type leases, selling profit	$ 628	$ 1,934
Sales-type and direct-financing leases, interest income	7,248	4,733
Operating lease rental income	43,952	45,205
Variable lease income	13,904	13,247
Franchise rental income	57,856	58,452
Sublease income	42,042	43,021
Executory costs paid to lessor
Lessor Lease Income
Variable lease income	$ 9,709	$ 9,432

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Cash and Receivables Accounts and Notes Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Accounts receivable, gross, current	$ 71,750	$ 103,852
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts, current	(3,881)	(3,314)
Accounts receivable, net, current	67,869	100,538
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current	18,635	23,628
Notes receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts, current	(5,505)	(6,705)
Notes receivable from franchisees, net, current	13,130	16,923
Accounts and notes receivables, gross, current	90,385	127,480
Accounts and notes receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts, current	(9,386)	(10,019)
Accounts and notes receivable, net, current	80,999	117,461
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, noncurrent	5,623	1,617
Notes receivable from franchisees, allowance for doubtful accounts, noncurrent	0	0
Notes receivable from franchisees, net, noncurrent	5,623	1,617
Income taxes receivable	9,764	13,555
Accounts and notes receivable, net
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Interest receivable	1,008	1,304
Income taxes receivable	9,764	13,555
Insurance settlements receivable		25,350
Sales-type and direct financing leases, lease receivable	3,438	3,146
India franchisee
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current	1,000	1,000
Notes receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts, current	(985)	(985)
U.S. franchisee
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current		1,000
Indonesia franchisee
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current	1,097	1,262
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, noncurrent	1,273	1,617
Brazil JV
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, current	11,800	15,920
Notes receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts, current	(4,520)	$ (5,720)
Notes receivable from franchisees, gross, noncurrent	$ 4,350

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Long-Term Debt Senior Notes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Debt Instrument
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 25,082
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes
Debt Instrument
Line of Credit, Outstanding, Amount	120,000	$ 0
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes | Line of Credit
Debt Instrument
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	150,000
Proceeds from Lines of Credit	120,000
Line of Credit, Outstanding, Amount	120,000
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes | Letter of Credit
Debt Instrument
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 24,756

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Net Income Per Share (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted income per share

The weighted average number of shares used to calculate basic and diluted net income per share were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020	March 31, 2019
Common stock:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	223,533	230,584
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares	4,474	5,310
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	228,007	235,894

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Investments (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Schedule of Equity Method Investments

Presented below is activity related to our investment in TimWen and the Brazil JV included in our condensed consolidated financial statements:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Balance at beginning of period	$	45,310		$	47,021
Equity in earnings for the period	1,985			2,397
Amortization of purchase price adjustments (a)	(562		)	(566		)
	1,423			1,831
Distributions received	(1,603		)	(2,246		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in “Other comprehensive (loss) income” and other	(2,991		)	1,166
Balance at end of period	$	42,139		$	47,772

_______________

(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.

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Basis of Presentation

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

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 March 29, 2020 and the results of our operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019. The 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 December 29, 2019 (the “Form 10-K”).

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted and is expected to continue to disrupt our business, which has materially affected and could continue to materially affect our financial condition and results of operations for an extended period of time. As such, the results of operations for the three months ended March 29, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full 2020 fiscal year. We cannot predict whether, when or the manner in which the conditions surrounding the pandemic will change and cannot currently estimate the impact on our business in the short or long-term. See Note 9 for the debt-related actions taken by the Company in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and Note 11 for the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the recoverability of the Company’s long-lived assets.

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 in the following segments: (1) Wendy’s U.S., (2) Wendy’s International and (3) Global Real Estate & Development. Certain prior period financial information has been revised to align with this segment reporting structure. See Note 19 for further information.

We report on a fiscal year consisting of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Sunday closest to or on December 31. All three-month periods presented herein contain 13 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.

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Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 was 32.1% and 20.0%, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate varied from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to (1) an increase in tax on our foreign operations, (2) an increase in state income taxes and (3) a reduction for the benefit of share-based compensation.

There were no significant changes to the unrecognized tax benefits or related interest and penalties for the three months ended March 29, 2020. During the next twelve months, we believe it is reasonably possible the Company will reduce unrecognized tax benefits by up to $1,399 due primarily to the lapse of statutes of limitations and expected settlements.

The current portion of refundable income taxes was $9,764 and $13,555 as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, 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 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019.

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Acquisitions (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Acquisitions

Acquisitions

No restaurants were acquired from franchisees during the three months ended March 29, 2020. 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 during the three months ended March 31, 2019 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 franchisees:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2019
Restaurants acquired from franchisees	5
Total consideration paid, net of cash received	$	5,052
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Properties	666
Acquired franchise rights	1,354
Finance lease assets	5,350
Finance lease liabilities	(4,084		)
Other	(2,316		)
Total identifiable net assets	970
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.

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Investments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

Investments

(8) 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 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 income, net.”

Presented below is activity related to our investment in TimWen and the Brazil JV included in our condensed consolidated financial statements:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Balance at beginning of period	$	45,310		$	47,021
Equity in earnings for the period	1,985			2,397
Amortization of purchase price adjustments (a)	(562		)	(566		)
	1,423			1,831
Distributions received	(1,603		)	(2,246		)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in “Other comprehensive (loss) income” and other	(2,991		)	1,166
Balance at end of period	$	42,139		$	47,772

_______________

(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.

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenues
Franchise rental income	$ 57,856	$ 58,452
Revenues	404,960	408,583
Costs and expenses
Cost of sales	149,999	142,579
Franchise support and other costs	8,013	6,018
Franchise rental expense	29,301	32,451
Advertising funds expense	79,988	80,481
General and administrative	51,639	49,313
Depreciation and amortization	31,046	33,185
System optimization gains, net	(323)	(12)
Reorganization and realignment costs	3,910	798
Impairment of long-lived assets	4,587	1,486
Other operating income, net	(1,932)	(3,982)
Costs and expenses	356,228	342,317
Operating profit	48,732	66,266
Interest expense, net	(28,525)	(29,082)
Other income, net	1,076	2,700
Income before income taxes	21,283	39,884
Provision for income taxes	(6,842)	(7,990)
Net income	$ 14,441	$ 31,894
Earnings per share
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	$ 0.06	$ 0.14
Sales
Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 166,798	$ 167,697
Franchise royalty revenue and fees
Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	101,705	101,953
Advertising funds revenue
Revenues
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 78,601	$ 80,481

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Segment Information Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Segment Reporting Information
Segment profit	$ 48,732	$ 66,266
Advertising funds deficit	(1,387)	0
Unallocated general and administrative	(51,639)	(49,313)
Depreciation and amortization	(31,046)	(33,185)
System optimization gains, net	323	12
Reorganization and realignment costs	(3,910)	(798)
Impairment on long-lived assets	(4,587)	(1,486)
Unallocated other operating income, net	1,932	3,982
Interest expense, net	(28,525)	(29,082)
Other income, net	1,076	2,700
Income before income taxes	21,283	39,884
Corporate and Other
Segment Reporting Information
Unallocated general and administrative	(24,119)	(20,742)
Unallocated other operating income, net	45	111
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information
Segment profit	113,413	122,354
Operating Segments | Wendy's U.S.
Segment Reporting Information
Segment profit	81,828	89,654
Operating Segments | Wendy's International
Segment Reporting Information
Segment profit	5,095	5,747
Operating Segments | Global Real Estate & Development
Segment Reporting Information
Segment profit	$ 26,490	$ 26,953

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Transactions with Related Parties (Details) - TimWen - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Related Party Transaction
TimWen lease expense	$ 3,855	$ 3,855
General and administrative
Related Party Transaction
Related Party Transaction, Other Revenues from Transactions with Related Party	$ 51	$ 52

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Cash and Receivables Cash and Cash Equivalents (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash	$ 174,617	$ 185,203
Cash equivalents	120,273	114,992
Cash and cash equivalents	294,890	300,195
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	53,459	34,539
Total restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	90,645	58,512
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	385,535	358,707	$ 471,977	$ 486,512
Restricted cash
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	53,459	34,539
Restricted cash | Accounts held by trustee for the securitized financing facility
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	53,127	34,209
Restricted cash | Other
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	332	330
Advertising funds restricted assets
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents, current	$ 37,186	$ 23,973

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Long-Term Debt Schedule of Long Term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Debt Instrument
Unamortized debt issuance costs	$ (32,259)	$ (33,526)
Total debt	2,395,848	2,280,311
Less amounts payable within one year	(150,918)	(22,750)
Total long-term debt	2,244,930	2,257,561
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes
Debt Instrument
Senior Notes	$ 395,000	398,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.783%
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes
Debt Instrument
Senior Notes	$ 444,375	447,750
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.08%
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes
Debt Instrument
Senior Notes	$ 439,875	441,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.573%
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes
Debt Instrument
Senior Notes	$ 464,313	465,500
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	3.884%
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes
Debt Instrument
Senior Notes	$ 477,500	478,750
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	4.497%
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes
Debt Instrument
Lines of Credit	$ 120,000	0
Canadian revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument
Lines of Credit	3,918	0
7% Debentures
Debt Instrument
7% debentures, due in 2025	$ 83,126	$ 82,837
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	7.00%

XML

Stockholders' Equity (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Schedule of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table provides a rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive loss:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Balance at beginning of period	$	(53,828	)	$	(61,673	)
Foreign currency translation	(12,507		)	6,025
Balance at end of period	$	(66,335	)	$	(55,648	)

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Long-Term Debt (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-term debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

	March 29, 2020			December 29, 2019
Series 2019-1 Class A-2 Notes:
3.783% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2026	$	395,000		$	398,000
4.080% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2029	444,375			447,750
Series 2018-1 Class A-2 Notes:
3.573% Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2025	439,875			441,000
3.884% Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2028	464,313			465,500
Series 2015-1 Class A-2 Notes:
4.497% Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes, anticipated repayment date 2025	477,500			478,750
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes	120,000			—
Canadian revolving credit facility	3,918			—
7% debentures, due in 2025	83,126			82,837
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(32,259		)	(33,526		)
	2,395,848			2,280,311
Less amounts payable within one year	(150,918		)	(22,750		)
Total long-term debt	$	2,244,930		$	2,257,561

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Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Apr. 29, 2020
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 29, 2020
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-2207
Entity Registrant Name	THE WENDY’S COMPANY
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	38-0471180
Entity Address, Address Line One	One Dave Thomas Blvd.
Entity Address, City or Town	Dublin,
Entity Address, State or Province	OH
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	43017
City Area Code	614
Local Phone Number	764-3100
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $.10 par value
Trading Symbol	WEN
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000030697
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-03
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		222,692,815

XML

Revenue (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Revenue [Abstract]

Revenue from Contract with Customer

Revenue

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following tables disaggregate revenue by segment and source:

	Wendy’s U.S.		Wendy’s International		Global Real Estate & Development		Total
Three Months Ended March 29, 2020
Sales at Company-operated restaurants	$	166,798	$	—	$	—	$	166,798
Franchise royalty revenue	84,833		10,523		—		95,356
Franchise fees	5,285		473		591		6,349
Franchise rental income	—		—		57,856		57,856
Advertising funds revenue	74,125		4,476		—		78,601
Total revenues	$	331,041	$	15,472	$	58,447	$	404,960
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Sales at Company-operated restaurants	$	167,697	$	—	$	—	$	167,697
Franchise royalty revenue	84,378		10,465		—		94,843
Franchise fees	5,430		1,033		647		7,110
Franchise rental income	—		—		58,452		58,452
Advertising funds revenue	75,981		4,500		—		80,481
Total revenues	$	333,486	$	15,998	$	59,099	$	408,583

Contract Balances

The following table provides information about receivables and contract liabilities (deferred franchise fees) from contracts with customers:

	March 29, 2020 (a)		December 29, 2019 (a)
Receivables, which are included in “Accounts and notes receivable, net” (b)	$	35,450	$	39,188
Receivables, which are included in “Advertising funds restricted assets”	44,635		54,394
Deferred franchise fees (c)	99,611		100,689

_______________

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

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

(c) Deferred franchise fees are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Deferred franchise fees” and totaled $8,983 and $90,628 as of March 29, 2020, respectively, and $8,899 and $91,790 as of December 29, 2019, respectively.

Significant changes in deferred franchise fees are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period	$	100,689		$	102,205
Revenue recognized during the period	(2,144		)	(2,772		)
New deferrals due to cash received and other	1,066			2,036
Deferred franchise fees at end of period	$	99,611		$	101,469

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:
2020 (a)	$	7,434
2021	6,301
2022	5,971
2023	5,798
2024	5,594
Thereafter	68,513
	$	99,611

_______________

(a)

Represents franchise fees expected to be recognized for the remainder of 2020, which includes development-related franchise fees expected to be recognized over a duration of one year or less.

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Cash and Receivables (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Cash and Receivables [Abstract]

Cash and Receivables Disclosure [Text Block]

Cash and Receivables

	March 29, 2020		December 29, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash	$	174,617	$	185,203
Cash equivalents	120,273		114,992
	294,890		300,195
Restricted cash
Accounts held by trustee for the securitized financing facility	53,127		34,209
Other	332		330
	53,459		34,539
Advertising Funds (a)	37,186		23,973
	90,645		58,512
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	385,535	$	358,707

_______________

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

	March 29, 2020							December 29, 2019
	Gross		Allowance for Doubtful Accounts			Net		Gross		Allowance for Doubtful Accounts			Net
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net
Current
Accounts receivable (a)	$	71,750	$	(3,881	)	$	67,869	$	103,852	$	(3,314	)	$	100,538
Notes receivable from franchisees (b) (c) (d)	18,635		(5,505		)	13,130		23,628		(6,705		)	16,923
	$	90,385	$	(9,386	)	$	80,999	$	127,480	$	(10,019	)	$	117,461
Non-current (e)
Notes receivable from franchisees (d)	$	5,623	$	—		$	5,623	$	1,617	$	—		$	1,617

_______________

(a) Includes accrued interest receivables, net of $1,008 and $1,304 and income tax refund receivables $9,764 and $13,555 as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively. Additionally, 2019 includes receivables of $25,350 related to insurance coverage for the financial institutions case.

(b) Includes the current portion of sales-type and direct financing lease receivables of $3,438 and $3,146 as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively.

(c) Includes a note receivable from a franchisee in India totaling $1,000 as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019. As of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, the Company had a reserve of $985 on the loan outstanding to the franchisee in India.

Included a note receivable from a U.S. franchisee totaling $1,000 as of December 29, 2019. The note was repaid during the three months ended March 29, 2020.

(d) Includes a note receivable from a franchisee in Indonesia, of which $1,097 and $1,262 are included in current notes receivable and $1,273 and $1,617 are included in non-current notes receivable as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively.

Includes notes receivable related to a joint venture for the operation of Wendy’s restaurants in Brazil (the “Brazil JV”), of which $11,800 and $15,920 are included in current notes receivable as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively, and $4,350 is included in non-current notes receivable as of March 29, 2020. As of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, the Company had reserves of $4,520 and $5,720, respectively, on the loans outstanding related to the Brazil JV.

(e) Included in “Other assets.”

Reserve estimates include consideration of the likelihood of default expected over the estimated life of the receivable. The Company periodically assesses the need for an allowance for doubtful accounts on its receivables based upon several key credit quality indicators such as outstanding past due balances, the financial strength of the obligor, the estimated fair value of any underlying collateral and agreement characteristics. We believe that our vulnerability to risk concentrations in our receivables is mitigated by (1) favorable historical collectability on past due balances, (2) recourse to the underlying collateral regarding sales-type and direct financing lease receivables, and (3) our expectations for fluctuations in general market conditions. Receivables are considered delinquent once they are contractually past due under the terms of the underlying agreements. As of March 29, 2020, there were no material receivables more than one year past due.

The following is an analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts:

	Accounts Receivable			Notes Receivable			Total
Three Months Ended March 29, 2020
Balance at December 29, 2019	$	3,314		$	6,705		$	10,019
Provision for doubtful accounts	588			(8		)	580
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries	(21		)	(1,192		)	(1,213		)
Balance at March 29, 2020	$	3,881		$	5,505		$	9,386
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Balance at December 30, 2018	$	4,940		$	2,000		$	6,940
Provision for doubtful accounts	(570		)	594			24
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries	(123		)	6			(117		)
Balance at March 31, 2019	$	4,247		$	2,600		$	6,847

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Net income	$ 14,441	$ 31,894
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(12,507)	6,025
Other comprehensive (loss) income	(12,507)	6,025
Comprehensive income	$ 1,934	$ 37,919

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New Accounting Standards

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]

New Accounting Standards

New Accounting Standards

New Accounting Standards Adopted

Income Taxes

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

Fair Value Measurement

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

Goodwill Impairment

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

Credit Losses

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

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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The adverse impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the Company testing its Company-operated restaurant long-lived assets for recoverability. As a result of this analysis, the Company recorded impairment charges due to the expected deterioration in operating performance of certain Company-operated restaurants. Additional impairment charges may be recognized by the Company as a result of further deterioration in operating performance of Company-operated restaurants. The Company also recorded impairment charges as a result of closing Company-operated restaurants and classifying such surplus properties as held for sale.

The following is a summary of impairment losses recorded, which represent the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the affected assets and are included in “Impairment of long-lived assets:”

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Company-operated restaurants	$	4,395	$	201
Surplus properties	192		1,285
	$	4,587	$	1,486

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Leases (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Leases, Company as Lessee

Leases

Nature of Leases

The Company operates restaurants that are located on sites owned by us and sites leased by us from third parties. In addition, the Company owns sites and leases sites from third parties, which it leases and/or subleases to franchisees. At March 29, 2020, Wendy’s and its franchisees operated 6,805 Wendy’s restaurants. Of the 358 Company-operated Wendy’s restaurants, Wendy’s owned the land and building for 143 restaurants, owned the building and held long-term land leases for 145 restaurants and held leases covering the land and building for 70 restaurants. Wendy’s also owned 511 and leased 1,244 properties that were either leased or subleased principally to franchisees. The Company also leases restaurant, office and transportation equipment.

Company as Lessee

The components of lease cost are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of finance lease assets	$	3,186	$	3,117
Interest on finance lease liabilities	10,058		6,753
	13,244		9,870
Operating lease cost	21,165		24,643
Variable lease cost (a)	14,370		14,104
Short-term lease cost	1,330		1,126
Total operating lease cost (b)	36,865		39,873
Total lease cost	$	50,109	$	49,743

_______________

(a) Includes expenses for executory costs of $9,743 and $9,524 for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively, for which the Company is reimbursed by sublessees.

(b) The three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 include $29,291 and $32,451, respectively, recorded to “Franchise rental expense” for leased properties that are subsequently leased to franchisees and $6,833 and $6,593, respectively, recorded to “Cost of sales” for leases for Company-operated restaurants.

Leases, Company as Lessor

Company as Lessor

The components of lease income are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Sales-type and direct-financing leases:
Selling profit	$	628	$	1,934
Interest income	7,248		4,733
Operating lease income	$	43,952	$	45,205
Variable lease income	13,904		13,247
Franchise rental income (a)	$	57,856	$	58,452

_______________

(a)

The three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 include sublease income of $42,042 and $43,021, respectively, of which $9,709 and $9,432, respectively, represents lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs.

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Segment Information (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Segment Information

Segment Information

Revenues by segment were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Wendy’s U.S.	$	331,041	$	333,486
Wendy’s International	15,472		15,998
Global Real Estate & Development	58,447		59,099
Total revenues	$	404,960	$	408,583

The following table reconciles profit by segment to the Company’s consolidated income before income taxes:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Wendy’s U.S.	$	81,828		$	89,654
Wendy’s International	5,095			5,747
Global Real Estate & Development	26,490			26,953
Total segment profit	$	113,413		$	122,354
Advertising funds deficit	(1,387		)	—
Unallocated general and administrative (a)	(24,119		)	(20,742		)
Depreciation and amortization	(31,046		)	(33,185		)
System optimization gains, net	323			12
Reorganization and realignment costs	(3,910		)	(798		)
Impairment of long-lived assets	(4,587		)	(1,486		)
Unallocated other operating income, net	45			111
Interest expense, net	(28,525		)	(29,082		)
Other income, net	1,076			2,700
Income before income taxes	$	21,283		$	39,884

_______________

(a)

Includes corporate overhead costs, such as employee compensation and related benefits.

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Fair Value Measurements Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis
Assets Held and used, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure	$ 358	$ 3,582
Assets Held for sale, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure	927	988
Total	1,285	4,570
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis
Assets Held and used, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Assets Held for sale, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Total	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis
Assets Held and used, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Assets Held for sale, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure	0	0
Total	0	0
Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Nonrecurring Basis
Assets Held and used, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure	358	3,582
Assets Held for sale, Long Lived, Fair Value Disclosure	927	988
Total	$ 1,285	$ 4,570

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Stockholders' Equity Dividends (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Dividend Paid
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.12	$ 0.10

XML

Leases Lessor Lease Narrative (Details)	Mar. 29, 2020 number_of_restaurants
Lessor, Lease, Description
Number of restaurants	6,805
Land And Building - Company Owned | Franchised Units
Lessor, Lease, Description
Number of restaurants	511
Land And Building - Leased | Franchised Units
Lessor, Lease, Description
Number of restaurants	1,244

XML

Reorganization and Realignment Costs IT Realignment Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Reorganization and realignment costs	$ 3,910	$ 798
IT Realignment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost Remaining	1,500
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	3,559
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	12,493
Reorganization and realignment costs	3,559	$ 0
Restructuring Charges, Incurred to Date	12,686
IT Realignment | Severance and related employee costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	145
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	7,693
IT Realignment | Recruitment and relocation costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	171
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	171
IT Realignment | Third-party and other costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	3,243
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	4,629
IT Realignment | Share based compensation
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	193
IT Realignment | Minimum
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	13,000
IT Realignment | Maximum
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Expected Cost	$ 15,000

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Acquisitions (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($) number_of_restaurants	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) number_of_restaurants	Dec. 30, 2018 USD ($) number_of_restaurants	Dec. 29, 2019 USD ($)
Business Acquisition
Goodwill	$ 748,640			$ 755,911
Acquisitions
Business Acquisition
Restaurants acquired from franchisees | number_of_restaurants	0	5	16
Total consideration paid, net of cash received		$ 5,052	$ 21,401
Properties		666
Acquired franchise rights		1,354
Finance lease assets		5,350
Finance lease liabilities		(4,084)
Other		(2,316)
Total identifiable net assets		970
Goodwill		4,082
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Intangibles		(2,989)
Business Combination, Provisional Information, Initial Accounting Incomplete, Adjustment, Financial Assets		$ 140

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Long-Term Debt Other Long-term Debt Disclosure (Details) $ in Thousands, $ in Thousands				3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2020 CAD ($)	Feb. 29, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2020 CAD ($)
Canadian Subsidiary
Debt Instrument
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity					$ 6,000
Proceeds from Lines of Credit		$ 5,500
Line of Credit, Outstanding, Amount					$ 5,500
Wendy's U.S. Advertising Fund
Debt Instrument
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 25,000			$ 25,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate				2.75%
Proceeds from Lines of Credit	25,000		$ 4,397
Repayments of Lines of Credit			$ 4,397
Line of Credit, Outstanding, Amount	$ 25,000			$ 25,000

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Reorganization and Realignment Costs G&A Realignment Accrual Rollforward (Details) - G&A Realignment - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Beginning balance	$ 5,359	$ 7,324
Charges	168	602
Payments	(1,338)	(2,431)
Ending balance	4,189	5,495
Severance and related employee costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Beginning balance	5,276	7,241
Charges	152	472
Payments	(1,306)	(2,218)
Ending balance	4,122	5,495
Recruitment and relocation
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Beginning balance	83	83
Charges	15	114
Payments	(31)	(197)
Ending balance	67	0
Third-party and other costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Beginning balance	0	0
Charges	1	16
Payments	(1)	(16)
Ending balance	0	0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Ending balance	3,781	4,730
Other Liabilities
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Ending balance	$ 408	$ 765

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Cash and Receivables Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Balance at beginning of period; accounts receivable	$ 3,314	$ 4,940
Provision for doubtful accounts; accounts receivable	588	(570)
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries; accounts receivable	(21)	(123)
Balance at end of period; accounts receivable	3,881	4,247
Balance at beginning of period; notes receivable	6,705	2,000
Provision for doubtful accounts; notes receivable	(8)	594
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries; notes receivable	(1,192)	6
Balance at end of period; notes receivable	5,505	2,600
Balance at beginning of period; total	10,019	6,940
Provision for doubtful accounts; total	580	24
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries; total	(1,213)	(117)
Balance at end of period; total	$ 9,386	$ 6,847

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Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Letters of Credit (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($)
Guarantor Obligations
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount	$ 25,082

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets Balance Sheet Parentheticals - $ / shares shares in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Common Stock, Par Value	$ 0.10	$ 0.10
Common Stock, Shares Authorized	1,500,000	1,500,000
Common Stock, Shares Issued	470,424	470,424
Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding	222,571	224,889
Treasury Stock, Shares	247,853	245,535

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System Optimization Gains, Net

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]

System Optimization Gains, Net

System Optimization Gains, Net

The Company’s system optimization initiative 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 (“Franchise Flips”). As of January 1, 2017, the Company completed its plan to reduce its ongoing Company-operated restaurant ownership to approximately 5% of the total system. While the Company has no plans to reduce its ownership below the approximately 5% level, the Company expects to continue to optimize the Wendy’s system through Franchise Flips, as well as evaluating strategic acquisitions of franchised restaurants and strategic dispositions of Company-operated restaurants to existing and new franchisees, to further strengthen the franchisee base, drive new restaurant development and accelerate reimages. During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company facilitated three Franchise Flips. No Franchise Flips were facilitated by the Company during the three months ended March 31, 2019. During the next twelve months, the Company expects to sell 43 Company-operated restaurants in New York to franchisees. The Company expects to retain its Company-operated restaurants in Manhattan.

Gains and losses recognized on dispositions are recorded to “System optimization gains, net” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Costs related to acquisitions and dispositions under our system optimization initiative are recorded to “Reorganization and realignment costs,” which are further described in Note 6. All other costs incurred related to facilitating Franchise Flips are recorded to “Franchise support and other costs.”

The following is a summary of the disposition activity recorded as a result of our system optimization initiative:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants (a)	$	345		$	(8	)
(Loss) gain on sales of other assets, net (b)	(22		)	20
System optimization gains, net	$	323		$	12

_______________

(a) The three months ended March 29, 2020 represents the recognition of deferred gains as a result of the resolution of certain contingencies related to the extension of lease terms for restaurants previously sold to franchisees.

(b) During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company received cash proceeds of $195 primarily from the sale of surplus properties.

Assets Held for Sale

	March 29, 2020		December 29, 2019
Number of restaurants classified as held for sale	43		—
Net restaurant assets held for sale (a)	$	20,278	$	—
Other assets held for sale (b)	$	1,804	$	1,437

_______________

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

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

Assets held for sale are included in “Prepaid expenses and other current assets.”

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Long-Term Debt (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Debt Disclosure [Abstract]

Long-Term Debt

Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

	March 29, 2020			December 29, 2019
Series 2019-1 Class A-2 Notes:
3.783% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2026	$	395,000		$	398,000
4.080% Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2029	444,375			447,750
Series 2018-1 Class A-2 Notes:
3.573% Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes, anticipated repayment date 2025	439,875			441,000
3.884% Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes, anticipated repayment date 2028	464,313			465,500
Series 2015-1 Class A-2 Notes:
4.497% Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes, anticipated repayment date 2025	477,500			478,750
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes	120,000			—
Canadian revolving credit facility	3,918			—
7% debentures, due in 2025	83,126			82,837
Unamortized debt issuance costs	(32,259		)	(33,526		)
	2,395,848			2,280,311
Less amounts payable within one year	(150,918		)	(22,750		)
Total long-term debt	$	2,244,930		$	2,257,561

Senior Notes

Wendy’s Funding, LLC, a limited-purpose, bankruptcy-remote, wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of The Wendy’s Company, is the master issuer (the “Master Issuer”) of outstanding senior secured notes under a securitized financing facility that was entered into in June 2015. Under this facility, in June 2019, the Master Issuer also issued outstanding Series 2019-1 Variable Funding Senior Secured Notes, Class A-1 (the “Class A-1 Notes”), which allows for the borrowing of up to $150,000 from time to time on a revolving basis using various credit instruments, including a letter of credit facility. In March 2020, the Company drew down $120,000 under the Class A-1 Notes. As a result, as of March 29, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $120,000 under the Class A-1 Notes. The increased borrowing was taken as a precautionary measure to provide enhanced financial flexibility considering the uncertain market conditions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Class A-1 Notes accrue interest at a variable interest rate based on (i) the prime rate, (ii) overnight federal funds rates, (iii) the London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”)

for U.S. Dollars or (iv) with respect to advances made by conduit investors, the weighted average cost of, or related to, the issuance of commercial paper allocated to fund or maintain such advances, in each case plus any applicable margin and as specified in the Class A-1 Note agreement. As of March 29, 2020, $24,756 of letters of credit were outstanding against the Class A-1 Notes, which relate primarily to interest reserves required under the Indenture.

Other Long-Term Debt

A Canadian subsidiary of Wendy’s has a revolving credit facility of C$6,000, which bears interest at the Bank of Montreal Prime Rate. The debt is guaranteed by Wendy’s. In March 2020, the Company drew down C$5,500 under the revolving credit facility. As a result, as of March 29, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings of C$5,500 under the revolving credit facility.

Wendy’s U.S. advertising fund has a revolving line of credit of $25,000, which was established to fund the advertising fund operations and bears interest at LIBOR plus 2.75%. In February 2020, the Company drew down $4,397 under the revolving line of credit, which the Company repaid in February 2020. In March 2020, the Company drew down $25,000 under the revolving line of credit. As a result, as of March 29, 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $25,000 under the revolving line of credit, which is included in “Advertising funds restricted liabilities.”

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

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 14,441	$ 31,894
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	31,046	33,185
Share-based compensation	4,539	5,022
Impairment of long-lived assets	4,587	1,486
Deferred income tax	748	842
Non-cash rental expense, net	6,218	7,818
Change in operating lease liabilities	(10,611)	(10,496)
Net (recognition) receipt of deferred vendor incentives	(2,305)	8,033
System optimization gains, net	(323)	(12)
Distributions received from joint ventures, net of equity in earnings	180	415
Long-term debt-related activities, net	1,556	1,823
Changes in operating assets and liabilities and other, net	(69,445)	(17,989)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(19,369)	62,021
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures	(12,629)	(11,215)
Acquisitions	0	(5,052)
Dispositions	195	0
Proceeds from sale of investments	0	130
Notes receivable, net	313	248
Net cash used in investing activities	(12,121)	(15,889)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt	153,315	0
Repayments of long-term debt	(14,334)	(5,813)
Repayments of finance lease liabilities	(1,967)	(1,881)
Repurchases of common stock	(45,137)	(30,929)
Dividends	(26,793)	(23,069)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	1,722	5,196
Payments related to tax withholding for share-based compensation	(3,402)	(6,055)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	63,404	(62,551)
Net cash provided by (used in) operations before effect of exchange rate changes on cash	31,914	(16,419)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash	(5,086)	1,884
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	26,828	(14,535)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period	358,707	486,512
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period	385,535	471,977
Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:
Capital expenditures included in accounts payable	9,579	5,125
Finance leases	9,274	13,810
Reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period:
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$ 358,707	$ 471,977

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Impairment of Long-Lived Assets (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Asset Impairment Charges [Abstract]

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The following is a summary of impairment losses recorded, which represent the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the affected assets and are included in “Impairment of long-lived assets:”

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Company-operated restaurants	$	4,395	$	201
Surplus properties	192		1,285
	$	4,587	$	1,486

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Cash and Receivables (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Cash and Receivables [Abstract]

Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents

	March 29, 2020		December 29, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash	$	174,617	$	185,203
Cash equivalents	120,273		114,992
	294,890		300,195
Restricted cash
Accounts held by trustee for the securitized financing facility	53,127		34,209
Other	332		330
	53,459		34,539
Advertising Funds (a)	37,186		23,973
	90,645		58,512
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash	$	385,535	$	358,707

_______________

(a)

Included in “Advertising funds restricted assets.”

Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable

	March 29, 2020							December 29, 2019
	Gross		Allowance for Doubtful Accounts			Net		Gross		Allowance for Doubtful Accounts			Net
Accounts and Notes Receivable, Net
Current
Accounts receivable (a)	$	71,750	$	(3,881	)	$	67,869	$	103,852	$	(3,314	)	$	100,538
Notes receivable from franchisees (b) (c) (d)	18,635		(5,505		)	13,130		23,628		(6,705		)	16,923
	$	90,385	$	(9,386	)	$	80,999	$	127,480	$	(10,019	)	$	117,461
Non-current (e)
Notes receivable from franchisees (d)	$	5,623	$	—		$	5,623	$	1,617	$	—		$	1,617

_______________

(a) Includes accrued interest receivables, net of $1,008 and $1,304 and income tax refund receivables $9,764 and $13,555 as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively. Additionally, 2019 includes receivables of $25,350 related to insurance coverage for the financial institutions case.

(b) Includes the current portion of sales-type and direct financing lease receivables of $3,438 and $3,146 as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively.

(c) Includes a note receivable from a franchisee in India totaling $1,000 as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019. As of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, the Company had a reserve of $985 on the loan outstanding to the franchisee in India.

Included a note receivable from a U.S. franchisee totaling $1,000 as of December 29, 2019. The note was repaid during the three months ended March 29, 2020.

(d) Includes a note receivable from a franchisee in Indonesia, of which $1,097 and $1,262 are included in current notes receivable and $1,273 and $1,617 are included in non-current notes receivable as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively.

Includes notes receivable related to a joint venture for the operation of Wendy’s restaurants in Brazil (the “Brazil JV”), of which $11,800 and $15,920 are included in current notes receivable as of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, respectively, and $4,350 is included in non-current notes receivable as of March 29, 2020. As of March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019, the Company had reserves of $4,520 and $5,720, respectively, on the loans outstanding related to the Brazil JV.

(e)

Included in “Other assets.”

Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The following is an analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts:

	Accounts Receivable			Notes Receivable			Total
Three Months Ended March 29, 2020
Balance at December 29, 2019	$	3,314		$	6,705		$	10,019
Provision for doubtful accounts	588			(8		)	580
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries	(21		)	(1,192		)	(1,213		)
Balance at March 29, 2020	$	3,881		$	5,505		$	9,386
Three Months Ended March 31, 2019
Balance at December 30, 2018	$	4,940		$	2,000		$	6,940
Provision for doubtful accounts	(570		)	594			24
Uncollectible accounts written off, net of recoveries	(123		)	6			(117		)
Balance at March 31, 2019	$	4,247		$	2,600		$	6,847

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Segment Information (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Segment Reporting [Abstract]

Reconciliation of Revenue from Segments to Consolidated

Revenues by segment were as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Wendy’s U.S.	$	331,041	$	333,486
Wendy’s International	15,472		15,998
Global Real Estate & Development	58,447		59,099
Total revenues	$	404,960	$	408,583

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment

The following table reconciles profit by segment to the Company’s consolidated income before income taxes:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Wendy’s U.S.	$	81,828		$	89,654
Wendy’s International	5,095			5,747
Global Real Estate & Development	26,490			26,953
Total segment profit	$	113,413		$	122,354
Advertising funds deficit	(1,387		)	—
Unallocated general and administrative (a)	(24,119		)	(20,742		)
Depreciation and amortization	(31,046		)	(33,185		)
System optimization gains, net	323			12
Reorganization and realignment costs	(3,910		)	(798		)
Impairment of long-lived assets	(4,587		)	(1,486		)
Unallocated other operating income, net	45			111
Interest expense, net	(28,525		)	(29,082		)
Other income, net	1,076			2,700
Income before income taxes	$	21,283		$	39,884

_______________

(a)

Includes corporate overhead costs, such as employee compensation and related benefits.

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Acquisitions (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Business Combinations [Abstract]

Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition

The table below presents the allocation of the total purchase price to the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for restaurants acquired from franchisees:

	Three Months Ended
	March 31, 2019
Restaurants acquired from franchisees	5
Total consideration paid, net of cash received	$	5,052
Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed:
Properties	666
Acquired franchise rights	1,354
Finance lease assets	5,350
Finance lease liabilities	(4,084		)
Other	(2,316		)
Total identifiable net assets	970
Goodwill	$	4,082

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Net Income Per Share

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Income Per Share

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 29, 2020	March 31, 2019
Common stock:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	223,533	230,584
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares	4,474	5,310
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	228,007	235,894

Diluted net income per share for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 was computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of basic shares outstanding plus the potential common share effect of dilutive stock options and restricted shares. We excluded potential common shares of 2,667 and 2,158 for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively, from our diluted net income per share calculation as they would have had anti-dilutive effects.

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Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]

Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies

Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies

Except 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.

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 $77,811 as of March 29, 2020. These leases extend through 2045. We have not received any notice of default related to these leases as of March 29, 2020. In the event of default by a franchise owner, Wendy’s generally retains the right to acquire possession of the related restaurant locations.

Letters of Credit

As of March 29, 2020, the Company had outstanding letters of credit with various parties totaling $25,082. Substantially all of the outstanding letters of credit include amounts outstanding against the Class A-1 Notes. We do not expect any material loss to result from these letters of credit.

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System Optimization Gains, Net Assets Held for Sale (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($) number_of_restaurants	Dec. 29, 2019 USD ($) number_of_restaurants
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale
Number of restaurants classified as assets held for sale | number_of_restaurants	43	0
Restaurant assets held for sale
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale
Assets held for sale	$ 20,278	$ 0
Other assets held for sale
Long Lived Assets Held-for-sale
Assets held for sale	$ 1,804	$ 1,437

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Label	Element	Value
Restricted cash included in advertising funds restricted assets	wen_Restrictedcashincludedinadvertisingfundsrestrictedassets	$ 37,186,000
Restricted cash included in advertising funds restricted assets	wen_Restrictedcashincludedinadvertisingfundsrestrictedassets	$ 23,973,000

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Revenue Contract Balances (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 29, 2019
Contract balances
Receivables, which are included in Accounts and notes receivable, net	$ 35,450		$ 39,188
Receivables, which are included in Advertising funds restricted assets	44,635		54,394
Deferred franchise fees at beginning of period	100,689	$ 102,205
Revenue recognized during the period	(2,144)	(2,772)
New deferrals due to cash received and other	1,066	2,036
Deferred franchise fees at end of period	99,611	$ 101,469
Deferred franchisee fees, current	8,983		8,899
Deferred franchise fees, noncurrent	$ 90,628		$ 91,790

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Reorganization and Realignment Costs G&A Realignment Costs (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Reorganization and realignment costs	$ 3,910	$ 798
G&A Realignment
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	168	602
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	29,132
Reorganization and realignment costs	267	782
Restructuring Charges, Incurred to Date	38,464
G&A Realignment | Severance and related employee costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	152	472
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	24,390
G&A Realignment | Recruitment and relocation costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	15	114
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	2,531
G&A Realignment | Third-party and other costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	1	16
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	2,211
G&A Realignment | Share based compensation
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	99	180
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	7,997
G&A Realignment | Termination of defined benefit plans
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Incurred Cost	0	$ 0
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	$ 1,335

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Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 29, 2019
Effective Income Tax Rate	32.10%	20.00%
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent	21.00%	21.00%
Decrease in Unrecognized Tax Benefits is Reasonably Possible	$ 1,399
Income Taxes Receivable, Current	9,764		$ 13,555
Income Taxes Receivable, Noncurrent	$ 0		$ 0

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Stockholders' Equity Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at beginning of period	$ (53,828)
Foreign currency translation	(12,507)	$ 6,025
Balance at end of period	(66,335)
Foreign Currency Translation
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balance at beginning of period	(53,828)	(61,673)
Foreign currency translation	(12,507)	6,025
Balance at end of period	$ (66,335)	$ (55,648)

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Stockholders' Equity

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity

Stockholders’ Equity

Dividends

During the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, the Company paid dividends per share of $.12 and $.10 per share, respectively.

Repurchases of Common Stock

In February 2020, our Board of Directors authorized a repurchase program for up to $100,000 of our common stock through February 28, 2021, when and if market conditions warrant and to the extent legally permissible. During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company repurchased 779 shares under the February 2020 repurchase authorization with an aggregate purchase price of $14,537, excluding commissions of $11. As of March 29, 2020, the Company had $85,463 of availability remaining under its February 2020 authorization. As previously announced, beginning in March 2020, the Company suspended all share repurchase activity under the February 2020 authorization in connection with the Company’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

In addition to the shares repurchased in connection with the 2019 ASR Agreement, during the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company repurchased 1,312 shares with an aggregate purchase price of $28,770, excluding commissions of $18, under the February 2019 authorization. After taking into consideration these repurchases, with the completion of the 2019 ASR Agreement in February 2020, the Company completed its February 2019 authorization.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 1,744 shares with an aggregate purchase price of $29,345, of which $268 was accrued at March 31, 2019, and excluding commissions of $25, under the February 2019 authorization and the Company’s previous November 2018 authorization for up to $220,000 of common stock.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

The following table provides a rollforward of accumulated other comprehensive loss:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Balance at beginning of period	$	(53,828	)	$	(61,673	)
Foreign currency translation	(12,507		)	6,025
Balance at end of period	$	(66,335	)	$	(55,648	)

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Legal and Environmental Matters

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Loss Contingency [Abstract]

Legal and Environmental Matters

Legal and Environmental Matters

The 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, and we believe we have adequate accruals for continuing operations for all such matters. We cannot estimate the aggregate possible range of loss for various reasons, including, but not limited to, many proceedings being in preliminary stages, with various motions either yet to be submitted or pending, discovery yet to occur and/or significant factual matters unresolved. In addition, most cases seek an indeterminate amount of damages and many involve multiple parties. Predicting the outcomes of settlement discussions or judicial or arbitral decisions is thus inherently difficult and future developments could cause these actions or claims, individually or in aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows of a particular reporting period.

We previously described certain legal proceedings in the Form 10-K. As of March 29, 2020, there were no material developments in those legal proceedings.

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System Optimization Gains, Net (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

System optimization gains, net

Summary of Disposition Activity

The following is a summary of the disposition activity recorded as a result of our system optimization initiative:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020			March 31, 2019
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants (a)	$	345		$	(8	)
(Loss) gain on sales of other assets, net (b)	(22		)	20
System optimization gains, net	$	323		$	12

_______________

(a) The three months ended March 29, 2020 represents the recognition of deferred gains as a result of the resolution of certain contingencies related to the extension of lease terms for restaurants previously sold to franchisees.

(b)

During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company received cash proceeds of $195 primarily from the sale of surplus properties

Assets Held for Sale

	March 29, 2020		December 29, 2019
Number of restaurants classified as held for sale	43		—
Net restaurant assets held for sale (a)	$	20,278	$	—
Other assets held for sale (b)	$	1,804	$	1,437

_______________

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

(b)

Other assets held for sale primarily consist of surplus properties.

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Reorganization and Realignment Costs IT Realignment Accrual Rollforward (Details) - IT Realignment $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Beginning balance	$ 8,624
Charges	3,559
Payments	(5,202)
Ending balance	6,981
Severance and related employee costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Beginning balance	7,548
Charges	145
Payments	(712)
Ending balance	6,981
Recruitment and relocation costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Beginning balance	0
Charges	171
Payments	(171)
Ending balance	0
Third-party and other costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Beginning balance	1,076
Charges	3,243
Payments	(4,319)
Ending balance	0
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Ending balance	6,744
Other Liabilities
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Ending balance	$ 237

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System Optimization Gains, Net Summary of Disposition Activity (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($) number_of_restaurants	Mar. 31, 2019 USD ($) number_of_restaurants	Dec. 29, 2019 number_of_restaurants	Jan. 01, 2017
System optimization gains, net
Company-operated restaurant ownership percentage				5.00%
Number of restaurants classified as assets held for sale | number_of_restaurants	43		0
System optimization gains, net	$ 323	$ 12
Proceeds from sales	$ 195	$ 0
Sale of franchise-operated restaurant to franchisee
System optimization gains, net
Significant Changes, Franchises Sold | number_of_restaurants	3	0
Sale of Company-operated restaurants to franchisees
System optimization gains, net
Post closing adjustments on sales of restaurants	$ 345	$ (8)
Sale of other assets
System optimization gains, net
System optimization gains, net	(22)	$ 20
Proceeds from sales	$ 195

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Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation of Revenue
Franchise rental income	$ 57,856	$ 58,452
Total revenues	404,960	408,583
Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	166,798	167,697
Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	95,356	94,843
Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	6,349	7,110
Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	78,601	80,481
Wendy's U.S.
Disaggregation of Revenue
Franchise rental income	0	0
Total revenues	331,041	333,486
Wendy's U.S. | Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	166,798	167,697
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	84,833	84,378
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	5,285	5,430
Wendy's U.S. | Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	74,125	75,981
Wendy's International
Disaggregation of Revenue
Franchise rental income	0	0
Total revenues	15,472	15,998
Wendy's International | Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Wendy's International | Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	10,523	10,465
Wendy's International | Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	473	1,033
Wendy's International | Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	4,476	4,500
Global Real Estate & Development
Disaggregation of Revenue
Franchise rental income	57,856	58,452
Total revenues	58,447	59,099
Global Real Estate & Development | Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Global Real Estate & Development | Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0
Global Real Estate & Development | Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	591	647
Global Real Estate & Development | Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 0	$ 0

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Net Income Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Common Stock:
Weighted average basic shares outstanding	223,533	230,584
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted shares	4,474	5,310
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding	228,007	235,894
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	2,667	2,158

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Leases Lessee Lease Narrative (Details)	Mar. 29, 2020 number_of_restaurants
Lessee, Lease, Description
Number of restaurants	6,805
Entity Operated Units
Lessee, Lease, Description
Number of restaurants	358
Land And Building - Company Owned | Entity Operated Units
Lessee, Lease, Description
Number of restaurants	143
Building - Company Owned; Land - Leased | Entity Operated Units
Lessee, Lease, Description
Number of restaurants	145
Land And Building - Leased | Entity Operated Units
Lessee, Lease, Description
Number of restaurants	70

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Reorganization and Realignment Costs System Optimization Costs (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($)
System Optimization
Restructuring Cost and Reserve
Restructuring and Related Cost, Cost Incurred to Date	$ 72,365

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Investments Equity Investment Summary (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in “Other comprehensive (loss) income” and other	$ (12,507)	$ 6,025
TimWen
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	50.00%
Equity Method Investment, Purchase Price Adjustment, Amortization Period	21 years	21 years
Brazil JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Equity Method Investment, Ownership Percentage	20.00%
TimWen and Brazil JV
Schedule of Equity Method Investments
Balance at beginning of period	$ 45,310	$ 47,021
Equity in earnings for the period	1,985	2,397
Amortization of purchase price adjustments	(562)	(566)
Equity in earnings for the period, net of amortization of purchase price adjustments	1,423	1,831
Distributions received	(1,603)	(2,246)
Foreign currency translation adjustment included in “Other comprehensive (loss) income” and other	(2,991)	1,166
Balance at end of period	$ 42,139	$ 47,772

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Fair Value Measurements Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Reported Value Measurement
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Cash equivalents	$ 120,273	$ 114,992
Other investments in equity securities	639	639
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	395,000	398,000
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	444,375	447,750
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	439,875	441,000
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	464,313	465,500
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	477,500	478,750
Reported Value Measurement | Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	120,000	0
Reported Value Measurement | U.S. advertising fund revolving line of credit
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	25,000	0
Reported Value Measurement | Canadian revolving credit facility
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	3,918	0
Reported Value Measurement | 7% Debentures
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	83,126	82,837
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Cash equivalents	120,273	114,992
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Other investments in equity securities	1,032	1,649
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	360,315	405,152
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	395,058	459,136
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	408,274	444,859
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	417,083	475,718
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	459,202	490,531
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	115,500	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | U.S. advertising fund revolving line of credit | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	25,000	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | Canadian revolving credit facility | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	3,918	0
Estimate of Fair Value Measurement | 7% Debentures | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions
Debt instrument	$ 89,550	$ 94,838

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Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Lease Guarantees (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020 USD ($)
Property Lease Guarantee
Guarantor Obligations
Guarantor Obligations, Maximum Exposure, Undiscounted	$ 77,811

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 294,890	$ 300,195
Restricted cash	53,459	34,539
Accounts and notes receivable, net	80,999	117,461
Inventories	4,558	3,891
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	37,969	15,585
Advertising funds restricted assets	120,008	82,376
Total current assets	591,883	554,047
Properties	949,006	977,000
Finance lease assets	202,718	200,144
Operating lease assets	839,068	857,199
Goodwill	748,640	755,911
Other intangible assets	1,240,425	1,247,212
Investments	42,778	45,949
Net investment in sales-type and direct financing leases	258,816	256,606
Other assets	108,382	100,461
Total assets	4,981,716	4,994,529
Current liabilities:
Current portion of long-term debt	150,918	22,750
Current portion of finance lease liabilities	9,979	11,005
Current portion of operating lease liabilities	43,670	43,775
Accounts payable	22,537	22,701
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	80,142	165,272
Advertising funds restricted liabilities	123,513	84,195
Total current liabilities	430,759	349,698
Long-term debt	2,244,930	2,257,561
Long-term finance lease liabilities	488,039	480,847
Long-term operating lease liabilities	881,005	897,737
Deferred income taxes	270,019	270,759
Deferred franchise fees	90,628	91,790
Other liabilities	125,261	129,778
Total liabilities	4,530,641	4,478,170
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.10 par value; 1,500,000 shares authorized; 470,424 shares issued; 222,571 and 224,889 shares outstanding, respectively	47,042	47,042
Additional paid-in capital	2,889,836	2,874,001
Retained earnings	173,366	185,725
Common stock held in treasury, at cost; 247,853 and 245,535 shares, respectively	(2,592,834)	(2,536,581)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(66,335)	(53,828)
Total stockholders’ equity	451,075	516,359
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$ 4,981,716	$ 4,994,529

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Reorganization and Realignment Costs

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Realignment and Reorganization Costs

Reorganization and Realignment Costs

The following is a summary of the initiatives included in “Reorganization and realignment costs:”

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
IT realignment	$	3,559	$	—
G&A realignment	267		782
System optimization initiative	84		16
Reorganization and realignment costs	$	3,910	$	798

Information Technology (“IT”) Realignment

In December 2019, our Board of Directors approved a plan to realign and reinvest resources in the Company’s IT organization to strengthen its ability to accelerate growth. The Company is partnering with a third-party global IT consultant on this new structure to leverage their global capabilities, which the Company believes will enable a more seamless integration between its digital and corporate IT assets. The Company expects that the realignment plan will reduce certain employee compensation and other related costs that the Company intends to reinvest back into IT to drive additional capabilities and capacity across all of its technology platforms. The Company expects the majority of the impact of the realignment plan to occur at its Restaurant Support Center in Dublin, Ohio. The Company expects to incur total costs aggregating approximately $13,000 to $15,000 related to the

plan. During the three months ended March 29, 2020, the Company recognized costs totaling $3,559, which primarily included third-party and other costs. The Company expects to incur additional costs aggregating approximately $1,500, comprised primarily of third-party and other costs. The Company expects to recognize the majority of the remaining costs associated with the plan during the second quarter of 2020.

The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the IT realignment plan:

	Three Months Ended		Total Incurred Since Inception
	March 29, 2020
Severance and related employee costs	$	145	$	7,693
Recruitment and relocation costs	171		171
Third-party and other costs	3,243		4,629
	3,559		12,493
Share-based compensation (a)	—		193
Total IT realignment	$	3,559	$	12,686

_______________

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

The table below presents a rollforward of our accruals for the plan, which are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and totaled $6,744 and $237 as of March 29, 2020, respectively.

	Balance December 29, 2019		Charges		Payments			Balance March 29, 2020
Severance and related employee costs	$	7,548	$	145	$	(712	)	$	6,981
Recruitment and relocation costs	—		171		(171		)	—
Third-party and other costs	1,076		3,243		(4,319		)	—
	$	8,624	$	3,559	$	(5,202	)	$	6,981

General and Administrative (“G&A”) Realignment

In May 2017, the Company initiated a plan to further reduce its G&A expenses. Additionally, the Company announced in May 2019 changes to its management and operating structure that included the creation of two new positions, a President, U.S and Chief Commercial Officer and a President, International and Chief Development Officer, and the elimination of the Chief Operations Officer position. During the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, the Company recognized costs related to the plan totaling $267 and $782, respectively, which primarily included severance and related employee costs and share-based compensation. The Company does not expect to incur any additional material costs under the plan.

The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the G&A realignment plan:

	Three Months Ended				Total Incurred Since Inception
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Severance and related employee costs	$	152	$	472	$	24,390
Recruitment and relocation costs	15		114		2,531
Third-party and other costs	1		16		2,211
	168		602		29,132
Share-based compensation (a)	99		180		7,997
Termination of defined benefit plans	—		—		1,335
Total G&A realignment	$	267	$	782	$	38,464

_______________

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

The accruals for our G&A realignment plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and totaled $3,781 and $408 as of March 29, 2020, respectively, and $4,730 and $765 as of March 31, 2019, respectively. The tables below present a rollforward of our accruals for the plan.

	Balance December 29, 2019		Charges		Payments			Balance March 29, 2020
Severance and related employee costs	$	5,276	$	152	$	(1,306	)	$	4,122
Recruitment and relocation costs	83		15		(31		)	67
Third-party and other costs	—		1		(1		)	—
	$	5,359	$	168	$	(1,338	)	$	4,189

	Balance December 30, 2018		Charges		Payments			Balance March 31, 2019
Severance and related employee costs	$	7,241	$	472	$	(2,218	)	$	5,495
Recruitment and relocation costs	83		114		(197		)	—
Third-party and other costs	—		16		(16		)	—
	$	7,324	$	602	$	(2,431	)	$	5,495

System Optimization Initiative

The Company recognizes costs related to acquisitions and dispositions under its system optimization initiative. The Company has incurred costs of $72,365 under the initiative since inception and does not expect to incur any material additional costs under the plan.

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Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques under the accounting guidance related to fair value measurements are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. These inputs are classified into the following hierarchy:

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

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

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

Financial Instruments

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:

	March 29, 2020				December 29, 2019
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements
Financial assets
Cash equivalents	$	120,273	$	120,273	$	114,992	$	114,992	Level 1
Other investments in equity securities (a)	639		1,032		639		1,649		Level 3
Financial liabilities
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)	395,000		360,315		398,000		405,152		Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)	444,375		395,058		447,750		459,136		Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)	439,875		408,274		441,000		444,859		Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)	464,313		417,083		465,500		475,718		Level 2
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes (b)	477,500		459,202		478,750		490,531		Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes (b)	120,000		115,500		—		—		Level 2
U.S. advertising fund revolving line of credit	25,000		25,000		—		—		Level 2
Canadian revolving credit facility	3,918		3,918		—		—		Level 2
7% debentures, due in 2025 (b)	83,126		89,550		82,837		94,838		Level 2

_______________

(a) The fair values of our 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.

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

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities remeasured to fair value on a non-recurring basis resulted in impairment that we have recorded to “Impairment of long-lived assets” in our 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, favorable lease assets and ROU assets) to fair value as a result of (1) declines in operating performance at Company-operated restaurants and (2) the Company’s decision to lease and/or sublease the land and/or buildings to franchisees in connection with the sale or anticipated sale of restaurants, including any subsequent lease modifications. The fair values of long-lived assets held and used presented in the tables below represent the remaining carrying value and were estimated based on either discounted cash flows of future anticipated lease and sublease income or discounted cash flows of future anticipated Company-operated restaurant performance.

Total impairment losses may also include the impact of remeasuring long-lived assets held for sale, which primarily include surplus properties. The fair values of long-lived assets held for sale presented in the tables below represent the remaining carrying value and were estimated based on current market values. See Note 11 for further information on impairment of our long-lived assets.

			Fair Value Measurements
	March 29, 2020		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Held and used	$	358	$	—	$	—	$	358
Held for sale	927		—		—		927
Total	$	1,285	$	—	$	—	$	1,285

			Fair Value Measurements
	December 29, 2019		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Held and used	$	3,582	$	—	$	—	$	3,582
Held for sale	988		—		—		988
Total	$	4,570	$	—	$	—	$	4,570

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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity Statement - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Retained Earnings	Common Stock Held in Treasury	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Stockholders' Equity, beginning of period at Dec. 30, 2018	$ 648,449	$ 47,042	$ 2,884,696	$ 146,277	$ (2,367,893)	$ (61,673)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	31,894	0	0	31,894	0	0
Other comprehensive income, net	6,025	0	0	0	0	6,025
Cash dividends	(23,069)	0	0	(23,069)	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	(29,370)	0	0	0	(29,370)	0
Share-based compensation	5,022	0	5,022	0	0	0
Common stock issued upon exercises of stock options	8,848	0	(205)	0	9,053	0
Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted shares	(6,055)	0	(8,874)	0	2,819	0
Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle	(1,105)	0	0	(1,105)	0	0
Other	55	0	24	(6)	37	0
Stockholders' Equity, end of period at Mar. 31, 2019	640,694	47,042	2,880,663	153,991	(2,385,354)	(55,648)
Stockholders' Equity, beginning of period at Dec. 29, 2019	516,359	47,042	2,874,001	185,725	(2,536,581)	(53,828)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Net income	14,441	0	0	14,441	0	0
Other comprehensive income, net	(12,507)	0	0	0	0	(12,507)
Cash dividends	(26,793)	0	0	(26,793)	0	0
Repurchases of common stock	(43,336)	0	15,000	0	(58,336)	0
Share-based compensation	4,539	0	4,539	0	0	0
Common stock issued upon exercises of stock options	1,610	0	280	0	1,330	0
Common stock issued upon vesting of restricted shares	(3,291)	0	(4,017)	0	726	0
Other	53	0	33	(7)	27	0
Stockholders' Equity, end of period at Mar. 29, 2020	$ 451,075	$ 47,042	$ 2,889,836	$ 173,366	$ (2,592,834)	$ (66,335)

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Leases (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Leases [Abstract]

Lease, Cost

The components of lease cost are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Finance lease cost:
Amortization of finance lease assets	$	3,186	$	3,117
Interest on finance lease liabilities	10,058		6,753
	13,244		9,870
Operating lease cost	21,165		24,643
Variable lease cost (a)	14,370		14,104
Short-term lease cost	1,330		1,126
Total operating lease cost (b)	36,865		39,873
Total lease cost	$	50,109	$	49,743

_______________

(a) Includes expenses for executory costs of $9,743 and $9,524 for the three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019, respectively, for which the Company is reimbursed by sublessees.

(b)

The three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 include $29,291 and $32,451, respectively, recorded to “Franchise rental expense” for leased properties that are subsequently leased to franchisees and $6,833 and $6,593, respectively, recorded to “Cost of sales” for leases for Company-operated restaurants.

Operating Lease, Lease Income

The components of lease income are as follows:

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Sales-type and direct-financing leases:
Selling profit	$	628	$	1,934
Interest income	7,248		4,733
Operating lease income	$	43,952	$	45,205
Variable lease income	13,904		13,247
Franchise rental income (a)	$	57,856	$	58,452

_______________

(a)

The three months ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 include sublease income of $42,042 and $43,021, respectively, of which $9,709 and $9,432, respectively, represents lessees’ variable payments to the Company for executory costs.

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Fair Value Measurements (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:

	March 29, 2020				December 29, 2019
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements
Financial assets
Cash equivalents	$	120,273	$	120,273	$	114,992	$	114,992	Level 1
Other investments in equity securities (a)	639		1,032		639		1,649		Level 3
Financial liabilities
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)	395,000		360,315		398,000		405,152		Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)	444,375		395,058		447,750		459,136		Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)	439,875		408,274		441,000		444,859		Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)	464,313		417,083		465,500		475,718		Level 2
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes (b)	477,500		459,202		478,750		490,531		Level 2
Series 2019-1 Class A-1 Notes (b)	120,000		115,500		—		—		Level 2
U.S. advertising fund revolving line of credit	25,000		25,000		—		—		Level 2
Canadian revolving credit facility	3,918		3,918		—		—		Level 2
7% debentures, due in 2025 (b)	83,126		89,550		82,837		94,838		Level 2

_______________

(a) The fair values of our 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.

Fair value of assets and liabilities (other than cash and cash equivalents) measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

			Fair Value Measurements
	March 29, 2020		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Held and used	$	358	$	—	$	—	$	358
Held for sale	927		—		—		927
Total	$	1,285	$	—	$	—	$	1,285

			Fair Value Measurements
	December 29, 2019		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Held and used	$	3,582	$	—	$	—	$	3,582
Held for sale	988		—		—		988
Total	$	4,570	$	—	$	—	$	4,570

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Reorganization and Realignment Costs (Tables)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 29, 2020

Restructuring Cost and Reserve

Restructuring and Related Costs

The following is a summary of the initiatives included in “Reorganization and realignment costs:”

	Three Months Ended
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
IT realignment	$	3,559	$	—
G&A realignment	267		782
System optimization initiative	84		16
Reorganization and realignment costs	$	3,910	$	798

IT Realignment

Restructuring Cost and Reserve

Restructuring and Related Costs

The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the IT realignment plan:

	Three Months Ended		Total Incurred Since Inception
	March 29, 2020
Severance and related employee costs	$	145	$	7,693
Recruitment and relocation costs	171		171
Third-party and other costs	3,243		4,629
	3,559		12,493
Share-based compensation (a)	—		193
Total IT realignment	$	3,559	$	12,686

_______________

(a)

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

Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost

The table below presents a rollforward of our accruals for the plan, which are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and totaled $6,744 and $237 as of March 29, 2020, respectively.

	Balance December 29, 2019		Charges		Payments			Balance March 29, 2020
Severance and related employee costs	$	7,548	$	145	$	(712	)	$	6,981
Recruitment and relocation costs	—		171		(171		)	—
Third-party and other costs	1,076		3,243		(4,319		)	—
	$	8,624	$	3,559	$	(5,202	)	$	6,981

G&A Realignment

Restructuring Cost and Reserve

Restructuring and Related Costs

The following is a summary of the activity recorded as a result of the G&A realignment plan:

	Three Months Ended				Total Incurred Since Inception
	March 29, 2020		March 31, 2019
Severance and related employee costs	$	152	$	472	$	24,390
Recruitment and relocation costs	15		114		2,531
Third-party and other costs	1		16		2,211
	168		602		29,132
Share-based compensation (a)	99		180		7,997
Termination of defined benefit plans	—		—		1,335
Total G&A realignment	$	267	$	782	$	38,464

_______________

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

Schedule of Restructuring Reserve by Type of Cost

The accruals for our G&A realignment plan are included in “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and “Other liabilities” and totaled $3,781 and $408 as of March 29, 2020, respectively, and $4,730 and $765 as of March 31, 2019, respectively. The tables below present a rollforward of our accruals for the plan.

	Balance December 29, 2019		Charges		Payments			Balance March 29, 2020
Severance and related employee costs	$	5,276	$	152	$	(1,306	)	$	4,122
Recruitment and relocation costs	83		15		(31		)	67
Third-party and other costs	—		1		(1		)	—
	$	5,359	$	168	$	(1,338	)	$	4,189

	Balance December 30, 2018		Charges		Payments			Balance March 31, 2019
Severance and related employee costs	$	7,241	$	472	$	(2,218	)	$	5,495
Recruitment and relocation costs	83		114		(197		)	—
Third-party and other costs	—		16		(16		)	—
	$	7,324	$	602	$	(2,431	)	$	5,495