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Fair Value Measurements
9 Months Ended
Sep. 06, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements

As of September 6, 2014 the carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments (primarily six month term deposits outside of the U.S.), accounts receivable and accounts payable approximated their fair values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.  The fair value of notes receivable net of allowances and lease guarantees less subsequent amortization approximates their carrying value.  The Company’s debt obligations, excluding capital leases, were estimated to have a fair value of $3.1 billion (Level 2), compared to their carrying value of $2.8 billion.  We estimated the fair value of debt using market quotes and calculations based on market rates.

The Company has interest rate swaps accounted for as fair value hedges, foreign currency forwards accounted for as cash flow hedges and other investments, all of which are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. Interest rate swaps are used to reduce our exposure to interest rate risk and lower interest expense for a portion of our fixed-rate debt, and foreign currency forwards are used to reduce our exposure to cash flow volatility arising from foreign currency fluctuations associated with certain foreign currency denominated intercompany short-term receivables and payables. The fair value of these swaps, forwards and other investments were not material as of September 6, 2014 or December 28, 2013. In addition, certain of the Company’s assets such as property, plant and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets, are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis if determined to be impaired. During the year to date ended September 6, 2014, we recorded restaurant-level impairment (Level 3) of $15 million. The remaining net book value of the assets measured at fair value during the year as of September 6, 2014, subsequent to these impairments, was not significant. During the year to date ended September 7, 2013, we recorded restaurant-level impairment (Level 3) of $5 million and impairment losses (Level 3) of $295 million related to our Little Sheep business in China. (See Note 4.)