(8) Income Taxes

3 Months Ended

Apr. 01, 2012

Income Taxes [Abstract]

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended April 1, 2012 and effective tax rate benefit for the three months ended April 3, 2011 was 31.8% and 74.7%, respectively, on income (loss) from continuing operations. Wendy’s Restaurants effective tax rate benefit for the three months ended April 1, 2012 and effective tax rate for the three months ended April 3, 2011 was 58.8% and 25.9%, respectively, on income (loss) from continuing operations. The Companies’ effective tax rates vary from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% due to the effect of (1) state income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit, (2) tax credits, and (3) adjustments related to prior year tax matters.

There were no significant changes to unrecognized tax benefits or related interest and penalties for either the Company or Wendy’s Restaurants for the three month periods ended April 1, 2012 and April 3, 2011.

The Wendy’s Company participates in the Internal Revenue Service Compliance Assurance Process. During the three months ended April 1, 2012 we concluded without adjustment the examination of our tax year ended January 2, 2011.

Amounts payable for Federal and certain state income taxes are settled by Wendy’s Restaurants to The Wendy’s Company under a tax sharing agreement. During the three months ended April 1, 2012 and April 3, 2011, Wendy’s Restaurants made tax sharing payments to The Wendy’s Company of $0 and $13,078, respectively.