Advertising Costs and Funds

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

Restricted assets and related liabilities of the Advertising Funds at December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013 were as follows:



	Year End
	2014			2013
Cash and cash equivalents	$	15,085		$	22,711
Accounts and notes receivable	42,717			37,960
Other assets	7,506			6,512
Total assets	$	65,308		$	67,183

Accounts payable	$	3,736		$	2,544
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	70,206			70,382
Member’s deficit	(8,634		)	(5,743		)
Total liabilities and deficit	$	65,308		$	67,183

Our advertising expenses in 2014, 2013 and 2012 totaled $73,454, $94,498 and $103,147, respectively.