Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies	Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies Refer to the Form 10-K for further information regarding the Company’s additional commitments and obligations. Franchisee Image Activation Incentive Programs In order to promote Image Activation new restaurant development, Wendy’s has an incentive program for franchisees that provides for reductions in royalty payments for the first three years of operation for qualifying new restaurants opened by January 1, 2017. Wendy’s also has incentive programs for 2016 for franchisees that commence Image Activation restaurant remodels during the year. The incentive programs provide for reductions in royalty payments for one year or two years after the completion of construction, depending on the type of remodel. In 2015, Wendy’s added an additional incentive to the 2016 program described above to include waiving the franchise agreement renewal fee for certain types of remodels. In addition, Wendy’s had incentive programs in 2015 that included reductions in royalty payments for franchisees’ participation in the Image Activation program. Franchisee Image Activation Financing Program Wendy’s executed an agreement in 2013 to partner with a third-party lender to establish a financing program for franchisees that participate in our Image Activation program. Under the program, the lender agreed to provide loans to franchisees to be used for the reimaging of restaurants according to the guidelines and specifications under Wendy’s Image Activation program. To support the program, Wendy’s provided to the lender a $6,000 irrevocable stand-by letter of credit, which was issued on July 1, 2013 and was cash collateralized. During the three months ended April 3, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement to reduce the letter of credit from $6,000 to $1,000 due to franchisees successfully obtaining financing independently. During the three months ended July 3, 2016, the new irrevocable letter of credit of $1,000 was issued against the Company’s $2,275,000 securitized financing facility and the $6,000 letter of credit was terminated. During the three months ended October 2, 2016, the Company executed an agreement to terminate the letter of credit agreement that had been previously executed as part of the financing program and was fully released from the $1,000 letter of credit against the securitized financing facility. Lease Guarantees Wendy’s has guaranteed the performance of certain leases and other obligations, primarily from former company-owned restaurant locations now operated by franchisees, amounting to $32,922 as of October 2, 2016. These leases extend through 2050. We have not received any notice of default related to these leases as of October 2, 2016. In the event of default by a franchise owner, Wendy’s generally retains the right to acquire possession of the related restaurant locations. Wendy’s is contingently liable for certain other leases which have been assigned to unrelated third parties who have indemnified Wendy’s against future liabilities amounting to $974 as of October 2, 2016. These leases expire on various dates through 2021. Letters of Credit As of October 2, 2016, the Company had outstanding letters of credit with various parties totaling $33,961, of which $6,165 were cash collateralized. The outstanding letters of credit include amounts outstanding against the securitized financing facility. The related cash collateral is classified as “Restricted cash” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. We do not expect any material loss to result from these letters of credit.

Guarantees and Other Commitments and Contingencies

Refer to the Form 10-K for further information regarding the Company’s additional commitments and obligations.

Franchisee Image Activation Incentive Programs

In order to promote Image Activation new restaurant development, Wendy’s has an incentive program for franchisees that provides for reductions in royalty payments for the first three years of operation for qualifying new restaurants opened by January 1, 2017.

Wendy’s also has incentive programs for 2016 for franchisees that commence Image Activation restaurant remodels during the year. The incentive programs provide for reductions in royalty payments for one year or two years after the completion of construction, depending on the type of remodel. In 2015, Wendy’s added an additional incentive to the 2016 program described above to include waiving the franchise agreement renewal fee for certain types of remodels.

In addition, Wendy’s had incentive programs in 2015 that included reductions in royalty payments for franchisees’ participation in the Image Activation program.

Franchisee Image Activation Financing Program

Wendy’s executed an agreement in 2013 to partner with a third-party lender to establish a financing program for franchisees that participate in our Image Activation program. Under the program, the lender agreed to provide loans to franchisees to be used for the reimaging of restaurants according to the guidelines and specifications under Wendy’s Image Activation program. To support the program, Wendy’s provided to the lender a $6,000 irrevocable stand-by letter of credit, which was issued on July 1, 2013 and was cash collateralized. During the three months ended April 3, 2016, the Company entered into an agreement to reduce the letter of credit from $6,000 to $1,000 due to franchisees successfully obtaining financing independently. During the three months ended July 3, 2016, the new irrevocable letter of credit of $1,000 was issued against the Company’s $2,275,000 securitized financing facility and the $6,000 letter of credit was terminated. During the three months ended October 2, 2016, the Company executed an agreement to terminate the letter of credit agreement that had been previously executed as part of the financing program and was fully released from the $1,000 letter of credit against the securitized financing facility.

Lease Guarantees

Wendy’s has guaranteed the performance of certain leases and other obligations, primarily from former company-owned restaurant locations now operated by franchisees, amounting to $32,922 as of October 2, 2016. These leases extend through 2050. We have not received any notice of default related to these leases as of October 2, 2016. In the event of default by a franchise owner, Wendy’s generally retains the right to acquire possession of the related restaurant locations.

Wendy’s is contingently liable for certain other leases which have been assigned to unrelated third parties who have indemnified Wendy’s against future liabilities amounting to $974 as of October 2, 2016. These leases expire on various dates through 2021.

Letters of Credit

As of October 2, 2016, the Company had outstanding letters of credit with various parties totaling $33,961, of which $6,165 were cash collateralized. The outstanding letters of credit include amounts outstanding against the securitized financing facility. The related cash collateral is classified as “Restricted cash” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. We do not expect any material loss to result from these letters of credit.