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-operated and franchised restaurants and are based on a percentage of restaurant sales. In addition to the contributions to the various Advertising Funds, Company-operated and franchised restaurants make additional contributions to other local and regional advertising programs.

Restricted assets and related liabilities of the Advertising Funds at January 1, 2017 and January 3, 2016 were as follows:



	Year End
	January 1, 2017			January 3, 2016
Cash and cash equivalents	$	19,359		$	13,704
Accounts and notes receivable, net	49,983			50,231
Other assets	6,418			3,464
Total assets	$	75,760		$	67,399

Accounts payable	$	8,362		$	3,872
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	71,068			64,603
Member’s deficit	(3,670		)	(1,076		)
Total liabilities and deficit	$	75,760		$	67,399

Our advertising expenses in 2016, 2015 and 2014 totaled $41,064, $64,312 and $73,454, respectively.