Advertising Costs and Funds

We currently maintain two national 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 December 31, 2017 and January 1, 2017 were as follows:



	Year End
	December 31, 2017			January 1, 2017
Cash and cash equivalents	$	8,579		$	19,359
Accounts and notes receivable, net	47,288			49,983
Other assets	6,735			6,418
Total assets	$	62,602		$	75,760

Accounts payable	$	5,601		$	8,362
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	63,646			71,068
Member’s deficit	(6,645		)	(3,670		)
Total liabilities and deficit	$	62,602		$	75,760

Our advertising expenses in 2017, 2016 and 2015 totaled $27,921, $41,064 and $64,312, respectively.

Beginning in 2018, the Company will consolidate the operations and cash flow results of our national advertising funds as a result of amended guidance for revenue recognition. See “New Accounting Standards” in Note 1 for further information.