Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Valuation techniques under the accounting guidance related to fair value measurements are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. These inputs are classified into the following hierarchy:


•	Level 1 Inputs - Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.


•	Level 2 Inputs - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.


•	Level 3 Inputs - Pricing inputs are unobservable for the assets or liabilities and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the assets or liabilities. The inputs into the determination of fair value require significant management judgment or estimation.

Financial Instruments

The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments:



	December 30, 2018				December 31, 2017
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Fair Value Measurements
Financial assets
Cash equivalents	$	222,228	$	222,228	$	338	$	338	Level 1
Other investments in equity securities (a)	639		2,181		639		327,710		Level 3

Financial liabilities
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)	445,500		424,026		—		—		Level 2
Series 2018-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)	470,250		439,353		—		—		Level 2
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-I Notes (b)	—		—		855,313		856,510		Level 2
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-II Notes (b)	870,750		865,342		879,750		897,961		Level 2
Series 2015-1 Class A-2-III Notes (b)	483,750		482,522		488,750		513,188		Level 2
7% debentures, due in 2025 (b)	90,769		102,750		89,514		107,000		Level 2
Guarantees of franchisee loan obligations (c)	17		17		37		37		Level 3

_______________

(a)

The fair value of our indirect investment in Arby’s as of December 31, 2017 was based on applying a multiple to Arby’s adjusted earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization per its current unaudited financial information. The carrying value of our indirect investment in Arby’s was reduced to zero during 2013 in connection with the receipt of a dividend. On February 5, 2018, a subsidiary of ARG Parent acquired Buffalo Wild Wings, Inc. As a result, our ownership interest included both the Arby’s and Buffalo Wild Wings brands under the newly formed combined company, Inspire Brands. On August 16, 2018, the Company sold its remaining ownership interest to Inspire Brands for $450,000. See Note 8 for further information. The fair values of our remaining investments are not significant and are based on our review of information provided by the investment managers or investees which was based on (1) valuations performed by the investment managers or investees, (2) quoted market or broker/dealer prices for similar investments and (3) quoted market or broker/dealer prices adjusted by the investment managers for legal or contractual restrictions, risk of nonperformance or lack of marketability, depending upon the underlying investments.


(b)	The fair values were based on quoted market prices in markets that are not considered active markets.


(c)	Wendy’s has provided loan guarantees to various lenders on behalf of franchisees entering into debt arrangements for equipment financing. We have accrued a liability for the fair value of these guarantees, the calculation of which was based upon a weighted average risk percentage.

The carrying amounts of cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximated fair value due to the short-term nature of those items. The carrying amounts of accounts and notes receivable, net (both current and non-current) approximated fair value due to the effect of the related allowance for doubtful accounts. Our cash equivalents and guarantees are the only financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

Non-Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Assets and liabilities remeasured to fair value on a non-recurring basis resulted in impairment that we have recorded to “Impairment of long-lived assets” in our consolidated statements of operations.

Total impairment losses may reflect the impact of remeasuring long-lived assets held and used (including land, buildings, leasehold improvements and favorable lease assets) to fair value as a result of (1) declines in operating performance at Company-operated restaurants and (2) the Company’s decision to lease and/or sublease the land and/or buildings to franchisees in connection with the sale or anticipated sale of restaurants, including any subsequent lease modifications. The fair value of long-lived assets held and used presented in the tables below represents the remaining carrying value and was estimated based on either discounted cash flows of future anticipated lease and sublease income or discounted cash flows of future anticipated Company-operated restaurant performance.

Total impairment losses may also include the impact of remeasuring long-lived assets held for sale, which primarily include surplus properties. The fair values of long-lived assets held for sale presented in the tables below represent the remaining carrying value and were estimated based on current market values. See Note 17 for more information on impairment of our long-lived assets.



			Fair Value Measurements						2018 Total Losses
	December 30, 2018		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		2018 Total Losses
Held and used	$	462	$	—	$	—	$	462	$	4,343
Held for sale	1,031		—		—		1,031		354
Total	$	1,493	$	—	$	—	$	1,493	$	4,697



			Fair Value Measurements						2017 Total Losses
	December 31, 2017		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		2017 Total Losses
Held and used	$	757	$	—	$	—	$	757	$	3,413
Held for sale	1,560		—		—		1,560		684
Total	$	2,317	$	—	$	—	$	2,317	$	4,097