Wendy's Co Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosure
| Wendy’s U.S. | Wendy’s International | Global Real Estate & Development | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2023: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, gross | $ | 620,603 | $ | 39,973 | $ | 122,548 | $ | 783,124 | |||||||||||||||
| Accumulated impairment losses (a) | — | (9,397) | — | (9,397) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, net | 620,603 | 30,576 | 122,548 | 773,727 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in goodwill: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Currency translation adjustment | — | (2,259) | — | (2,259) | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 29, 2024: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, gross | 620,603 | 37,714 | 122,548 | 780,865 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated impairment losses (a) | — | (9,397) | — | (9,397) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, net | 620,603 | 28,317 | 122,548 | 771,468 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Changes in goodwill: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Restaurant acquisitions | 1,249 | — | — | 1,249 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Currency translation adjustment | — | 1,371 | — | 1,371 | |||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 28, 2025: | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, gross | 621,852 | 39,085 | 122,548 | 783,485 | |||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated impairment losses (a) | — | (9,397) | — | (9,397) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill, net | $ | 621,852 | $ | 29,688 | $ | 122,548 | $ | 774,088 | |||||||||||||||
| Year End | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| December 28, 2025 | December 29, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost | Accumulated Amortization | Net | Cost | Accumulated Amortization | Net | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Indefinite-lived: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trademarks | $ | 903,000 | $ | — | $ | 903,000 | $ | 903,000 | $ | — | $ | 903,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Definite-lived: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Franchise agreements | 348,151 | (286,182) | 61,969 | 347,370 | (268,976) | 78,394 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Favorable leases | 138,730 | (79,992) | 58,738 | 144,734 | (77,352) | 67,382 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Reacquired rights under franchise agreements | 96,042 | (27,171) | 68,871 | 88,696 | (21,863) | 66,833 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Software | 356,325 | (278,232) | 78,093 | 323,738 | (247,083) | 76,655 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| $ | 1,842,248 | $ | (671,577) | $ | 1,170,671 | $ | 1,807,538 | $ | (615,274) | $ | 1,192,264 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Aggregate amortization expense: | |||||
| Actual for fiscal year: | |||||
| 2023 | $ | 59,356 | |||
| 2024 | 62,255 | ||||
| 2025 | 62,565 | ||||
| Estimate for fiscal year: | |||||
| 2026 | $ | 57,011 | |||
| 2027 | 49,764 | ||||
| 2028 | 44,794 | ||||
| 2029 | 34,549 | ||||
| 2030 | 15,160 | ||||
| Thereafter | 66,393 | ||||
| $ | 267,671 | ||||
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Feb 23, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Feb 21, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Mar 1, 2023 | |
| 2022 | Mar 1, 2022 | |
| 2021 | Mar 3, 2021 | |
| 2019 | Feb 26, 2020 | |
| 2018 | Feb 27, 2019 | |
| 2017 | Feb 28, 2018 | |
| 2016 | Mar 3, 2016 | |
About Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosures
Goodwill and intangible asset disclosures reveal the premium paid in acquisitions and how management assesses whether that premium retains its value. Since goodwill is no longer amortized under US GAAP, the annual impairment test is the only mechanism that adjusts carrying values downward — making the assumptions behind that test critically important for investors.
Key signals: a history of goodwill impairments suggests management consistently overpays for acquisitions. Watch the gap between reporting unit fair value and carrying amount — when fair value exceeds carrying amount by less than 10-20%, a small decline in business performance could trigger a write-down. For finite-lived intangibles, examine useful life assumptions across customer relationships, technology, and trade names; aggressive estimates inflate near-term earnings. Compare total intangibles-to-total-assets ratios against peers to assess acquisition dependency. Rising goodwill as a percentage of equity can signal balance sheet fragility.