<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THE ACCOMPANYING FORM 10-K 
OF TRIARC COMPANIES, INC. FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 3, 1999 AND IS 
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000030697
<NAME>                        TRIARC COMPANIES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
<CURRENCY>                                   US DOLLARS
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                   12-Mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-03-1999
<PERIOD-START>                             DEC-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-03-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                         161,248
<SECURITIES>                                    99,729
<RECEIVABLES>                                   73,275
<ALLOWANCES>                                     5,551
<INVENTORY>                                     46,761
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               409,497
<PP&E>                                          59,176
<DEPRECIATION>                                  27,904
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,019,892
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          201,139
<BONDS>                                        698,981
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                         3,555
<OTHER-SE>                                       7,359
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,019,892
<SALES>                                        735,436
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               815,036
<CGS>                                          390,883
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  390,883
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 2,387
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              70,806
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 28,643
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (16,607)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             12,036
<DISCONTINUED>                                   2,600
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    14,636
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     0.48
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     0.46