(14) Retention and Other Transaction Costs (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 04, 2010	Jul. 03, 2011	Jul. 04, 2010
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member] | Bonus [Member]
Retention and Other Transaction Costs, Expected	$ 683
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Segment, Discontinued Operations [Member] | Compensation Cost [Member]
Retention and Other Transaction Costs, Expected	891
The Wendy's Company [Member] | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]
Retention program and other transaction related costs	5,039	0	6,923	0
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]
Retention program and other transaction related costs	4,692		5,971
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] | Employee Relocation [Member]
Retention and Other Transaction Costs, Expected	2,400
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] | Compensation Related to Relocation [Member]
Retention and Other Transaction Costs, Expected	1,500
Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]
Retention program and other transaction related costs		0		0
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Retention and Other Transaction Costs, Expected	5,100
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Retention Program, Executive Compensation [Member]
Retention and Other Transaction Costs, Expected	700
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Bonus [Member]
Retention and Other Transaction Costs, Expected	1,780
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Compensation Cost [Member]
Retention and Other Transaction Costs, Expected	$ 1,073