(3) Acquisitions and Dispositions (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
Oct. 02, 2011	Oct. 03, 2010
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Acquisition, cash paid	$ 6,613	$ 0
Proceeds from dispositions	3,799	4,394
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] \| Segment, Continuing Operations [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Proceeds from dispositions	2,865	2,174
Proceeds from the sale of franchise units	1,125	821
Significant changes, franchises sold	3	2
Proceeds from the sale of surplus property	899	1,123
Proceeds from other dispositions	841	230
Gain (loss) on dispositions	744	1,292
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] \| Franchised Units [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Significant changes, franchises purchased during period	4
Segment, Continuing Operations [Member] \| Franchised Units [Member]
Significant Acquisitions and Disposals [Line Items]
Significant changes, franchises purchased during period	9
Number of acquisitions	3
Consideration for acquisition before post-closing adjustments	7,673
Acquisition, cash paid	6,613
Acquisition, cash acquired	55
Acquisition, note payable issued	1,060
Business acquisition, purchase price allocation, goodwill amount	$ 3,689

Fair Value of the liabilities incurred by the acquirer to former owners of the acquiree, including the fair value of any contingent consideration. If liabilities transferred as consideration remain within the combined entity after the business combination (for example, because the assets or liabilities were transferred to the acquiree rather than to its former owners), and the acquirer therefore retains control of them; in that situation, the acquirer measures those liabilities at their carrying amounts immediately before the acquisition date.

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The total cost of the acquired entity including the cash paid to shareholders of acquired entities, fair value of debt and equity securities issued to shareholders of acquired entities, the fair value of the liabilities assumed, and direct costs of the acquisition.

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The amount of cash and cash equivalents acquired in a business combination.

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Amount of goodwill arising from a business combination, which is the excess of the cost of the acquired entity over the amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

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The difference between the sale price or salvage price and the book value of a property, plant, and equipment asset that was sold or retired during the reporting period. This element refers to the gain (loss).

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The cash outflow associated with the acquisition of a business, net of the cash acquired from the purchase.

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The cash inflow from the sale of property, plant and equipment (capital expenditures), software, and other intangible assets.

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The number of franchises purchased during the period when there are significant changes in franchisor-owned outlets or franchised outlets during the period.

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The number of franchises sold during the period when there are significant changes in franchisor-owned outlets or franchised outlets during the period.

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Number of Acquisitions

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Proceeds from the sale of equipment

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Proceeds from the sale of restaurant units

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Proceeds from the sale of surplus property

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