Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 02, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Employment Credits			$ 580
Transaction related costs	145	23,839	1,319	30,762
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	784	(1,441)	784	1,118
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(254)	(5,069)	(254)	(8,849)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	530	(6,510)	530	(7,731)
Wendy's Restaurants, LLC [Member] | Arby’s Restaurant Group, Inc [Member]
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Date of Disposal					7/4/2011
Percentage of Stock Divested					100.00%
Proceeds from divestiture of business, percentage of buyer stock received					18.50%
Transaction related costs		23,839		30,762
Revenues	0	0	0	546,453
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes	341	(2,287)	341	1,992
(Provision for) benefit from income taxes	443	846	443	(874)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	784	(1,441)	784	1,118
Loss on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(254)	(5,069)	(254)	(8,849)
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations	$ 530	$ (6,510)	$ 530	$ (7,731)