Parent Financial Statements Cash Flow (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2012	Jan. 01, 2012	Jan. 02, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ 9,467	$ 9,875	$ (4,325)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	154,174	145,302	182,172
Impairment of long-lived assets	21,097	12,883	26,326
Share-based Compensation, Including Portion Attributable to Discontinued Operations	11,473	17,688	13,704
Amortization of deferred financing costs	4,241	6,216	11,779
Deferred income tax	(31,598)	1,624
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Including Portion Attributable to Discontinued Operations			(29,779)
Dividends from subsidiaries	0	0	443,700
Other, net	(3,093)	(2,999)	(8,264)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Net cash provided by operating activities	190,415	246,717	226,250
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from repayment of DFR Notes	3,000
Other, net	(3,251)	(265)	352
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	(189,385)	(58,197)	(112,922)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(1,044,310)	(38,702)	(474,791)
Repurchases of common stock	0	(157,556)	(173,537)
Dividends	(39,043)	(32,366)	(27,621)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	7,806	6,359	1,444
Other, net	52	(2,262)	(953)
Net cash used in financing activities	(24,129)	(224,584)	(194,150)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(21,870)	(37,277)	(79,211)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	475,231	512,508	591,719
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	453,361	475,231	512,508
Parent [Member]
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	7,083	9,875	(4,325)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Equity in (income) loss from operations of subsidiaries	(31,217)	(13,078)	2,175
Other operating transactions with Wendy's Restaurants, LLC	28,733	6,031	8,032
Depreciation and amortization	3,078	627	1,863
Impairment of long-lived assets	1,628	0	0
Share-based Compensation, Including Portion Attributable to Discontinued Operations	944	1,021	914
Tax sharing payments received from subsidiaries	37	13,078	0
Amortization of deferred financing costs	21	0	0
Deferred income tax	(4,118)	(10,094)
Deferred Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Including Portion Attributable to Discontinued Operations			(4,027)
Operating investment adjustments, net	0	0	4,909
Tax sharing receivable from subsidiaries, net	0	(2,437)	(1,052)
Dividends from subsidiaries	0	0	443,700
Other, net	(1,753)	1,547	(8)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Other current assets	(472)	491	231
Other current liabilities	8,643	(2,332)	(4,033)
Net cash provided by operating activities	16,113	1,635	438,577
Cash flows from investing activities:
Net repayments from subsidiaries	0	377	987
Proceeds from repayment of DFR Notes	0	0	30,752
Other, net	686	0	205
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	686	377	31,944
Cash flows from financing activities:
Repayments of long-term debt	(11,303)	(1,368)	(8,330)
Repurchases of common stock	0	(157,556)	(173,537)
Dividends	(39,043)	(32,366)	(27,621)
Proceeds from stock option exercises	7,806	6,359	1,444
Other, net	(48)	(2,262)	(828)
Net cash used in financing activities	(42,588)	(187,193)	(208,872)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(25,789)	(185,181)	261,649
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year	128,441	313,622	51,973
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	$ 102,652	$ 128,441	$ 313,622