Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Self-insurance (Details) (Insurance Claims [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 29, 2013
Insurance Claims [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss per Occurrence, Maximum	$ 500

The estimated maximum amount of possible per occurrence loss from the coningency.

No definition available.

Name:	wen_LossContingencyRangeOfPossibleLossPerOccurrenceMaximum
Namespace Prefix:	wen_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant