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Investments Indirect Investment in Arby's (Details) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended 0 Months Ended
Dec. 29, 2013
Dec. 30, 2012
Jul. 04, 2011
Dec. 28, 2014
Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc [Member]        
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]        
Proceeds from Divestiture of Business, Percentage of Buyer Stock Received       18.50%wen_ProceedsFromDivestitureOfBusinessPercentageOfBuyerStockReceived
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= wen_ArbysRestaurantGroupIncMember
Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc [Member]        
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]        
Proceeds from Dividends Received $ 40,145us-gaap_ProceedsFromDividendsReceived
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$ 4,625us-gaap_ProceedsFromDividendsReceived
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= wen_ArbysRestaurantGroupIncMember
   
Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc [Member] | Investment Income [Member]        
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]        
Investment Income, Dividend 21,145us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeDividend
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4,625us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeDividend
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= us-gaap_InvestmentIncomeMember
/ us-gaap_ScheduleOfEquityMethodInvestmentEquityMethodInvesteeNameAxis
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Common stock [Member] | Arby's Restaurant Group, Inc [Member]        
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]        
Noncash or Part Noncash Divestiture, Amount of Consideration Received     $ 19,000us-gaap_NoncashOrPartNoncashDivestitureAmountOfConsiderationReceived1
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= wen_ArbysRestaurantGroupIncMember
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= us-gaap_CommonStockMember