System Optimization Gains, Net System Optimization Gain on Sale of Restaurants, Net (Details) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended						6 Months Ended				12 Months Ended		18 Months Ended
		Jun. 28, 2015 USD ($) stores		Jun. 29, 2014 USD ($) stores	[1]	Mar. 30, 2014 USD ($)	[1]	Jun. 28, 2015 USD ($) stores		Jun. 29, 2014 USD ($) stores		Dec. 28, 2014 stores	Dec. 29, 2013 stores	Jun. 28, 2015 USD ($) stores	Feb. 28, 2015 stores
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of restaurants sold to franchisees | stores				0				100		178	[1]	255	244
Significant Changes, Planned Franchises to Sell | stores															540
Future company-owned restaurant ownership percentage															5.00%
Gain on Sale of Restaurants [Abstract]
Proceeds from sale of restaurants								$ 38,697		$ 116,204
Gain on sales, net		$ 15,654		$ 1,418				14,849		74,395	[1]
Sale of Company-Owned Restaurants to Franchiees [Member]
Gain on Sale of Restaurants [Abstract]
Proceeds from sale of restaurants		31,468		0				36,049		101,560	[1]
Net assets sold	[2]	(15,158)		0				(17,380)		(42,016)	[1]
Goodwill related to sales of restaurants		(6,840)		0				(7,863)		(13,658)	[1]
Net (unfavorable) favorable leases	[3]	7,923		0				7,395		24,981	[1]
Other		(2,822)	[4]	0				(3,224)	[4]	300	[1]
Gain on sales of restaurants, net, before post-closing adjustments		14,571		0				14,977		71,167	[1]
Post-closing adjustments on sales of restaurants		934	[5]	470				(639)	[5]	(1,117)	[1]
Gain on sales, net		15,505		470				14,338		70,050	[1]
Favorable Lease Assets		23,428				$ 47,392		25,807
Unfavorable Lease Liabilities		15,505				$ 22,411		18,412
Sale of Other Assets [Member]
Gain on Sale of Restaurants [Abstract]
Proceeds from sale of restaurants		905		7,725				2,598		14,607	[1]
Gain on sales, net	[6]	$ 149		$ 948				$ 511		$ 4,345	[1]
System Optimization [Member]
Gain on Sale of Restaurants [Abstract]
Franchises Sold, Deferred Gain on Sale of Property | stores		14						14
Recognition of Note Receivable	[4]	$ 1,801						$ 1,801
Franchises Sold, Recognition of Note Receivable | stores		16						16
Recognition of deferred gain	[5]	$ 2,450
System Optimization [Member] | Other Liabilities [Member]
Gain on Sale of Restaurants [Abstract]
Deferred Gain on Sale of Property		$ 2,387						$ 2,387						$ 2,387
CANADA
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Number of restaurants sold to franchisees | stores		83												129

[1] Reclassifications have been made to the prior year presentation to include sales of restaurants previously reported in “Other operating expense, net” to conform to the current year presentation. Reclassifications have also been made to reflect the Bakery’s gain on sales of other assets as discontinued operations. See Note 1 for further details.

[2] Net assets sold consisted primarily of cash, inventory and equipment.

[3] During the three and six months ended June 28, 2015, the Company recorded favorable lease assets of $23,428 and $25,807, respectively, and unfavorable lease liabilities of $15,505 and $18,412, respectively, as a result of leasing and/or subleasing land, buildings, and/or leasehold improvements to franchisees, in connection with sales of restaurants. During the first quarter of 2014, the Company recorded favorable lease assets of $47,392 and unfavorable lease liabilities of $22,411.

[4] The three and six months ended June 28, 2015 includes a deferred gain of $2,387 related to the sale of 14 Canadian restaurants to a franchisee, as a result of certain contingencies related to the extension of lease terms. The deferred gain is included in “Other liabilities.” The three and six months ended June 28, 2015 also includes a note receivable of $1,801 from a franchisee in connection with the sale of 16 Canadian restaurants, which has been recognized as part of the overall loss on sale.

[5] During the three months ended June 28, 2015, notes receivable from franchisees in connection with sales of restaurants in 2014 were repaid and as a result, we recognized the related gain on sale of $2,450.

[6] During the three and six months ended June 28, 2015, Wendy’s received cash proceeds of $905 and $2,598, respectively, primarily from the sale of surplus properties. During the three and six months ended June 29, 2014, Wendy’s received cash proceeds of $7,725 and $14,607, respectively, primarily from the sale of surplus properties and the sale of a company-owned aircraft.