Goodwill And Other Intangible Assets Schedule of Goodwill and Other Intangibles (Details) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Jan. 01, 2023 USD ($)	Jan. 02, 2022 USD ($) number_of_restaurants	Jan. 03, 2021 USD ($)
Goodwill
Goodwill, gross	$ 782,485	$ 784,675	$ 760,446
Accumulated impairment losses	(9,397)	(9,397)	(9,397)
Goodwill, net	773,088	775,278	751,049
Restaurant acquisitions		23,442
Restaurant dispositions		547
Restaurant acquisitions	(260)
Restaurant dispositions	0
Currency translation adjustment and other	(1,930)	$ 240
Significant Changes, Franchises Sold | number_of_restaurants		47
Wendy's U.S.
Goodwill
Goodwill, gross	620,603	$ 620,863	596,874
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0	0
Goodwill, net	620,603	620,863	596,874
Restaurant acquisitions		23,442
Restaurant dispositions		547
Restaurant acquisitions	(260)
Restaurant dispositions	0
Currency translation adjustment and other	0	0
Wendy's International
Goodwill
Goodwill, gross	39,334	41,264	41,024
Accumulated impairment losses	(9,397)	(9,397)	(9,397)
Goodwill, net	29,937	31,867	31,627
Restaurant acquisitions		0
Restaurant dispositions		0
Restaurant acquisitions	0
Restaurant dispositions	0
Currency translation adjustment and other	(1,930)	240
Global Real Estate & Development
Goodwill
Goodwill, gross	122,548	122,548	122,548
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0	0
Goodwill, net	122,548	122,548	$ 122,548
Restaurant acquisitions		0
Restaurant dispositions		0
Restaurant acquisitions	0
Restaurant dispositions	0
Currency translation adjustment and other	$ 0	$ 0