Reconciliation of Wendy's U.S. Segment Operating Profit (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2024	Dec. 31, 2023	Jan. 01, 2023
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 2,246,492	$ 2,181,578	$ 2,095,505
Cost of sales	783,211	794,493	773,169
Franchise support and other costs	67,688	57,243	46,736
Advertising funds expense	478,136	428,003	430,760
General and administrative	255,208	249,964	254,979
Operating profit	371,359	381,984	353,314
Advertising funds surplus (deficit)	2,702	4,344	(8,325)
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating profit	677,809	667,540	619,630
Wendy's U.S. | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	1,859,745	1,815,845	1,750,242
Cost of sales	755,265	767,150	756,744
Franchise support and other costs	54,047	47,554	39,398
Advertising funds expense	441,508	396,743	391,491
General and administrative	79,664	75,734	81,951
Other segment items	3,307	312	160
Operating profit	525,954	528,352	480,498
Advertising funds surplus (deficit)	$ 20,000	$ 0	$ 11,000