Reconciliation of Wendy's U.S. Segment Operating Profit (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 30, 2025	Mar. 31, 2024
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 523,472	$ 534,753
Cost of sales	188,169	192,113
Franchise support and other costs	16,596	14,742
Advertising funds expense	101,528	107,374
General and administrative	68,204	63,757
Segment profit	83,126	81,156
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment profit	155,097	160,575
Wendy's U.S. | Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues	429,614	442,847
Cost of sales	181,237	185,933
Franchise support and other costs	13,178	12,694
Advertising funds expense	91,760	99,025
General and administrative	22,424	19,326
Other segment items	38	45
Segment profit	120,977	125,824
Advertising fund expense	$ 0	$ 2,325