Revenue Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2025	Sep. 29, 2024	Sep. 28, 2025	Sep. 29, 2024
Disaggregation of Revenue
Total revenues	$ 549,516	$ 566,739	$ 1,633,917	$ 1,672,219
Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	233,154	230,403	685,517	693,081
Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	127,812	132,601	381,720	394,599
Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	24,198	21,267	71,738	63,439
Franchise rental income
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	57,339	59,314	176,204	177,938
Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	107,013	123,154	318,738	343,162
Wendy's U.S. | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue
Total revenues	451,417	468,725	1,342,173	1,384,163
Wendy's U.S. | Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	225,264	222,745	663,981	673,364
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	108,201	114,379	325,449	341,229
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	20,879	17,859	62,555	53,511
Wendy's U.S. | Franchise rental income
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0	0	0
Wendy's U.S. | Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	97,073	113,742	290,188	316,059
Wendy's International | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue
Total revenues	39,912	37,598	113,483	106,774
Wendy's International | Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	7,890	7,658	21,536	19,717
Wendy's International | Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	19,611	18,222	56,271	53,370
Wendy's International | Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	2,471	2,306	7,126	6,584
Wendy's International | Franchise rental income
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0	0	0
Wendy's International | Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	9,940	9,412	28,550	27,103
Global Real Estate & Development | Operating Segments
Disaggregation of Revenue
Total revenues	58,187	60,416	178,261	181,282
Global Real Estate & Development | Sales at Company-operated restaurants
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0	0	0
Global Real Estate & Development | Franchise royalty revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	0	0	0	0
Global Real Estate & Development | Franchise fees
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	848	1,102	2,057	3,344
Global Real Estate & Development | Franchise rental income
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	57,339	59,314	176,204	177,938
Global Real Estate & Development | Advertising funds revenue
Disaggregation of Revenue
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Excluding Assessed Tax	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0